The Hornblade Estate

[Dhund]

Short Version:
 
An estate of the Colony, that strives to remain neutral and improve the Colony, and make a profit
 
Classes: All
Alignment: Non-evil preferred
Race: Any
Deity: Any
 
 
Long Version:
 
The Charter of Hornblade Estate
 

As our Grandmother Yondalla directs, we will welcome all to our fold with open arms, and help them acclimate to the Ziggurat, and help them make their way home as they desire.
 
With Arvoreen's Guidance, we will protect our people on Ymph, with martial prowess and wit.
 
We shall be clever, and as Brandobaris teaches, use wit and cleverness to obtain what our kin require, without resorting first to violence or threats.
 
With Cyrrollalee's blessing, we shall make the Colony the Homeland that we seek, for all those of us who wish to live upon it.
 
We will encourage the growth and protection of the plants of Ymph, as well as the foodstuffs to feed our people, as Sheela Peryroyl commands.
 
We will strike boldly, and trust in the luck Tymora grants us to gain what will best benefit our people.
 
In the name of Urogalan, we protect the sanctity of the rest for all that pass upon the isle.

 
 
Oath:
For Hins:

“I swear by the great Grandmother of all my kin, that I shall strive to uphold the virtues of Hornblade Estate. I swear to always help my kin and our allies, and treat them as family, for what is done to one of us, it is done to all of us.”

For Non-Hins:

“I swear by my father’s name, that I shall strive to uphold the virtues of Hornblade Estate. I swear to always help my fellow members and treat them as family, for what is done to one of us, it is done to all of us.”

********************
 
Goals:
• Establish a Home for the halflings of Ymph and their trusted allies, based within the Hornblade Cloister
• Create trade and better communication with the native Stargazers of Ymph, and welcome them into the Home with open arms
• Teach all who wish to know about Yondalla and her Children
• Help restore the ruins in and around the colony of the Ziggurat, with a focus upon the Temple District
• To remain neutral from the politics of the Colony, advancing only the goal of a better community
• To become authorities of weapons for hire, knowledge, and trade within the Colony of Ymph
• Live to the general ideals set out by Yondalla's Children, even if all members do not follow them
 
 
Perks:
For Halflings:
• Join a community of your kin that welcomes all with open arms
• Promote Yondalla and her Children with fellow kin that understand your faith
• Meet the Stargazers; or, play a stargazer and find a place amidst other halfling races!
 
For All:
• Join a House that promotes cooperation among races, goodly and profitable deeds across the isle of Ymph, and work towards making the island a safer place
• Gain access to potions, wands, and equipment at discounted prices
• Join frequent exploration trips to see the wonders of Ymph
• Gain access to scholarly information about Ymph
• Receive pay and rewards for tasks completed in the name of the Estate and a general wage in time for proving valuable
 
OOC Perks for Players:
• Faction storage
• Responsibility and privileges as we work to repair and maintain the Temple District
• Always something to do – quests around the Ziggurat or exploring outside the gates
• Never played a halfling? Learn about a race new to you or a pantheon new to you!
• Be different: A human cleric of Yondalla, a dwarven rogue of Brandobaris, etc.
• Room for advancement and to climb the ranks within the estate
• Room for in-house conflict: The snarky Brandobarian rogue that pulls pranks on the stoic Arvoreenite as an example
• A chance to make coin, and find adventure
 
 
 
Divisions:
 
Martial
 
The militant wing of the Estate, the Dragoons serve to patrol the Colony, and ensure the safety of all of the Estates charges, and when the proper payment is offered, perform mercenary tasks to bring income to the Estate
Goals:
 

• Patrol the area of the Temple District, ensuring it remains clear of the Nightriser threat, among others
• Form and go on expeditions throughout the isle, that spoils might make their way into the Estate's coffers for the betterment of all.

