Mystic Arms Campaign

Shepherds’ Corps

---

Magical Creatures and powerful beasts roam the wilds of the world of Ferrum, causing chaos and bringing misfortune and pain to many in the world. Many centuries ago, a few adventurers banded together to form a group that could combat these threats more effectively. Small at first, this groups renown slowly grew – spreading from their original headquarters in the deserts of Shakari. As their names became known, many more sought to join their adventures. Over time, their numbers grew and the original members that founded the group either passed or left the life behind, leaving the group in the hands of their proteges.

The growing group sought to expand their influence beyond the deserts of Shakari. The public motivation for this was the desire to spread their help and protection to other lands, but many of the leading members were also motivated by a desire for fame and wealth. Whatever the motives, though, their expansion lead to greater strength and protection for the people of other nations.

Over the centuries, the group came to be known as the Shepherds’ Corps, and it’s members were often referred to broadly as Shepherds. This group now has headquarters in most major cities around the world, including every capitol city. Any would be adventurer hoping to make a living in the world often ends up joining their ranks in order to benefit from the many privileges and benefits the group provides its members in exchange for a percentage of any rewards they earn.

When a person, group, or town need help, they often petition Shepherds for assistance – providing the details of their request to one of the Shepherds’ Barracks, along with whatever reward they can offer. All requests are accepted by headquarters, despite the danger or reward promised. However, they make no guarantee to the petitioner that their request will be fulfilled. Instead, they post the request and the expected reward for all members to see. If a reward is not deemed substantial enough to merit the risk and effort involved in completing a request, then the headquarters will also note that they will not cover normal expanses. Such requests often go unanswered, but some Shepherds may still answer them if they have time, or are looking to prove themselves.

Return to Top

Membership Benefits

---

Making a living as a standalone adventurer is certainly possible in the world, but most find it much easier as a member of the Shepherds. The Shepherds provide a number of benefits in exchange for the fees and commission they charge their members, and the guidelines they impose upon them. Some find their regulations to be too restrictive, but many are willing to put up with them in exchange for the benefits they provide.

Steady Work

One of the main advantages of being a Shepherd is simply knowing you will always have a source of income. The Shepherds always have a number of requests coming in from around the globe. While not all of them pay incredibly well, many offer a level of reward that more than compensates the shepherd for their time. If they feel like taking a break for a while, that is also permitted, and they are allowed to return whenever they see fit – provided they pay the appropriate fees.

Support and Allies

Another of the basic advantages of joining the Shepherds' Corps is they make it easier to start out as an adventurer, at least for those that need it. New recruits are often paired together when they join, with consideration to what sort of skills they might bring to the team. This helps save alot of adventurer's lives in the beginning of their careers, as it ensures they have people to watch their backs. Many of these early groups stay together, and continue taking jobs as a team, though there are times where things don't work out for a group, or one or more people want to work alone. Once they reach higher ranks and prove they are at least mildly capable, they are allowed to take solo jobs or split into smaller groups, or form groups of their own choosing. A typical starting party is usually built of anywhere from three to six new members of various skill sets and backgrounds.

Travel Papers/Border Crossings

Some nations are restrictive in their admission of outsiders. The Shepherds’ Corps exists in every nation of Ferrum, making it much easier to access restricted nations. Most countries wave members of the Shepherds’ Corps through without the need to check them or charging them any fees. Those that are a bit more thorough still have open deals with the Shepherds Corps. The Corps will provide their shepherds with any necessary documentation and usually handle any fees associated with these nations.

In addition, the Corps provides all their members with travelling documentation. This documentation can make navigating foreign nations much easier. This documentation can sometimes prove useful when dealing with guards and soldiers of other nations, and can usually be used to gain access to walled cities that may otherwise turn travelers away.

Lodging

Members of the shepherds are also usually allowed to stay at Barracks when needed. The Barracks houses a number of rooms that Shepherds can rent for a night, food and drink included. These rooms are often available, but in more populated locations, they may be full up and unable to support other Shepherds, though travelling members can still get food. The prices of these lodgings are usually incredibly cheap for members, and members of certain ranks are often allowed to stay for free.

