The Crimson Hounds

Crimson Hounds Organizational Structure

The Crimson Hounds operate as a disciplined and efficient organization, blending military-style hierarchy with the practical needs of a monster-hunting guild. The structure emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and specialization to ensure successful operations against dangerous threats.

Leadership

1. The High Warden (Guildmaster)

• Role: The supreme leader of the guild, responsible for strategic direction, managing the guild’s reputation, and overseeing major guild operations across all regions.
• Duties:
• Approves alliances, major contracts, and guild-wide policies.
• Mediates disputes among regional leaders (Den Wardens).
• Acts as the face of the guild during meetings with rulers and other guilds.
• Current High Alpha: Aric "The Iron Hound" Valcor

2. The Den Wardens (Regional Leaders)

• Role: Leaders of individual guild outposts (called Dens), responsible for managing their region's operations and ensuring the guild’s code is upheld.
• Duties:
• Assign contracts to Packs (groups of hunters).
• Resolve disputes within their Dens.
• Liaise with local rulers and communities to secure resources and maintain goodwill.
• Example Warden: Sylara "Steelthorn" Thornveil of Thornhold Den at Stonekeep.

Operational Units

3. Packs (Hunting Teams)

• Role: Small teams of 3–6 hunters, the backbone of the guild. Each Pack is autonomous in the field and responsible for completing contracts assigned by the Den Warden.
• Composition:
• A Pack Leader (often the most experienced member) organizes hunts and ensures team cohesion.
• Members are a mix of specialists (trackers, warriors, spellcasters, etc.) tailored to the hunt.
• Dynamic: Packs are encouraged to work together, but friendly rivalries between them are common.

4. The Den Packs (Support Teams)

• Role: Non-combatants or semi-retired hunters who maintain the Den’s day-to-day operations.
• Duties:
• Running the guild taverns and lodgings.
• Maintaining equipment and preparing supplies for active Packs.
• Providing healing services and research support.

Specialized Roles

5. The Houndmasters

• Role: These are the senior members of the guild, each responsible for managing different teams and handling high-profile contracts. Some specialize in certain types of hunts (e.g., magical creatures, rare artifacts).
• Duties:
• Leadership and Mentorship: Assign and oversee high-profile contracts, manage multiple teams (Packs), and train recruits and hunters in advanced techniques tailored to specific threats.
• Specialized Expertise: Act as the guild’s leading authority in a particular type of hunt (e.g., magical creatures, rare artifacts, undead) and provide strategic guidance, knowledge, and support to ensure successful missions.
• Field Deployment and Troubleshooting: Accompany Packs on dangerous or critical hunts, stepping in to resolve failed missions or unforeseen challenges while maintaining the guild's reputation and effectiveness.

6. The Forgehands

• Role: Crafting and maintaining the guild’s weapons, armor, and magical tools.
• Duties:
• Forge specialized monster-slaying weapons (e.g., silver blades, runic crossbows).
• Experiment with new technologies, such as aetherite-powered gear.
• Repair damaged gear after hunts.

7. The Crimson Quill

• Role: Scholars and scribes who document monster behaviors, track mutations, and record the guild’s history.
• Duties:
• Maintain bestiaries that detail monsters’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Research magical anomalies and potential threats.
• Act as advisors to Den Wardens on mystical or historical matters.

Recruitment and Ranks

Ranks in the Guild:

• Pups (Apprentice): New recruits undergoing basic training. They perform menial tasks and assist in non-combat roles until they prove themselves.
• Hound (Hunter): Full-fledged members who take on contracts as part of a Pack.
• Huntmaster (Pack Leader): Experienced members who lead Packs and train Hatchlings.
• Den Warden: Regional leaders who oversee operations within their Den.
• High Alpha: The guildmaster at the top of the organization.

Code of the Crimson Hounds

The guild operates under a strict code to ensure professionalism and fairness:

1. Honor the Contract: Fulfill the terms of every hunt without deviation or dishonesty.
2. Share the Kill: Each Pack member receives an equal share of rewards after the guild’s 25% cut.
3. Protect the Pack: Never abandon a fellow Hound in danger unless survival of the rest is at stake.
4. Respect the Den: Follow the commands of the Den Warden and uphold the guild’s reputation.

Den Structure

Each Den operates as a self-sufficient hub, with the following features:

• The Great Hall: A common area for planning, storytelling, and relaxation.
• The Forge: Run by Forgehands, where weapons and armor are crafted and repaired.
• The Bestiary: Maintained by The Crimson Quill, detailing known monsters and past hunts.
• The Training Yard: Supervised by Fieldmaster's for combat and survival training.
• The Woundhall: Supervised by Bloodhounds for the treatment of injured guild members.
• The Red Stockade: Supervised by Ironkeepers for the management and distribution of weapons, armor, and supplies, ensuring every hunter is equipped and prepared for their missions while maintaining strict inventory control and safeguarding valuable guild resources.

The Culture of the Crimson Hounds

The Crimson Hounds are a unique blend of pragmatism, camaraderie, and unyielding dedication forged in the crucible of constant danger. Their culture is defined by their origins as survivors of monstrous threats and their ongoing commitment to protecting the world from horrors most would flee.

