I’ve decided to take a break from spotty blog posts and delve into the depths of Strand and its Adventurers! If you are a big adventuring nerd like me, don’t skip the summaries; I have taken advantage of my connections and experience to include overlooked and unheard information.
You may be wondering why I’m doing SF first and not the Mugen Framework/Adventuring Association. Trust me, the extra time will be worth it.
Before we begin, let’s review some basic terminology:
- Framework: Initially a set of rules, procedures, and philosophies agreed upon by member organizations. Today, they are also influential, internationally recognized governing organizations (as defined in the postwar treaty “Yama Accords”).
- AA, SF, CoA (see below) memberships are not exclusive.
- National Association: Group of local associations.
- Important role in serious disciplinary actions.
- Local Associations: Run by association masters for the purpose of aiding and overseeing members of the framework.
- [Opinion] The emphasis on local associations taking the lead in local affairs was a major factor in Colair and Taitale’s post-war agreement to officially recognize Frameworks.
- Guild: Group of eight or more people (and a Guild Master) that belong to one of the Frameworks. Guilds have additional tax bonuses, status, government representation, and legal protection.
- Most Guilds and members are registered with Local Associations run by Association Masters.
The Four Internationally Recognized Frameworks
Adventuring Association
- Sometimes called the Mugen Framework or AA. Highly influential with multiple local associations in every nation — aside from Colair and Srerabro. After representation was guaranteed in the Yama Accords, relations between Colair and Srerabro have slowly improved.
- [Source] Highly antagonistic relations with SCALE. [Rumor] this has actually improved relations with CoA and SF
- Framework HQ: Journey
Strand Framework
- Well respected by most of the world, especially the everyday citizen
- Far fewer local associations than the AA
- Unlike the AA, their licenses have names and photos, so they can act as passports. SF Licenses are automatic-entry in the vast majority of nations.
- [Source] Like the AA, they have refused to share membership rosters with local governments
- Framework HQ: Fest
Council of Aletheia
- Often called CoA or Mages’ Council
-Academies act as local associations, and Towers act as national associations. Research groups are the closing thing to “guilds”. Members interested in adventuring usually join an AA guild.
- [Source] History of poor relations with Taitale and SCALE
- [Rumor] Rivalry with the AA has cooled significantly
- Framework HQ: Babyl
Heroic Framework — DEFUNCT
Previous HQ: Revelrie
SCALE
- Sanctification, Containment, Arbitration, & Law Enforcement
- Anti-Magic Task Force acts as an elite tactical unit; Most metro areas have multiple Divisions. [Source] Each Division is led by a commander that oversees three rapid response teams.
- Each branch is heavily intermingled with their respective government, aside from [Rumor] Hawara
- No official presence in Srerabro, Fest and independent cities (e.g. Trivia, Journey).
- Framework HQ: Yama
- Formed after the Great War; they believe that guilds should be focused on making the world a better place (hence “Strand”) and emphasis should not be placed on combat power. As a result, they have no official ranking system. Some consider themselves adventurers that explore non-dungeon frontiers, while others are happy to identify as “Crafting & Support Guilds”.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
- Golden Sparrow and Guragi’s Song are the only modern guilds to have been registered with all three Adventuring Frameworks.
- National Associations bear a higher load due to having fewer Local Associations.
- Founded by four guilds. Often collectively called “Constellation”.
History
- Experienced turmoil early on as governments, guilds, corporations, and organized crime attempted to get their hooks into them. [Rumor] The key moment came one year into their existence, when one of the largest criminal syndicates in the world was wiped off the map in a single night. The inciting incident was unclear, and no one was ever held accountable for the collateral damage that occurred (especially bad in Xandria).
- Emerick Coda held a press conference the next day (purely coincidentally, they claim) where their message was clear: the Strand Framework had Cipher Dawn’s support. Public support from the greatest adventurer in the world, a man regarded as neutral and untouchable, acted as a catalyst for official recognition of the Framework, allowing the members to gain the rights afforded to other guilds.
- Within a week, Babyl sponsored a bill in the World Congress to include the Strand Framework in the Yama Accords. Growing anti-magic/anti-adventurer factions used the Strand Framework's official recognition as an opportunity to drum up support, saying the world had witnessed a prime example of governments being afraid of punishing the most powerful. One line that stood out to me: “We have kept our eyes closed for too long! Guilds have become a nation unto themselves”. Additionally, phrases like “murder hobos” and “walking Icarus Devices” entered the public lexicon.
- Today, internal tensions are the biggest threat to the Strand Framework.
Notable Guilds and Associations
Constellation (Consortium)
- Headliner Guilds in a Consortium centered around mutual aid, similar worldviews, and information sharing. Their initial pitch was “Not a local association, closer to an academic research alliance”.
- It should be noted that none of Constellation’s members belong to a local association (they use their own buildings).
- All members have a stipend through their financial arm: Shiloh Investments.
- A Constellation stamp on an SF adventuring license is extremely valuable.
- [Rumor] Other members of the Strand Framework are growing tired of Constellation's attitude and perceived selfishness. Constellation bringing smaller guilds (too small to list) under their umbrella is not being received well.
Panacea [Constellation]
- Initially focused on healing and furthering the medical sciences. After accepting refugees from Revelrie, they now have members focused on purely magical pursuits.
- Swear a vow (in some cases an actual Pact) of pacifism, so they have to hire adventurers as escorts if they wish to go into a dungeon themselves.
Escha’s Promise [Constellation]
- Focused on disaster recovery, affordable housing, and social work
- Aid in the maintenance and observation of Escha's Bastion
Fill In the Blank [Constellation]
- Focused on land and air-based exploration, cartography, and Eastern historical research
-Guild HQ: there are multiple chapters, but the main ones are located in Xandria and Fest)
Strand's Bounty [Constellation]
- Experts in Natural resource gathering, development, and procurement.
- [Rumor] Has become more aggressive and seems less willing to work with others (besides other Constellation members)
Tangaroa [Constellation]
- Focused on sea-based exploration, cartography, and Western historical research
- Joined post-war
Cornucopia (Informal Partnership)
- Oasis
-
- If there is an issue that involves water, do not be surprised if a member of Oasis is there
-
- Have a few famous water mages among their ranks
-
- Absorbed multiple fishing guilds that were pushed out by corporate fishing
- Harvest Moon
-
- Agricultural Guild, works to solve food deserts and solves various agricultural problems throughout Strand
A few other standouts:
Shark Tail — Big-game fishing Guild
New Wave Art Studio — An eccentric art guild, famous for bizarre art exhibitions and graffiti.
Inhumation —
Olive Branch — Small, but highly regarded in diplomatic mediation, pact creation, and guild dispute mediation
There are certainly more to choose from (sorry if your favorite isn't listed!). I'd love to go more in-depth, especially for areas like Taitale, Hwara, and Confluence. Look forward to future posts about the Mugen Framework!
ABOUT ME:
The author of Hero News is a magic and adventuring geek, cat parent, and a self-proclaimed Adventuring & Guild expert. Come along as we see where this “New World” takes us!