The streets of District 9 were filled with the usual mix of wagons, carts, and traders as SJ walked through the streets. She had checked over the list of the top ten adventuring guilds provided by the Auditor’s office, and seven of the top ten were based there. The information which she had been presented had been more detailed than she had expected, which she believed was due to Alex’s influence in the tower over anything she could ever have managed to achieve.
The third on the list was the Foresters Guild. She knew where their headquarters were, having seen it close to the Black Griffin when she first visited District 9 with Jay. The guild that Carlito had mentioned, which Francis was a member of, was in fifth place: the Chimaera Guild. At the top of the list sat a guild called the Lightbringers; its headquarters were in District 9, and from her map, she knew that it had to be close to the inner wall.
“Excuse me, can you tell me where the Lightbringers Guild is?” SJ asked a passerby.
The large orc grunted and thumbed to the left. SJ followed his gaze to where a wide street was situated and, reading the street’s name, matched it to her list. Her map still wasn’t fully open for the city and its streets, and it would take weeks to open everything fully.
“Thanks,” SJ said as she crossed over, heading towards the guild’s headquarters.
The dress of many of the beings in District 9 differed from other districts. Several walked the streets wearing full armour, and many carried weapons openly. It wasn’t unusual to see beings wearing armour or weapons on the streets. It was just the comparison of how many compared to normal did. Jay had made her aware previously of the level of violence in the district, which was caused mainly by rivalry between guilds. On her previous visit, she witnessed one such fight. Apart from that, though, she hadn’t seen anything else to support the statement.
She knew she had found the guild before she was in a position to read the sign. Halfway down the street, a large five-storey building was situated, and its outside was painted a brilliant white. It had huge flag poles outside it, and from cross arms hung massive lanterns, which she could imagine filled the street with light in the evenings once lit. It also had mirrored windows, which SJ had never seen on another building, and as she reached it, she could clearly see her reflection. The sun’s afternoon rays reflected brightly from the windows, bathing the rest of the street. It felt as though the temperature had increased just by a couple of degrees as she approached.
The main entrance to the guild reminded SJ of the entrance to a townhouse: wide steps, ornately decorated and appeared to be constructed from marble, leading to two massive doors. The doors were open, and as SJ climbed the steps, she could clearly see inside a vast foyer area. It shouted coin as loud as it could. Gold and silver gilt were inlaid in the decorations that adorned the foyer, and what SJ was sure must have been at least semi-precious gems on various statues that surrounded the circular foyer. At the rear of the foyer, a vast set of stairs rose and then split to both sides, spiralling to the next floor. To the left of the entrance, on one wall, was a hall of fame display. SJ could read the names of the dungeon champions clearly, even from a distance.
In the centre of the foyer, a reception desk was situated. Behind the desk stood two immaculately dressed beings. One an orc and the other a gnoll. Both wore white coloured armour, a style of scale mail, and at their belts, SJ could see the hilts of longswords above the desk edge. These were not your typical receptionists.
Before SJ had travelled to the outer area, she had again changed her dress, dampening it down and changing its style. It was still elegant and stylish, just not as outspoken as her emerald green. The opulence the guild announced was ridiculous.
“Good afternoon. How can we help you?” the gnoll asked as SJ entered.
Several beings had entered in front of her, but not one of them had been addressed by the two guards for a better word.
SJ continued to the desk, having to look up, and the two behemoths stood across the desk. Orcs were usually large, but this one was exceptionally tall and broad, and the gnoll wasn’t much shorter. They both exuded power and confidence.
“I am here to learn about the guild. I am looking to join one in the near future, and I have heard that the Lightbringers have the best reputation.”
These two beings were nearly two feet taller than her diminutive figure.
“What level are you?” the orc asked. There was nothing in his tone to make it an unusual question.
“I am soon to be level 20,” SJ replied. There was no point in lying about her level after all when enquiring about joining a guild with its minimum requirements, and she was pretty confident that they would perform some form of identification spell to confirm any details someone gave.
“I see. Are you a Legionnaire?”
“I am.”
“The application process for consideration to be a guild member can be collected from the guild administrators situated through the door on the left there. You may fill it in early as the process can take several weeks or months, depending on space.”
