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Riders' Guilds

The Riders' Guild is an organization that works alongside the Adventurer's Guild in order to capture, train and outfit mounts for those able to ride.

After the collapse of society across Terastier following the Great Catastrophe, the demand for various trained mounts for transportation and defense greatly increased, and those that rose to meet this need became the Riders' Guild. Taking cues from various horse-riding clubs that had existed during the Al Menas days, the Guild has risen to become one of the most prominent guilds across Raxia. New branches of the Guild are being established all the time, and with newer technology and innovations when it comes to not only the mounts themselves, but their equipment as well.

While it would appear that adventurers are the most common riders among guildmembers, it is actually merchants and caravaneers who are always looking for both pack animals willing to carry their various wares as well as other riders and mounts that may wish to make a quick bit of money doing guard duties.

While it may appear that all Riders' Guilds are all the same, it is actually a conglomerate of independent guilds under the same name. While most guilds typically have some combination of animals and magitech vehicles available for mounts, in especially large cities multiple guilds may be competing against each other, often preferring one particular type of mount over another. However, in more rural areas, the Adventurer's Guild may double as a Riders' Guild outpost, with a small stable of mounts not far from the guildhouse.

Occasionally, there are guild branches operated by the local state, and in such guilds preferential treatment may be given to those willing to go out on adventures that would advance the state's interests. On the other hand, there are guild halls owned by the Institute of Magitechnology, and such guild branches will have significantly more manabikes available to ride, and may even be willing to sell one to the right buyer.

Under normal circumstances, the Riders' Guild deals with a good number of animals that do require some space to roam while in Guild custody, and so many of the guildhalls and warehouses can be found on the outskirts of any given city. In certain cases, the stables are set up outside the city walls themselves.

Mounts

Mounts used by the Riders' Guild will always have a mark denoting ownership unique to that particular guild branch somewhere on the mount itself. For the various animals, a branding iron may be used in order to create a permanent mark, though magical markings passed down from the old horse-riding clubs of the Al Menas are used quite often. These magical markings are also common on the various vehicles, as branding them would almost assuredly damage the vehicle.

The animals used by the Riders' Guild start out as completely wild beasts, and are trained by Guild teachers using specialized methods for each type of beast in order to become proper mounts. Adventurers are involved in these processes as more than just a renter or buyer, but may also be asked to find young animals to train, as well as occasionally recovering an animal that has escaped from its training.

Mount Reduction Tags

These tags contain the power to reduce a mount and their equipment in size, as well as preserve them in stone until the mount is needed. This magic can extend to any drawn carriage as well, making it easy to transport over a large distance.

It is thought that these tags were a form of petrification preservation technology being actively researched in the latter half of the Al Menas era. This technology would put the animal into a state of suspended animation, reducing its size and turning it into stone. The thought behind this process was to reduce both the maintenance and upkeep of such an animal and make it easier to transport that animal from one location to another without using any sort of teleportation, while still being able to call upon the beast should the situation prove it necessary. Once such experiments were proven successful, the magic of these tags were heavily utilized over the following years.

Mount Contract Certificates and Proprietary Mount Certificates

In recent years, the Riders' Guild has been approving the use of both Mount Contract Certificates and Proprietary Mount Certificates among its members. These Certificates have very similar powers as the Reduction Tags when applies to a mount, but are able to be used and reused much more often than the Reduction Tags. Additionally, while the magical interference between multiple Reduction Tags has not been fully resolved, these Certificates do not have such restrictions, and many adventurers have a number of different mounts and Contracts depending upon the purpose.

As adventurers and riders become more trusted within the guild, many of the guild branches are willing to lose out on rental fees, so long as the adventurer purchases one of these Certificates. However, this trust does not come right away, and must not only be earned by the adventurer, but also maintained through their deeds.

Celebrities in Northern Terastier

In this section are short descriptions of famous NPCs found throughout Northern Terastier. It is up to the GM to make use of these NPCs as they see fit, whether as clients and sponsors for adventuring jobs, rivals searching the same deserted ruins for treasure, or adversaries willing to take out competition. Feel free to change any aspect of the following NPCs, such as their age or personality, as the scenario needs.

