Chapter 591: The Rights of Adventurers

The second round of Charter negotiations began inside a smaller conference chamber adjoining the Royal Administrative Council’s offices, where several senior officials had gathered to examine the provisions concerning registered Adventurers.

Sage occupied one side of the table alongside Boren, Lucan, and Master Theobald Wycliffe, the legal adviser recommended by House Auremont.

Across from them sat Minister Aldous Pembroke, Lord Thomas Ellery, and Lord Percival Harcourt, accompanied by two officials from the Royal Military Administration.

A revised copy of the proposed Royal Charter lay before each participant, with several paragraphs marked for further discussion.

Unlike the previous consultation, which had addressed the Guild’s institutional independence, today’s negotiations concerned the rights and responsibilities of the individuals who registered with it.

Pembroke opened the proceedings by placing a marked document at the center of the table.

"Guildmaster Sage, we’ve examined the provisions concerning Adventurer registration," Pembroke began. "Most are consistent with existing contractual principles. However, several require clarification, particularly those involving recovered property, voluntary service, and the relationship between Guild membership and royal authority."

Sage nodded as he opened his own copy.

"Those are important matters, Minister. I’d rather have them properly defined now than leave them open to interpretation later."

Ellery turned to the section concerning recovered materials.

"Your proposal states that Adventurers shall retain lawful ownership of treasures, materials, and other property recovered during authorized Guild activities," Ellery observed. "The wording is broad. What happens when an Adventurer recovers property that already belongs to someone else?"

Sage considered the question.

"Then it wouldn’t automatically become theirs," Sage answered. "If someone retrieves stolen merchandise, a merchant’s lost possessions, or property with an identifiable lawful owner, the Kingdom’s existing laws should still apply."

Ellery nodded approvingly.

"Then the provision should distinguish between unowned resources lawfully recovered and property subject to existing ownership claims," Ellery suggested. "Otherwise, a thief could attempt to conceal stolen goods behind the Guild’s Charter."

Theobald immediately marked the relevant paragraph.

"That can be clarified," Theobald replied. "The Guild’s intention is to protect legitimate recovery rights, not invalidate established property law."

Harcourt leaned forward.

"And what of dungeon treasures?" Harcourt asked. "Many noble dungeon owners possess agreements requiring entrants to surrender a substantial portion of recovered materials. Would your proposed protection allow Adventurers to disregard those agreements?"

Sage shook his head.

"No, Lord Harcourt," Sage answered. "An Adventurer who voluntarily enters a dungeon under lawful conditions is responsible for honoring the agreement. What I oppose is someone confiscating their loot afterward without any contractual or legal justification."

Harcourt studied him. "Then you acknowledge that dungeon owners may establish their own access terms?"

"Within the law, certainly," Sage replied. "The Guild establishes its own terms through Dungeon Passes. Other owners can establish theirs. But neither a noble title nor a government position should automatically entitle someone to seize property that an Adventurer has lawfully obtained."

Pembroke examined the proposed amendment.

"Suppose a territorial official suspects that recovered materials were obtained through illegal activities," Pembroke asked. "Would the Guild object to their temporary seizure during a lawful investigation?"

"Not if there’s a proper legal basis," Sage answered. "But there should be documentation, an established procedure for challenging the seizure, and a requirement to return the property if no lawful grounds remain for holding it."

Ellery nodded.

"That is consistent with the protections generally afforded to property under Westmark’s laws," Ellery remarked. "We should avoid drafting a separate system that grants Adventurers either fewer or greater rights than other lawful owners."

Boren made a note beside the revised wording.

The discussion continued for some time as the officials examined disputes involving monster materials, abandoned equipment, recovered valuables, and contractual claims.

By the end of the exchange, both sides had agreed upon a clearer principle: Adventurers would retain lawful ownership of recovered property, subject to existing ownership rights, valid contracts, taxation, and properly authorized legal proceedings.