“Space?” SJ asked.
“Yes. The guild currently has a full membership. When a vacancy becomes available, if you are selected, you will then be called in for an interview,” the gnoll stated.
“Oh. I didn’t realise there would be a waiting list.”
“This is the most exclusive guild in Asterfal. We regularly rank as the top guild in the dungeon and also quest chain completions. You will be hard-pressed to find another of the calibre of adventurers this guild holds.”
“Is there anything else I need to be aware of before I consider applying?”
“The guild administrators will confirm any other details,” the orc replied
“Thank you. I will go and speak to them,” SJ said. Both the gnoll and orc had been nothing but professional and pleasant.
SJ walked across the foyer as a band of four made their way down the stairs. As they approached the centre of the foyer, the orc and gnoll stood to attention.
“Guild Master,” the orc said sharply.
“Gygax. Relax, my friend. I will be out until late this evening. If anyone comes calling for me, please send a runner to the usual place.”
“Sir.”
The man he had addressed as guild master wore a perfectly tailored suit. His hair was grey but still thick, and his jawline looked strong and square. He appeared to be in his fifties, although SJ knew that with the time difference for ageing that Legionnaires had, he could easily be well over a hundred if not several. He looked strong and exuded power as he walked through the foyer, laughing with one of the beings with him, a female elf dressed in a perfectly cut dress clinging to her athletic figure.
The group reminded SJ of the time she had gone to the Ritz in London for afternoon tea with a friend. She had always wanted to do this, and they had both been in awe of the level of luxury and money that had walked in and out of the hotel.
She nearly walked into the door to the administration office, still concentrating on the group leaving the guild. Gathering herself, she knocked and pushed the door open. The room she entered was not what she had expected. It was covered from floor to ceiling with shelves, and they were full of parchment and books. A counter cut across the front, and a small figure sat scribbling at the desk. He also wore perfectly cut robes of the same white as the armour of the guards.
The halfling looked up and smiled, seeing SJ enter.
“Hello. How can I help you?” his voice was spritely and light-hearted, not at all what SJ had expected.
“Hi. Erm, I have come to enquire about guild membership.”
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“Another wannabe, I see,” the halfling grinned.
“Wannabe. That’s not an expression I have heard on Amathera before,” SJ said.
“There’s the proof you’re a Legionnaire,” he smiled. “My name is Liam, and I am the chief administrator for the guild.”
“I’m SJ. Nice to meet you.” The halfling’s enthusiasm and nature were enchanting.
“Were you wishing to apply today?”
“I am unable to yet. I am still only level 19.”
“Oh, that’s not a problem. I can take your details, and you can be kept informed of the guild’s progress if you wish. We send out regular updates to those who are registered as interested, as long as you have a place in Asterfal that you stay at. It also saves the problem of having to register again when you reach level 20. All we would require to do then is confirm your details.”
“I see. Well, yes, please. I want to register my interest.”
“Excellent. We don’t see many fae legionnaires. I can’t actually remember the last time we had one,” Liam said as he collected an application form. “If you can fill this in, then your details will be saved for the future.”
“May I?” SJ asked, pointing to the quill.
“Please,” Liam said.
SJ picked up a quill and dipped it in the inkpot on the counter. After tapping off the excess, she proceeded to fill out the form, which looked printed rather than handwritten.
“I have to say these forms look printed,” SJ said.
“Magically imbued ink,” Liam smiled.
“I am surprised others don’t use similar. It’s the first time I have seen it.”
“They are costly, and not many mages ever bother with the skill. It’s peculiar and specialist.”
“Do you mind if I ask you some questions while I complete the form?”
“Of course not. I am here to help.”
“It states here there is a membership fee. Could you tell me what it is?”
“Basic membership starts at fifty gold; then there are different levels that can be purchased, up to three stars. Four and five-star memberships are restricted to those who perform exceptional tasks for the guild.”
“I had no idea there were membership tiers.”
“Most guilds have them. The Lightbringers is rather costly, but the benefits are huge. No other guild in the city has the reputation we do or the level of expertise in the dungeon. We reached the fifteenth floor only today. Another guild hasn’t made it that far in years,” Liam beamed with pride.
“I see. That sounds amazing.”
