Guilds of the Free Cities
Guilds
Almost the entire economy of the free cities is regulated by Guilds. One cannot run a business or pursue training in a particular profession without the sanction or approval of one of the associated guilds.
Guilds, Common
These guilds are widespread exist in all five of the Free Cities. They are not particularly powerful on their own, but they tend to associate with one another and as such, if a person finds him or herself blacklisted by one of the guilds in any city, they will often be shunned by their sister guilds in the others.
Ruling Guild
City Guild
Unlike the Ruling Guild, the City Guild is primarily concerned with administration. While the president of the City Guild has a seat on the Ruling Guild, no other member of the City Guild has a seat on the City Guild.
Mercantile Guild
Scribes' Guild
Thieves' Guild
Entertainers' Guild
Agricultural Guild
Other Guilds
The Guild of Scales
The members of this guild serve as the highest authority on dragon lore. If rumors can be believed, they still treat with the drakes and are sometimes gifted scales by the dragons of Visici.
The Adventurers' Guild
Guilds, City Specific
Among the Free Cities, these guilds are widely revered and influential, however they are most powerful in their "home" city, where their headquarters are located.
Tyrose
The Sons of Tyrath
The Sons of Tyrath is perhaps the most powerful guild in the Free Cities. This mages' guild has chapters in each of the cities, however their influence is most powerful in the city of Tyrose where their headquarters, the Tower of Tyrath, looms above all.
Avemroth
Temple Guild
Syr
The Black
Membership within The Black is highly regulated, their numbers tightly controlled and kept secret from the general public. All members of The Black are registered, and a description of what powers they possess is usually provided to several guilds, primarily The Scribes and the Sons of Tyrath. All members of The Black must wear their robes at all times. As sorcery is feared and loathed in the cities, members are kept visible to be distrusted and poorly-received by the common person.
Kertos
The Grey Order
A group of rangers, or "wardens" as some prefer to be called, work as protectors for the Free City of Kertos. They are the law when it comes to keeping the peace and providing protection to the city. In addition to the everyday rangers that keep guard over the city, the Grey Order also has five specialized units within their ranks made up of the best of the best that the Order has to offer. The units are made up of six men each, and special care is taken to making units with complementary strengths.
The Tenders
A guild of shamans that are focused on the well being of the great oak trees that hold much of Kertos aloft. They make sure the trees are upkept and are given the proper respect and attention needed to keep the treetop section of the city safe and healthy.