Steward's Tower

A gleaming black, bronze and gold tower stands in the center of a city square. Starkly contrasting the buildings surrounding it. The top of the tower is an ornate art-deco arch. Facing eastward towards the sun is a golden image of a sun. On the western side the image of a moon. Approaching it feels like facing a strike of midnight as four metallic creatures guard the entrance, three humanoid in shape and one a towering quadruped. Above the dark stained and heavy doors, a circular plaque sits with the image of a Tower tarot card intricately etched and gilded in gold. This is the Steward's Tower.

The Steward's Tower is a independent information and investigation force that operates out of Aquila. Specifically its capital city Calstien. Officially established in 1903 by Faustius Gehanne, the Steward's Tower is a widely recognized organization with some believing it, and its curator, to have more pull then the government in certain areas. While exact numbers are unknown to anyone outside Faust or the Flock, currently its believed the tower has around 300 active members operating as either independent investigators or small groups.

Its members collect and investigate information, folklore and strange reports across the span of Aquila. Under the order of Faustius Gehanne, these records and recordings of events are brought back to the tower and filed before being pulled for investigation. Though Faust has been known to prioritize things that interest them particularly. The tower has also on occasion been known to act as private security or scouts-for-hire if the price is right for other organizations.

The organization itself has gained a very widespread and positive reputation, particularly among rural communities where government aid often is unavailable or falls through the cracks entirely. Because of this the tower often receives collaboration with local authorities but tends to have enemies in powerful places.

Leadership: Faustius Gehanne
Influence: Above average
Reputation: Positive
Size: Large | Stability: Slightly unstable | Age: Operating for 17 years

Broaches

In order to join the ranks of the Steward's Tower there are two things that must be provided. Firstly a reason they wish to join the tower and secondly donate a story to the towers archives. Said story can be from the persons own personal experiences, something they've heard about or a piece of mythology. Should Faust find these satisfactory, an individual will be handed a contract with the tower to be signed and given one of five broaches to signify their employment.

One can receive a Moon, Sun, Sword, Scales or Dandelion broach. With the Tower broach being exclusively worn by Faust, Lover and other automatons of the tower. These broaches are heavily enchanted and used to identify members of the tower. The images are easily recognized in Aquila as a whole and along the border of Korvis, specifically Palmarome. They cannot be lost, traded, stolen or exchanged for another broach. And will always magically appear back on the owner's person.

The Flock

The Flock refers to a collection of automatons created by Faustius Gehanne to act as administrative entities or guards for the tower. It is officially made up of six main automatons. The guarding units being Wake, Murder and Unkindness (Also called Kindness). The two main administrative automatons are Parliament and Lover. With Lover, an administrative automaton, and B1-RD, a guarding automaton, being the most recent additions to the Flock. Additionally there are roughly around forty small flying automatons throughout the toward. Used for carrying letters, retrieving paperwork, or delivering messages outside the toward these automatons are not able to speak and are rather delicate.

Notable Connections

Gentle's Respite: This small boarding house located in Calstien holds a collaborative contract with the Steward's Tower. In exchange for housing and feeding members of the tower, Gentle's Respite receives month rent for each room a resident fills.
Calstien Police Department: The tower, specifically Faustius Gehanne, is credited with the development and up keep of the Custodia. Because of this the police and the tower have a on-going near rivalry. Though the two groups will work together its often as a last resort.
Summus Church (Calstien branch): A notably more liberal branch of the Summus religion, the tower and the local church seemingly have an agreement that those employed by the tower can use the churches Cleric services.
Voyagers Guild: While this connection seems tense the two groups have been known to work together on very rare occasions.
Dorothy Sibil: Some find it surprising but its been well documented that Dorothy Sibil, Governor of [[]] and mayor Selina (City) have a close working relationship. With the Governor often reaching out to the tower to provide work.