Guild History
The sporadic history of the Circle of Steel is said to go back to the days of Ancient Marikest. Much of it remains murky, but it is known that the guild existed in those days, and a few remnants survived to the days of the rebuilding of Marikest. Originally a group of human warriors dedicated to a then-unusual fighting style using specialized weapons. The guild was founded, and then re-founded, in recent times.
The first founder is said to be Detrimus Arikson, who some claim was the greatest human combatant of his age. Arikson invented the khanar and the nagat, specially balanced weapons designed for two-handed combat. He led the Circle of Steel in the days of Ancient Marikest, until their numbers were decimated during the Battle of Ancient Marikest. He survived the battle and tried to establish the guild in New Marikest. Most of the physically competent men were needed to farm and clear the land, so the Circle hardly prospered. Around this time there were two other organizations, the Knights of Dalg and the Fist of Stone. It is believed the leader of the Fist of Stone was an original member of the Circle of Steel who had a falling out with Detrimus and was banished from the guild. The Fist and the Circle became somewhat bitter rivals. The Knights of Dalg were a third mercenary group at the time. The Knights of Dalg were contracted to protect the city while it was rebuilt.
The Prefect at the time was said to lack leadership abilities, and when the Knights of Dalg began to be accused of various crimes against their 'charges', he failed to take action. Detrimus protested and after many heated discussions, left the city. Some say the Prefect banished him, others say Detrimus left to do what he felt was needed in the situation. As the crimes by the Knights of Dalg continued, Detrimus formed a band of rebels and attacked the Knights of Dalg. A great battle ensued and the Prefect was overthrown in what is now known as the First Marikestian Rebellion. The Fist of Stone was instated to protect the city until such a time as the newly forming Centurions were established and firmly grounded. The Fist of Stone established a tower in the city and was given permanent residence there, on the word of the existing Prefect, the former High Priest of Coraz. Shortly thereafter, the tower of the Circle of Steel and all of its members were destroyed, or so people believed. The tower was reduced to rubble in the upper city and many believed it was the will of the gods, and left it as a sign that what the Circle had done was against the will of the gods.
Centuries passed and a young Centurion by the name of Antilles Pernanum was discovered to be a direct descendant of Detrimus. Antilles rebuilt the Circle of Steel tower and with the help of his friends cleared the name of the Circle to the satisfaction of the Marikestian High Council. The details of the actual events are unclear, but it is said that the Rialis destroyed the original tower, and disguised it to look like the power of the gods of light. Antilles changed his surname to Arikson, and served the Centurions throughout the early part of the Heretic Wars. In his later years, he combined with another descendant of the Circle, Kaffen Thunderook, to establish the Circle of Steel as a formal guild once again.
The guild was very weak and reforming through the heart of the Heretic Wars, but has made steady growth since its conclusion. It maintains towers in Marikest and Dilucium, and continues to recruit. It is one of the smallest guilds in the lands, with the Woodlords being the only one smaller in numbers.
Guild Ideology
The Circle of Steel is a light-based guild dedicated to serving the Counsel, protecting Marikest in times of need, teaching and promoting proper conduct and values to their members, and honing their specialized fighting techniques. While they have no formal ties to the Counsel, they have never failed to respond to a request from them.
Guild Leadership
The guild is led by the Highmaster of Steel, Highmaster Adept, and Highmaster of Blades. Only one person holds each rank at any given time. 
•	Highmaster of Steel                               - Thorm Thunderook (Human, male) 
•	Highmaster Adept                                 - Willia Truesteel (Human, female) 
•	Highmaster of Blades                            - Orris Killenstar (Human, male) 
Guild Symbols & Emblems
The symbol of the Circle of Steel is a silvery-steel circle. All of its members learn to wield a khanar and nagat, the two true symbols of Circle membership. 
Guild Ranks/Uniforms
The official clothing of the Circle of Steel is based on the warrior's rank. The color of the tunic represents the Circle of Steel echelon, while their crest indicates their status within that echelon. The color transformation of the tunic is said to represent the gradual purification of purpose of the warrior, up to the white tunic of the Sword-Noble. The Crimson tunic of the Highmaster is said to symbolize the blood shed by Circle warriors over the generations.
Rank	Clothing	Insignia	
Echelon 1	
Initiate Newblade	A black tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting a silver sword	
Newblade	A black tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting a pair of silver swords	
Senior Newblade	A black tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting three silver swords	
Newblade Adept	A black tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting four silver swords	
Echelon 2	
Guildsman	A gray tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting a silver sword	
Senior Guildsman	A gray tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting a pair of silver swords	
Guildsman Adept	A gray tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting three silver swords	
Guildsman of Steel	A gray tunic embroidered with a steel circle	A white crest depicting four silver swords	
Echelon 3	
Disciple of Blades	A silver tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting a silver sword	
Senior Disciple	A silver tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting a pair of silver swords	
Disciple Adept	A silver tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting three silver swords	
Disciple of Steel	A silver tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting four silver swords	
Echelon 4	
Sophist of Blades 	An ivory tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting a pair of silver swords	
Sophist Adept	An ivory tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting three silver swords	
Sophist of Steel	An ivory tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a flat steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel, and a flat black nagat.	A white crest depicting four silver swords	
Echelon 5	
Sword-Noble	A white tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a silvery steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel and a silver-rimmed black nagat etched with a steel circle	A white crest depicting a pair of silver swords	
Sword- Noble Adept	A white tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a silvery steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel and a silver-rimmed black nagat etched with a steel circle	A white crest depicting three silver swords	
Master Sword-Noble	A white tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a silvery steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel and a silver-rimmed black nagat etched with a steel circle	A white crest depicting four silver swords	
Echelon 6	
Highmaster of Blades	A crimson tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a silvery steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel and a silver-rimmed black nagat etched with a steel circle	A white crest depicting a pair of silver swords	
Highmaster Adept	A crimson tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a silvery steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel and a silver-rimmed black nagat etched with a steel circle	A white crest depicting three silver swords	
Highmaster of Steel	A crimson tunic embroidered with a steel circle, a galantine-edged steel khanar capped with a steel circle on the pommel and an alamar-rimmed crimson nagat etched with a steel circle	A white crest depicting four silver swords	

Guild Ties
The guild has close ties to the Magus and the. They maintain good relationships with most guilds.. There was some talk of a falling out between the Circle and the Quinshiir clan of the Misalen, going back about a century. How much enmity still remains is uncertain. The guild has a standing bitter rivalry with the Fist of Stone, enhanced by the revelation of the Fist's dark influences.
Guild Artifacts
The only true guild 'artifacts' would be the original khanar and nagat of Detrimus Arikson. They are presumed to be passed on from Highmaster of Steel to Highmaster of Steel, and hold great power.
Legends of the Circle of Steel
Most of the Legends are covered under the History section, above.
The Circle of Steel Today
The Circle is focused on expanding its membership and continuing the practices of their ancestors. While some guilds accept any new initiates and give them time to wash out, the Circle may be the most selective guild outside the Rialis.
Important Characters in the Circle of Steel 
Name	Gender/Race	Guild Rank	
Danviar Sae'rin 	Male, Aerian 	16	
Hart Valientt 	Male, Titan 	15	
Mirtam NohTuac	Male, Titan 	11	
Coerne Traviallair 	Male, Human 	5	
Samantha Withers 	Female, Human	4	
Airk Serelind 	Male, Half-elf	2