Ouran Laha Seekers
Introduction
Ouran Laha Seekers are a primarily exploration guild, that also focuses on being the Empire's state courier service and civil intelligence network. Though originally an independent military faction in the Sunrise Wars, after the chaos and destruction wrought in its aftermath and the rise and dominance of the Landis Kingdom, its political and militarily influence declined and the Guild Council deemed it prudent to transform and focus on exploration and transportation of goods.History
Prelude to the First Sunrise War
After the Eternal Wars had subsided and mankind had a chance to establish themselves in the world left behind by The Karmaic Gods. Mankind soon came on the realisation that the world was filled with abundant resources that could be exploited and also awakened to the revelation of Karmaic Energy and utilisation. As settlements grew and different disciplines of Karmaic practitioners arose, in the Lake Pansol region several cultures became dominant; Marsh Nomads, Lake Peoples, Cliff Tribes, Forest Hunters, one such group within the Cliff Tribe culture was the Anem-Dars (Wind Talkers forebearers of the Ouran Laha Seekers. The Anem-Dars (Wind Talkers) were a more religiously and politically active than there more pragmatic successors, using mantras for the God of Cunning, God of Violence and God of Kindness, they created vast hanging gardens and plantations among the outcrops on the Pansol Cliffs and Steti Canyons. The bountiful harvest created by the mantra outcomes brought great influence and wealth to the Wind Talkers. With this influx of power and authority, immense towers rose up to be nearer to Karmaic energy within the weather patterns. Whilst Anem-Dars’ sphere of control was in the vicinity of the Pansol Cliffs and Steti, other subregions of Pansol Lake had other Karmaic cults that cultivate influence, wealth and power too. With the rising populace in the region and establishment of permanent settlements, resources became more sought after and minor skirmishes occurred initially between different parties, but eventually it was inevitable that something would spark a conflict.Anem-Dars in the First Sunrise War
as part of the coalition of the Cliff Tribes, Anem-Dars were masters of harnessing Karmaic energy to manipulate air and rock which allowed them to build formidable defences among the cliffs and canyons that they resided in. Their greatest advantage was using their gliders from atop their famous weather towers they could scout far and wide. Their warriors were mainly lightly armoured and armed with small wicker round shields, short spears and slings.
Anem-Dars in the Second Sunrise War
The victory of the Lake Peoples reshaped the power dynamics in Pansol Lake and created a power vacuum. The Anem-Dars' influence waned, and the region sought a new equilibrium. However, with time, tensions reignited. Old grievances and power struggles resurfaced as the factions sought to redefine their positions in the post-war landscape. The second war saw the resurgence of hostilities, with the Lake Peoples facing challenges from allied remnants of the defeated Cliff Tribes and Forest Hunters. The Marsh Nomads, though decimated in the first war, acted independently due to their suspicious nature sought to reclaim their lost territory by using assassination and bio-attacks. Despite the challenges, the Lake Peoples managed to defeat the Cliff Forest alliance; which were unable to mount a significant sustained threat, and maintain their dominance. Due to the indiscriminate attacks and failed assassination attempts forced the Lake Peoples chiefs to enact wholescale massacre of the Marsh Nomads. The Second Sunrise War solidified the supremacy of the Lake Peoples in the Pansol Lake region, marking a period of relative stability after the tumultuous conflicts that shaped the destiny of the diverse cultures in this Karmaic-infused land. In the decades that followed the Lake Peoples tribal chiefs elected a King of Chiefs and thus founded the Landis Kingdom.Aftermath and Founding of the Seekers
