Guilds & Teams

If you are familiar with the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series, you may have a general idea of how guilds work, and it is based on that. 

Life at the Guild

• Guilds refer to both the group and the home base. A guild is an established, official group of explorers and their teams, registered through the Guild Association.
• The Guild Association is a somewhat mysterious but well respected group who oversees guilds across the world. It was originally formed a few hundred years ago by a mysterious Pokemon who claimed to be a descendant of the Legendary Hero. Their office is based in Coasta City. To be registered as a guild, you must apply through the GA. 
• Explorers / Exploration Teams may also be called Rescuers / Rescue Teams though it may be determined by their primary role. It is where many teams will train to rank up and live, though it is not a requirement to be a rescue team.
• While there is a shared code among all guilds determined by the Guild Association, each guild may have their own additional rules and customs. For example, a guild may prohibit their members from bountyhunting, or may require a larger amount of earned money taxed and go towards Guild's costs, or have a strict curfew. 
• Guilds are typically based in a major/notable city or town and then will be named after that town. 
• Teams live and work at the guild, though living at the guild is not required. They can rank up and gain experience by working there, and eventually graduate after proper training. Once "graduated", they are still associated with the guild, but can work on their own and no longer have to follow the guild's rules. Those in the highest ranks may still be a part of guilds even if they "graduated". 

• Guilds are run by a Guild Master, (or Guildmaster, or may simply be referred to as Leader), who has an appointed Deputy. The Guild Master owns and runs the Guild and is allowed to set certain rules and requirements for joining the and graduating (even if a team achieves Gold rank recognized by the Guild Association.) The Guild Master is responsible for the infrastructure of the guild, assigning roles, planning expeditions.
• The Deputy monitors teams during training and helps with morning announcements, works as a treasurer and can stand in if the Guild Master is away.
• Guilds will also have a Head Guard, typically a large and strong Pokémon who guards the base, especially whenever the Guild leaves for expeditions. The Head Guard rarely leaves the guild for this reason.
• Guilds have a single Chef with small team, or members may have to work shifts in the kitchen. 
• The Housekeeper runs the rooms / dorms. This can be a wing of the guild or a separate building. They may have assistants to help with housekeeping. 
• There are also general / other Staff members, who may work under the above roles or be a very high rank (like Diamond) who works fulltime at the guild, or work in a role very specific to that guild - like a guild may have a large garden and thus need a dedicated Gardener 
• The guild's Trainer is a high level and strong Team member who runs training for the guild, exercise programs, bounty hunting and oversees graduations along with the Guild Master and Deputy. 
• At a guild there are 3 main roles for teams. Exploration, Rescue, and Bounty Hunting (Bounty Hunting is reserved for teams Silver rank and higher). Teams can be called Exploration or Rescue teams, but may prefer one if they take on more of those roles. Exploration teams focus on discovering new dungeons and collecting supplies for the guild. Rescue teams help civilians by rescue or other methods when needed. Bounty Hunting go after bandits, rogues, etc. A team may specialize in one role.

• A Guildmaster may announce an Expedition for various reasons, and can take multiple teams together. For many teams, it is a huge accomplishment to be chosen for an expedition, but is usually only for Gold rank members. An Expedition can be called for various reasons, maybe to explore a new dungeon, explore undiscovered terrain, explore one of the Mystery Regions, rescue another Guild in trouble, or gather supplies and treasure.
• A guild will have rooms for members of the guild, or extra to double as an inn for extra income. Not everyone part of a guild lives there, but most do.
• About twice a year, most of the Guilds will gather in Coasta City to talk about news and rumors.

Besides training/rescuing, teams at the guild are expected to have shifts doing:

• Clean and maintain the guild's base or dorms/rooms
• Maintain the designated Inn section for travelers
• Stand watch / guard for the base with Head Guard
• Work in the kitchen
• Collect supplies or run shopping errands for the Guild
• Help with local charity work or similar

Teams & Ranks

To apply to be come a team, you simply need to send in a letter with your team name, member list, and bandana design to the Guild Association or a local Guild for approval. You begin at Normal rank.

