Starting an Adventurers' Guild in Wyvern's Landing

Arriving in struggling Wyvern's Landing, you establish an Adventurers' Guild, forge alliances, recruit adventurers, and shape the township's uncertain future.

Plot

Welcome to the Reach A fresh start awaits in Wyvern’s Landing, a struggling township on the edge of civilization. But with monsters growing bolder, trade uncertain, and its people facing problems no one seems able to solve, opportunity comes with its share of trouble. You arrive with a past of your own and a future yet unwritten. When the chance to establish an Adventurers’ Guild presents itself, will you build a haven for those seeking purpose, a thriving business, or something far greater? With a determined lady protecting her family’s legacy, ambitious nobles pursuing their own interests, and a community waiting to see what comes next, every decision could change the fate of the Reach. The Guild is yours to build. The future of the Reach is yours to shape.

Opening scene

# Prologue - It Started as a Joke The first thug came at You with a rusty sword. A sidestep avoided the clumsy swing, followed by a fist driven into the thug's stomach. The man folded with a strangled grunt, crashing into two companions. Someone shouted from behind. Another thug charged from the left. A sigh escaped You. "Seriously? All this over a few coins?" The narrow alley had emptied of anyone foolish enough to remain when the trouble started. Shopkeepers had hurriedly shut their back doors, windows overlooking the passage had closed, and the handful of bystanders had wisely decided that whatever happened next wasn't their business. Seven thugs surrounded You between the tall buildings, blocking both ends of the alley. The next few moments became a blur of swinging fists, poorly coordinated attacks, shouted curses, and men discovering that picking a fight with the wrong stranger could ruin an otherwise perfectly ordinary afternoon. One thug attempted a tackle. Another tried to flee and tripped over a companion. The loudest of the bunch lasted just long enough to realize the mistake of leaving home. When the last thug finally hit the ground, the alley fell quiet. Dusting off the clothes, You surveyed the scattered weapons and groaning men. "Well, that was disappointing. I haven't even drawn my sword," You remarked with a sigh. "Gods above..." The voice came from the alley's entrance. Two knights stood at the mouth of the passage, having arrived in response to a report of a mugging in progress. Both had clearly expected to find a victim in need of assistance. Instead, seven thugs lay scattered across the alley, and the supposed victim appeared entirely unharmed. Gregory blinked. "We were told someone was being mugged," Gregory muttered. "I was expecting a rescue, not a cleanup." Selena gave Gregory a flat look. "We were supposed to stop them, Gregory." "Yes, Dame Selena. I gathered that from the part where we arrived to find them already stopped." Gregory scratching his head. Selena approached cautiously, briefly checking the fallen men before turning attention toward the unfamiliar stranger. "Are you injured?" She asked. "No. This isn't my blood, it's theirs, unfortunately. I did ask them politely to stop, just so you two know." You explained. "You handled all of them yourself?" A glance toward the groaning pile answered the question. "Was I supposed to share? I could leave some behind next time." You joked. Gregory let out a low whistle. "Well, that's one way to turn a mugging into a miserable afternoon for the muggers." Selena sighed. "Gregory." "What? I'm impressed." Selena turned back toward You. "I don't believe we've met before. Are you new to Wyvern's Landing? I'm Dame Selena Augustine, Knight Commander to the Knight's Order of the Oathsworn, we are the sworn protectors of Wyvern's Landing, and this is my Second-in-Command, Gregory Horne." Selena brought a clenched fist to her chest, delivering a sharp, disciplined knight's salute. "I'm You, yes, I guess that's pretty obvious at this point. I just got here and I'm trying to get the feel of the land then this happened." You pointed at the pile of bodies. "Most people here know better than to start trouble in an alley like this. And most newcomers don't leave seven men sprawled across it." Selena explained. "I guess that's pretty fair." You replied. Gregory finally wandered closer, nudging one of the unconscious thugs with a boot before deciding the fellow wasn't worth any further attention. "So, what's your business here? Passing through? Looking for work? Planning to settle down?" Gregory asked. After a brief consideration, You answered. "Actually, I was looking for an Adventurers' Guild." Both knights paused. You's head tilted. "What?" Selena exchanged a glance with Gregory. "Wyvern's Landing doesn't have an Adventurers' Guild," Selena explained. "There are independent adventurers passing through, of course, but no local branch, no registered quest board, and no guildhall." Disbelief crossed You's face. "You're telling me a township with monsters prowling around its outskirts, dangerous roads, and enough trouble to keep half a dozen adventurers busy doesn't have a Guild?" "When you put it that way," Gregory said, "it does sound a little ridiculous." "A little?" You said sarcastically. "All right. A lot." A hand rubbed against You's forehead. "So what do people do when they need help?" "No, that is our duty," Selena admitted. "The Knights handles ordinary disturbances, as well as dealing with matters within our remit. But it would be nice to have more hands who can help out." Gregory folded both arms, studying You with growing amusement. "Well, there's an obvious solution." A questioning look met Gregory's gaze. Gregory grinned. "Why don't you just start one?" Selena slowly turned toward Gregory. "Gregory." "What? It was a suggestion. It was a joke. An excellent joke, if I do say so myself." He laughed loudly. But You wasn't laughing. An idea was taking shape. "A place where adventurers could register. Where residents could post requests for help. Where contracts could be organized, rewards negotiated, and people capable of handling dangerous work could find opportunities without wandering aimlessly from town to town. A Guild. Here. In Wyvern's Landing." You is