Guild of the Sable Cauldron

The Guild of The Sable Cauldron is a group of craftsmen and women renowned for their skill in the art of all things brews, concoctions, potions, tinctures, draughts, elixirs and tonics, both deadly and delightful.

**Historical Background and Folklore**

* Where the Guild’s founding is new, its craft is not. Craftspeople have been making beverages from the beginning of recorded history. From the alewives of ancient Mesopotamia to the tea masters of ancient Japan, someone somewhere has been brewing a draught of something. The Guild’s founding Mistress, Elyria Greenleaf wanted to bring these skills and talents together, ushering in a golden age for all liquid crafters.  But, being a wise Guild Mistress, she saw the opportunity to add other ancient crafts to her guild: the art of poisons and of magical potions. And so, the merger of all things brewed came to pass and The Guild of The Sable Cauldron was born.

**Internal Hierarchical Structure**

* **Novice** (Newly added to the guild and not yet in service to a Mentor)
* **Apprentice** (Is in service to a Mentor)
* **Mentor** (Serves the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and has been awarded the right to take Apprentices and be heard by the Sable Council)
* **Sable Council** (Three seats are taken by Mentors that the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and remaining Council members deems worthy and have trained at least one (1) Apprentice to Mentorship. The Council members are responsible for hearing trials and passing judgment on orders of discipline, approval of tier transitions and final voting within the guild.)
* **Guild Master/Mistress/Leader** (Runs the guild and presides over the Sable Council. Along with the votes of the Sable Council, the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader approves entry into the guild, advancement to Apprenticeship and Mentorship and is in charge of keeping the Book of Banishment and the Book of Records.)

**Disbursement of Information**

* All information gathered in official or unofficial capacity by the guild shall be copied and given over to the Order of Ovates to be added to the lore entries and kept in multiple records.

**Rules for Membership**

1. **Respect All Things.**

* All things above and below must be given the respect they deserve. No member shall disrespect things living or dead, holy or non. Any member found by the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader in disrespect of the skill, station or sacrifice made to produce our craft shall be disavowed from the guild. Disrespect is any damaging action that cannot be undone and is done with willing intent. Examples are the desecration of someone’s property, craft or person. To destroy someone’s potion, to defile a grave or break someone’s gear on purpose.

1. **Keep Eye, Ear and Mind Open.**

* All members must remember their place and know that even the grandest of crafters can learn something new from the youngest of Novices.

1. **Our Word is Our Bond.**

* Be true in everything you do, say and craft. Be loyal to those you trust. Loyalty and trust are hard won and easily lost. Treat them as the precious things they are. Any members found by the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader of dishonesty or disloyalty shall be disavowed from the guild.

**System of Advancement**

* **Joining as a Novice**
* A letter of intent is required from the interested party and a meeting with the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader is required to file the paperwork.

* **Novice to Apprentice**
* A Novice must be chosen by a Mentor and swear obedience to their Mentor. (Obedience is defined as consenting to and committing an act that is non-harming and attainable by the person obeying. No Mentor has the right to ask an Apprentice to perform any act that requires them to hurt themselves or others, damage property without consent of the property owner and/or perform any illegal act. If an Apprentice feels that the Mentor is asking them to commit an act that violates any of these terms or is felt to be demeaning by the Apprentice, the Apprentice has full right to deny this act and report their Mentor to the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader.)

* **Apprentice to Mentor**
* A Mentor must teach an Apprentice everything He/She/They knows. The Apprentice must then prove their skill by demonstration of said skill and the ability to teach this skill to others. This demonstration may be carried out in the form of physical crafting or by formally written documentation of crafted work done by the Apprentice and approved by the Mentor. This documentation will be in the form of an instruction manual. This will allow the craft to be taught to others as is part of the right of passage. The Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and Sable Council will then approve the paperwork for advancement to Mentor.

* **Sable Council Member**
* If there is an opening within the Council then a Mentor that has trained at least one (1) Apprentice to Mentorship. A vote of the remaining Council members and the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader will then be held to determine the new Council member.
* If there are no Sable Council members, then the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader in conjunction with the Court shall decide on who shall fill the seats as needed. This will be a temporary enlistment until the seats are filled by persons who have completed the requirements. The temporary people can remain and become permanent if the person filling the seat has met the requirements for Sable Council.

* **Guild Master/Mistress/Leader**
* A new Guild Master/Mistress/Leader is chosen by a majority vote of the Sable council and the soon-to-be former Guild Master/Mistress/Leader. If the result is a tie, the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader has final say.

**Changes in Membership**

* **Retiring**
* All members can remain part of the guild for as long as they desire, though if they feel the desire to retire, they may. A ceremony shall be given and their name shall be remembered and recorded within the Book of Records. There is no returning to active guild status once retired. Retired members will have the ability to visit with the guild and sit in on Sable Council meetings. They may also give official consultation and be used as character witnesses during trials.

