Royal Vallanna Explorers Guild
The Royal Vallanna Explorers Guild is an independant organisation, headquartered in Valliné, dedicated to exploration, archaeology and adventure.
Largely self-governing, the guild conducts expeditions throughout the lands of Vallanna and beyond, in search of knowledge, renown and, in many cases, priceless ancient treasures.
The guild is generally held in high esteem by Vallannan society, and its members command a certain degree of respect in many circles. Many prominent figures, including members of The Royal Family enjoy close ties to the guild, while not actually, in most cases, being active members themselves. In such a capacity, Walton Enarren, the Duke of Serenal and current Crown Prince, is the Guild's highest profile patron; contributing funds and supplies to guild where he can.
The guild also maintains a close working relationship with the University of Valliné, sharing knowledge where it can. Indeed, several of those in the University's employ are also members of the guild, and joint-expeditions between the University and the guild are not unknown, especially those with more of an archaelogical flavour, where eager students often find themselves put to work as diggers and cataloguers.
To be known as a member of the Explorers Guild is to be seen as something of an expert in world history, geography and many other specialist lore subjects which the average layman would perhaps only have a passing familiarity with, if that, as well as an expectation that they have a level of competance in all manner of adventuring skills.
For most members, these preconceptions will be well founded, although many members will be more specialised in certain fields.
Membership in the guild is not limited to the nobility - any can apply, provided they have the drive to explore the unknown and push back the frontiers of knowledge. However, while anyone is allowed to apply for membership, those who have already somewhat proven themselves worthy adventurers or have already gained a reputation for competance in the skills which would serve the guild well, will find it more likely that their application will be accepted.
Structure
The Explorer's Guild is led by a Guildmaster. Below them are several other high positions which hold a great deal of sway within the organisation - The Expedition Commissioner; The Master of Maps; The Provisioner General and The High Archivist.
The majority of official expeditions conducted by the Guild will be led by an Expedition Leader, who is frequently the guild member who proposed the expedition in the first place. The guild contains many experienced adventurers, but being chosen to lead an expedition is seen as a sign of respect from the other members of the guild.
Otherwise, the guild has a mostly flat organisational structure, with an informal code of respect for those who have taken part in the most successful expeditions or those who have simply taken part in a large number of expeditions.
Assets
The guild headquarters - Pioneer Hall - a large four-storey building with an attached compound, including its own stables, cartwright, and warehouses, can be found in Valliné, overlooking the Square of Heroes.
The guild also maintains smaller outposts and lodgings in many of the larger towns and cities of the land, including Laranna, Serenal, Steinstad, Seorsa'Emel and High-Hill.
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