The Charter would protect them against arbitrary confiscation without creating immunity from legitimate claims.

Pembroke then turned to the next section.

"Now, concerning mission assignments," Pembroke announced. "Your proposal reserves mission classification, eligibility assessment, and acceptance procedures to the Guild’s internal administration."

"Correct," Sage answered.

Harcourt tapped the table lightly.

"That provision could become problematic when a territorial authority commissions the Guild to resolve a serious threat," Harcourt argued.

"Suppose a regional governor pays for an important extermination mission but believes the assigned Adventurers lack sufficient experience. Shouldn’t that governor possess some authority to intervene?"

Garran Holt had prepared a detailed explanation of the Guild’s mission procedures before the meeting, and Boren opened the supporting report.

"The Guild already establishes qualification requirements according to mission difficulty," Boren explained. "Commissioning authorities may specify legitimate operational requirements, but eligible Adventurers choose whether to accept the posted assignment."

Harcourt frowned. "Then the governor would have no say in who undertakes the mission?"

"He would have a say in the contractual requirements," Boren clarified. "If the commission requires particular qualifications, those conditions can be examined before the mission is posted. But the governor wouldn’t personally appoint Guild members or override our registration standards."

Sage leaned forward.

"There’s a difference between hiring the Guild to accomplish something and taking control of its personnel," Sage explained. "If a noble pays for a bridge to be repaired, that doesn’t automatically give him authority to appoint the construction company’s workers."

One of the military officials, Commander Roland Thorne, considered the comparison.

"However, combat assignments may involve greater risks than ordinary commercial work," Roland observed. "A poorly qualified party could endanger civilians."

"Which is precisely why we maintain mission classifications," Sage replied. "The Guild has a responsibility to prevent unqualified Adventurers from accepting assignments beyond their capabilities. If our administration negligently violates those standards, we should be accountable for the consequences."

Ellery looked toward Pembroke.

"That distinction may resolve the issue," Ellery suggested. "The Charter could preserve the Guild’s authority over its internal selection procedures while recognizing its responsibility to comply with lawful contractual conditions and applicable safety obligations."

Pembroke nodded.

"Provided commissioning authorities retain appropriate remedies when the Guild fails to fulfill an accepted agreement," Pembroke added.

Sage agreed without hesitation.

"That’s reasonable, Minister. We aren’t asking to accept payment and then ignore our responsibilities."

Theobald recorded the proposed revision.

As the discussion progressed, the atmosphere became less confrontational. Although several officials remained skeptical of the Guild’s growing influence, the legal distinctions were becoming clearer.

The most difficult issue, however, remained unresolved.

Pembroke turned to the section concerning voluntary membership.

"The Guild’s proposal states that registration shall not constitute enlistment in the Royal Army or any territorial military force," Pembroke read aloud. "It further states that registered Adventurers cannot be compelled to accept missions solely because of their membership."

"That’s correct," Sage replied.

Commander Roland Thorne folded his arms.

"I understand the principle, Guildmaster," Roland began. "But consider the Kingdom’s defensive responsibilities. Adventurers include capable Warriors and Mages whose abilities could be invaluable during major emergencies. Shouldn’t their registration establish some obligation to assist when the Kingdom faces danger?"

Sage regarded him thoughtfully.

"Adventurers are citizens and residents with their own obligations under the law, Commander," Sage answered. "If Westmark has laws requiring ordinary citizens to assist during certain emergencies, those laws still apply. But joining the Guild shouldn’t create an additional military obligation that doesn’t exist for anyone else."

Roland frowned slightly.

"Yet the Guild provides a convenient means of identifying individuals with combat abilities."

"That doesn’t make them soldiers," Sage replied. "A skilled blacksmith doesn’t become military property because the Kingdom knows he can forge weapons."

Lucan glanced toward the military representatives.

