GUILD Registration

The streets of Fallowmere were bustling with life as Tobi made his way through the crowded market district.

Merchants called out their wares, the aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the tang of leather from smiths' stalls, and the clatter of footsteps and chatter filled the air.

His sack, heavy with harvested claws, fangs, and pelts, hung over his shoulder as he approached a modest building tucked into a narrow alley.

The sign above the door read: Rennan's Trade Goods in faded, peeling paint.

This wasn't an official trading post by any means, but it had quickly become a favorite among unofficial Adventurers like him looking to sell their finds without the prying eyes of tax collectors.

Tobi stepped inside, the bell above the door jingling faintly. The shop was dimly lit, its shelves cluttered with everything from animal pelts to mysterious vials.

Behind the counter stood a burly man with a salt-and-pepper beard and sharp, calculating eyes.

"Tobi," the man greeted with a nod, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Back again, eh? Let's see what you've got."

Tobi hefted the sack onto the counter with a dull thud, opening it to reveal its contents. "Fresh haul from the eastern woods. Bear claws, fangs, and some pelts. What can you give me?"

Rennan leaned in, his practiced hands sorting through the goods. He examined each item carefully, muttering to himself as he appraised their value.

Finally, he looked up, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Not bad, kid. You're getting better at this. I'll give you 200 bronze coins for the lot."

Tobi's heart skipped a beat. Two hundred bronze coins was more than he'd expected. Combined with the coins he already had saved, it was enough to hit his target.

"Deal," Tobi said quickly.

Rennan chuckled, pulling out a heavy pouch and counting out the coins with the ease of someone who had done this a thousand times. When he finished, he pushed the pouch across the counter.

"Here you go. Want me to count it again for you?"

Tobi shook his head, taking the pouch and its comforting weight. "Actually, I need to convert this into silver. Five silver coins, to be exact."

He dropped the pouch containing his other coins on the counter

The merchant raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. He reached under the counter, pulling out a smaller, sturdier pouch. After a moment of clinking metal, he handed it to Tobi.

"Five silver coins," Rennan said. "Don't go spending them all in one place."

Tobi nodded his thanks, pocketing the pouch carefully. His heart was racing now, not from excitement but from the weight of the moment.

Five silver coins were more than just money — they were his ticket to something bigger.

As he stepped out into the bright afternoon, Tobi's destination was clear. He navigated the streets with purpose, weaving through the crowd until he reached the central district.

Here, the buildings were larger and more ornate, the streets cleaner and lined with lampposts bearing the crest of Fallowmere.

At the heart of the district stood a grand stone building with tall, arched windows and a pair of armored guards flanking its entrance.

Above the double doors was a sign that read: Adventurer's Guild Registration Office.

Tobi took a deep breath before pushing open the doors and stepping inside.

The interior was just as imposing as the exterior, with polished wooden floors, high ceilings, and walls lined with maps and ledgers.

A long counter stretched across the far wall, where clerks attended to a steady stream of adventurers.

Tobi approached the counter, his steps measured. Behind it stood a woman, her hair neatly tied back, her demeanor professional but approachable. She glanced up as he neared.

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild Registration Office," she said with a polite smile. "How can I assist you?"

Tobi cleared his throat. "I'm here to register a GUILD."

The clerk's expression shifted slightly, her interest piqued. "A GUILD, you say? Do you have the necessary funds and documentation?"

Tobi nodded, pulling out the pouch of silver coins. He placed it on the counter, the faint clink of metal drawing the attention of a few nearby adventurers. "Five silver coins, right?"

"That's correct," she said, taking the pouch and counting its contents with practiced efficiency. Satisfied, she nodded and set it aside.

"Very well. Let's get started. First, what will the name of your GUILD be?"

Tobi hesitated for only a moment before answering. "The Ironhold GUILD."

The clerk wrote the name down with a quill, the scratch of ink on parchment filling the brief silence. "Ironhold," she repeated. "A strong name. Do you have a symbol or crest in mind?"

Tobi blinked. He hadn't thought about that. "Not yet," he admitted. "Can I submit that later?"

"Of course," she said. "For now, we'll proceed with the basics. Are you the sole founder, or do you have additional members?"

"Sole founder," Tobi said, feeling a slight pang of awkwardness.

The clerk didn't seem fazed. "No problem. Many start that way. You'll need at least three members to become officially active, but you can register as a founder now and recruit later."

She handed him a thick ledger, its pages filled with fine print. "Sign here, here, and here," she instructed, pointing to various spots.

Tobi signed, his hand steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him.

When he finished, the clerk stamped the document with a wax seal and handed him a small, engraved badge. It bore the name Ironhold along with a unique identification number.

"Congratulations," she said, offering a genuine smile. "The Ironhold GUILD is now officially registered. You can begin recruiting members at your discretion. Remember, you'll need to secure a building or headquarters before your GUILD can take on official contracts."

Tobi took the badge, turning it over in his hand. It felt heavier than it looked, its significance sinking in.

"Thank you," he said, his voice quieter now.

As he stepped out of the office, the reality of what he had done began to settle over him.

The streets of Fallowmere seemed brighter somehow as he walked back toward the inn, the badge clutched tightly in his hand.

Ironhold.

It wasn't just a name. It was the foundation of a dream.