Unlikely Heroes: The Origins of the Guilds’ Ambiguous Public Standing in Modern Venar
People so often take the efforts of the guilds for granted. The labour of those brave fighters that dedicate their entire lives for the service of others, bound by the vow that is ever present in every action. Yet, despite such noble aspirations, not all feel the presence of a guild member comforting, for the task of keeping the balance between us and the Wilds is rather complex and often demands sacrifice. Indeed, the scale does not always tip our way which many might find difficult to accept – we are only humans, after all.
Let it be stated that I do not fault those who have had unfortunate dealings with a guild and, consequently, developed a negative opinion on the system as a whole. Strong emotions generated by personal experience can easily topple over the most convicted believers. I, too, was of a similar mind in my youth – an admission I do not make lightly.
It is no secret that I had lost a dear friend to a possession. The incident ended with a member of the Rookery killing an Urge within the very body of him, cleansing him only through death. The long and gruesome procedure was necessary to make sure the harmful creature was truly and fully vanished from existence. Any heroic attempt at saving my friend’s life would have likely resulted in more harm than good; a risk that the channeler assigned to the case was unwilling to take. His reasoning was pragmatic, devoid of emotions: the possession was in its late stages which decreased the chances of a successful removal without exposing nearby areas to high levels of energy, contaminating the area further, opening the doors for more harmful creatures and mutations. No, it had to be done within the safe confinements of an already dying body – according to him. Hearing my friend being spoken of in such a cold manner, being reduced to a flesh prison, set my heart ablaze with anger and disgust.
I wish not to dwell on this story any more than necessary; those interested in this case through the eyes of someone who was personally involved can read it in its entirety in my book: The Hauntings of the Cerulean Isles. Since then, however, I have come to a change of heart. I was lucky to have worked with several guilds as my hair grew greyer and greyer, including the Rookery. I have got to know their teachings and struggles, their fears and sources of joy, and I felt a desire bloom in the very depth of my soul – a desire to come to their aid as they come to ours.
We have inhabited a beautiful yet unruly land. A land that wishes not to be tamed nor shackled by humans for their whims and convenience. Have we forgotten what happens when we abuse the very earth we walk on? When we refuse to hear its cries? The horrors unleashed by Greed’s Grave? The horrors that are still present even after all these centuries? The very first guild was born in the aftermath of a series of catastrophes that we, humans, have caused. A guild of need. Even today, the First Seekers risk their lives to make sure the terrors of that cursed island remain checked and contained, far away from our children. Every day, they face the possibility that their expedition beyond the Rapture might be their last, with their unmoving bodies twisted and abused for all eternity in that hazardous land.
The dangers of the Wilds do not end there. They lurk everywhere, knock on any door, poor or rich. And when our hopes are all but broken and gone and all our prayers are met with silence, who do we ask for help? Where do we go for guidance and aid? One can, of course, bargain with reality and exhaust every possibility before coming to the right conclusion that it is time to look for the nearest guild. Will the resolution, as they come to your aid, be everything you have hoped for? Unlikely. But there will be a tomorrow.
– Excerpt from “Unlikely Heroes: The Origins of the Guilds’ Ambiguous Public Standing in Contemporary Venar” written by Elek Hombor published in In Defence of the Guilds and Other Essays edited by Professor Roderik Brown, University of Monda