First Guild Visit

Walking up to The Amalgamated Transportation Union was an interesting experience. It clearly started as a smaller building that additional sections had been added on to. Occasionally they seem to try to find a common theme, but other parts clearly were done more for functionality. I spotted it before but this was the first time I really spent time studying it. Now I had a strong urge to find and study the blue prints. Or would it be multiple blueprints?
 
Shaking my head, I put those thoughts aside and headed to what I was pretty certain was the front door. The number of doors made it a bit confusing till you got closer and saw the sign.
 
Where the outside was a rambling set of buildings, the lobby was much better organized. Older dark woods floors that were well maintained. Dark green wall paper outlines large map murals or murals of different forms of transportation.
 
Along the back wall is a number of people working behind a counter that remind me a bit of bank tellers. The signs clearly indicate the different focus of different people, such as shipping, receiving, and guild membership. The place seems to be well organized and due to the early hour quiet for a moment. Past the counter I saw offices and a few conference rooms. The latter is likely for important clients.
 
Walking to the membership counter an old goblin lady looks up at me. I watched her eyes run over me, likely looking for a sign of membership. I’d learned from Sareena Loralen that the guilds in Eisen usually have a token that marks their guild membership and standing. For the Union it was a small wheel with different material showing rank. I could see that the woman in front of me wore a silver wheel. Journeyer I believe.
 
“Hi, I’m Lukas SkyBound, I’m interested in applying to become a Journeyer and would like more details on the process.” I said trying to be cheerful, friendly, and confident.
 
There was a long pause as she studied me a bit more, before asking, “Are you from a counterpart guild in another country with a letter of recommendation?”
 
“No. I don’t have a letter. I have prior shipping experience. I’m from the far east, and we don’t use letters of recommendations.” I say with a bit of hesitation. I had learned that it was possible to skip being an apprentice, but I hadn’t heard about the letters.
 
I could almost hear her mentally thinking it was too early for this. “Mr. SkyBound, without a letter of recommendations from a counterpart guild, your best option would be to join as an apprentice and work your way up. If you have some prior experience, I’m sure that will be taken into consideration and allow you to be paired with a master sooner. In a few years you could become a journeyer.” She stated but her tone suggests it is unlikely to happen any faster, and she questioned experience.
 
Part of me wants to let go, but lessons learned from my bi-mother Syndra came to mind. This place is a political beast, and there is a set path, but it’s rarely the only path you can walk.
 
“And my other options?” I asked
 
There was a pause and blinking before she asked, “Other Options?” Her tone seemed a bit surprised and confused.
 
“Yes, you said that was my best option. I take it to mean there are other options I could choose that might take more effort or be harder.” I clarified. Again making sure my voice stayed confident. “I’m not afraid to prove myself or work hard to earn my place.”
 
She studied me for a moment and a twinkle showed in her eye. Perhaps a bit of an upturn of the lips. I’m clearly no spoiled noble and I get the sense she not only knows I mean it when I say I’m willing to earn it, but doing so has earned me a few points in her book.
 
“There are a few other ways, but they require you to take tests to prove your knowledge and experience. They also require you to prove a character. They are generally harder than the tests taken by apprentices becoming journeyers.” She informed me, and clearly watched for my reaction.
 
“That makes sense to me. With apprentices they had time to observe the person for a period of time, and got feedback from a number of people. They don’t know someone who is testing into Journeyer, so they need to take a much stronger measure of that person. To make sure they know enough, and have the temperament for it. Otherwise, they could put other lives and the guild reputation in danger.”
 
I felt like I was explaining the obvious, but I also got the feeling that I needed to. I’d learned long ago to trust my instincts. I realize I’m right as I see the first real smile on her face. “That is true. I like you, not sure why, but something about you. So, I’ll give you a bit of advice. If you want to choose that option, be prepared to be frustrated. You will need to get at least one guild master willing to sponsor you for the test. You will be able to request to meet with them, but generally you have to start at the lowest ranking ones. Many of them see it as a formality before they decline your request. If you can’t be persistent, go the apprentice route.”
 
I couldn’t help but grin, persistent is something I could do. I’d learned bureaucracy from listening to my parents. It was something I was confident I could handle.
 
“How do I request my first meeting?” I asked cheerfully.