Blademark's Guild - Protectors of the Realm -

The Blademarks Guild is a guild of House Deneith dedicated to providing general security. The Blademarks Guild has done business with every major militia and town watch in the Five Nations, as well as provided security forces for other dragonmarked houses, private citizens, and expeditions across Khorvaire and beyond.
The Last War changed all this, drastically reducing the available pool of experienced soldiers and mercenaries. It was an unpleasant surprise, then, when House Tharashk entered the mercenary market in the dying days of the war. Deneith had never before encountered competition for its services on any meaningful scale, and for another house to engineer such a challenge with the help of the monstrous races of Droaam was a bitter insult.
The Blademarks Guild is a mercenary branch of House Deneith. It employs mercenaries from across Khorvaire (some associated with House Deneith; some independent contractors), and guarantees both a high level of professionalism and steady work for its hirelings. Deneith’s leadership often arises from within the guild, and the Blademarks are considered the core of the house’s financial success. The cost to hire a Deneith mercenary depends on the experience of the soldier. Hiring fees may be lower in places where there is more competition, such as Sharn.

Life in the Blademark's Guild:

Over the past century, the Blademarks have adjusted their organization to reflect the deterioration of their military might. Most villages do not have a traditional garrison, and instead employ a single Blademark to oversee operations with a few recruits to watch over the roads between their village and another. Hamlets don't have any representation at all - unless a Black Blade takes the community's cause as their own. Regulations to maintain at least one Blade on the road between communities has also lessened, as House Deneith no longer has the recruits necessary to support that initiative. The more senior members of the organization, the White and Gold Blades, are favored members of House Deneith. Though their roles are less prestigious than their Defenders Guild or Sentinel Marshal counterparts, these senior Blade Marks earn the majority of the House's income and can be given priveleges for their efforts.
While most Blademarks are given a road or community to defend, some of their number are set aside as guards for important caravans, visiting dignitaries, or as private security for the Dragonmarked Houses. These Blademarks are kept on a short-term contract negotiated by the regional Enclave and are retained at a steep price for the client. A Blademark assigned one of these contracts is being given a unique opportunity to improve their station within the guild and is likely facing a promotion.
Also, unlike the other arms of House Deneith's military might, the Blademark's Guild is touted as a meritocracy. One need not be a dragonmarked scion - or even human - to elevate to the highest levels within the guild. Renown as a capable warrior and defender of the community is all that is required to promote. The Blade that makes their road safe is given responsibility over the village, later a town or set of villages, and eventually the entire region. A Gold Blade has likely been victorious in several battles that have become the tales of bards and local legends.

Guild Services:

Guild Fees: 2 SP / month
Monthly Stipend: 10 + GP / month*
Armory Discount: 25% off House Deneith approved vendors
Free Transportation: Free use of House Orien caravans and House Lyrandar airships while performing duties
*Blademarks are expected to spend at least one week of the month actively patrolling their given area to be considered "active". The monthly stipend for a Black Blade is 10 GP / month. Gray Blades earn 20 GP per active month, White Blades earn 50 GP, and Gold Blades earn 150 GP. A Blade of lower rank fulfilling the responsibilities of their superior officer is awarded half of that officer's stipend (yes, that means Black Blades may perform this duty with no additional funds).

Guild Ranks:

Black Blade - Introductory rank, given responsibility for a length of road between two smaller hamlets or villages
Gray Blade - First promotion, given leadership of 2 - 3 Black Blades and responsibile for travel to / from a village
White Blade - Proven Blademark, oversees safe travel around a large city or between several smaller villages; commands 3 -5 Gray Blades
Gold Blade - Senior Blademark, responsible for safe travel in a region / province / or nation; almost always a dragonmarked scion and commands all White Blades in their jurisdiction

Guild Rules:

The Blademark's Guild is the introductory guild for House Deneith. As such, it's rules are simple but strictly enforced. The mandate of House Denieth is to provide protection to the peoples of Khorvaire, and Blademarks are on the front lines of that effort. They are expected to guard the roads that the city guards (or Liondrakes in the Shadow Marches) are unable or unwilling to secure. They are given special permissions to contract assistance from mercenaries and adventurers to keep the roads clear of bandits and monsters that would disrupt the flow of commerce. Many Blademarks start their careers as mercenaries or adventurers, and continue their adventures while in the guild, but are expected to spend at least some of their down time securing the route they have been entrusted. The threat of a Blademark is usually sufficient to keep less organized bands of highwaymen from taking up their illegal activities.

Do not suffer a gang of bandits to operate on your road

Always answer the call of the wounded and lost

You are honor-bound to escort the weary traveller, on your road or another's

Quests for the Blademarks:

Snowdrop, a Black Blade of Emerald Spire, has been entrusted the road between Emerald Spire and Nalbard

Type

Military, Mercenary Group

Notable Members of the Blademark's Guild:

Snowdrop, a Black Blade of Emerald Spire
Merrick Vance, a Black Blade of Emerald Spire (Penshaw)
Korvin Horn, the Gray Blade of Emerald Spire
Caleb d'Deneith, the White Blade of Zarash'ak (Penshaw)
Josef d'Deneith, the Gold Blade of the Shadow Marches (Glumtown)

Tomlin - House Deneith Enclave in Glumtown
Tok - House Deneith Enclave in Urthhold
Torvin - House Deneith Enclave in Penshaw
Alfrecht Horison (retired), formerly of the Penshaw garrison