Team name formats usually Team (Name). For example: Team Ebony, Team Charm, Team Razor Wind (these are taken from the games.) You can get creative and do a mix of two nounds (Warrior cats style!) or keep it simple and have one word. No team can share the same name (all team names have been recorded by the Guild Association).

The ranks are: Normal, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Grandmaster. You can graduate from your guild once you hit Gold rank. But many Gold and Diamond rank teams will still live and work at a guild. Living and working at guild is a great way to train. One can technically rank up outside a guild, but it is a longer process. 

Once you immediately join, you are simply Normal rank - or technically, you have no rank. It doesn't take long to get to Bronze rank, and there usually isn't a ceremony or any special requirements. It just shows you have the basics down and can start getting more serious work. You will be assigned about 2-3 simple dungeons before moving onto Bronze rank. You will be heavily limited by what you can do at Normal.

Bronze rank is a Novice level rank. A majority of teams fall in Bronze. You have access to more tough dungeons, and allowed to travel a bit more. Usually Normal rank can only access maybe one or two that are local. You can only receive tasks given to you directly. You are not allowed to bounty hunt, and you earn a small base income/allowance. 

When a team feels ready to move to Silver after two years as Bronze rank, they can request a rank up through their Guild. The Trainer, Deputy, and/or Guild Master will assign them a specific mission at an intermediate level dungeon, and the team must keep a journal entry on their experience or be followed/monitored by one of the staff. Once completed, they can mail in their entry and proof of success to receive their Silver badges. If they fail, they must train for a month before another attempt. They can attempt as many times as they like, until they succeed, or choose to remain Bronze rank. As Silver rank teams, they gain access to more dungeons, can attempt Bounty Hunting, and earn a higher allowance along with commission. They will start receiving mail requests. They are allowed to travel father. 

After a 3 year minimum as Silver, they can request Gold, though they may have to attempt multiple challenges as well as prove their skills to a Guild Associate, or a Guild Leader in person. Many teams may remain Silver due to the challenges they would face. Silver is still a respectable rank regardless and does allow a lot of freedom. However, as Gold, they receive special badges, are considered "Graduated" from the guild, and are allowed on Guild Expeditions. On rare occasions, a Guild Master may allow Silver rank to join, but this is usually only if they do not have enough Gold members available for the expedition. To be "graduated" means they can formally leave the guild and work independently (but still have a connection to the guild, of course, and may be requested for expeditions), they will also receive a little ceremony. 

Diamond rank is only given out during a specific time of the year, when a very difficult group of challenges is decided by the GA. You have to spend 3 years minimum as a Gold team to even apply. Sometimes Diamond rank will be awarded as a high honor if a team succeeds at an incredible dangerous, difficult mission or a special Expedition, as long as its approved by the GA. Diamond ranks will be invited to an annual Gala in Costa City or asked to go on very important tasks by the GA. Guild will always have at least one Diamond rank team on Staff for help with Expeditions or defenses.

Grandmaster is a legendary rank. It's a little complicated, and sometimes given out AFTER a Diamond rank team retires after many years of important service. So those in Grandmaster may not actually be active. Only about 20~ teams have reached Grandmaster rank, and a majority are retired. 

There are some teams who are satisfied with this rank (usually Bronze / Silver) as they prefer simple explorations and jobs. But many teams are determined to reach Gold rank, a huge accomplishment. Diamond rank is rare and very well respected, but because it is so hard to achieve, Gold is seen as the most realistic goal, though there are few who remain determined for Diamond. 

List of Guilds

There are a few already established Guilds you may join.
These are not ALL the guilds that exist, just the ones I've developed. 
This region is VAST, so many more guilds actually exist, since they are always in need.
There may be small guilds scattered across the region, often in remote places, they do not have to be based in towns.
You are free to join any of these established guilds or make your own!

