Dark Guild: Plumed Serpent

Plumed Serpent has one primary goal: Power. Power is what differentiates an individual from another, and thus the acquisition of power is the most important feature towards the building of the world as one would see fit. Nothing exists in this world without power, and the people of Plumed Serpent would be the ones that would be the most powerful.

Of course, this cannot be accomplished by mere mortal means. There are limits to what the body can do by itself, and Plumed Serpent is willing to go beyond those should that be necessary for our power. Genetic modifications, cybernetics, enthrallment of creatures, sapient or otherwise, and the summoning of powerful, otherworldly beings are all not only allowed, but encouraged for the purposes of improving the guild's own power.

Power is not just central to the guild, however. There is a focus on the power of the individual. While the guild is headed by their guild master, the God of the Celestial Spirit Realm, Odhran Aegisbane, and his appointed Aces, they will do little to lessen the power of the "lesser" guild members. While the Master and their Aces may hold power, they are to encourage others in their own pursuits. However, this does not mean that mutiny is allowed, as the creatures that guard the halls of Plumed Serpent will protect all guild members, especially those in the positions of leadership.

There are few rules within Plumed Serpent. So long as it allows an avenue for greater strength, a member of the guild may do what they please. The only exception is that members of the guild are not allowed to cause unsanctioned harm to others in the guild and that members are not allowed to destroy property of the guild and its members. While power of the individual is a key tenant, the guild must stand strong together as one.

On the road between Ace of Spades and the Capital Crocus, there sits the Drunken Monkey Tavern. By all means, it is an unassuming tavern, perhaps even considered a cheap one. The place sits dilapidated and out of the way, plus unfortunately nearby a much more renowned inn. The Drunken Monkey is a very nonchalant place, one that only the most destitute of the destitute would enter of their own means. The all around somber air of the tavern makes in an unappealing place to go to. All the workers are quiet folk, some never heard talking, and all of them are strange-looking. No one seems to figure out how to apply, and the uncanny appearance of the staff drives people further away.

However, within the cellar of the Drunken Monkey sits a strange, otherwordly artifact known as the Obsidian Mirror. A massive, forty-foot in diameter black pane of dragonglass, held by a pedestal of wood. A faint whisper emanates from it, and it has an unknown amount and unknown source of power.

Upon stepping into the mirror, a person would be transported into a realm of constantly shifting rules. This is the realm simply known as the Crossroads by its rulers, the guardians Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca. Flanking either side of the mirror, the jaguar and the serpent watch over the comings and goings of all to "the crossroads where worlds meet."

Shortly after the entrance from the Obsidian Mirror of Fiore sits a mass of brick buildings floating in the aether of this world that follows no rules. This is the home of Plumed Serpent, the city of Toltec. The Serpent himself refuses to elaborate on the origins, simply saying that it is a place where reality is bent by its owner. As his guild and as residents of the Obsidian Mirror, Plumed Serpent are granted access to Toltec, where the rooms all bend to the whims of their residents aside from the throne room itself, Quetzalcoatl's personal residence.

Already present within the crossroads are a number of spirits of various goals. Some serve as bartenders in the Drunken Monkey, in particular the head bartender, the constantly smoking and drinking Maximon. However, many other spirits exist in Toltec to serve the various needs of members of Plumed Serpent. Spirits of varying degrees of importance and power roam the halls of the Crossroads, and each resident is more than happy to assist the members of Plumed Serpent in keeping the Crossroads safe.

Maximon:

While there are no requirements for a member of Plumed Serpent to join a particular branch, various creatures have taken it upon themselves to begin making branches within Toltec, their own small realms in the ever-shifting halls of the Crossroads, for various things per the first guild master’s request.

Hidden away in what seems on the surface to just be a cleaning closet, a strange, human-like woman leads the genetics lab, with her best pal, Gary, the archotech centipede.

