The Crafter's Guild (we run the world)

Hey, I'm Dae! I've been back from a break for about 4 months now and have been loving writing some stories with great people (shoutout to them, you are all awesome). I'm finally settling in and ready to explore a new idea that I've been working on for about 2 years now. I'm open to exploring this idea and setting as a 1x1 or small group, I don't know if I could take on a large group right now. Be forewarned, this story could delve into some serious nerding out over making and doing things like carpentry, jewelry, art, tailoring, materials, alchemy, enchanting and many other things. This may not be the focus of the story, but it is a major part of the background, so it would be useful if you already had interest in some of these things.

I'm looking to gauge interest for now, and see if there is a story here worth telling. There's a lot of possibility, so I didn't want to narrow it down too much. I'll wait to see what people would like to do. You can respond here or PM me questions or interest!

I love a good romance, and this could certainly be set as one, especially as a 1x1. If it ends up being a group, everyone has to be ok with there being a romance (not necessarily everyone having to participate in it). Any interest in this beyond the innocent, you'll have to PM me to discuss. I'm not saying no to more than that, I've had my share of smut amid a good story, I'm just not going to lay out thoughts for it here.

The Guild
In this world there is a constant need. From the smallest village to the sprawling cityscape of the capitol, from a farmer to the highest king, they are all reliant on crafters. They build the houses, mend the tools, and set the gems that keep the world moving forward. The Crafter's Guild is the authority that handles all of these artisans, manages procurement, organizes logistics and much more. However, the Guild's power goes beyond simple merchantry. If an artisan is needed to mend the King's crown, the Guild will handle it. If someone is requesting leather made from earth drake hide but there's none left in stock, well... they can handle that, too. Each guild member receives an enchanted badge with the Guild's symbol on it as identification, though its rarely asked for when accepting jobs normally.

The Premise(s)
You are a member of this guild, perhaps new, perhaps seasoned. There are more details about the Guilds secrets for more seasoned members, so I'm leaving those hidden below just in case you like surprises. Those details can also be expanded depending on the story. Either you or your group may receive regular contracts from the guild, maybe as artisans, or maybe as "procurement specialists". Each guild hall doubles as a tavern and varies in size based on location, so the story could be set in a small town or bustling city. I'm thinking this could run a few ways. This could be a city/political intrigue story, with the Guild's power being used to help maintain balance in a tumultuous time. It could be slice of life, just focusing on the day-to-day interactions of the characters as new, rising, or veteran artisans. It could be a budding romance between guild members, or a grand adventure to track down rare materials in far-reaching places. It really is up to the person or group, thus the check for interest before settling on anything.

The Guild is also the inventor of most of the new magic in the world, and it uses that to its benefit. Beneath each guild hall is a secret secondary room, maybe small or maybe an entire tavern. Real guild members who have established themselves can drink here, do business, find rare food and drink and more. This area is also a place of ceremony. First, this is where a guild master can "stamp" your badge. Receiving your first artisan star on your badge is akin to being truly a part of the guild. You have more access to materials and secrets, advanced knowledge of research, and can stay in any guild hall for the night for free. Second, if in a hall large enough to have a secret tavern, you also receive the gift of a drink. Dozens of artisan-crafted cups, flagons, tankards, and all kinds of drinking implements are laid out for you to choose from, each one unique and waiting for the right owner. Not only is it an honor for you to be gifted something crafted so well, but it also honors the artisans who made them.

Getting your second star is no easy task. Sure, the first one comes to anyone who seems trustworthy enough. The second one only comes to those who prove their worth. Maybe it was from months of tracking and slaying a rare monster and obtaining the materials, or crafting clothing that changed fashion in the capitol, or maybe the demanding task of being the best bartender for the secret tavern (and all its unique customers) for the last 10 years. Whatever the reason, you've earned the right to learn about the Guild's inner workings. As a token of thanks, you are gifted a custom-made tool set of your trade, worked on specifically for you by several other 2-star members. They might have procured rare materials to forge you new chisels, replaced your worn armor with custom-fit hide, or traveled far to obtain colors of pigment yet unseen in a painting in this country.

You will also slowly become more included in discussions about the Guild's business. Because of their unique position, their hands touch more coin that the nation's treasury, and that comes with power to sway nobles. The Guild itself needs balance, the artisans can't thrive in all-out war, so they maintain neutrality wherever possible. They won't hesitate to protect their livelihood, or their members, though. The sway many of their members have with the people they service through their craft is enough to control small towns, and the people who go out to procure giant viper skin on a regular basis are just as dangerous against humans. The Guild's members also include many people in power to begin with. Court mages who spent their time with the Guild creating new spells, enchantments, or alchemy. Village chiefs and town mayors who were once blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, or mercenaries. Even a few nobles spent enough time honing their craft to earn the right to be considered artisans. What might your character do with so many high reaching people in its network?
The Crafter's Guild (we run the world)

DaemonsRevenge
