A Business Venture: Machinaeum Mysterium

[Spicy Serious]

Throughout the continent, Word is carried. By flyer, by the words of criers in squares, carried with traveling merchants and caravans to even the most remote of villages, all head of the newest guild of the land...

Machinaeus Mysterium

The adds portray it as a gathering of artificers, alchemists, and merchants. Coming together to not let their craft be hampered by the drawing of lines in the sand or petty wars. A truly neutral organization to do business, to create things of legend, and to be away from the trials of war. For the guild builds themselves a sanctuary upon an island, away from the mainland, and even those who aren’t of the craftstman’s trade are encouraged to come there should they wish once word of completion rings out.

The guild claims to make no distinction in any person beyond ability to provide and cooperate. Even those of a martial bent can find themselves a position as a guard and a soldier. Or as a part of the illustrious Glittering Hues.

The close ally and backer of the guild will be sharing the mansion and in most cases, both will act as a part of a larger whole. The Glittering Hues are a knightly organization, fueled by their morality, drive to do good, and friendship.

Whether your legacy will be as a craftsman of epics, one drenched in gold, a noble knight, a stalwart marine defending our trading vessels, or simply as a friend. Mail or speak with Azni Bliksim or Mauve Justice, typically found at the gracious Waystone Inn or the markets of Osrona.

A second set of fliers are much more commonplace, practically handed out by every merchant inside of Osrona, attached to every tree near Achyon, Silverwall, and the dragon mountains.

It proclaims the guild's illustrious services, willing to create any and all object-for the right price-even risking the lives of their members to collect dangerous reagents, services are held discretely, and no request is turned away if the price is met.

[Spicy Serious]

Merchants across the land are abuzz, traveling salesmen seem to congregate together, chattering happily about the latest occurrences from within the Shimmering City, oft seen passing around a small stack of papers between each other while talking about a 'restructuring'...and they don't seem to mind showing it off to anyone curious enough to ask...and pay a bit of coin of course.

Machinaeum Mysterium Company Restructuring, Overview, and Update is what the papers boldly proclaim, and a bit more investigation would yield something...curious.

Overall the papers make pomp of the return of a woman named Azni Bliksim to the company, who promptly ascended to the seat of Director, and began almost immediately restructuring the company from the ground up to all fall more directly under the Director's direct influence. One large business, rather than a loose coalition of them. It also vehemently denies any allegations of the company, or her, involvement with 'mysterious disappearances' of 'noncomplying merchants'.

It claims the guild's main body now controls the oceanic branch of the guild completely, while the shipmasters now are more middle-management or ship captains. Merchants, caravans, and such are now considered 'employees', with some strange maneuvering meaning that the merchants are actually renting stalls, businesses, even caravans from them, while a percentage of the profits also slip up towards the top of the guild. The benefit of the guild being something the merchants call a 'safety net' paycheck, steady meals regardless, a place to call home, and the providing of supplies.

Then...there's a final note, that most quickly hide away once they come to their senses. "War with Achyon." And soon enough, along with a brand new recruitment and advertising drive, posters posted everywhere, comes a statement from the new Director herself. Plastered across the lands...

[Statement, by Director Azni Blisksim, on the M/M Company's Direction and Relations]
"...This was a company founded with certain ideals. Ideals that lead us to trying to be neutral, simply minding our business, and keeping to ourselves. Most seemed to respect that, even if they laughed at the notion."

"Now I know why they laughed."

"But I'm getting ahead of myself. Many of you might look at the guild and be a bit interested from the taglines, snappy posters. And some of you might want to know...more. This statement is meant to provide clarity for those inquisitive types, without having to hunt a company member down and hoping they can give adequate answers."

"Machinaeum Mysterium, or the M/M Company, is founded on the principles of Progress, Prosperity, Peace, and Profit. To push the lines of society and technology, for the prosperity of our people and others, as well as the profit of the company to pursue that progress and peace. And I invite all who want to see the efficiency and family that such values bring."

"With that said, many might be confused regarding the rumors of war...strife, with Achyon. Well, I say to you...what line might you draw? When holes are rent into the sky for an execution of a single man? When a cloud rises over the land, in a way many felt, as a mere show of strength? It should go without saying, even disregarding their ability to treat the company with neutrality, that Achyon is unhinged, unstable, and bad for business."

"...But, this brings me to the second point. I am not a woman who hides things, and I'll be open to the fact I met good people within those walls. I was impressed by their technology...as I always have been. And I hope that if it's the Company, who drives the stake into the heart of Achyon, that we might preserve those advancements. And even those people if we can."

"The Machinaeum is at war with Achyon, and we will save you, as best the world will allow."