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Humans have always possessed a competitive streak. Passionate and driven, they form guilds to pursue their ambitions and passions. Some of these guilds operate in the shadows, while others revolve around hobbies; some are well-established, while a few hold political influence. The following four guilds stand as examples of what human passion and determination can achieve, be it for greatness, freedom, or simply the joy of the journey.
RUXUS
Pyren, an adventure-loving orphan, founded the Ruxus guild in 1829 AA. He had a quirky habit of calling everyone “brother,” and during his five years as Guildmaster, the term became more than a nickname—it was what bound Ruxus together: a family forged through shared danger and discovery. What began as a small band of thrill-seekers diving into the unknown has since grown into one of the most respected exploration guilds in Kurestal. From the glittering depths of Eventide Cove to the treacherous ruins beyond the edges of official maps, Ruxus go where others won’t—and often, where others can’t.
The death of Pyren is rarely spoken of among the guild's members, but word has it he fell saving a fellow “brother.” After his death in 1835 AA, Daphne stepped up as Guildmaster. Under her leadership, the guild gained a reputation as a vital asset to scholars, researchers, and collectors alike. Though still known for their daring spirit, Ruxus have become equally respected as a guild of cartographers and archivists. They’re renowned not only for their courage, but for their unmatched knowledge of ancient sites, forgotten paths, and long-lost treasures.
Every dungeon they explore is meticulously documented—from detailed maps and monster traits to survival tips, environmental hazards, and notes on the local flora and fauna. The guild’s knowledge is so highly regarded that scholars frequently consult them for information on places they’ve explored, the artefacts they’ve discovered, and the creatures they’ve encountered. It’s often said that if a place can be mapped, Ruxus have already drawn the lines. The guild has explored nearly every dungeon and forest in Kurestal—save for one: the Fractured Forest.
Daphne, Ruxus’ guild master, is smart, calculating, and an amazing gunslinger.
She’s already won the King’s League once. How hard can it be to run Ruxus, too?
FORTIVA
Within the rural countryside lies a guild founded in 1826 AA by Sir Frederick, a retired knight who gave up the prestige of being the King’s Guard for a quieter life with his then-pregnant wife. That guild is Fortiva—a name meaning “fortitude”. Composed of former knights, Fortiva swear to protect the villages and farms from thieving bandits and dangerous creatures. They are beloved by the common folk, who see them as valiant protectors of those who live beyond the law’s iron reach. In places where the Royal Guards aren’t stationed, Fortiva fill that gap.
Many share similar stories of Fortiva’s early days: someone being in trouble and Fortiva arriving in the nick of time to save the day. Oftentimes, Fortiva would stay until the threat was truly gone. Over time, Fortiva’s bond with the villagers and farmers grew beyond mere service; relying on Fortiva became second nature whenever the Royal Guards were absent.
Since Fortiva’s founding, they have grown large enough to send their members across Kurestal, helping smaller communities remain safe and protected. With stations set up throughout Kurestal, they’re able to operate and respond more swiftly to those in need.
Sir Frederick is a family man first and a protector second.
He’s a great multitasker—running his tavern and Fortiva, and being a loving father and husband all at the same time.
MISTELLE
As one of Kurestal’s oldest guilds, believed to be founded somewhere in the late-1780s AA, Mistelle have cultivated a reputation cloaked in mystery and subterfuge. They are led by a figure known only by her alias, Gretta—the Matron of Mistelle. The members conceal their identities behind cloaks, masks, and assumed names. The guild rose to prominence following the disbandment of the Shadow Corps—an assassins’ guild whose absence left a void only Mistelle could fill. From then on, they flourished, quietly extending their services in espionage to the highborn and powerful. Over the years, their reputation has only grown more polarising—some praise them as heroes, while others are unnerved by their cold efficiency and moral ambiguity.
Within the shadows of Caldemount Palace, there is one tale often whispered among both nobles and servants alike: the mysterious death of Prince Aric Bion in 1793 AA, former heir to King Henry. His body was found one morning in a secluded area, with no visible wounds and no witnesses to question. With no leads, the Royal Guard handed the investigation over to Mistelle. It was the guild who uncovered the truth: that King Henry’s brother had hired an assassin to murder the prince. When interrogated, King Henry’s brother revealed that he had hired Mistelle to shadow Prince Aric and track his habits and movements. That information was later used to orchestrate the crime.
This incident only cemented Mistelle’s reputation—unwavering in duty, unburdened by moral judgement. Each time the story is whispered, its ending changes depending on the teller. One of the more far-fetched rumours claims that Mistelle themselves orchestrated the entire affair, pulling strings from the start. But the truth was simpler—Mistelle’s loyalties lie not with the crown, but with the contract. Among the guilds in Kurestal, few are as powerful as Mistelle.
Matron Gretta, guild master of Mistelle, sees everything and says little.
Calm, cunning, and always three steps ahead—she’s the kind of woman you never want to owe a favour to.
LUMERO
Often referred to as Kurestal’s golden guild, Lumero stand as a collective pillar of prosperity, with many guild members being influential players in the nation’s economic stability. At the helm, overseeing operations, is representative Seth. Founded in the mid-1780s AA, Lumero began as a modest trading guild whose motto was “The finest merchants with the finest products”. However, Lumero didn’t remain a mere trading guild; they evolved into something more following an incident that would change the guild's political standing.
Sometime in the early-1790s AA, when Kurestal’s economy was being destabilised by nobles quietly lining their pockets through tax manipulation, inflated prices, and illegal trading, Lumero intervened to protect their merchants in any way they could. This included setting fair prices, managing supply chains to prevent shortages, brokering regional trade deals, and backing affiliated merchants to reduce theft and extortion of their goods. Lumero even hired Mistelle to uncover and present irrefutable evidence of the corrupt nobles disrupting the nation’s peace to the King. It wasn’t long before those nobles were dealt with, but Lumero continued to shape Kurestal’s economy behind the scenes. By the time the King took notice of the guild’s growing influence, Lumero had already gained enough wealth, reach, and respect to stabilise the economy through sheer coordination and trust. However, upon seeing that Lumero had the people’s interests at heart and were proving effective at restoring order to the market, the King deemed it safest to leave such matters in the guild’s hands.
With Lumero’s vast merchant network, trade influence, and longstanding trust among commoners and nobles alike, the guild continues to guide prices, secure supply lines, and strike trade agreements. Lumero has never laid claim to political power, but they are powerful enough to govern Kurestal’s market—quietly, efficiently, and always in the interest of balance.
Representative Seth, Lumero’s guild master, hates wasting time.
Every second of every day is a missed opportunity to strike a deal or make a profit.
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