Liezen Region

Illust. Hariyuki Morisawa

"The Dragon Knight King" King Bernard Falk (Human/Male/53 yrs.)

"Let's go, Grundart. There's Barbarous to hunt."
The King of the Duball Kingdom, Bernard Falk is a fair and honest man, with a strong temperament. As a ruler, he is a benevolent leader, and is respected and admired by those in the Duball Kingdom. He will do everything in his power to protect his kingdom against the attacks of the Barbarous, and when he calls upon the great dragon Grundart for combat, they make a truly ferocious team.

At the same time, King Falk has been the target of Barbarous assassins on a number of different occasions, and has died numerous times. His major flaw is he is an unrivaled lover of liquor and alcohol, and it is only when he is drunk that he is unaware of any assassin. However, King Falk continues to drink without hesitation, despite the fears and worries of his aides.

Illust. Hiroyuki Aigamo

"Dragon Marquis" Bastion Bair (Human/Male/33 yrs.)

"For His Majesty and the people. That's why I became a Dragon Knight."
A young Dragon Knight with the rank of Marquis. Because of his status as a Dragon Knight, as well as his rank in the courts, it is rumored that Bastion will be the next in line to become King of Duball.

Having lost his parents at a young age, Bastion dotes fondly on his younger brother, Jean-Jacques. There are those who would say that this affection is his only weakness, though anyone who would say such things do so out of earshot of Bastion. Between his promising future, beauty, and currently being single, he has many followers among the lower courts, and will even earn grudges from others without his knowledge.

Illust. Mikako Mikaki

"Mother General" Fulmeri Bergament (Dwarf/Female/97 yrs.)

"Hey, speak up! What, did you drop the ball or something?"
The dwarf in charge of the soldiers at Dordea, Fulmeri looks like a young girl, and yet is nearly a century old. Nicknamed the "Mother General", she has six sons and three daughters, and is the head of a family of over 30 members, including her great-grandchildren.

Despite her childlike appearance, Fulmeri is a very harsh and intimidating general, and more than one headstrong dwarf has found himself shrinking away from her neverending tirade. In peacetime, she trains recruits, and anyone who thinks to be a troublemaker quickly finds themselves on the wrong end of a number of training exercises. At the same time, though, Fulmeri lost her husband due to the war against the Barbarous, and is constantly being followed by a number of suitors.

Illust. Rina Usui

"Fairy Princess" Sherio (Fairy/Female/?)

"I found some treasure over there. I can guide you, if you want..."
A fairy that resembles a beautiful elf. While her identity is unknown, it's possible Sherio may be a water fairy, as she will show up near water. Regardless whether she shows up in a city, or out in the countryside, she will invite people to follow her to a mysterious place.

Whether this is malicious or not is arguable, as some never return from such treks. Even those who do end up returning often have some of their memories removed, despite returning with treasures. Either way, Sherio's true purpose is completely unknown, though it is believed that it is just having fun. Some adventurers have heard the tales and look forward to finding her and going on an adventure, while others believe that she is a harbinger of evil that must be struck down.

Illust. Ryu-i-so

"Devil Obsessed" Trato Pampani (Tabbit/Male/27 yrs.)

"If you're aware of the origins of devils, you may know something about us tabbits as well..."
A tabbit researcher in the so-called Tabbit Autonomous Region in Miraboa, Trato is obsessed with devils and their origin, and how that may relate to the origin of tabbits. His relentless thirst for knowledge has seen him hire a number of adventurers to delve into the Well of Wisdom, in hopes of finding that elusive bit of evidence that would prove his theories true. However, while he is obsessed with the research he is doing, many believe that Trato is just wasting his time, and there has been nothing found because there is no evidence to be found.

Although he is an excellent wizard in his own right, Trato dislikes fighting, and will insist to be a sagely scholar, nothing more. When trying to capture a devil alive, however, he has no qualms about fighting fiercely, unleashing powerful magic in the hopes of disabling the target instead of killing it.

