Technologists
The Independent Guild of Technology is an important organisation within the Empire, ensuring that technological progress is shared between the Houses. Due to this purpose, the Imperial House has mandated that no member of the Noble Houses may become a Master Technologist without forswearing their House loyalty and no Master Technologist may take a position in a Noble House.
Explorators, Combinators and Inventors
The Guild has within it two main schools of thought as to the development of Legacy-based devices:
The Order of Explorators believe that the best way to obtain new devices is to recover additional Legacy artefacts. These will either comprise new devices which can be put to use or perhaps an intact Crystal Library, where the knowledge of the Forerunners is presumed to be held. They often collaborate with the Historicals to achieve these aims.
The Order of Combinators believe that development will only come by utilising the devices that have already been recovered in novel ways. An example of their success is the development of laser pistols. The pistols were constructed by combining elements of small constant-beam mining lasers with a device which released power in short bursts. In general, the devices created by the Combinators are constructable repeatedly, but they require a large investment of autofactory made parts and skilled Technologist time and so are not suitable for mass distribution.
Separate to these thoughts are the Inventors:
The Order of Inventors consider themselves the heart of the Guild. They are responsible for the development of scientific theory and apply this to creating new devices not based on the technology of the Legacy. Major recent sucesses for the Inventors include the creation of cameras and films for moving pictures. The spread of local cinemas where the citizens of the Empire can gather to see and hear recent news has been heralded as a great achievement. Due to this, the Inventors currently enjoy great popular support with the average people of the Empire who cannot afford expensive Legacy-based technology.
These three Orders have resources that they do not normally make available to the Guild as a whole, though it is not uncommon for a Technologist to decide not to join an Order. However, being accepted into more than one Order is highly unusual.
Ranks
The Guild has quite a strict hierarchy in that rank and influence are intimately linked. Influence amongst Guild members is wielded openly as there are strict rules to prevent Noble Houses from placing secret agents within the Guild. Members of higher rank may requisition larger numbers of assistants and will have better access to Guild stockpiles for their endeavours. [When you buy influence in the Guild, you must take the title appropriate to your level of influence.] The ranks are:
0. Conversi
1. Acolyte
2. Brother
3. Master
4. Grand Masters of the Explorators / Combinators / Inventors
To lead the Guild and unify the purposes of the Grand Masters, a fourth is chosen and given the title of Guardian of the Legacy. Grand Master Qirex, a former Combinator, has recently taken up the post after the death of Grand Master Theops.