“No small feat. I wish I had been in that party. The rewards will be significant once they are distributed.”
“What are the costs for the different membership levels?”
“You can only purchase higher star ratings once you have been a member for three months or have completed a certain number of quests as defined by your assigned trainer. The costs currently, and I will say they do change, are currently three platinum for one-star, six platinum for two-star and nine platinum for three-star.”
The prices of the tiered memberships astonished SJ, and she wondered how many adventurers could ever afford them. The rewards for the basic quests she had completed would require hundreds to be completed ever to reach that sum of coins. She had the luxury of the Mithril mine income supporting her, but even the fifty gold basic joining fee was expensive. She remembered Darren saying that guilds usually wanted about twenty gold.
SJ didn’t react to the quoted costs and just continued with her next question. “And what perks do the levels bring?”
“One-star allows a guaranteed dungeon start every twelve months. Two-star will ensure that you get at least one dungeon start every six months, and three-star grants you a guaranteed entry every three months.”
“The dungeon must be worth the wait, then.”
“Oh, my dear SJ, the wealth that you can make from one run can be enough to feed a village for an entire year if the luck gods are on your side. Having access to an ancient dungeon is not something many cities or guilds can brag about.”
SJ was actually feeling quite excited by the prospect of accessing a dungeon.
“It does sound enticing,” SJ replied as she finished completing the form. It asked for various details, which she kept to a minimum. She had given her address in Asterfal but not her title or role.
“Excellent. I will add your details to the records. All you will be required to do is return it when you reach level 20, and then it can be added to the list for consideration. At that time, you would also be required to present a deposit of twenty-five gold.”
‘Wow. Anyone wishing even to consider joining is paying twenty-five gold, even if membership could take years, if ever,’ SJ thought.
“They probably expect many of them to die or be killed in the meantime and keep the coin,” Dave said.
“How long is the current waiting list?” SJ finally asked.
“Umm. If you are level 20 and on the consideration list, you would currently be one of one hundred and twelve. That doesn’t mean that you would be at the top or bottom. Decisions on membership are all related to class and profession needs for the guild as well. It is not a simple process or case of just waiting.”
“And how often do vacancies open up?”
“That all depends on fatality rates and retirement rates,” Liam said, smiling still.
“Have you ever heard of a legionnaire called Justin? I heard that he was a member here.”
The halfling's face went from spritely, free, caring happiness to pure hatred so fast that SJ actually believed it was a different being that responded.
“That poisonous wretch would never be permitted to darken the doors of the Lightbringers,” the hatred seeped from every word Liam spoke.
“I am so sorry. I must have been misinformed.”
“That scum needs to stay as far from here as he can. He causes nothing but problems across the guilds. I am surprised you were told otherwise.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” SJ apologised.
The instant transformation occurred again, and Liam’s spritely face returned. “No offence taken. I would take care of who you mention that name to, though. Some would strike first and ask questions later, hearing his name.”
“If he is so poorly thought of, why has he not been dealt with?”
“Because of where he resides.”
“And where is that?”
“The Astaria.”
SJ thanked the halfling and left the offices, walking back out onto the street. She had managed to get the information she wished about Justin much easier than she had expected. The problem was where Liam had said he lived. The Astaria was the church’s cathedral in the inner city.
‘How on Amathera can I attack someone inside the Astaria? It is Wystria’s and Petunia’s stomping ground,’ SJ thought.
“It may not be as bad as you presume. Remember that there was a leak over the jeweller’s from inside the Astaria when the relic was due to be repaired. I bet there are a multitude of beings that work there at many levels that neither of them knows or has any dealings with,” Dave said.
‘I know, but still. It’s a cathedral.’ SJ had never visited the Astaria, but it was easily visible in the inner city. It was the second tallest building by far behind the tower. Its steeple rose sharply into a narrow point, and she could even see it from her home if she looked to the east of the inner city. It was only slightly hidden by the vast tower that took the centre.
The time was now that period of the day when many beings started to move to the inns. Many street traders would begin to close up their stalls, while the main shops remained open much later. The next guild on her list was the Bludgeoners, but that was in District 8. The third is the Foresters, which is near to the Griffin. Turning back onto the main thoroughfare, SJ headed towards the guild.