Guild

A guild is a formal social group, with it's own membership terms. A formal guild is one which is ratified by a guild registrar, and must have a guild leader, a name and a unique reference tag for ratification to be approved. Formally speaking, it is not necessary for a guild to have a sigil, emblem, guild hall, member ranking or membership system (although non-consensual membership is impossible) or alignment to a faction. However, the overwhelming majority of guilds have most of these things.

Membership of a guild is not enforced, but is typically upheld by every citizen in Shadowsong. Membership of a guild that sides with a faction, or group of guilds, typically allows citizens entitlement to basic human rights and certain benefits. Most employers will not employ unguilded people, or allow unguilded citizens to live in a property. However, guild membership is not a legal requirement. Moreover, even without guild membership, individuals are still subject to the restrictions of the laws of the kingdom they reside in, which typically means the laws of the most powerful guild of the faction which reside in that kingdom. An individual can only be a member of one guild at any one time.

If a guild drops to zero members, or does not have a guild leader, it is formally dissolved. Guild leaders should establish a line of automatic succession, such that guild leadership is transferred to a different member when the incumbent leader leaves the position. If a guild leader position is not taken by any members, the guild is formally led by the guild registrar, and is usually dissolved.