After the cumulation of the end of the Sunrise Wars, Anem-Dars’ influence and power were devoid of any substance, this resulted in the Tribal leader to seek penance and aid from the newly founded Landis Kingdom, by becoming the kingdom’s couriers and spies in exchange for selling themselves into servitude. Thus, the founding of the Ouran Laha Seekers was established, the dynamic between the Seekers and the Landis Kingdom ensured that they flourished into a golden age. However as political instability, poor governance, re-emergence of Cliff Tribe culture, newly discovered Karmaic manifestations, and series of natural changes resulted in the decline of the Landis Kingdom and set the scene for the founding of the Empire of a Thousand Sunsets. Seeing the demise of the Landis Kingdom, the High Seeker Aram Ur swiftly recognised the newly forming Empire and offered the Seekers services in exchange for protection and officiality as a Guild.Operations
Ouran Laha Seekers or Skysurgers as commoners call them, are explorers and couriers managing a vast network which transports correspondence, sensitive goods and intelligence. Their guild is well-respected on all levels of society deemed being an integral part of the Empire’s success. They also explore the wilds and ruins in the Lake Pansol region and beyond, and doing so provide aid the infamous Young Guard of the Empire’s military.Primary Duties
Primary duties of Seekers are to provide a courier service and intelligence gathering and report, the scope and nature of the orders received are handled by different levels, so most junior members are couriers or messagers and are known as just as a Pacho. Pachos operate the day-to-day services of the Empire state and also individuals that wish to use this service, also they provide the backbone of Ouran Laho Seekers. They are organised in teams of 5-10 depending on the location that they are assigned to and the amount orders that need to be fulfilled. There other responsibilities also include maintenance of the various craft that is assigned to their team. One level higher in seniority are the Paratiri, which are comprised of 20-30 experienced Pachos which have completed at least 10 years of service as a Pacho and also has distinguished themselves in the eyes of the Ouran Laho Seeker council and have contributed to the Seeker Archive by exploring an Unknown region. There primary duties consisted of planning and undertaking expeditions into the Unknown lands. Near the top of the hierarchy is the Ouran Laho Council; whom are called Taxidos,which decides and plans the strategy and organisational decisions that determines the fate and future of current and prospects of Ouran Laho Seekers. Also, they are in charge of provided guidance to the Empire on intelligence matters or part of the Imperial Displincory Committee. The guild also employs for various subsidary roles and functions which are organised and answer to a particular Taxido. The Guildmaster of Ouran Laho Seekers is the Porvatiko; informally known by Pachos as the Grand Pacho, the guildmaster has the firm responsibilty of ensuring that the guild continues its' favoured position within the Empire and acts as a figure head and ambasssor on high profile summons to Emperor and visits to outsider rulers.Secondary Duties
Secondary purpose of the Seekers is to explore and catalogue all the flora, fauna, ruins and artefacts within the known world. This purpose is what drives the Seekers to excel in the craft of transport, observation and logistical expertise and research. The Guild Archive is the 3rd largest depository of knowledge; just behind the Imperial Library in the Empire and the Royal Vault in the Kingdom of the High Westerns, however, within it contains the largest collection of maps, plans and archaic Karmaic knowledge; some which are heretical, in the known world. Other duties that the Ouran Laho Seekers undertake are providing logistics for Border Patrol Guard, reconnaissance duties Young Guard military excursions and in the event of open conflict with another sovereign power; which has not happened since the Empire’s founding, Auxiliary support for the Imperial forces.Structure
Porvatiko ('Grand Pacho') - Guildmaster of Ouran Laho Seeker Guild. Taxidos - Councillors of Ouran Laho Seeker Guild. Paratiri - Pacho Officers of Ouran Laho Seeker Guild. High Clerks/Masters/Tierachs - Supervisors of Ouran Laho Seeker Guild. Pachos - Junior Members of Ouran Laho Seeker Guild. Clerks/Crafters/Mariners - Auxilary crews of Ouran Laho Seeker Guild.Relations
Benefactors
Empire of a Thousand Sunsets
As its part of the Empire’s civil bureaucracy and the nature of the guild being minimising limited military capacity, relations with the Empire have been high. Though there are minor tensions within the various noble supports of rival City Merchant guilds that overlap in spheres of influence, with the beneficial trade between the parties, it seems highly unlikely that conflict will occur.Kingdom of the High Westerns