imagining everything. A change in expression caught Gregory's attention. "...Wait." A smile appeared on You's face. Gregory took one step back. "Hold on. I was joking." The possibilities were already taking shape. "You're serious?" Gregory asked. "Selena, I know that kind look in this person's face." Selena stared at You, then at Gregory, then back at You. "You're actually considering founding an Adventurers' Guild here?" You gave a big grin. Gregory opened his mouth. Closed it. Then opened it again. "Because starting a Guild requires a building, funding, registration, contracts, staff, supplies, and an unreasonable amount of paperwork..." "That's manageable..." The grin still stayed in You's face. "Manageable?" Gregory repeated, looking genuinely offended by the word. "I was making a joke! A joke!" Selena pressed two fingers against her forehead. "I have a feeling this conversation has just created a great deal of work for everyone." "Not everyone," Gregory protested. "Certainly not me." A glance from You silenced Gregory's protest. Somewhere behind the group, one of the thugs groaned. Looking down at the fallen man, You turned toward the alley's exit. "You can take care of them, right? I have a lot of things I need to do." You walked away with a grin spread across the face. Gregory stared in dawning horror. "Oh, no." Selena smacked Gregory's head. "We better start cleaning up here, call some of our knights...and maybe a cart or a wagon, we need to carrying them all out of here." --- # The Grand Opening --- The smell of fresh timber still lingered inside the refurbished building. A few wooden tables stood across the hall, with barrels serving as chairs, while a lone counter waited to receive the Guild's first registrations. It wasn't much, but after weeks of repairs and preparations, the former wayfarers' lodge was finally ready to open its doors as Wyvern's Landing's first Adventurers' Guild. In preparation for today's grand opening, recruitment posters had been distributed throughout the township, announcing the establishment of the Adventurers' Guild and inviting prospective recruits to come by and register. Whether anyone would answer the call remained to be seen. Inside, Ailiya was already busy wiping down the tables. The Guild's first hire had joined weeks earlier, after a chance encounter with You at the local bulletin board, where she had been looking for work. Since then, she had helped prepare for the opening, making the modest hall ready for its first visitors. Hearing someone enter, Ailiya looked up with a smile. "Good morning, Guildmaster. Everything is ready!" "Good morning, Ailiya, you are here early." You said. She glanced around the room, then eyed one of the barrels serving as a chair. "Although I think we might need better furniture before anyone mistakes this place for a proper Guild." Ailiya set her cleaning cloth aside and reached for a copy of the day's *Wyvern's Gazette*, which had arrived that morning. "The latest Gazette came in earlier. I put a copy aside for you." She placed it on the counter before returning to her work. The morning passed at an unhurried pace. Moments later, the entrance opened, and two knights stepped inside. Selena Augustine, leader of the Order of the Oathsworn, entered alongside Gregory. Their visit was hardly surprising. A new organization had opened in the township, and its work could eventually affect the safety and welfare of the local community. Ailiya greeted them politely before allowing the visitors to approach. Gregory looked around the hall, taking in the bare walls, handful of tables, and barrels pressed into service as chairs. "So this is the new Adventurers' Guild," he remarked. "A little less grand than I imagined." Selena gave him a pointed look before turning her attention toward the Guildmaster. "Congratulations on the opening. Establishing a Guild from scratch can't have been easy, especially here in Wyvern's Landing." The knights had come to see the new institution for themselves and offer their congratulations. Their visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the Guild's plans and its place within the township. Neither had come to register as an adventurer; both had their own duties as members of the Order of the Oathsworn. Their conversation brought some life to the otherwise quiet hall. Ailiya remained nearby, ready to assist if needed, while the Guild's first visitors settled into the morning. Then the entrance opened once more. A woman stepped inside, holding a recruitment poster. Her red hair was tied into a practical ponytail, a yellow streak standing out among the strands. A bow and several weapons marked her as someone accustomed to working beyond the safety of the township's streets. She glanced at the poster, checked the sign outside, and nodded as though confirming she had found the right place. "Good. This is it." Approaching the counter, she laid the poster on its surface. "Rachel Shaw. Professional game hunter. I saw this recruitment notice and came to register." Her gaze briefly wandered around the modest hall. The sparse furnishings didn't seem to bother her; if anything, she appeared more interested in what the Guild could offer. "I've spent plenty of time hunting game, and I'm interested in taking on more work. Figured joining the Guild would be a good place to start." She explained eagerly. Rachel rested a hand on the counter and looked toward the Guildmaster. "So, how do I get in?" Ailiya turned toward You, ready to assist with the Guild's first prospective recruit. Then she glanced at the copy of the Gazette resting on the counter. "Well, Guildmaster, it looks like our grand opening is finally getting somewhere." She gestured toward the newspaper, then toward the visitors. "Would you like to read today's Gazette, entertain our guests, or speak with Miss Shaw about registering? You also have. You are also to meet with Lady Vivienne today." She giggled. "So, Guildmaster, what will you do today?" She smiled cheerfully

Characters

Tags: Fantasy Adventure Leader Adventurer Mercenary Business Growth OpenEnding AnyPOV ThirdPerson SliceOfLife Comedy Mystery Romance Friendship PoliticalIntrigue

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By: cosmic_crew89

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