Guilds are groups that the nest-maid snakes of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree can participate in. They are similar to the "Chaws" of owls.
Guilds[]
The symbol of the Harp Guild from the movie.
The Harp Guild - The guild dedicated to playing the Great Grass Harp to accompany Madame Plonk's songs. The snakes audition to enter, and if chosen are given specific roles to fill in the harp playing. One notable member is Mrs. Plithiver, who was specially chosen as a sliptween, snakes that are tasked with jumping octaves, striking all eight tones of the scale. Octavia was also a sliptween long ago, but had retired from the Harp Guild in her older age.
The Weaving Guild - This guild, also referred to as the Weaver's Guild, is composed of talented nest-maid snakes who weave baskets. In The Siege, the Weaving Guild is tasked with creating air traps, large nets, to combat the Pure Ones' initial attacks, which worked rather well. They are also utilized in The Burning, where they are tasked with creating owlipoppen for a deception mission. One notable member of the guild is Audrey, Otulissa's nest-maid.
The Lacemakers' Guild - This guild was where snakes wove lace with bobbins into complex designs. They worked from perches and their work was led by a caller who chanted the instructions for the particular design. In Exile, this was one of the guilds shut down by the Striga, who saw their work and product as an unnecessary vanity.
The Fine Embroidery and Sewing Guild - A guild where nest-maid snakes sew, presumably costumes, hats, flags, etc. This guild was created in The Golden Tree during the time of the Guardians of the Guardians of the Ember, or GGE, since they had purchased a large supply of fine cloths and thread from Trader Mags. It is unclear if the group continued to exist after the GGE disbanded.
The Healing Guild - This guild was created to help treat injured and sick owls who are residents or are brought to the Great Tree. The name of this guild is not verified, but it is said in The Golden Tree that nest-maid snakes were beginning to be recruited alongside Healing Chaw nurses in the Infirmary, so it can be inferred that the guild was named such.
The Printers' Guild - This guild was made following the crowning of Coryn as King, made possible by the invention of the printing press. The press hollow was called the Mainz. Both new books and The Evening Hoot, a newspaper, were made here. Despite being called a guild, it was made by Otulissa and Fritha, two owls, and it is unknown if the staff are all owls or a mixture of owls and snakes. In Exile, this was one of the guilds shut down by the Striga, as he saw the printing press as a monster that was spewing out skart literature.