Sigil: The City of Doors

He simply nodded.

"It's shown different in the Hive or the Lower Ward than here, ma'am, but respect is respect. An' I got a lot ridin' on this."

"On my side, I should have a letter of introduction targeted for our FM head by tomorrow morning. Though let me warn you I expect you to be on your best behavior or better as you'll not only be riding on my reputation, but also forcing me to sacrifice some of y beauty sleep to stick to that short deadline."

"See what I can scare up. Won't be sleeping until the day starts anyhow... but we ain't organized yet, so no promises."

Dare meticulously takes notes, underlying the important words, and drawing a full rectangle around the very important ones.

"Hmm. The ‘initiative’ angle makes me wonder if you aren't in luck as far as timing goes. The city is a mess due to the chaotic events of the day, including in places that are usually kept pristine clean and people in position of power visit, as opposed to locations like the Hive.

Think you could call to arms your brethren and make arrangements, so that, by tomorrow morning, the Courts don't look so much like a wasteland and some of the furniture that were misplaced in the turmoil are retrieved and gathered in the hall? Our facilities management are as stringy as anyone's, so this is sure to leave an impression."

Ikkit sat back.

Fekt croaked.

"Right. 'Pending on [i]which[/i] high-up it is... some of 'em [i]like[/i] imports, it's how they get their jink. Speakin' o'jink, it's fairly simple that the more of it circulates, the more of it sticks t'th' fingers, which some'a them'd no doubt like. But I reckon the clean-up angle for the strongest general-purpose. Cleaner city means more space can be used for other stuff. Not just elegant, practical. Can even free up housin' if we clean out some spaces, an' we c'n stay on top of it. And bein' used t'working with... salvage, we'd not be too peery 'bout goin' into the Hive, or the Lower Ward's shadier circles. We'd go where others wouldn't 'cause we'd profit offa it."

He paused. His left ear flicked.

"Now, why me, an' not some tiefling cutter they all wanna take t'bed, some polished fop as hires it out, or some fiend with a perfect plan, just sign here? Few things. One, I know the work. Willin' t'get my hands dirty every day, an' I'm proud o'what I do. I ain't gonna move on from it second I get a leg up. It's the goal."

He steepled his fingers in front of him.

"Two, I'm comin' up with the idea. Not sayin' I'm the absolute best t'run it once it's goin', but takin' the initiative puts me ahead o'most, and I ain't doin' it out'o personal ambition, but professional pride."

The goblin tilted his head back to inspect the ceiling.

"Three, and most important... I ain't in a Faction. Not even an Indep. Makes me neutral in Faction disputes. Means I won't stop service to the Bleakers just 'cause they're having a tiff with the Hardheads. Won't dump trash on the Guvners 'cause some Doomguard thinks it'd be a laugh. Don't pick sides. Just want the work orderly."

"No problem. Letters of introduction are indeed a proper and apt move.

Now, which arguments in favor of an official guild would you like for them to stress out? The strong city angle, by emphasizing how more recycling means less dependence on imports for some goods? The monetary angle, with a detailed projection of planned benefits and how they might shower on people involved with this project? The elegant angle, by promising a cleaner city in the end? Something else?

And of course, you additionally need to sell yourself, id est explain why you, of all scavengers, are the right choice to drive this project."

Dare grabbed a blank sheet of paper and prepared an empty bucket list.

"There. I'm listening."

"Hm. Not one to hobnob with the high-ups, but I reckon I could shop it to a couple of 'em. Gettin' some... nicer togs made's part'o the plan."

He frowned.

"Don't s'pose I could talk you into maybe whippin' up some letters t'hand off? I c'n write, but not nicely, an' I don't know th'right turns'o phrase."

"It doesn't have to be a temple stricto sensu. You can piggyback any organization that's already well implemented and resourceful.

An alternative is, well, even more politics. Convince some persons with high discretionary power that your guild existing would contribute to the prosperity of the city, and most legal and practical obstacles should magically disappear."

"Eh. Think I'd have better luck with multiple fellow salvagers'n some Power-botherer. 'Sides. Gotta do trade with the Athar, same's anyone..."

His green fingertips started to drum on her desktop.

"'Course, could get a smaller group t'work with a temple, built it up, then reach outh t'demonstrate the value'a gangin' up..."

"Yes, the snake is eating its own tail there. The job requires experience in the job.

I can think of several workarounds.

The first would be [i]collegia opificum[/i]. Basically, you find a temple to become the patron of your budding guild. Temples are legally allowed to run a ton of small services for their flock, and some are quite liberal with the definitions of small and flock.

On paper, and on paperwork, you would just be a secular employee of the temple. In practice, if you play your cards right, you and your fellows will be free to organize yourself as you wish, and the temple will effectively rent you an office and provide the social benefits associated with a guild.

Not ideal in the long run, but the main advantage is that you only have to persuade a single high priest or priestess to start up the engine."