The Guild

## Introduction

In an era when human curiosity has given rise to unbridled exploration, the Guild has become an important organization from a political and economical standpoint. It exists as more than a simple vector for exploration. It is an illustrious city-state hosted within its own region and governed by a forum of representatives from each nation. While it originally began as a safe haven for aspiring adventurers, it has now grown into a behemoth institution that manages the education, well-being, and regulation for all Explorers and their subsequent conduct. The Guild's mission is to achieve total documentation and understanding of El'yssi. This includes both the known continent as well as the mysteries that have yet to been discovered.

On a day to day basis, the Guild seeks for the diamonds in the roughs from countless hopeful adventurers. Not everyone is fit for the job of an Explorer, and it is the Guild's responsibility to target those who have the potential to walk the unknown and bring further understanding to our world.

That being said, everyone must start somewhere, and that "somewhere" is a Seeker. It is only after a set of arduous trials that Seekers are deemed official Explorers of the Guild; after which, they are then tasked with Quests that help to charter the land. Only the top Explorers move on to become Loremasters, and it is at this point they are deemed a professional in their field of research and study.

## Logistics

### Seeker

Seekers are fledgling explorers who are tasked to seek basic knowledge and understanding of the world. All candidates who wish to join the Guild are required to begin their adventure as a Seeker. Personal experience and latent skills are non-factors in this decision.

Because there is such a high demand for joining the Guild, all Seekers are required to undergo a series of qualifications to determine their aptitude as an Explorer. Seekers are placed into small teams of two or three individuals, with a qualified professional chosen as their mentor and guide. For one month, every team is subjected to a hellish boot-camp in which they will learn survival skills, tools of the trade, and basic knowledge surrounding the local flora and fauna of Genruni.

After successful qualification in their final examination, graduates of the Seeker program are given their official title as a D-Rank Explorer of the Guild.

### Explorer

An Explorer is a full-fledged member of the Guild. Nearly, ninety percent of all Guild members are Explorers--all of whom are tasked with research across the various sanctioned and unsanctioned regions of the world. There is a wide breadth of talent within the Explorer role; ranging from recent Seeker graduates up into the veteran candidates who qualify as Loremasters. Because of this breadth, Explorers are assigned a letter rank that corresponds to their talent--D being the lowest, with S being the highest.

Since all Explorers originate from a team of fellow colleagues, many opt to remain in these formations as they undertake Guild quests. Group research is highly encouraged by the Guild, as it often provides introspection into an individual's latent talent. This in turn provides each member with a better understanding for the specialization they wish to strive for. Time as an explorer is a period of self-discovery that either turns one away from the occupation as a whole, or leads you to a future of infinite possibilities.

### Loremaster

Loremaster is the highest rank one can achieve within the Guild. It is awarded only to the best S-rank Explorers who have made significant research contributions worthy of recognition. At this rank, there are no longer any sanctions enforced by the Guild. As such, they are expected to venture into uncharted territory deemed unsafe for ordinary Explorers. They are hardened veterans who lead the front lines of exploration and bring astonishing new discoveries for humanity to indulge themselves in. Each and every Loremaster is considered a master of their respective field and is often given Noble or Celebrity status when they are not on a Quest. There are three specializations that Loremasters are categorized under:

* **Tamer:** Tamers research the various fauna which walk (or swim) throughout El'yssi. Such research is not limited to the discovery of new species, but also includes the known. Mannerisms, habitats, environmental relationships, breeding, and potential benefits for humanity are but a few of the criteria that are researched by Tamers. At the end of the day, a comprehensive understanding of every species is the day-to-day goal of the specialization; however, as necessary, they are also called upon to subdue any dangerous fauna that threaten the wellbeing of any Nation or any exploration teams.
* **Alchemist**: The title of Alchemist is a general term for a wide breadth of research. El'yssi is teeming with floral and fungal life, and unlike Tamers whose primary focus is the documentation of knowledge, Alchemists tend to focus on application. Alchemy is backed by decades of scientific research which stem from countless experiments that have been conducted on fungi and plants. Because of this research, groundbreaking improvements have been experienced across history, including but not limited too, agricultural advancements, medicinal breakthroughs, and even culinary delights. Alchemists who do not indulge themselves with scientific developments are often hired as medics for exploration teams.

* **Ruin Diver:** The final specialization is a unique outlier because it does not focus on living organisms--rather civilizations long past. Ruin Divers, as implied by their title, scour the land in search for ruins and the secrets they hold. Understanding the ancestors of humanity, as well as the various triggers which sparked their evolutionary differences, are the goals of Rune Divers. All specializations are considered high-risk occupations; however, Ruin Diving is considered the most perilous of them all. Curses, dangerous relics, and traps within the ruins are but some of the dangers Ruin Divers must contend with on a day to day basis. Because of their expertise, Ruin Divers are often hired as guides for the other specialization who seek specific knowledge from the depths of caverns and ruins.