Alchemist Guild

The Alchemist Guild is a powerful political/scientific/economic entity in Wyvrena. Although technically not a part of the government of the Wyvrenan Protectorate, the six circles of the guild nominate the Tribunes who rule The Tribunal. This is supposedly a privilege they have as a result of being "neutral," but nothing could be farther from the truth. They have been the effective "power behind the throne" since the reign of Lucomo Verra.

## History

The Alchemist Guild was founded on a charter granted by Lucomo Rhivane near the beginning of the Dynastic Age. During the time preceding Rhivane's reign, especially after the cultural solidification that happened under the Wyvrenan Dynasties, folk medicine practitioners of the peninsula began sharing their secrets, discovering the first alchemical laws. With the legitimacy granted by Rhivane's charter, the practice of science of alchemy exploded in the region. They quickly proved their usefulness as advisors and weapon-developers, and the prestige of the Guild grew through each generation.

During the reign of Vivaine II, because of the lucomo's imperial mismanagement, the Guild became concerned about their ability to continue without a strong enough state. Thus, they took the step of aiding in Lucomo Verra's coup. This set the precedent of strong ties between the Guild and the crown.

During the reign of Jesumach III, with massive destabilization on the horizon, the Guild decided to institute a new governing structure that would be more responsive to their will, and thus the First Tribunal was formed. The Guild betrayed the crown and sided with the First Tribunal's forces during the Wyvrenan Civil War. Throughout the Tribune Age the Guild became even more involved in the economic side of Wyvrenan affairs, eventually contacting The Stranger and using the Bloodflower Ritual to produce gold for minting purposes. After the outbreak of the goldrust blight, the Guild stepped up its gold production severely.

During the present recession caused by the missing Grand Caravan, the Guild engineered the tax crisis and assassination attempt on Chancellor Rivish, conspiring to cause a massive battle at the Tribunal which they can use for an enormous Bloodflower Ritual so that they can maintain a higher rate of gold production while they attempt to figure out another way to maintain control over the peninsula.

## Structure

The Alchemist Guild is organized around six circles, each corresponding to one of the six alchemical domains. Each of these circles is largely self-governing, but there is a High Council of Alchemists made up of representatives from each of the six circles which has the power to direct the affairs of the entire guild.

Each circle is governed by one of the Low Councils, which consist of six members who serve for life and are nominated by their corresponding Low Council. Usually, to be nominated to either the High Council or a Low Council, the guild member must already be at the rank of Master. Master alchemists also serve as advisors and consultants in various levels of government and civil life. Below the Masters are the Apprentices, who fill out the ranks of large alchemy labs across the peninsula. Below the Apprentices are the Journeyman Alchemists who are usually new inductees to the guild-- they usually take up menial tasks for the Guild until they have proven their worth.

## Functions

The Guild provides several important functions in Wyvrenan society. The six circles select tribunes for the council when a respective circle's tribune dies or resigns. Master Alchemists are offered by the guild, at a low-price point, to consult for governors and businessmen (even internationally). Finally, and maybe most importantly, the Guild produces the gold which backs the money minted at The Tribunal. When the goldrust blight broke out and mining the Northern Fringe was no longer viable, the Alchemist Guild started producing gold in huge quantities to keep up with demand. However, the secret of this process is closely guarded by the High Council.

## Guildhalls

Each of the Circles have a corresponding guildhall which is the locus of their research.

* The Guildhall of Order is on the Old Wyvrenapol side of the Stout Twin river in Wyvrenapol.
* The Guildhall of Discord stands opposite the Guildhall of Order on the Steammill District side of the Stout Twin in Wyvrenapol. The two guildhalls have a pulley and zipline system across the river for exchanging information.
* The Guildhall of Beasts is in a defunct lighthouse along the Peridot Coast, not far from Port Peridor.
* The Guildhall of the Hearth is in a grand temple-like structure in Twinforde.
* The Guildhall of the Arcane is hidden within the cavern system of Magi's Pass, not far from Riddler's Gulch.
* The Guildhall of the Nomad is built of adobe into a cliff at the juncture of Magi's Pass and The Grimwood in The Saltlands.

## Allies

* Wyvrenan Protectorate-- they are loyal to the government structure existing, as it is their front for power; not necessarily loyal to any one instantiation of that structure though...
* Alred Quichamp
* Binpon-- spy for the Guild, also its creation
* Wilfred Corrigan-- agent of the guild; running a migrant trafficking operation between The Cradle and the Magi's Spire while fronting as a zealot
* Glascivious Sphinx
* Tremblay Gunt
* Archibald Conanche

## Enemies

* Mim Laughren
* Tesemer Mindo
* Belamy Wayside
* Hagr, the Old Oak
* Tuleric Mont