 Costa City Guild

• Guildmaster: Furfrou | Deputy: Vespiquen
• Head Guard: Pyroar | Trainer: Bisharp | Chef: Malamar | Housekeeper: Indeedee
• Other Staff: Florges, Mabosstiff, Unfezant, Espathra

Due to being in a densely populated city with no super close dungeons, you would think they aren't very busy. What makes this guild so special is their access to the docks and ability to travel all over for Exploration purposes. They may not have a strong focus on "rescue" in dungeons, but may do help around the city. Because of their widespread reach, they are one of the most famous guilds in the world, and considered the best for exploration training. They use their strength to journey across the main region as well. However, they are rumors they may be it it more for the money than to help others...

Tinyleaf Guild

• Guildmaster: Manectric | Deputy: 
• Head Guard: Aggron | Trainer: Lucario | Chef: Greedent | Housekeeper: Cinccino
• Other Staff: 

One of the most famous rescue-focused guilds in the region, and oldest, as they were founded by a descendent of the famous Lucario hero. They cover the Coastal Chapparal and Thunder Meadows region. They tend to have a very high turnout of high ranking and successful rescue teams.

Riverton Guild

• Guildmaster: Houndoom | Deputy: Honchkrow
• Head Guard: Tyranitar | Trainer: Lokix | Chef: Garbodor | Housekeeper: Zangoose
• Other Staff: Weavile, Obstagoon, Zweilous, Grafaiai

While full of strong Pokemon, they are barely an official guild. They compete with Tinyleaf in the area, but it is the highest populated area, so help is always needed. One of the more shady guilds out there, with more of a focus in bounty hunting and exploration than rescue, if at all. It is often rumored to be more of a "thieves guild" and has a fierce rivalry with Tinyleaf (though the rivalry is MAINLY between Houndoom and Manectric...) 

Terracotta Town Guild

• Guildmaster: Mightyena | Deputy: Cacturne
• Head Guard: Dugtrio | Trainer: Gliscor | Chef: Scovillain | Housekeeper: Maractus
• Other Staff: Claydol, Garganacl, Hippowdon, Excadrill

A guild for those who love and thrive in the Sienna Desert. The staff are a bit eccentric, but get along with each other and new recruits more than other guilds. When it comes to hot and dry terrain, they are the best for exploration and rescue in the area and are masters are treasure seeking. They are often treated poorly by the Costa City Guild.

Frostford Guild

• Guildmaster: Ninetales-Alolan | Deputy: Altaria
• Head Guard: Avalugg | Trainer: Abomasnow | Chef: Froslass | Housekeeper: Dubwool
• Other Staff: Glalie, Frosmoth, Furret, Dachsbun

A guild that covers the Telluric Taiga region and Glittering Glaciers, and sometimes the marshlands in the south. They are the most experienced of the guilds at snowy and mountainous terrain. They enjoy a good expedition to the farthest reaches of the region, and sometimes even team up with Tinyleaf. They are friendly rivals with Fallenleaf.

Fallenleaf Guild

• Guildmaster: Lycanroc-Midday | Deputy: Chimecho
• Head Guard: Golurk | Trainer: Toxicroak | Chef: Polteageist | Housekeeper: Trevenant
• Other Staff: Wyrdeer, Gengar, Oricorio, Houndstone

The guild best for the spooky, ominous forests around the Harvest Woodlands. They do not believe in bounty-hunting and prohibit it at their guild. They are also known for being an "Arts" guild, not only training young teams at rescuing but in painting, sculpting, theater and more. They are friendly rivals with Frostford.

