Guilds

Guilds (ギルド Girudo) are organizations of Mages.

Purpose

 * Provide a place for Mages to take Jobs and earn Jewels.
 * Provide a place for Mages to hone their skills.
 * Defense against Dark Guilds and all other criminals.

Government
The main power in the Kingdom of Fiore is the King and his Government. Under his order is the Magic Council, which enforces rules over the guilds to uphold lawful employment of Mages, and other forms of employment while making sure they do not cause trouble.

Organization
All Legal Guilds are connected. Their Guild Masters form a Local Guild Master League, which meet at regular meetings.

The hierarchy within Guilds in order of the most powerful to the least is usually, Guild Master, Guild Ace, S-Class Mages, and Mages.

A Guild Master is a Mage who is the head of the guild that he or she is affiliated with. Typically, Guild Masters are very powerful, often being the strongest Mage in their guilds. Occasionally they are even members of the Ten Wizard Saints, as with the case of Makarov. As the heads of their own respective guilds, they virtually have complete authority over their subordinates, and can thus dictate their actions.
 * Guild Master

A Guild Ace is simply the most powerful Mage in a Guild not including the Master. While many guilds have Guild Aces, the position does not hold true for every guild.
 * Guild Ace

An S-Class Mage is a powerful Mage that is recognized by the Guild Master and is able to undertake S-Class Jobs. The jobs they take are so dangerous that even the simplest mistake can cost them their life. However the pay for S-Class Jobs is good. The overall strength of S-Class Mages differ from guild to guild.
 * S-Class Mages

Mages are simply users of Magic that are able to undertake Jobs.
 * Mages

Other Guilds
There are many other guilds besides Magic guilds. Happy once implies that there are workmen guilds aside from merchant and mercenary guilds, too.

See Also:
Dark Guilds