Her Majesty's Conference with the Guildleaders

[Jerisa]

9th Day, 5th Moon, Year 8 of the Recent Awakenings

Her Majesty's Conference with the Guildleaders

To the Denizenry of Her Majesty's Castle Marrach: in accordance to the will of the Lord Chamberlain, upholding the duties charged to me as Chronicler of the Court, I hereby submit the chronicle of Her Majesty's Conference with the Guildleaders.

At Eleven late bells on the 6th evening of the 4th moon, Her Majesty the Queen Vivienne held a meeting in the Inner Bailey banquet hall to talk with the leaders of the Outer Bailey guilds. When all were seated and ready, She began by asking all those present 'We first wished to inquire, if you knew why you have all been summoned here today.'

There was silence for a moment, as the attendees formed their words. Each guildleader spoke in turn, presenting their guild and their reason for being present: sera Xewe and Kitra, represented the Astrology Circle, sera Mirandda representing the Friends Of The Muses, follwed by ser Rynien for the Awakeners, then sera Finna for the Garden Society, ser Kaspar of the Office of the Royal Orders for the purpose of helping the guildleaders present after the meeting, ser Malbryn of the Courtesy Circle, and finally this Chroniclers Emerick and Jerisa, acting out our duties to the Office, Castle and Queen.

When each had presented, Her Majesty spoke again. 'It has come to Our attention that each of you leads a guild in Our Outer Bailey. Firstly We wish you to know it is Our desire, Our personal desire, to have Our numbers grow, and Our realm to flourish. Today, We shan't address outstanding woes that have befallen Our realm.' She expressed Her desire to reward those who work hard at their positions of leadership, or perhaps maintained their leadership despite overwhelming odds. She bowed Her head, offering Her personal thanks to all those present.

Then did Her Majesty speak of Her concern of the status of each of these guilds, explaining that they were at the forefront of the castle's productivity, industry and advancement, and that their success depended largely on their leaders. After naming all the guilds in alphabetical order, the Queen explained that, 'We shall each ask you in this order, questions regarding your guild. Afterward We wish to have an open discussion with all of you.'

She began by addressing seras Kitra and Xewe concerning the Astrology Circle, inquiring about the number of active members, to which sera Xewe replied, 'Four Currently.' The Queen then inquired as to what was being done to recruit more members and sera Xewe explained that the guild was currently more focused on finding its areas of study than recruiting.

Ser Rynien reported nineteen active members in the Awakener's guild. When asked about how so many members were attracted to the guild, he answered, 'By reminding each one that if we don't help them who will? And that it's Your will that each new guest be looked after, also by reminding them they were once new guests.' Appearing pleased with this answer, Queen Vivienne exchanged brief words with Lady Amoret who inquired as to ser Rynien's intrinsic rank. He answered he was a commoner at 11th link, whereupon the Queen bade him stand. There in the Banquet Hall, she officially pronounced him an Honoured Guest of the castle.

Next to be called was sera Wilena representing the Battle Guild. She reported twenty-one members in total, all active save two or three. When questioned on the method of recruitment, she simply replied that the Battlers closed their doors to none. This, too, appeared to please Her Majesty and sera Wilena was also bade to stand and was pronounced Honoured Guest. There was a brief exchange wherein it was clarified that sera Wilena did not actually lead the guild but rather served as Adjutant under Preceptor Gareth, whom, because of his specific circumstances, could not receive the honor.

The Queen then inquired as to the status of the Chroniclers, to which Court Chronicler answered, 'Including myself, two Juniors, two Aspirants, one Hopeful: that makes three current Chroniclers, and three potential, of whom all are active.' She explained that the Chroniclers meet weekly and that those interested in joining need not even make the trek to the Clock Tower but look as far as the Outer Bailey refectory.

Ser Malbryn was asked to speak for the Courtesy Circle. He revealed fifteen members in total, eight of whom are active, and that to encourage recruitment the guild awarded prizes each month to encourage new guests. He also revealed that the guild had many projects in the works, one of which consisted of a petition to name a star after Lady Berthe.

The Queen then named the Friends Of The Muses, represented by sera Mirandda and Ennah. Sera Mirandda spoke, stating that there were eight active members, three soon to be inducted, and two potentials. When asked about what was being done to attract more members, she answered, 'Well, Ennah is holding painting classes and I am holding poetry readings... and we make a point to have an infectious enthusiasm for the arts that we share within the walls of the keep. Most of our members I have gained by simply talking to them by the fire.'

Seras Finna and Sirocco were called to represent the Garden Society. Before being asked about the state of the guild, however, the Queen asked sera Finna if, as a Courtier, she was Patron to the Garden Society. Finna replied that she had slipped back into the role of GuildMistress until the reawakening of sera Roxanne. The Queen then explained to her, 'As Patron it is your duty to find others to lead the guild you so Patron. As a courtier you should be occupied with other duties. Few offices allow one to be a courtier and a leader of such a guild. It is our desire to see if such should befall the Society again, that leadership is deferred to those of proper intrinsic rank. But your continual effort and love for the Society is so ever present in all of your actions, Finna.'