* **Leaving**
* Any member is allowed to leave at any point in their membership of the guild.
* **“In Good Standing”**. Good standing is when the member leaving has made their intentions clear to the Sable Council and the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and have been approved for departure.
* **“Not in Good Standing”**. This is when the member in question has abandoned their post  within the guild for more than 30 days since last contact and have not made their intentions of leaving clear to the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader.

* **Returning**
* All members in good standing may return to the guild. They will be penalized one rank to the next lowest tier. Unless given permission to return to full rank by the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader for extenuating circumstances. When a member leaves in good standing and wants to return, a written letter of intent to return must be given to the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and a showing of correct regalia for their new/former station be made.
* Members not in good standing will not be allowed to return and their name shall be placed in the Book of Banishment.

* **Advancing**
* As members advance from one tier to the next within the guild they must meet the requirements and have the approval of the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and Sable Council. If the individual advancing is not satisfied with the decision, they may make an appeal to the Guild Master/Mistress/Leader and Sable Council. The Sable Council will gather for the hearing and discuss why advancement was postponed. The member looking to advance will then be given the results of the hearing and what they can do to advance. Once approved and requirements met, there shall be a ceremony and donning of regalia.

* **Disciplinary Action**
* All members are subject to disciplinary actions if found guilty of offense by the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader.
* **“Minor Offense”**. Examples of minor offenses include but are not limited to: “pranking” or “tricking” someone or something into doing a legal or non-harming act that has caused issue with the victim of said “prank” or “trick”. Minor offenses will be punished by cleaning duties and other chores as seen fit by the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader.
* **“Major Offense”**. Examples of major offenses include but are not limited to: the breaking or damaging of property or persons due to “careless” or “reckless” behavior but where the injured party or owner of the damaged property has come to an agreement with the guilty party and reconciled the matter. Major offenses will be punished by whatever the two parties have agreed upon. If reconciliation is not found then the guilty party will be punished with what the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader deem fitting for the severity of the offense.

* **Banishment**
* Any member found guilty by the Sable Council and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader of three (3) Major Offenses without reconciliation, documented breaking of the three (3) cardinal rules or abandoning for more than 30 days since last contact of their post within the guild shall be stripped of all rank and title and their name placed in the Book of Banishment along with offenses committed.

* **Heraldic Device**

   \*\***Crest:** New Kingdom, Circular quadruple braid of Vert, Mallen, Morn, Celeb (green, gold, black, silver) with a Solid Ordinary (background) of Vert (green) with a Standard (image) of a bubbling Morn (black) cauldron.

**Membership Roster**
**Name/Title/Class/Rank (if applicable)**

1. Elyria Greenleaf / Trouping / Guild Mistress

**Uniform and Equipment**
**All uniforms and equipment listed below are mandatory for their station.**

**Novice**

* An “Apprentice Contract” with official guild seal.
* A small token of guild acceptance.\*

**Apprentice**

* A cauldron\*\*
* A black apron with guild crest\*\*\*

**Mentor**

* A cauldron\*\*
* A black apron with guild crest and title\*\*\*

**Sable Council**

* A black hood\*\*\*\*
* A medallion\*\*\*\*\*
* A cauldron\*\*
* A black apron with guild crest and title\*\*\*

**Guild Master/Mistress**\*\*\*\*\*\*

* A black hood\*\*\*\*
* A medallion\*\*\*\*\*
* A cauldron\*\*
* An black apron with guild crest and title\*\*\*

\*The Novice token of guild acceptance is a small custom button pin with the guilds crest.

\*\*Cauldrons are for aesthetics only and do not need to be functional or food safe. It is highly recommended that you buy one you can carry on your person and is made by your fellow artisans and small shop owners. Please ask your Guild Master/Mistress/Leader or fellow guild members for suggestions on cauldrons.

\*\*\*Aprons are only worn during crafting. You will be required to buy or make your own black full bib style apron. The Guild Crest patch will be available for purchase at the Guilded Quill on Etsy. You will be required to adhere it to the top center chest portion of the apron. It is highly recommended that you buy an apron that is made by your fellow artisans and small shop owners. Please ask your Guild Master/Mistress/Leader or fellow guild members for suggestions on aprons before purchase and where to place the patch.

Mentors and Guild Master/Mistress/Leader will be required to purchase and adhere a title specific patch on their apron.

\*\*\*\*Sable Council hoods are only worn during council meetings, hearings and trials. They are passed down from member to member. If leaving/retiring members wish to keep their hoods, a new hood will be made/ordered at the leaving/retiring members expense.

\*\*\*\*\*The Sable Council medallion is a custom made pendant of the guild’s crest and is passed down from member to member. If leaving/retiring members wish to keep their medallions, a new medallion will be made/ordered at the leaving/retiring members expense.

\*\*\*\*\*\*Each new Guild Master/Mistress/Leader receives their official regalia that they get to keep once retired from the position. If removed by the Court and unanimous vote of the Sable Council, then they are stripped of all Guild-bearing items. Official Guild Master/Mistress/Leader regalia is a black hood with guild crest and tassels, an ornate version of the Sable Council medallion and title specific patch for the apron.