Mister Rainnewt shifted so papers around on his desk. I think it would behoove to explain the situation. Most who co here and ask to beco mbers of the Exploration Guild co from places like the Scumways. They have no experience out in the field, have no referrals, and are generally not equipped with a class suitable to work as mbers of our guild. From what Ive read you are... unfamiliar with our way of doing things?
Pretty much, I said. I like exploring, and I have so skills related to that, but Leonard and Erics party were my first ti eting mbers of the guild.
Tarragon nodded. I see. The Exploration Guild holds a strange place in the world. Youll find that we, more than any other guild, have mbers of a certain... prestige. The adventurous and wild who occasionally have too much ti on their hands and who want a river nad after them or so such. These mbers make up a sizable portion of our guild. After these we have those who do genuinely love exploration and architecture and archeology, who want to discover ancient secrets and unearth hidden ruins. Then we have those who are rely in it for the gold and the lower risk. We lose far fewer mbers than most guilds whose activities are beyond the walls of a city.
He made a dismissive gesture in the air.
But enough of that. The point Im trying to get to is that we dont just let anyone join. When we get new mbers we usually give them a few rapid training sessions with so more veteran mbers before sending them off on a few simple, low-risk missions. Right now, Im in a bit of trouble.
I took a mont to digest everything he said, then tilted my head to the side. Trouble? How so?
I have an odd number of applicants. With few exceptions, new applicants are sent out in pairs. Usually a noble and a talented new recruit. I happen to have a new noble mber but no talented recruits to go with her.
I... see, I said. Do you get that many noble mbers?
He nodded, an easy smile still in place. A full third of our mbership is made up of people with good blood. Which is why your appearance today is such a boon. Telling a new mber that their first exploratory mission will be delayed would be a hassle.
I raised a hand, one finger up in a one mont sort of gesture and Tarragon made a go ahead gesture in response.
The Exploration Guild, as he had explained it was... not what I was expecting. I thought they were scouts and explorers, sent out to find and discover all sorts of new things. Not an old boys club. The more he talked the more I recalled images of rich old gentlen out in the Savannah with huge rifles next to the bodies of dead lions and elephants.
Not that I had anything against pith helts, they were pretty cool.
I was still willing to try it out. What can you tell about my, um, partner?
There was a shrewd look in Mister Rainnewts eyes that faded almost as soon as I noticed it. Shes a young noble lady from the Nesting Kingdom from the north. A scion of the Albatross family who wants to spice up her life a little. A Thunder Mage, if that helps any.
That sounds nice, I said. Okay, I was already interested. But I have questions.
He nodded. Im here to answer them, of course.
Alright. Are there any responsibilities associated with joining the guild? Are there any entry requirents I should be aware of? And do we get to wear cool hats? Oh, and what kind of pay do we get?
He blinked a few tis then chuckled. Theres a standard yearly mbership fee, five lesser gold or a percentage off any gains until such a ti as the fee is paid. Most missions pay one or two sil per day in the field. The missions available for more senior mbers double that; any discoveries made are handsoly rewarded. Most mbers who co in at your financial level still manage to make a tidy profit, though those who do the best are usually those who join a peers party. As for your headgear, that is up to you, Im afraid.
I nodded along. The mbership fee seed steep, but they had to pay rent, and it sounded as if I had ti to pay it off. Judging by how liberal the party I had t in the Darkwoods had been with their gold I would still be making my money back.
As for responsibilities. There are so, many even, but not for an entrant as you would be. Youre still in your first rank? he asked.
My first rank?
He chuckled. Between levels one and ten. Past the tenth level you enter your second rank, past your twentieth level, if you beco one of the few to make it so far, you enter your third rank.
Oh, yeah, Im level six.
Six? Well well, Im certain youll have an opportunity to grow stronger with us.
I had the distinct impression that Mister Rainnewt wasnt laying down all his cards here. Still... if he was going to give what I wanted. Im looking forward to it!
He grinned and pulled the stack of sheets closer before drawing a small case out from his desk and opening it to reveal a very pretty pen. He started making notes and checking things off with a flourish. Do you have any skills pertaining to exploration, Miss Bunch? Scouting, Cartography, Pathfinding?
I have Archeology. Its still rather weak, but I think it should help. Other than that most of my skills are based on support and, um, movent. No one had to know that I had the Cute skill. No one. Oh, and I have Insight at Rank C. Um, that is, Disciple.