"The distinction is particularly important because the Guild accepts members from different backgrounds," Lucan added. "Some Adventurers may already possess obligations to noble households or other lawful institutions. Others may have no military experience whatsoever."

Ellery examined the relevant provision.

"Perhaps the Charter should explicitly state that Guild registration creates no independent obligation of military service," Ellery suggested. "That wouldn’t affect duties imposed upon individuals by generally applicable laws."

Sage nodded.

"That’s exactly what I’m asking for."

Harcourt remained unconvinced.

"Then what happens if the Kingdom faces an invasion?" Harcourt asked. "Would the Guild simply continue posting ordinary missions while the Royal Army struggles to defend the borders?"

Sage shook his head.

"That isn’t what I’m suggesting, Lord Harcourt," Sage replied. "The Guild can cooperate with the Crown through emergency commissions, logistical support, reconnaissance, evacuation missions, and other lawful arrangements. But cooperation shouldn’t mean the Crown can automatically seize control of our members."

Roland leaned forward.

"Would you accept emergency contracts negotiated directly with the Royal Military Administration?" Roland asked.

"Certainly," Sage answered. "Provided the responsibilities, compensation, command arrangements, and conditions are clearly established."

Pembroke considered the suggestion.

"That would allow the Kingdom to request specialized assistance without automatically converting Adventurers into military personnel," Pembroke observed.

Boren nodded.

"It would also allow the Guild to post appropriate emergency commissions through its existing Mission Boards," Boren explained. "Qualified Adventurers could accept those assignments according to the established procedures."

Roland appeared somewhat more receptive.

"That could be useful for monster suppression and civilian evacuation," Roland acknowledged. "But military operations sometimes require immediate obedience to a unified command structure."

"Then those conditions should be established before an Adventurer voluntarily accepts a military commission," Sage replied. "Someone who agrees to serve under a commander for a particular operation should understand the responsibilities involved."

Theobald marked another paragraph.

The advisers spent the next hour developing language distinguishing ordinary Guild missions from military service.

Voluntary Guild assignments would remain under the organization’s established administrative procedures. Adventurers accepting military commissions could become subject to specified operational command arrangements for the duration of those agreements, without automatically becoming permanent soldiers.

Criminal conduct would remain subject to Westmark’s laws regardless of Guild membership.

Registered Adventurers would also remain responsible for ordinary civil obligations, including taxation, lawful debts, property disputes, and duties imposed by legislation applicable to the general population.

By late afternoon, the revised provisions had taken shape.

Pembroke reviewed the amendments while the other officials examined their copies.

"We’ve made considerable progress," Pembroke remarked. "The distinction between Guild registration and military enlistment is now much clearer."

Sage nodded with satisfaction.

"That’s good to hear, Minister."

However, Commander Roland remained focused upon a document that had been placed beside the military reports earlier in the meeting.

"There’s one matter we haven’t resolved," Roland stated as he opened the document. "The Royal Military Administration has prepared an additional provision concerning extraordinary national emergencies."

Richard, who had joined the latter portion of the consultation, looked toward the commander.

"What does it propose, Commander?" Richard asked.

Roland placed the document before Pembroke.

"During an invasion, widespread monster catastrophe, or other crisis threatening the Kingdom’s survival, the Crown would possess temporary authority to requisition the services of registered Adventurers," Roland explained. "The provision is intended to ensure that capable personnel remain available when ordinary recruitment and voluntary commissions prove insufficient."

Sage’s expression became serious.

He had expected the military representatives to request stronger emergency cooperation, but this proposal went considerably further.

Richard examined the wording before looking toward Roland.

"Does this authority apply to the Guild as an institution, or would it permit the Crown to compel individual Adventurers into service?" Richard asked.

Roland hesitated briefly.

"As currently drafted, Your Royal Highness, it would permit both."

Sage slowly placed his pen upon the table.

"Then, Commander," Sage replied, his gaze fixed upon the document, "we need to discuss exactly what you mean by requisitioning Adventurers."