Core Values

1. Resilience and Grit:
2. The Hounds take pride in their toughness, both physical and mental. They embrace hardship as a necessary part of their duty and see failure as a chance to grow stronger.
3. A common motto among them is, "Bleed in the Den, so you don’t bleed in the hunt."
4. Camaraderie and Loyalty:
5. The Hounds view their fellow guild members as family. Bonds forged in battle are unbreakable, and the guild’s motto, "Protect the Pack," extends to every member.
6. Betrayal is the ultimate taboo, and those who turn against the guild are hunted relentlessly.
7. Pragmatism and Efficiency:
8. Results matter more than style or prestige. Hounds value creativity and resourcefulness in their hunts, often relying on unorthodox tactics to survive and succeed.
9. Honor the Hunt:
10. There is deep respect for the creatures they hunt. Killing a monster isn’t just a job; it’s a test of skill and an act of service to protect others. They abhor waste, using every part of a creature they can for tools, research, or sustenance.
11. Freedom and Independence:
12. While the guild operates under a structured hierarchy, the Hounds value personal freedom. Each Pack has significant autonomy in how they approach hunts, and individuality is celebrated within the guild.

Traditions and Customs

1. The First Hunt:
2. Every new recruit, called a Hatchling, must complete their first hunt alongside an experienced Pack. Success is celebrated with a communal feast and the presentation of their first set of gear.
3. Trophies of Valor:
4. Hounds take trophies from their most dangerous hunts, such as claws, teeth, or scales, which are displayed on their gear or in the Den. These are personal achievements, not for boasting, but as reminders of their victories.
5. The Hunt’s Remembrance:
6. Fallen Hounds are honored in a solemn ceremony where their achievements and sacrifices are recounted. Their name is etched into the Den’s walls to ensure they are never forgotten.
7. Feast of the Hound:
8. At the end of each year, all Dens hold a massive celebration to reflect on their victories, honor their dead, and strengthen their bonds. This feast includes storytelling, games, and challenges to showcase individual and team skills.
9. The Pact Blade Ceremony:
10. Upon achieving the rank of Bloodhound, a hunter receives a weapon forged specifically for them, symbolizing their commitment to the guild. These weapons often become their most prized possessions.

Behavioral Norms

• Merit Over Rank: Respect is earned through skill and deeds, not just position. Even Den Wardens are expected to lead by example.
• No Judgment for Retreat: Hunters are taught that knowing when to fall back is as important as knowing when to strike. Cowardice is unacceptable, but survival to fight another day is valued.
• Celebrate Diversity: Hounds come from all walks of life, and their individuality is seen as a strength. There is no discrimination based on race, background, or faith, as long as they abide by the guild’s code.

Relationship with Outsiders

• Trusted Protectors: The Hounds are often revered by common folk for their courage and willingness to face dangers others avoid.
• Pragmatic Allies: They maintain cordial but professional relationships with rulers and other organizations, always ensuring their independence.
• Distrust of Bureaucracy: The guild views excessive politics and bureaucracy as distractions from their purpose, leading to strained relationships with overly controlling powers.

In Summary

The Crimson Hounds are a pragmatic, loyal, and fiercely independent guild. Their culture is built on mutual respect, unbreakable camaraderie, and an unrelenting drive to face the dangers of the world head-on. They are more than just monster hunters—they are a brotherhood bound by blood, steel, and the endless hunt.

1. Protect the People from Monster Threats

• The Crimson Hounds are committed to safeguarding settlements, trade routes, and regions plagued by monstrous creatures.
• They take pride in being the first line of defense against threats that others are unwilling or unable to face.
• Public Message: “We hunt what hunts you.”

2. Provide Skilled and Reliable Monster Hunting Services

• They advertise their expertise in handling a wide range of threats, from rogue wyverns to aether-mutated beasts.
• By ensuring contracts are fulfilled with efficiency and professionalism, they maintain their reputation as the foremost guild for dealing with dangerous creatures.
• Public Message: “No beast too great, no threat too small.”

3. Preserve Knowledge of Monsters and Magical Phenomena

• The Hounds openly share basic information about monsters with local communities to aid in early detection and prevention.
• While they keep advanced research and secrets internal, their willingness to educate farmers, travelers, and townsfolk adds to their goodwill.
• Public Message: “Knowledge saves lives.”

4. Act as Neutral Protectors, Independent of Politics

• The Crimson Hounds maintain a strict policy of neutrality, working for kingdoms, towns, and individuals alike without showing favoritism.
• Their independence reassures clients that the guild operates without ulterior motives or alliances with political powers.
• Public Message: “Loyal only to the hunt.”

5. Promote Guild Values of Unity and Bravery

• By demonstrating teamwork, courage, and dedication, the Hounds inspire others to stand strong against adversity.
• Their heroics often become local legends, encouraging communities to persevere even in the face of dire threats.
• Public Message: “Strength in the hunt, unity in the pack.”

Public Perception Goals

The Crimson Hounds actively cultivate a public image of:

• Reliability: Always fulfilling their contracts, no matter the cost.
• Courage: Fearlessly tackling even the most dangerous and unknown threats.
• Honor: Upholding fairness, loyalty, and respect in all dealings.
• Inclusivity: Protecting everyone, regardless of status, wealth, or allegiance.