Situated on the far side of The Westerns; series of angular mountain ranges that are situated to the west of Lake Pansol region. The Kingdom of the High Westerns is a moderately prosperous sovereign state, that has significant mining operations and vast tracts of fertile arable land; both that the Empire lacks either by disinterest or inability. As Ambassadors on behalf of the Empire, Ouran Laha Seekers have a coveted and prestigious status in the Kingdom, which provides and maintains the only known and official trade link between the Kingdom and the Empire; a monopoly that is looked upon enviously by parties within and outside of the Empire in the Pansol region.Competitors
Islanders of the Horizon
The Aticanat Varkal; Islanders of the Horizon or Islanders are they are commonly called, are a people that inhabit the southern archipelago along the South Seas just off the coast of the Pansol region. Not is known much about them as they only allow certain foreign traders to enter their only trade port on the northernmost atoll. Their trading ships while not large are extremely versatile and agile giving the Islanders the ability to compete with major trading parties and in turn the Ouran Laha seekers for dominance on maritime trade and networking.City Merchant Guild Houses
The major competitor of Ouran Laha Seekers are the vast merchant families that reside in the Capital’s Trade quarter, while some are from low birth and risen through luck and skill, most are run by minor noble houses that align allegiance to one of the five Imperial Court Noble Houses. Even though Ouran Laha Seekers and the City Merchants are encouraged in ‘friendly’ yet ruthless competition; the Imperial family and by extension The Emperor has strictly and forceful forbidden any open conflict within the Guilds that operate and maintain the Empire.Adversaries
Twilight Raiders
Comprising of various clans and tribes both old and new; old being from the remnants of Forest Hunters people and new being frontiers becoming delusional with the High Bar-Karmaic Temple’s dogma and seeking a more harmonious and balance existence with the world. The Twilight Raiders fiercely guard and protect the various ruins and secluded places within the areas of the Twilight Forest, Celestial Hills and the Eclipse Range. As one of the purposes of the existence of the Ouran Laha Seekers is to explore and catalogue the known world, skirmishes between the Seekers and Raiders seem to be an continuous occurrence.Bandits of the Reeds
Rather than being a formal organisation, the Bandits of the Reeds as they are commonly known as are a collection of semi-permanent bands of thieves, bandits, raiders and various rebel groups that operate in and around the vast Reed Marches that dominant the Eastern side of Pansol Lake. These groups are responsible for the majority of crimes and criminal activity in the region, and occasional band together when the Imperial Court has been pressured by the populace; more likely the Guilds whose interests and assets are usually the target of such activities, to launch a Cleansing Expedition usually taken upon by the infamous elite Young Guard.Assets
Publicly the Skysurgers manage a lucrative courier system for the Empire, in particular the transportation of sensitive or high demand goods or correspondence. In addition, The Empire uses the guild to provide civil intelligence which keeps tabs on civilian settlements throughout the realm. In addition, the guild has covertly kept knowledge of the superior crafting of their infamous Hellos Skimmers; fastest Trimarans in the whole Empire and also are sought after by visitors from adjacent regions.
Mythology & Lore
Within Guild’s archives there is a rumour of the legendary ‘Orolog’ Jaadvas, which all young or foolish seekers wish to find; as it is said to give the bearer the ability to know oneself in the world.
Patron deity
God of Cunning, Guardian of the Skies.
Minor deities:
God of Thought, Guardian of Fire.
God of Destruction, Guardian of Healing and Time.
“Wind cannot be tamed, yet it can be ridden.” – Founder of Ouran Laha Seekers.
Guild of Empire of a Thousand Sunsets
Symbol and Colours: Cloudy Wave, Grey and Green
Type
Guild, Adventuring
Alternative Names
Seekers or Skysurgers
Training Level
Trained
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Seeker or Skysurger
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