07.11a: Wyllt Inc. Leaves

[Joshua]

(OOC: That's a terrible name for this thread. Absolutely horrible. We will see.)

The building itself is mostly a large lodge-house. It's built with better materials (mostly stone and expensive hard-wood) than the surrounding buildings. Also, the nearby roads are clean and free of crime. The large double-doors are well balanced and swing open almost of their own volition as you approach.

[Spellbinder]

Mid-morning on Thursday Spellbinder arrives outside the Mage Guild headquarters, with Chance and Risk in tow. "Well, it's not as grandiose as I thought it would be. Still, I can't help but notice that their little part of the town is kept very nice, while they let the rest go to hell. Then again, that's the way this whole place seems to run. Let's go see what there is to see."

Unless Chance tries to hold me back, Spellbinder will walk through the doors.

[Joshua]

Several apprentices blink and stare at the newcomers, before a throat-clearing sends them scurrying back to their classes. Spellbinder is approached by a dark-skinned man wearing a basic gray tunic*. He will shake his head. "Greetings, and welcome to the Mage Guild of Amber. you'll have to forgive the apprentices. They are still unused to shadow-travelers. I am Teacher Myristica, but I prefer Myris. Was there something you desired?"
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*: Not Mace Windu, we swear.

[Spellbinder]

Spellbinder pauses for a few seconds. "Not used to shadow-travelers? I thought everyone here is from another shadow. Isn't that how they got here?" He shakes his head. "Sorry. I'm known as Spellbinder and this is my guide Chance. I just arrived here yesterday myself. I heard your guild mention and I thought I should check it out. I'm a fairly skilled practitioner myself. I wanted to learn about who you all are, what you do here, that sort of thing. Is there anything you can teach me? Is there any reason for me to join your guild? Is there any reason I might not want to? We can at least start with that."

[Joshua]

"It's the red. Dyes here don't have quite that color intensity. Plus, the sneakers. Most of us here come from... a simpler time. Normally, such advancement doesn't mix with magic. Not that it can't."

He walks over to the currently unmanned reception desk next to the entrance and grab a few pamphlets. "Of course, the printing press is infinitely useful." He will offer you and Chance folded maps of the campus.

"We are currently the only organized magic guild in the city. As such, we have a strong tie to the merchant guild for arrangements of travel and transportation. All trade needs to cross Shadow, thus our services are in strong demand, once you get past a certain point. We do the negotiating on your behalf." He smiles and will start a basic tour of the food and residential services as he talks.

"The only reason not to join would be other opportunities. If you're more fae than human, the court of Tir'Na Nog-th have a lot of fairy-craftsmen who make a good living. Rebma loves good fishermen and most of them are strong mages. You don't look like a selkie or seawolf though. And the orc tribes... well, more the dwarves are good craftsmen and always enjoy a good enchantment. Last, the castle does hire mage-guards at good pay. Of those... I'd hazard a guess only that last one might interest you more."

[Spellbinder]

"Sneakers?" Spellbinder looks down. "Oh, must have been a bit more distracted than I thought when I got dressed." He focuses for a moment and the sneakers turn in the boots they should be with this outfit. "That's better. As for the color, " the outfit cycles through a variety of different colors and finally back to the usual bright red, "that's just magic. It seems you should be able to do the same here...if anyone cared enough about it to bother. There are bigger issues in life."

"And speaking of bigger issues, I noticed that the immediate area is kept very nice but the rest of the city, not so much. Does the guild do anything all beyond making money and tending their own back yard?"

[Joshua]

"We make about 95% of the trade in the city possible. It is exhausting work." Myris will explain. "We also train those who have some talent up to where they can lead and help caravans. That's what the city needs right now. Yes, it is profitable, but our work is expensive." He will say, walking bast some... well, the whole of the school is expensive, good materials, good equipment, etc... Nothing insane, but definitely upper-class, just not ultra-upper-class.

[Spellbinder]

"I see. So I would assume that there are educational opportunities if I were join, and employment opportunities as well. What obligations would come along with all of that?"

[Joshua]

"Well, Wyltt insists that we need to run all employment through the guild. Disclose rates and fees to the guild. Defense, that sort of thing." He will ponder. "About what you'd get out of most guilds... or a union*. If you plan to work in the city and not be sanctioned by one of the other groups, you do want to join. Unfortunately, guilds only work when they are more universal. Still, you get better wages, a place to keep your workshop and alchemy. Warnings about... less savory practices. And a bit of backing for the big jobs."

"Specifics... a percentage of your earnings**, agreement to abide by group bargaining if it happens; similar with sanction against an employer. If desired, there are more responsibilities you can take on, but those are the only ones required."
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*: And the unspoken issue of what to do with those working who are not in the union.
**: Fairly reasonable rates...

[Spellbinder]

"Warnings about 'less savory practices'? Do that mean warning me when I cross your ethical lines or warn me when others are? Which brings up an interesting question: what are the moral codes about magic here? From what I've in my travels different cultures have different rules. As I hear it, the Amberites can do whatever they want to, but what about everyone else? Always good to know where one stands."