"Iron Man" Xavier Hoaguel (Human/Male/29 yrs.)

A warlord in the kingdom of Regalia, Xavier earned recognition fighting alongside King Falk of Duball. His nickname came from his unearthly stamina, as he was able to fight on for hours fully armed without stopping. While his large, rough appearance and heavy armaments make him appear to be a wild king of the wastes, Xavier is actually a brutally effective tactician, taking advantage of every opportunity he can to turn the tides against the Barbarous. He is also fairly proficient with magitech, and has no qualms with firing a gun at the enemy. A brilliant and pleasant man, he has earned the respect of both soldiers and civilians throughout the Liezen region.

"Queen of Jewels" Queen Belanger Castagniers (Human/Female/37 yrs.)

The current ruler of the Kingdom of Alphort, Queen Castagniers took the throne as a matter of hereditary succession. With youth and beauty that belie her age, she is more apt to be a Fairy Tamer than a ruler of a kingdom. Queen Castagniers does show enthusiasm when it comes to fashion and collecting jewelry, and some believe that she is funding her passion projects using national money. While she does have a husband, the Queen has become a patron for a number of young adventurers, and rumors have it that she has taken a lover on the side from among them.

"Magic King" Ixelles Jennebert (Human/Male/43 yrs.)

The current king of Miraboa, King Jennebert is a master of Truespeech, Spiritualism, and Magitech spells, giving him unparalleled magical might as a ruler and the right to nickname himself the "Magic King". Unfortunately, his overconfidence has led to crisis in the past, as he has been known to have a lack of awareness of the plight of his subjects. On the other hand, anyone looking to study magic has the backing of the state, and Miraboa is a major destination when it comes to learning a variety of different styles of magic. Occasionally, King Jennebert has given special lectures regarding the uses of magic, though due to the subject matter only a few dedicated magicians showed up to hear the king speak.

Dagnia Region

Illust. Ryu-i-so

"Battle Pope" Ismael Vizcaino (Human/Male/56 yrs.)

"To purify one's soul is to purify one's self. This is the way the gods have shown us."
The Pope of the Church of Lyphos, and leader of the Holy Kingdom of Sephilia. Pope Vizcaino is a radical exclusionist, and does not tolerate anyone who bears soulscars, whether Barbarous or otherwise. Sparing no expense, he has sent a number of soldiers to the islands in the Danos Sea in hopes of crushing the Barbarous who live there, but as of yet subjugation efforts have proved fruitless. While many still hold support for the Pope for taking strong actions against an obvious threat, there are those who look at the failed attacks on the Barbarous as a waste of manpower and resources, and think that the Pope is overstepping his authority.

Illust. Hariyuki Morisawa

"Pure White Knight" Ulrika Atstelberg (Human/Female/17 yrs.)

"How can you overlook someone in need?"
A Lyphosian warrior-priest, Ulrika is training in order to become a Paladin herself. As many of the populace would tell it, she is very pretty, smiles a lot, and will go out of her way to help someone in need, almost radiating an aura of safety and security around her. However, it is obvious that she still needs training, and this shortcoming does tend to cause more trouble than not.

Ulrika is also an active combatant against the Barbarous, but is hesitant to take the life of another, even if they are as evil as she is told. As of late, she is wondering about the state of the church and her future within the church. This internal debate is writ large all over her face as she goes out to help the less fortunate, her smile a little less bright as she questions her faith.

Illust. Hariyuki Morisawa

"Hunter of the Dead" Raul Alfonso (Nightmare/Male/31 yrs.)

"Tidan, let these poor souls find some rest..."
In order to overcome the stigma of being born a Nightmare, Raul took it upon himself to become an exorcist of Tidan, a symbol of fear among the devout. By using a variety of guns, advanced Divine spells, and martial prowess, he has become one of the premier exorcists in the church today. However, when dealing with the undead, Raul is dangerously aggressive and doesn't appear to fear death, his recklessness making even other exorcists fearful of his powers.