Translation Orbs

One of the more desired tools of the Shepherds' Corps are their Translation Orbs. This small, handheld crystal orbs are crafted and designed by internal teams of artificers and wizards. They are quite in high demand, even outside of the Corps, but the purchase price for a non-member or a member of an insufficient rank is astronomical. But their value cannot be denied when travelling the various lands of Ferrum.

The Translation Orbs are loaned out for free to registered teams at the Corps that have at least one member of a sufficient rank. The orbs are handy magical devices that can allow the Shepherd to communicate with people who speak a different language than themselves. The orbs can be attuned to a specific language of the owner's choosing - typically one they know. The attunement process take roughly 30 to 60 minutes, and involves reciting a specific chant in the language of the owner's choice. Once complete, the orb begins to function for the selected language. While active, anytime a creature nearby (roughly 30 feet or so) speaks a language other than the selected language, the orb automatically translates it for the owner into the desired language. Likewise, if he speaks in the selected language, the orb translates it into a form every creature in range can understand as well.

The orb makes business meetings, matters of diplomacy, and other similar matters much similar, and removes the need for all parties to have a common shared language.

Magic Shops / Crafters

Members of certain ranks also gain access to special shops that are often located in Shepherds’ Barracks of larger cities. These special shops usually have a selection of magic items that were either gifted to the Shepherds Corps or accepted as payment for some service rendered. When the magic items are deemed to not be dangerous in nature, they are put up in these shops for adventurers. The items are still often expensive, and there is no guarantee as to what the shepherds may have. However, these shops are still usually a bit cheaper than other magic shops, and much easier to find.

In addition, Barracks resting in capitol cities also have Crafters. These special members of the Shepherds Corps specialize in creating magic items and devote their energies and time to doing so for members. Most crafters refuse to work with members below a certain rank, as those members are less likely to live and less likely to have the money or supplies they need. However, If the shepherd has the supplies and funds necessary, the Crafters can attempt to craft magic items specific to a members request (even custom magic items not found in books).

Shepherd's Wallet

Members of a certain rank are also gifted with a special coin purse. This coin purse is keyed to the Shepherd, allowing only them to pull currency from it. This wallet is normally empty, but when the owner reaches into it, it can pull funds directly from the Shepherds stores. There is a maximum amount the Shepherd can take from the wallet without repaying it. These funds are free for them to borrow from, but if they are not repaid within a week, interest begins to accrue.

Return to Top

ShepHerd Ranks

---

Shepherds is a general term for the members of the Shepherds’ Corps, and it often what those outside of the organization refer to all of the members as. However, internally, this title is rarely used. Instead, the organization has a ranking system they have developed over the ages. This system evaluates a Shepherd’s performance, abilities, and experience to assign them to a defined level of skill. These ranks often indicate a Shepherd’s renown and are a blanket measure of their ability. Non-Members typically do not realize the difference, and those that do often only are aware of the color of their branding as a denotation of this fact.

In a more meta-interpretation, these ranks are usually indicative of character level. As characters in the Shepherds’ Corps level up, they can also increase their rank. Increases in rank mean greater access to the benefits of the Shepherd’s Corps, and greater recognition in the world at large. As a note, leveling up on its own does not guarantee a character obtains a higher rank. Rather, the below chart is more a reference guide to suggest when characters might be ready to rank-up with the guild.

Ranking Up requires a Shepherd return to their original Barracks where they joined the Shepherds. There, they will be evaluated by ranking members who review their accomplishments and may task them with a test of their skills to prove they are ready.

Levels	Band Color	Rank	Max Loan	Other
1st-3rd	Brass	Novice	0 gp	Travelling Papers
4th-7th	Copper	Adept	0 gp	Travel Fees Covered
8th-10th	Bronze	Soldier	1000 gp	Translation Orb/ Shepherds’ Wallet
11th-13th	Silver	Sentinel	2500 gp	Magic Shop Access
14th-18th	Mithril	Gladiator	5000 gp	Crafters
19th-20th	Gold	Champion	5000 gp	-
???	Platinum	Hero	10000 gp	???

Novice Shepherds

Band Color: Brass

Max Loan: 0 gp

Benefit: Travelling Papers

The lowest rank of the Shepherds’ Corps, the Novice Rank is always assigned to newly inducted members of the corps – regardless of what skill or abilities they might otherwise have. Most of the time, this Rank is made up of newbie adventurers looking to start their career. Sometimes more skilled people may spend a month or two in this rank if they come in from a different position with similar skills – such as soldier, a mercenary, or even bandits.