• Contract forces out to other parties for coin
• Protect the Colony and the Cloister from invasion by hostile forces

Ranks:
Dragoon: These are the soldiers, recruits, and bread-and-butter of the Hornblade Estate. They carry out their oaths to the best of their ability, and do the bidding of the Estate.
Requirements:
• Earn the trust of the Hornblade Estate
 
Dragoon Templar (Divine) or Dragoon Weaver (Arcane): These are the magi, recruits, and general spell casters of the martial side of the Hornblade Estate. They carry out their oaths to the best of their ability, and do the bidding of the Estate.
Requirements:
• Earn the trust of the Hornblade Estate
• Possess some form of spellcasting ability
 
Dragoon Knight: After a Dragoon has proven his or her worth and trust to the cause of the Hornblade Estate, they may be eligible for promotion. This promotion shows that the Dragoon is both responsible and trustworthy, and may command other Dragoons when it is necessary. Knights may also be responsible for taking on an apprentice Dragoon and training them to be effective soldiers who carry out the will of the estate.
Requirements:
• Be a Dragoon
• Proven to have worthy skill that aids the estate
• Proven to be reliable, responsible, and striving to achieve the goals of the estate
• Approval of the Aegisheart or Matriarchs and Patriarchs
 
The Aegisheart: The Aegisheart is in charge of Dragoons and Knights. He is responsible for their equipment, training, and responsibilities. All Dragoons and Knights must execute any order given to them by the Aegisheart, unless given a different order by a higher ranking member of the estate. The Aegisheart can bring new non-hins into the estate.
Requirements:
• Approved by the Matriarchs and Patriarchs
• Strongheart preferred
 
 
Scholar
 
The research and study wing of the Estate, these scholars find and uncover the mysteries prevalent throughout Ymph, seeking new discoveries to claim
Goals:
 

• Create a comprehensive study into the past history of the ruins the Colony occupies, and in time, of Ymph
• Research into the nature of the Mythallar, so that we may someday deal with the structure's corruption.

• Create a listing of the various ruins and abnormal creatures that occupy the isle
• Perform studies and provide them at the behest of customers of the Estate, to provide income through knowledge

Ranks:
Academ: These are the scribes and historians of the Estate, carrying out their assigned tasks to their utmost ability, pursuing truth and knowledge
Requirements:
• Earn the trust of the Hornblade Estate
 
Headmaster: The leader of the Scholar division of the Estate, the Headmaster ensures the studies of all remain on task, and sets out new tasks as needed
Requirements:
• Make a significant discovery, or otherwise prove to be a scholar of great value to the Estate
 
Trade
 
The trade wing of the Estate, this is the prime source of income for the Estate, selling and acquiring assets for personal and general profit.
 
Goals:
 

• Create a comprehensive pricing guide for most commonly sold items, to establish a base price across the Colony
• Aquire specialized items for customers on commission

• Trade favourably to all, that the Estate spreads a name for fair pricing and trade
• Ensure the Estate's coffers do not run dry

Ranks:
Hornblade Consigner: These are the general merchants of the Estate,
Requirements:
• Earn the trust of the Hornblade Estate
 
Hornblade Broker: The head of the trade division, the broker organizes the others and pursues the best path to profit
Requirements:
• Demonstrated ability to find and make trades to bring good amounts of profit to the Estate
 
 
 
Patriarchs and Matriarchs: These are the leaders of Hornblade Estate. They gather together and discuss the issues the estate currently faces. They discuss the goals and the progress the estate has made toward them, and add new ones if necessary. They have command over all other members of estate, and no member of any rank may say no to an order given by a Patriarch or Matriarch without just cause.

Requirements:
• Approved by fellow Matriarchs, Patriarchs, and the Aegisheart (Martial), Broker(Trade), or Headmaster (Scholar) as appropriate
• Must have achieved at least the rank of Dragoon Knight if of the Martial branch
• Must have proven worth by substantially furthering one or more goals of the estate

[Dhund]

Just to clarify something, this faction isn't halfling only. The only halfling oriented part is the ideals it strives to, which are taken from the general message of the hin gods...which sum up to "Make a community strong."

[Perum]

Getting the estate up and running

I just joined the Hornblade Estate and it's a fun guild. It allows your some broad goals and alot of freedom to do your own thing. Plus you get a little hq to hang at :)
 
It has alot of possibilities so if anyone considers making a halfling or just someone community oriented. Be sure to seek out the Estate, more the merrier.

[Dhund]

If anyone has any interest in this for a new PC (or old), I'm always available via PMs, and we can work out how to make the faction work best for you and your goals. Its rather open ended, after all.