Tempest Flats Guild

• Guildmaster: Zebstrika | Deputy: Luxray
• Head Guard: Magnezone | Trainer: Toxtricity | Chef: Flaaffy | Housekeeper: Rhydon
• Other Staff: Electabuzz, Vikavolt, Electrode, Rotom

As storms in the Thunder Meadows have only grown more intense, the other guilds struggled to cover for this area. The Tempest Flats is one of the more recent guilds to be formed, by former businessmen turned rescuers Luxray and Blitzle from Electric City. They use their experience and marketing skills to run businesses that help support their guild.

Lilylake Guild

• Guildmaster: Swanna | Deputy: Azumarill
• Head Guard: Araquanid | Trainer: Seismitoad | Chef: Ludicolo | Housekeeper: Cherrim
• Other Staff: Lilligant, Yanmega, Quagsire, Arboliva

Located in an old, beautiful stone building on the edge of the city. They can handle the diverse watery landscapes in the region, from ponds and rivers to mangroves and swamps. They are famous for their bounty hunting in the region.

Timberside Guild

• Guildmaster: Sawsbuck | Deputy: Bibarel
• Head Guard: Ursaring | Trainer: Heracross | Chef: Togedemaru | Housekeeper: Bombirdier
• Other Staff: Smeargle, Sceptile, Dustox

Spend most of their time helping lost campers and travelers and keeping the forests and parks in the area clean and safe. They cover most of the Western Pinelands, and the Northwestern Range. They will team up with Frostford for cold expeditions. 

Hollyhearth Guild

• Guildmaster: Druddigon | Deputy: Stoutland
• Head Guard: Haxorus | Trainer: Sirfetch'd | Chef: Tatsugiri | Housekeeper: Roserade
• Other Staff: Escavalier, Grimmsnarl, Aegislash, Archaludon

In the more isolated but lively town of Hollyhearth. The area is a bit more cut off from the others, so they are really the only guild active in the region, but at the same time, the region is strangely peaceful, so they tend to be bored. Without many rescue jobs, they focus on more treasure hunting and studying old relics, and share their acquired wealth with the town. Their guildmaster, Druddigon, is the oldest of all the other guildmasters, and determined to help record history of the region. They are considered a sister guild to Sunnyhollow.

Sunnyhollow Guild

• Guildmaster: Arcanine | Deputy: Minior
• Head Guard: Bronzong | Trainer: Marowak | Chef: Crustle | Housekeeper: Sandslash
• Other Staff: Rapidash, Coalossal, Piloswine, Pawmot

Covers the Sunbeam Prairielands, Soleil Desert, east of Lake Basculin, as well as the Eastern Pinelands. They have been working on traveling as far as they can through the Grand Willowing Forest, and are big on archaeology and general discovery. Arcanine is a huge history and archealology nerd, and she will tell you all about it! Her proudest achievement was the discovery of Dusty Lascaux, a cavern/relic full of ancient pokemon cave paintings. They are considered a sister guild to Hollyhearth.

Palmwood Guild

• Guildmaster: Milotic | Deputy: Vaporeon
• Head Guard: Carracosta | Trainer: Veluza | Chef: Politoed | Housekeeper: Comfey
• Other Staff: Slowking, Corsola, Pyukumuku, Kilowattrel

Based on the southern tropical beaches, they cover the Opal Islands. They aren't in contact with the other guilds besides Grassknot and usually keep to that area. Vaporeon is known for being somewhat distant to the other guilds. Because of this, Liepard will deliver news to Vaporeon after the biannual Guild Gatherings.

Grassknot Guild

• Guildmaster: Liepard| Deputy: Toucannon
• Head Guard: Tangrowth | Trainer: Medicham | Chef: Meganium | Housekeeper: Oranguru
• Other Staff: Tropius, Lurantis, Victreebel, Spidops

They patrol the dense jungles of the south, and study the ancient relics and ruins in the area, rivaling Terracotta at skilled treasure hunting. They are also the only guild that has experience with Mystery Regions. They are very close with Palmwood and often work together, though Palmwood doesn't like the other guilds so much, while Grassknot will share knowledge of relics and discoveries with Sunnyhallow but usually demands some form of payment...