Given their green status, Novice Shepherds don’t receive many benefits from their membership as they are still unproven. The Corps will still provide travelling documentation if needed, as well as basic supplies for travelling if they are heading somewhere over a week away. Novice Shepherds can also rent wagons or horses from stables if available.

Adept Shepherds

Band Color: Copper

Max Loan: 0 gp

Benefit: Travel Fees Covered

By many, this rank of Shepherds is often considered the first real rank among their members. Once considered an Adept, it means the member has proven they were worth the organization’s attention. They had some modicum of skill and are treated more cordially by other ranking members. Many Shepherds never pass this rank, however. Once seen as an Adept, most members have achieved a degree of renown in their main region enough to live mostly off their reputation and that of the organizations.

Adepts also begin to be able to travel country borders more freely. Many come to this rank and then ‘leave’ the organization, using it’s benefits simply to cross borderlines more easily and cheaply, helping them set up merchant trade routes. This is also the rank at which the organization allows their members to split from their original assigned parties to form their own, if desired. This rank is usually not allowed to work solo yet.

Soldier Shepherds

Band Color: Bronze

Max Loan: 1000 gp

Benefit: Translation Orb/ Shepherd’s Wallet

Those that reach the rank of Soldier have often proved they are competent and skilled warriors. At this point, most have slain large magical beasts, and often have helped numerous villages. Some Soldier’s are violent, with a sense of bloodlust – using the rank simply as an excuse to murder and kill challenging beasts.

Members of this rank have skills that have proven valuable. The organization is willing to grant them those few special items they produce and lend them money when needed. Bronze Shepherds can also choose to take quests and jobs on their own if they desire, no longer bound to having party members with them.

Sentinel Shepherds

Band Color: Silver

Max Loan: 2500 gp

Benefit: Magic Shop Access

Sentinels in Shepherds’ Corps have proven themselves to be reliable and sturdy members. Members of this rank are much more uncommon than those of the lower ranks, with few members ever achieving a reputation worthy of this level of recognition. These members often present a more agreeable front to the world – carrying themselves as stalwart protectors and up-and-coming heroes. Not all necessarily are true to this persona, though, and use their prestige for selfish or nefarious purposes.

Members of this rank have proven that they are worthy of the organizations attention, and have created a record of success making them less likely to never return. As such, the Shepherds’ Shop opens to them, allowing them to shop it’s magical wares.

Gladiator Shepherds

Band Color: Mithril

Max Loan: 5000 gp

Benefit: Crafters

The Gladiators are a truly rare breed, and are often made men and women in many ways. Their level or strength and skill and adaptable nature have made them pinnacles of the Shepherds’ Corps. They are often approached directly by the organization with particularly dangerous or difficult jobs. While they are still allowed to decline, it is made clear their standing comes with certain expectations. For this reason, many choose not to become Gladiators.

The draw of reaching this level comes primarily with the ability to utilize the Crafters of the Corps. These expert wizards and sorcerers – usually possessing a similar or higher rank – open their services only to Gladiators and beyond. They are incredibly skilled at what they do, able to craft unique magical items. The do, however, require the requesting shepherd to bring the supplies to them.

Champion Shepherds

Band Color: Gold

Max Loan: 5000 gp

Benefit: -

There are only a handful of members at any time that sit rank as Champions. These powerful warriors often hold high positions in the organization, and present themselves as the faces of the Shepherds. This is not a position the common adventurer strives for. Leaders and Tacticians usually find their way here. At anytime, there are usually only 10 to 20 members in this rank.

There is no specified benefit of this tier of warriors. However, their influence and control of the organization can be a draw in and of itself.

Hero Shepherds

Band Color: Platinum

Max Loan: 10000 gp

Benefit: ???

In the entire history of the Shepherds, only twenty-five members have ever been granted the title and rank of Hero. Ten of these members were to original founders of the organization, and the honor was granted to them only long after they had passed away. Of the remaining 15 members, the story is quite similar for most. They were granted the rank of Hero upon their death, having laid down their lives to stop some sort of cataclysmic or world-ending event. They are Heroes not only to the Shepherds, but to world. In the entire history of the Corps only 5 members have held the title while still alive, and all of them are long dead.

---

Return to Top