Brigands - unlike their altruistic cousins - tend toward a darker approach to life in the forests. The Brigands guild strongly associates with the city of Thakria and shares many of that city's beliefs.
Founded on the 1st of Springflower 819 by Ender, the Brigands are located in Thakria. They have the profession of Thief and the guild alignment of Evil-Neutral
Introduction
Rangers are sturdy, physically tough, rural folk. They make their home often outside the large cities and live off the land. Rangers are skilled in the arts of herbalism and poisons - they know the forests and the wilderness well. They are trained in Forestry and Stealth, able to spring unnoticed from the forest to surprise and vanquish unruly intruders. Rangers, like the Thieves, are well versed in the area of Trapping. They are excellent hunters - harkening back to the leadership of Maedhros Allendil, first Ranger and legendary Huntsman. Rangers are also fine fighters, they are competent archers and cunning adversaries.
The modern Brigands guild was founded to be a counterforce to the Rangers. Where the Rangers seek to do good, and live in peace, the Brigands seek to sow chaos and disharmony; wielding the might of the forests for personal, often destructive ends.
Words of Ender, first guildmaster
Brigands have a greater empathy with the darker side of the land's forests and fauna. While we love the forests and the freedom to roam and wander as much as the Rangers, we are not afraid to do what must be done in order to achieve our goals, to protect our comrades and destroy our enemies.
Hati, current guildmaster says the following about the guild
The Brigands Guild was founded in the early eighth century by a rebel group led by an outcast Ranger named Ender. They are a secretive guild, although they are rumoured to make their home in the northern forests of Avalon. Brigands learn the same skills as their distant brothers in the Rangers Guild, though they have chosen a more self-centred role. They do not defend any particular city as a guild, but instead travel the forests enforcing their laws.
Brigands have once been called churlish and sadistic by their enemies, and stories about their unruly, unlawful actions were widespread. It was told that they would often kidnap folk from the cities, set them free again in the woods, and then hunt them to death beneath the dark forest eaves.
Brigands recognise no traditional authorities - they are termed rebels by many, and ne'er-do-well by others. Brigands were often acting as hired mercenaries or assassins, though their prices were high.
To be one with this group you must endure a dark and, to some, painful Initiation. How this Initiation is conducted is only known to those within the guild and kept a tight secret from the outside world. The Apprentice will learn of it only when the day comes for their right to walk amongst the brigands as their Brother or Sister.
The Brigands are a fiercely loyal clan, either to their Brothers and Sisters or to those whom they deem Friends to their ideals. They may not fight with such Sadistic ways as the Brigands of Old once did but they fight with the passion to protect each other and their Guild, no Brigand fights alone. The Ideals may have changed from the original Brigands but they still hold their fighting spirit and their passionate ways to make sure their guild stays prosperous.
Guild specialist skills
Forestry
The ranger art of the forests, the woodland ways both offensive and defensive.
Herbs
Plants and flora to cure, heal and aid in all aspects of life.
Poisons
Insight into finding and preparing harmful poisons to thwart the forest's enemies.
Trapping
A full range of traps - preparation, laying and priming, to catch enemies' unawares or without resistance.
Stealth
Full insight into the stealthy code, lurking, hiding, ambushing, silent movement and cat-like reflexes.
Location
The Brigands call the city of Thakria home and it is within those obsidian walls that the main guildhouse can be found, though it is said the Northwood forest holds particular emphasis for the dark-rangers.
