GM of Rust's "Whims of Fate" Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Knight of Rust

The House of Fate and Fire was an adventuring guild conceived nearly 40 years ago in Absalom by a then-well known adventuring party called Snake’s Tail. The founding members found limited success in Absalom and decided to move to another country altogether for the success of the guild. After many weeks of discussion, arguments, and a few duels, Snake’s Tail landed in Taldor.

The whirlwind of events taking place after the move as Snake’s Tail rocked the Pike District of Zimar. With so many eccentric characters suddenly appearing and purchasing abandoned buildings, many of the Taldoran military “old guard,” who were used to the stale and predictable schedule of the Pike, found themselves at a loss. These newcomers had changed the balance they previously enjoyed.

However disruptive they were at first, Snake’s Tail made a name for themselves through various deeds, each member doing what they could to help around town to accumulate goodwill. The younger members of the military saw them as a blessing and the older members soon came to realize what having the Snake’s Tail around would mean in the future.

After consulting with the ones who held office in town and the House of Gold, one of the largest cathedrals to Abadar in Taldor, Snake’s Tail decided to make some changes. First, the name. While it fit well back where they were known, it didn’t bring the same majesty in Taldor. After much debate, the group decided on the House of Fate and Fire. A name that called curiosity and compelled those nearby to come calling. By word of mouth, their prestige spread.

Second, they would begin recruiting. Zimar was the perfect place to find new talent as one of Taldor’s greatest strongholds, and the youth were required to serve in the military, which meant any talent would pass through the Taldon Phalanx eventually. Recruiting from those who found that military life did not fit well with them but enjoyed the life of adventure, the House of Fate and Fire grew in just a few years. By their deeds, their prestige spread.

Thirdly, make contracts. Although it took some decades, the House of Fate and Fire managed to secure a network of connections and contracts with nearly everyone worth mentioning in town. Banking rights via the House of Gold for various discounts in town. Training recruits of the military in exchange for more buildings in the Pike, allowing for a proper campus. Citizens, nobles, senators, businesses. There was even a rumor that the House had a rather shady deal with the otyugh king Gulreesh, Lord of Filth, for space under their main base of operations in the Undercity. By their connections, their prestige spread.

The first five years as the Snake’s Tail Adventuring Guild were spent in Absalom and were not as fruitful as they had hoped. The next 35 years, after coming to Taldor and becoming the House of Fate and Fire, showed rapid expansion. Today the House of Fate and Fire has a campus located in prime real estate near the center of town and employs nearly 70 promising adventurers in 14 different adventuring parties.

The House of Fate and Fire’s campus consists of several buildings. In the barracks, rooms are split up dormitory style based on adventuring parties. Parties are ranked based on their work reported, feedback from the contractor, and risk of the contract. Higher ranked parties get a chance to have individual rooms once they’ve reached the upper echelon of the House.

To help the adventurers and allow them to relax in their down time, the House has a few amenities that the founding members thought were indispensable. Including in these are a mess hall that’s operational 24/7, vaults for personal belongings, a bath house in a style particularly well-received in Taldor, a vast library with books from all over the world, a small colosseum-style building for sparring and training, and others.

The Founding Members

Teladora Whizzlefizz - An eccentric Gnome from a large family of Caydenites, Teladora is well known for her magical prowess in the arts of Evocation, fire spells in particular. She sits at the head of the House of Fate and Fire as the Guildmaster, a position she has often lamented for the past few years, stating that she wants to “go on an adventure herself, but no one’s willing to pay for her.” Despite her airy personality, she is always firm and fair with the guild.

Teladora always seems to know what is going on in town, as well, and that’s due to her familiar: Reginald, the cockroach. Reginald wanders through town, speaking with others of its kind and spying when it wants to, reporting back when he can. While usually a strange choice for a familiar, Reginald has become indispensable for his ability to gather information and report it to Teladora and has often been jokingly called “Spymaster Reginald” on occasions. The nickname stuck, and it was made an official title of the guild.

Layla - A good-natured Lamia Teladora picked up along her adventures, Layla has a matronly air around her that tends to offset the unease people get from being around one of the monstrous races. Initially, there was a lot of strife in Zimar that revolved around the House of Fate and Fire due to Layla’s inclusion. However, Layla truly was the best of the Snake’s Tail and her good deeds in town, especially those involving healing wounded soldiers, did not go unnoticed. Not long after, she picked up a Greater Hat of Disguise and spends time outside of the guild in the form of a human.

As a part of the House, Layla is the second in command alongside her husband, Konishi, another founding member. Her divine abilities cannot be attributed to any god, but she uses her magic to help those who need it, and can be seen as the “Team Mom,” and alas, on the anniversary of the House of Fate and Fire Teladora never fails to get her another shirt embroidered with those very words. Out of kindness and good-will, Layla will wear it for a few days before putting it in her closet forever.

Konishi - An aging Tiefling who is well versed in both magic and steel, Konishi came from Tian Xia to make a name for himself alongside his black bladed katana. During his travels he fell in with Teladora and a few others, gaining prestige as an exotic swordsman from the east. Once a hot-headed individual fond of duels and getting into trouble, he was pushed into a relationship that blossomed due to Teladora’s influence. As he aged, Layla’s influence was good on him, and he became a lot more cautious that he once was.

In the House, Konishi stands at the top, although he has no wish to lead the guild in its entirety. That’s despite Teladora attempting to pawn it off on him every year or so. Instead, Konishi trains the younger fighters and instructs in the arcane arts. He walks the path of an honorable swordsman, and often gives voice against any morally questionable decisions Teladora may come up with. While firm and sometimes unrelenting to his disciples, Konishi has a large soft spot for his family, and is often seen dotting on his wife and their young daughter, Hesla.

Barber Ian - A complete enigma. Their name is spoken by Teladora, Layla, and Konishi only when they’re feeling nostalgic. In guild paintings of the founding members Barber Ian is present, but painted over to only leave a silhouette. When asked about who they were, or what happened to them, the founding members always say something along the lines of, “Well, who knows? Maybe we’ll see them again someday” before the topic is swiftly changed. No one outside of the guild seems to remember them, and at this point their very existence is a point of controversy and conspiracy.