Gary:

In truth, Gary is the one in charge, with the human-like woman a construction of his in order to maintain his body. The sentient, twenty-six foot tall mass of machine melded with flesh is an abomination of genetic experimentation with the ability of most animals as well as an orbital death laser for good measure. Chittering away throughout the rest of the lab, creatures, familiar or otherwise, can be seen, and Gary is more than helpful enough to be able to provide either implants to others or create other genetic abominations like himself to serve as allies for the members of Plumed Serpent. He just needs some “volunteers”

Due to the unstable nature of the Crossroads, summoning otherworldly creatures is something that is made more simple, especially with a head summoner as experienced as Agrat.

Agrat:

A queen of demons, Agrat can help others in their summoning, allowing those who study under her to summon more effectively. While she cannot directly assist in summonings outside the halls of the Crossroads, she is more than willing to still assist in training of magic, whether that be summoning or otherwise.

However, not to be neglected is the importance of monetary and social power. Thus, stationed within Toltec is the Den of Mammon, where the titular demon of greed helps investments. While anything goes within Plumed Serpent, Mammon’s “Realm of Business” requires more style, grace, and subtlety, in the demon’s own words. Mammon encourages guild members to own businesses, to buy and sell and work the way to the top. Of course, this means there may be some unethical business practices or outright denying wages, with Mammon more than willing to send lesser spirits to work for these companies. And, obviously, this means being willing to eliminate other companies. Killing important businessfolk, burning buildings, anything that gets a company associated with Plumed Serpent and Mammon more power and more money.

Mammon:

Power:

Ultimately, power is the driving force of the world. Plumed Serpent is devoted to granting power to all within its ranks. This is both in the means of the individual and the collective.

Summoning otherworldly beings:

Power is stronger when the powerful do not bend to the whims of this reality. There are other worlds out there with powerful creatures, and bringing them into this world is a primary goal. Each one can grant immense power, though there are sacrifices that may need to be made for them. Not a sacrifice of the guild's own, of course.

Advancement of self

While this is a guild, the guild is to look out for their fellow member and assist in granting their power. It is expected that those with power should help those who seek power without sacrificing their own. Cutthroat ways to advance in the public face, elimination of those who pose a threat, nothing is off the table for members of Plumed Serpent.

Get Stupidly Rich:

As they say, money is power. Being willing to accrue tons of funds means more power in the social sphere and easier ways to fund the guild’s other exploits.


Symbol and Guild Markings




Based on the visage of the master of Toltec, the symbol of Plumed Serpent is that of Quetzalcoatl’s basic symbolism: the plumed serpent himself, often appearing to be in vibrant colors (as seen above), though in the cases of the guild insignia on members of Plumed Serpent, this can be whatever color they desire. The marking itself, due to magic from Tezcatlipoca, serves as a way to quickly return to the Crossroads and Toltec, though it is too slow to be used as a means of escaping in the midst of a battle. In addition, those that bear the crest of Plumed Serpent can also use reflective pools of water in order to return to Toltec, though this greatly drains the user and bears a risk of death if used when too weak. While a quicker return to Toltec, this is meant to really only be used in emergencies. Finally, those that bear the mark can, in areas of high magic concentration, use any mirror as a way to escape to Toltec. This is less dangerous than using reflective water, but at the cost of being harder to find and the user must completely climb into the mirror, meaning that certain mirrors cannot be used.

Entry into the guild itself is often determined by Maximon, who upon reading the hearts and minds of those who wish to join the guild, will direct them into the cellar and the Obsidian Mirror. After a second determination by the active guild master, aces, and Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca, one is deemed worthy of entering the guild. Upon this determination, Quetzalcoatl will ask the details of their guild marking and grant it to them, as well as granting them the aforementioned.

Guild Color

The guild color (Hex code: #00c67e) is a light jade color, matching the most vibrant scales of the eponymous Plumed Serpent and ruler of the Crossroads. Jade, with its status as making the most divine of rulers in some continents and countries outside of Earthland, is meant to symbolize the great power that comes with the members of Plumed Serpent and how they are the most divine amongst all people.

As this suggestion has met all official requirements for creation, it is approved and shall be turned into an official guild shortly. The funds have been removed and it is requested that interested members move their characters into the newly created usergroup as soon as possible. That said, congratulations on the guild creation.