Illust. Mikako Mikaki

"Troublesome Doll" Marika No.3 (Runefolk/Female/22 yrs.)

"...Why was I born?"
Marika is one of many Runefolk produced for archaeological exploration, one of many meant to go delving into the Well of Wisdom. However, none of the Runefolk produced for this purpose have remained in sync with each other, and so Marika has been able to go out into the world and explore it on her own terms.

Though she appears to be a young woman, Marika is an accomplished Artificer, and has been fighting on the front lines against Barbarous for about 20 years. Her appearance only serves to confuse and distract would-be enemies from the power that she wields. However, due to her penchant for being in dangerous situations, Marika has noticed that she is not seen as an equal among adventurers, and is worried for what the future may bring on that front.

Illust. Rina Usui

"Beautiful Destroyer" Almiralda (Drake/Female/?)

"Burn it down! Destroy it all! Then we can make this world ours!"
The leader of the Barbarous in the Rudea Mountains. Almiralda is a powerful drake even among other drakes, and her ruthless and warlike personality have given her a reputation as one of the most dangerous Barbarous in northern Terastier. Holding a grudge against humans for killing her husband, she often gathers large armies of Barbarous in order to attack the civilized races, and is willing to make any sacrifice necessary in order to achieve her goals.

Illust. Mikako Mikaki

"Quiet Immortal" Volkreia (Nosferatu/Male/?)

"Why look for a fight? I'll give one to you if you wish, but I must say I'm tired of this..."
A Barbarous king with a castle on Kerkyra Island, Volkreia has been a threat to the Dagnia region since the Great Catastrophe. A vampire of Clan of Frau, he was a dangerous foe who led an army of the undead against civilization. However, as of late he has been rather disinterested in endless combats, and would like to live quietly alone. Rumor has it that Volkreia found a human girl and fell in love with her, only to watch her die in combat against the Barbarous he led.

Now, Volkreia only calls for attacks on the humans in retaliation for their assaults on his castle. Even then, he does not go out into combat himself anymore, but merely sends subordinates off to war.

"Dawn King" Valerio Silvestri (Human/Male/24 yrs.)

A fairly young king, Valerio took the throne of La Lumeia just recently due to his father, the previous king, dying in combat against the Barbarous. A devout believer in Tidan, the sun god, King Silvestri has a number of battle honors of his own, and has worked with Sephilia in attacking the Barbarous in Danos Sea.

However, he knows of the history of Sephilia and how they have relentlessly provoked the Barbarous for generations, how retaliatory attacks tend to disproportionately affect La Lumeia, and is not happy with having his whole kingdom and citizens be a shield for Sephilia to hide behind. As a result, there is a definite tension between King Silvestri and Pope Vizcaino, which can even be seen in formal communications, let alone if they were to meet face to face.

"Death Dealer" Emilio Pablo (Human/Male/39 yrs.)

One of the 11 councilors from the Republic of Barnad. He has been researching, developing and restoring old magitech weapons from the ruins of the old city of Barnad, and has been selling them in massive quantities. In particular, caravans full of various weapons have been making their way to the kingdom of Regalia as of late, with the number of exports increasing yearly. However, there are critics who claim that he's more worried about making money and putting business first, rather than dealing with the imminent threat of the Barbarous. There are also rumors that some of his weapons are being sold into Barbarous hands as well, but nothing can be proven at this point.

"Young Yggdrasil" Blumkvist (Yggdrasil Sapling/?/?)

A sapling of an Yggdrasil tree, hiding in the Forest of Magic Fog. It seems as though Blumkvist can see the entire forest clearly, and it is said that if something were to happen that would bring great harm to the forest, an old voice sounds out of nowhere in order to give warning. Legend has it that, during the time of the Great Catastrophe, it sought the aid of adventurers passing through in order to drive away the Barbarous who were attempting to destroy the forest. Since then, it has been relatively tolerant of the civilized races, assuming they give the forest the proper respect when traveling through.