The Apothecaries Guild
The Apothecaries Guild forms the bulk of the cities healers and herbalists. Students, referred to as “Childe” may enter the guild at any age and entry to the guild is free of charge. Their studies are funded from a tithe paid by the noble households and the members of other guilds; as their skills are essential to all. Childe are not required to live within a guild hall, although there are certain restrictions that are placed upon them. All Apothecaries, regardless of rank, are required to take an oath of pacifism. They are not permitted to lift a weapon even in defence of their own person. They are also required to restrict themselves to a vegetarian diet. The current guild mistress believes that “One cannot purify the flesh whilst at the same time consuming it”.
The head of the guild is given the title of Grand mother/father. At this time the guild Grandmother is Igraine Mylock. She is an elderly spinster who is highly respected. She is the embodiment of the guild. Her low birth (she was the daughter of a tanner) illustrating that healing is a knowledge that belongs to all and is not to be restricted to the higher echelons of society. Igraine is down to earth and straightforward and gives the same amount of attention to a pauper in the street as she would to Lord Evron.
This guild is at the heart of efforts to find a cure for the “Altered”. They are convinced that it is little more than the affects of a woodland poison. Several victims have been given into their care, including Willam Evron. So far however, all they have been able to do is calm the Altered ones into a peaceful silence and a near dreamlike state. Most people feel this is preferable to the Altered’s usual inane babbling.
The guild now makes frequent visits to the wastelands in order to research the flora and fauna, in an attempt to pin down the cause of this disease. These expeditions have proved to be most expensive and some in the Star Chamber begin to mutter that the drain on Lalenth’s resources is too great; especially for so little apparent return. On more than one occasion Igraine’s application for expedition funding has been turned down. Unsurprisingly, since the Alteration of Willam, she has had no problems obtaining financial support.