The Bastion Guild

Guards, Mercenaries, Peacekeepers & Protectors
“Steel stands. So do we.”

Quick Facts

Known Headquarters: The Bastion Hold, Emberfall Gate District
Power Tier: High (Law Enforcement, City Defense & Martial Authority)
Reach: City patrol routes, tribunals, prisons, and militarized zones
Defense: Trained battalions, riot armor, enforcer magic, martial code
Influence: Executes city law, maintains civic order, oversees public safety and detention
Respect: Respected by citizens, resented by radicals and dissidents

Overview

The Bastion Guild is Ironspire’s shield and sword—the visible arm of law, order, and (sometimes) just enough intimidation. Whether stationed at gateposts, patrolling city sectors, or escorting nobles through disputed territories, Bastion members wear their tabards and titles with pride.

But the guild is not monolithic. Behind its banners lies a deep divide between those who serve justice, and those who serve the coin.

Some joined to protect. Others to be protected. All of them bleed for the city.

Headquarters

Redgate Barracks, Sentinel Row – A towering stone keep reinforced with brass girders and sigil-marked steel plating. The walls are emblazoned with the crossed-shield sigil of the Bastion, and its training grounds echo with the clash of steel nearly round the clock.

Inside are armories, tactical war rooms, dormitories, disciplinary halls, and contract stations. A special wing houses high-priority prisoners and the Wall of the Fallen—a memorial to those who died in the line of duty.

Identity & Philosophy

The Bastion Guild presents itself as the iron spine of Ironspire. They claim neutrality, enforce the law, and act as both deterrent and response force. They are order forged into people, bound by oath and hierarchy.

But beneath the surface, motivations vary. Some believe in protecting the weak. Others are drawn by stability, prestige, or the promise of advancement. A few are simply good with weapons and short on better choices.

The internal split is clear:

The Shields serve with honor and believe in their oaths.
The Irons take the harder jobs, the darker pay, and the bribes no one talks about.

The guild tolerates both. The city demands results.

Roleplay Hooks

Rise through the ranks from recruit to captain
Serve as a city guard, border warden, caravan escort, or private security
Investigate a corruption scandal within your own ranks
Form an elite strike team for covert missions on behalf of the Ember Court
Train cadets or enforce curfew in districts on the brink of unrest
Question whether justice and duty can truly coexist

Power Tier

High

Combat Reach: Strong across Ironspire
Legal Authority: Moderate (shared with city courts)
Political Influence: Depends on the commander
Cultural Perception: Respected… and feared

They are not judge or jury—but often act as both. Their presence deters riots, enforces law, and sets the tone in turbulent boroughs. When things spiral, it’s Bastion boots that hit the ground first.

Rivalries & Tensions

The Blackmark Brotherhood – rogue mercs who undermine lawful order
The Forged Brotherhood – ideological conflict over what justice looks like
The Ember Cabal – due to hidden court alliances
Some friction with The Iron Accord, who claim elite superiority and independent judgment

Even within the guild, tensions rise between Irons and Shields—particularly during political unrest.

Leadership

Captain Varek Holt, Commander of Shields – A no-nonsense war veteran with burn scars across one eye and a voice like gravel in a storm. Varek rose from the ranks and still trains with new recruits. Known for his strict code, relentless discipline, and refusal to bend the law, even when pressured by the nobility.

But whispers say someone else leads the Irons—a masked figure known only as Ironshade, who hands out assignments no one wants recorded.

Known Practices & Traditions

The Gauntlet – A grueling multi-stage trial for initiates involving combat, moral testing, and field response
Ironposts – Rotating duty stations that place members in increasingly dangerous or corrupt districts to test resolve
Shieldblessing – A quiet prayer etched into every Bastion shield, meant to carry protection to others as well as the bearer
The Silent Ring – A code of enforced silence after a major operation; what happened stays in the circle
Last Light Watch – A tradition of solo patrols taken by senior members reflecting on fallen comrades

Membership & Structure

Common Ranks:

Cadets (under training)
Wardens (city guard)
Ironsworn (field agents, elite units)
Shield-Sergeants (squad leaders)
Commanders (district officers)
Captain of Shields (guildmaster rank)

Some Irons report to a different chain entirely—one less formal, more lucrative, and much harder to trace.

Attire & Symbols:

Grey-and-bronze tabards over mail
Sigil: Two crossed shields on fire, one pristine, one cracked
Known for wearing black leather gloves, whether for grip or anonymity

Rumors & Whispers

“Varek Holt turned down a barony twice. He says a sword can’t rule from a throne.”
“The Irons take their contracts from the Ember Court—and bury their mistakes where no one finds them.”
“There’s a Bastion squad that doesn’t wear sigils. They show up, fix problems, and vanish. They call them the Night Wall.”