Technologists
The Imperial Guild of Technology is an important organisation within the Empire, ensuring that technological progress is shared between the Houses. Until 634EY, the Guild was named Independent, with no Technologist of Master rank or above allowed to also maintain an association with a Noble House. However, this situation was shown to be untenable in the aftermath of the Hollann War when it was revealed that the traitorous Master Technologist Marcher Sciallis had leaked information to the Hollann, feeling little sympathy for the Noble Houses of the Empire. Following the success of the Imperial Guild of Merchants, Empress Roweena decreed that all Technologists should be better integrated into Imperial society and accepted all those of the rank of Master or above into his House. Roweena also asked the Noble Houses to accept into their ranks all Acolytes and Brother Technologists, leaving only those unimportant workers ranked as Conversi or below without Noble status.
Now, 26 years later, only Grand Master Technologists are usually asked to join the Imperial House, with Masters allowed to remain in their 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 believes that the best way to obtain new devices is to recover additional Legacy artefacts. Following developments in understanding the Forerunner script, the Explorators are able to search out specific devices by finding clues in the writings at the Crystal Library on Sala. They often collaborate with the Historicals, though the two organisations sometimes find themselves in competition when deciding who should be given a newly discovered artefact to study. An example of their success is the moon station orbiting Nestron, where a salvaged environmental control system was used in conjunction with a large forcefield to produce a habitable area. In general, the devices found by the Explorators are unique and have unusual effects.
The Explorators also run ARC, the group responsible for the Aaron's Roads network. It is rumoured that the Empress Roweena herself had a hand in selecting David Jareth Lystra as the Grand Master of the Explorators and maintained a close eye on the ARC throughout her reign.
The Order of Combinators believes 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 cutting lasers with a device which released power in short bursts. In general, the devices created by the Combinators are constructible 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 successes 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.
It is not necessary to join an Order within the Guild, though the highest rank of Grand Master is only awarded to people who have. It is unusual to be accepted into more than one Order, though this was recently achieved by Grand Master Technologist Aaron Vinka who joined the Explorators as well as the Combinators following his discovery of Aaron's Roads.
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 better assistants and rarer resources for their endeavours; these assistants are often needed when a project becomes too large or moves beyond the skills of the instigator. The ranks are:
- Acolyte
- Brother
- Master
- 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 Aurel Jute Lystra has been in the post for a number of years, though he is now rather old and quiet suggestions have been made that he step down due to his health.