The Council of Nine

May All Be As One

The Council of Nine, known to most of the Town of Bearmaw as simply The Council, is the governmental body of the town. Composed of nine of the many guilds that call the town home, the guildmasters work together to keep peace within the walls.

The Guilds

The Crimson Company

Represented by the guildmaster, Ser Caedmund Runescar¹, the adventurer's guild is responsible for keeping track of outsiders within the town's walls and dealing with them should the need arise. The organization keeps its own hall within the Arcanist's Burough, along with an office in the official Guildhall in Highscepter.

The Council of the Black Angel

Represented by the Abbess, Lady Erilre Wynneiros. She, along with her monastery dedicated to Paha, the God of Secrets, runs many of the taverns and breweries within Bearmaw and is responsible for mediating the Council's meetings. The Temple of the Black Angel is located on the edge of the Dock Ward and is richly decorated.

The Council of the Shield

Represented by the guildmaster, Ser Sonas Ophins, the fighter's guild is responsible for the training and maintanence of both the city guard and a militia force, if a situation calls for such drastic action². They have several outposts throughout the town, with their barracks located within Highscepter.

The Fellowship of the Whispering Fang

Represented by the guildmaster, Ernam Rawley ³. The thieves' guild is far smaller than the others and is responsible for keeping the town relatively crime-free. Its hall is a run-down inn within the heart of the Dock Ward, and the guildmaster is rarely seen outside the district.

The Golden Foxes

Represented by the eldest son of the Bonebender clan⁴, Khimil Bonebender, the merchant's guild is composed of several of the most prominent families of Bearmaw. The guild itself is responsible for most of the business that passes through the town as well as collecting the taxes imposed by the King. Its meeting hall is impressive and is located in Highscepter beside the main Guildhall.

The Guild of the Veiled Tome

Represented by Induis Bonneseul, this guild is traditionally the tie-breaker and elected leader of the Council. It is also responsible for the education of new and apprentice mages as well as accompanying the city guard with the awakened guardians. The guild's towers, located within the Arcanist's Burough, are also the location of Bearmaw's only library⁵.

Koerwe's Council

Represented by the High Priestess of the temple, Lady Joane Eddyn. Her temple is responsible for the two orphanages in the town, the largest being the temple itself in Highscepter. It also takes care of medical problems within Bearmaw to the best of their extent.

The Silver Swords

Represented by the guildmaster, Ser Lesym Byne⁶, the mercenaries' guild is responsible for patrolling the outskirts of Bearmaw and keeping the town safe from outside threats in tandem with the Council of the Shield. It's guildhall, a simple longhouse in the Arcanist's Burough, is kept updated with a rotating board of wanted posters.

The Thorns of Ordad

Represented by Eldartas Stormdancer, the eldest druid of the circle, the Thorns of Ordad are responsible for the upkeep of Bearmaw's trees and guardians. The circle itself is based outside the town's walls in a small settlement to the northeast.

Structure

The Council of Nine is an equal partnership between the guilds, with tasks assigned to each according to their specialties. The representative from the mage's guild is traditionally the elected leader, stemming from Artix's importance to the town, while the abbesses of the Temple of the Black Angel have been the mediators for as long as they've been in Bearmaw.

Public Agenda

The Council's main goal is to keep the town's status quo as stable as possible.

Footnotes

¹Murder in the Mountains: The True Story of Esseavand Pass, Banyr Castelles
²Decisive Sieges and Battles of the Last Century, Sybel Arper
³Enemies Without Restrictions: An Infamous History of Swindlers and Conmen, Curethil Dorthellothl
⁴The Ten Wealthiest Families of Braks Eshai, Amralior Greysnow
⁵Unusual History: Tracking Legends Through Time, Eris Shadowcaller
⁶The Demons in the Shadows, or History's Most Infamous Assassins, Delight the Lucky

Founding Date

YE 7465

Type

Government, Leadership

Alternative Names

The Council

Leader

Induis Bonneseul

Location

Town of Bearmaw

Controlled Territories

• Town of Bearmaw