Sera Sirocco then reported the guild's status, starting with the membership: 'Seven active full members, and two active Auxiliary members.' On the guild's actions to recruit members, sera Sirocco emphasized that with sera Roxanne's re-appearance, there was far more activity. Socials and events that would give non-members a chance to visit the suite and know more about the guild have been and would be held, and the active members continued to seek new members. The Queen expressed to Sirocco how even if a guild is without leader it should never stop seeking new members.

Ser Corin was asked next about the Outer Bailey library. He told of seven total members, five of them active, and that the guild was holding small socials and contests to garner interest. Her Majesty requested that he keep Handmaiden Chorus updated on his progress.

Ser Gareth, representing the Rememberers, admitted that the Guild had declined from their height of a few years ago, but expressed his hope that they would again rise, that they had 3 active members, and 2 in training. 'Ser Gareth, through great odds, you have managed to regain footing within Our Outer Bailey, this has not gone unnoticed,' declared Her Majesty, 'We wish to know how you intend to regain footing with your guild and its active members?' Ser Gareth responded by telling of the weekly meetings, and the sessions that the Rememberers hold. 'Our current greatest activity is in the conduct of rituals to rebirth a Phoenix Bird.' The Queen expressed some enthusiasm for this project: 'We recall most of all the song of the bird. What a wonderful thing to have brought to Our home.'

Her Majesty asked if there were representatives of any other guilds present. For the Counsel, ser Kaspar spoke of difficulties: 'There are but two active counselors, both senior, Claudia and myself, we are actively recruiting. There are a few inactive including our first counselor. Even when i was first the guild struggled to maintain its standing, i recruited hard and worked hard for it, but it seemed to no avail.' Ser Kaspar went on to suggest that it might be desirable to merge the Counsel with another guild so that the valuable work they do might not be entirely lost. Her Majesty referred him to the Lord Chamberlain, to discuss the same at his open bells.

[Jerisa]

Gathering the attention of all, Her Majesty stated 'We wish to discuss things We desire to see within our guilds. We desire of course to see your numbers flourish, and where they flourish to remain active.' She went on to make her wishes known, that guilds should be very active in helping the Newly Awoken to find suitable guilds to join. She encouraged the leaders: 'We know of the problems that each of you face, and the difficulties We ask you to overcome. But if We did not feel that everyone at this table was not prepare to undertake such a substantial task, none of you would be leading the very guilds you are.'

Her Majety's remarks are shown here in full:

'We wish the leaders of these guilds to work together to help their numbers. We desire further that the Outer Bailey is active, where any guest may walk out of their rooms into a -home-. That each of their unique skills, personalities, and attributes are placed not only for the betterment of Our Realm, but for themselves.'

'We wish to hear Our handmaiden report unto Us, the wonderful things the guilds are doing, for only by being strong, and standing together can we help guide those who awaken here not into a path of destruction and sorrow which has overwhelmed Our home. But one of lawfulness, productiveness, courtesy, steadfastness, and growth.'

'Let it be known, from this day forth, only the guilds, organizations, and crafters of Marrach may select Honored Guests for our Realm, for only they truly know and understand those who have just awoken beneath them. Only the guilds know whom is most suited to progress in our Castle.' 'This includes, Our Armies, Our Bakers, to Our Seamstresses and our Awakeners.'

'Only recognized guilds may now select Our Honored Guests. We shall give the details on how this shall proceed through the Lord Chamberlain. Perhaps this too will let the members of the Court take an Inclined interest in becoming patrons to these groups, as to help mold and direct the footsteps of the future members of court.'

'Such details will be revealed through our Lord Chamberlain, within the moon.'

'Perhaps all the leaders should sit down to have a discussion about such things, with the Office of Royal Orders, or the Lord Chamberlain, every so often to encourage such ideas.'

'We thank you all, for being in attendance. We impress upon you again that each, and every one of you has a unique purpose.' 'Each of you has a purpose. We have called you to this place by name. We wish you to know before We depart this evening, We are pleased to see you realizing these things.'

With that, Her Majesty stood, and stepped gracefully to the door. She wished a pleasant evening for all attendees, and thus stepped quietly from the room.


This chronicle will be subject to changes and corrections, as I humbly ask that the readers indicate to me any falsehood I may have mistakenly communicated. It is through the preservation of the Past that we continue to serve Her Grace and give strength to those that will follow.

In service to Her Majesty Queen Vivienne, the Lord Chamberlain, the Chronicler's Office, and the Denizenry of our Gracious Queen's Realm;

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Jerisa T'arachi Kysarrian, Chronicler of the Court