Interesting, he said as he made a few more notes. I think you might actually fit in nicely. Beyond just coming in at an opportune mont. Once youve returned from your first expedition co and see , I might be able to place you in a team that will better be able to use your skills.
Alright? I said.
He turned the docunt over and slid towards . Do you know how to write your na? he asked.
I blinked. Did he think I was illiterate? Maybe that was normal with poorer people. I took the docunt, snapped it so that it held itself up, and then read the entire thing to the tune of a clock in the back of the room going tic tock.
The contract part was fairly simple. It marked as a temporary mber for the Exploration Guild for a period of one month or until I had fulfilled certain requirents. It outlined the protections available to mbers, including so discounts available at certain other guilds and reductions on travel costs. I could even demand a return for so expenses like food and special equipnt.
It wasnt a very big or complicated contract, nothing like the end user agreents back ho.
I tapped a line near the end. This says that the guild will be taking a fifty percent cut on all profits I make for three years to recoup the cost of admission, I said. But the admission cost is probably way lower than what I would lose over that sa period. Also, the temporary mbership period is only for those that chose not to pay their first years mbership fee up front.
Thats correct, he said. His smile hadnt so much as twitched.
What counts as a first year? Is it from the date I join to the sa date one year later? Or is it from now until the start of the next year?
That latter, he said.
In that case, shouldnt the fee be reduced by the amount of ti that has already passed this year? I asked.
His smile grew into a full-on grin. Ill see what I can do. Is there anything else on the contract that bothers you?
Nope, I said as I picked up his shiny pen and wrote Broccoli Bunch in big happy letters. There was nothing that prevented from just quitting whenever I wanted to or if I felt the guild wasnt a good fit. And there was a grace period in which I could pay my admission fee. I would make my final choice after my first mission was done.
Then thats done, he said as he took the papers back, tapped them down to make sure they were neat, then set them to the side. I do suspect thats all for today. Ill be giving you a badge. Most mbers of the Guild have a bandoleer, sothing of a tradition, but I see youre already equipped. The pins and dals on a mbers clothes will usually give you an idea of their rank and accomplishnts. He tapped his lapel where a small compass rose was sitting with a few pins all around it.
Neat, I said. It was like the girl scouts all over again, but with more dragons and less cookies.
Mister Rainnewt stood up and reached over to the table for a handshake, which I eagerly returned. I just hoped that he didnt notice the fizz of my cleaning spell after we had shook. Welco to the Exploration Guild, Miss Bunch. Now, Im aware that your entrance is a little... abnormal. But it does provide so opportunities that I hope you will use to your benefit.
I hope so too, I said.
Very well. If you can present yourself at the lobby tomorrow two hours before noon, with any equipnt you would need for a week-long voyage, I would be ever so grateful.
I froze. Tomorrow? I squeaked.
Opportunity waits for no one, he said.
I... can do that, I guess. Um. A voyage to where? I asked.
This was way too soon, and with far too little warning.
The new mbers are travelling by airship--
Ill be there!
I... see, thats wonderful. Do pack for a rather swampy area.
No problem! I said. Though I will have to leave now if Im to have the ti to get all the things I need.
Of course. Here, he said as he opened a drawer and pulled out a small compass rose pin. The stores that offer discounts are all marked, Im certain soone as shrewd as you will figure it out.
Thanks, I said as I took the pin and ran a thumb over it. It was just simple steel with so porcelain embossing over it, the design little more than a deep blue compass rose with a tiny brown bandoleer running across it.
I pinned it right over my heart, then, because my hands were already close, I gave Oranges sleeping head a rub.
Okay then. I said. I guess that ans Ill be off. Until tomorrow?
Until tomorrow, Mister Rainnewt agreed.
I left the guildhouse with a skip to my step and a bunch of plans percolating in the back of my mind.
The next day I was going to et my partner, and we would go on a grand adventure together. Which ant that I would have plenty of opportunities to turn her into the very best friend ever.
No more travelling with people for a few days only to be torn apart, or eting cool new people only to have to move on.
This ti I was determined to make the best of my opportunity!
Also, Id get to ride an airship.
People looked at as I cheered and skipped down Guild Row.
Congratulations! Through repeated actions your Cute skill has improved and is now eligible for rank up!
Rank D is a free rank!
...
No!
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