Imperial Apothecaries Guild

The Manifesto

The sodality is dedicated to the advancement, education, and support of apothecaries and other practitioners of the herbal arts across the Empire.

The sodality therefore exists to:

• Coordinate and support Imperial efforts in the research, development, education, and dissemination of ingredients, potions, and antidotes
• Serve as a point of contact for bodies of state when apothecary and herbal advice is required
• Represent and support the economic, political, and magical interests of apothecaries and herbalists within the Empire.

Symbol

The Imperial Apothecaries' symbol is a pestle and mortar.

Membership

Any Imperial citizen can join the sodality using the Mark of Fellowship ritual.

Powers

As of the start of the Spring Equinox 387YE, the sodality has no devolved powers. Its members are responsible for electing the Guild Leader of the Imperial Apothecaries. If an opportunity were identified where the sodality could be deployed, then it would be down to a vote of the members. In the event that the sodality has a formal decision to make, such as electing the Guild Leader, the civil service will schedule a formal session of the sodality.

History

There have been several iterations of a "Guild of Apothecaries" over the Empire's history. Groups of like-minded individuals coming together to organise prices and influence senators and members of the Conclave. Occasionally, these groups managed to demonstrate their value enough to be unofficially recognised by various bodies of state, but the momentum slowed before they could truly establish themselves. The Imperial Apothecaries was created by the Senate during the Winter Solstice 386YE, as the first Imperial sodality since the death of Empress Britta.

The sodality journeyed to Therunin in an attempt to neutralise the poison in Lower Tarn Valley using Ioric's Elixir; a strange concoction uncovered in Anvil. They were prevented from doing so by the Druj, and instead, the majority set to work helping the refugees, providing much-needed medical assistance to those who had been injured. Many moved to bolster the defences of the Upper Tarn, or turned back entirely to help evacuate Peakedge Song. In many ways, the Empire was fortunate - the efforts of the Imperial Apothecaries' Guild have still cost the Senate ten thrones, but the leadership and direction of the sodality prevented the outcome from being much worse.

Guild Leader

The Guild Leader of the Imperial Apothecaries is an Imperial title awarded to a member of the Imperial Apothecaries. Though the title is "Guild Leader" they are not "in charge" of the sodality. Rather, the position is expected to be a mouthpiece for the sodality, with the responsibility to represent their sodales' views to other parts of the Empire, to recruit new members, and to advance the sodality's goals and the members' interests.

Appointment

The Guild Leader is selected by members of the sodality. Only a member of the sodality can present themselves for the title, and only a member of the sodality can vote in the election. The candidate who gains the most votes from the members of the sodality is elected to the title.

Summit	Nation	Elected
Spring Equinox 387YE	The Brass Coast	Esmé i Estrico i Erigo

Recent Elections

This title is currently held by Esmé i Estrico i Erigo; it will be reelected at Spring Equinox 388YE. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.

Further Reading

• To hold death's hand in mine - Spring 387YE wind of war detailing the efforts of the sodality