[A-Guild] The Talon Sigil

The Talon Sigil
Household Role-play in a new perspective

The recent years have not been kind on the Essington Family. The family kept in Stormwind due to obligations of service to the crown, has come to face and realise the state of their affairs, property and welfare to have descended to the worst of levels. Most of their lands lost to the Forsaken, bandits and other scum, the family is faced with cruel reality.
The House of Essington, adorned with the Sigil of the Raven and Eagle (The Talons) are now mustering the thin line of their loyal subjects under the Talon Sigil to prepare to turn the tide. The Highlord, Count and Head of the Household, having retired from office at court has taken upon himself the burden of accomplishing this daunting task… or at least start the task to see for how long it will last.
The House of Essington left with a scarce set of farms in the forests, now sets upon returning their house to honour, to respect and wealth once again. For with this last attempt the name will either live on, or die an empty shell…

What is the new perspective?

The Household will steadily have to organise itself, manage its purpose, and slowly regain its footing and foundations. This will have an effect on what the household can do at the start, and how its potential will grow. The Household will start with having control over two farm holds in the woods, which will supply the House with the needed food stocks. However in order to grow, and to be able to arm their men, the House will have to obtain the necessary resources (e.g. a mine for ore), the needed refineries of said resources (e.g. a blacksmith) and the men to staff it, in order for the house to be able to construct and obtain armour and weaponry for their cause.
In turn the crafting of the weaponry will require food for the households, and such requires farms. Hence the Household will have to rebuild a sustaining economy, prior to the gold stocks of the Lord and family running out.

What does this practically mean?

As a simple example: The nearby lost township of the family, has several farms, shops, a lumber mill, a blacksmith and a stable, guarded by a strong stone guard tower. To control the town, you need to control the tower. In order to get to control the tower, the men at arms of the household require an anointed knight to lead them in battle. For the Household to support knights in its presence, they need to have stables to ensure horses, which need in turn to be bought for a substantive amount of gold coins that require some previous acts to be raised. This can be through tasks for the lord, assignments, market bartering etcetera though in turn consume the food stocks and medicine and such like.

So how does it work in practise?

The Guild will have staggered progression, choice influenced outcomes and multiple lines of progression are available. In order to obtain progression, resources need to be gathered and means to be made available. This process will take place under the guide of missions, campaigns, assignments and objectives. Some will be group based adventures; others might be tasks an individual or a group of two might be able to achieve in the mean-time. All in all progression is based on the actions of the members, as to meet the final outcome.
In this light, RP-PvP events will also be met with these requirements. Meaning that battle will only be joined if the Sigil has the resources available to them to do such. E.g. deploying the House across the continent is a daunting and expensive task, let alone the costs of maintaining the House’s forces being there. Otherwise battle that takes place in the endeavour of the House will be sought according to a mission or campaign target for the House. (This is complicated more from our side, than the other.)

How to get in touch?

In game you can get in touch with one of the officers:
Didonus; Nasias; Alurica

Otherwise through our website:
www.thetalonsigil.com

How is the House organised?
The House adheres to a traditional organisation and will be organised as follows;

Lord of the Household; The Count of Essington
The old Highlord Didonus L.M. Essington, current head of the Essington family is head of the efforts in the reclamation of his land. Though old, his mind is far from numb, as he now chooses to lead his people back up to a new era of pride and glory.
The Lord’s Household
The relatives of the Lord as well as his advisors make up his direct entourage or household. They are his trustees and guide and advise the lord on the course of action to be taken, as well as aid in the management of the estate and family.
Knights of the Raven
The Knights of the Raven are the anointed knights in the service of the Essington family. They are the proud symbols of Justice, Honour and service in the Household. The Knights are bound by honour and duty and lead the arms man of the House into battle and beyond.
Quarter Master
The Quarter Master (QM) is one of the most essential and loyal servants to the House. Though he is no Knight nor holds a position at the Lord’s Table and chambers. He is responsible for the management and storing of the revenues of the land, the production of the facilities and noting the assets in current possession by the family.
Sergeant – at – arms
The Sergeant at arms is the most senior of men among the armed staff in service to the House. The Sergeant trains the man, and leads them on small tasks and missions for the lord or fills up the absence of a Knight to lead.
House Magus
The House Magi are a small order of Mages within the family. Having always been close to Dalaran, the family has gotten to maintain a small contingent of magi to support the armed men in their duties.
Man – at – Arms
The men-at-arms make up the bulk of fighting men in the House. They are the loyal sword or arrow of the House. The men are backbone of the House at these times.
Steward
The Stewards are the clerks, the aids, the personnel of the House. They aid the QM in the books, they serve the Lord in his chambers. And see to a clean and well managed property.
Serf
The way anyone starts their service to the House. A serf, a simple and humble soul devoting their life to a greater purpose. Be it by choice or duty

I wish to extend my thanks for the inspiration to Waywatcher, who brought the campaign idea up with his Borderlands Campaign. As well as two good friends, Nasias and Alurica, who are the brain behind the background works.

Comments and questions? Do post them here!