-County moved to NA-E -
The Merchants Guild, or as it was called “The Merchants Association” was a collective group of people who were responsible for the moderation and transportation of Goods and Services to different Cities and Counties across Fioralba and the greater Ashland Kingdom. As the demands of the Guild grew ever greater due to banditry issues, they would expand into what would be both a Civil and Para-Military group, employing silver-tongued sales-persons as well as those who were good with a Sword whom wanted to make extra coin transporting Caravans or Patrolling Trade-Routes. On top of this, the Guild would offer basic services to the greater population such as:
As mentioned previously a bit, the Guild is comprised of several different types of individuals. While the main bulk of the Organization is comprised of Merchants, Sellers, and Stall-Owners the other half is made up of honest individuals who want to craft, conduct R&D, farm, or even use their combative skills protecting those aforementioned previously for the good of the Guild as a whole.
Depending on what you plan on doing, the Merchants Guild has two main run-offs that branch together to form the Guild itself. Whether you fall under the Military Branch or the Civilian Branch, both sets have their different ranks that differentiate themselves.
The First Status is the Street Peddler Whether you’re just entering the Military Portion or the Civilian one, this first step is a proving group and more or less a trial period to see how the inductee performs in their respective areas. From here, the Guild Leadership will interview, evaluate, and determine whether or not specific individuals are ready to progress further. There isn’t any specific time-frame on how long this can take.
The Second Status is the Merchant’s Apprentice stone. Proving to the Guild Leadership that you’re a fit for advancement, now starts training specific in areas that an individual wants to work in. This can be anything from Sword Combat to Caravan’ing. Once the Guild progresses enough, a School will be setup to meet the needs of our Students, and from here is when their path into the Merchants Guild actually begins.
The Third and Final Regular Status is the Procuror Stone. After going to School in their basic areas, or the areas that they want to advance themselves in the Guild Leadership once again evaluates and determines whether the Supplicant is ready to proceed to this final phase. Once in this final phase, all of the Guilds Resources and Services become available at the Individual is ready to embark on their own, or in a group across Fioralba in a means to expand on their ambitions in a positive demeanor.
The Fourth Stone or Status is the Magistrates or Merchant Elders. This is a collective of 5-7 people with a singular elected individual of them known as the “Chief Magistrate”, whom have been a part of the Guild long enough that they’ve passed on information to other people or have even trained enough to be seen as an influential figure within the Organization. This Council makes up the Guild Bi-Laws, sets Service Fees, and communicates with the Fioralba Aristocracy on how they can better expand and implement trade opportunities across the Duchy and beyond.
For those whom have thought about Protecting and keeping our Trade Routes Secure, we do offer as mentioned before a more Combat-Related approach to the Guild. There are currently two different groups to this sub-section but as we expand and grow, the rank structure will be re-worked to open up new pathways of growth and advancement.
The first Sub-Squad is the Caravaneers. This group of people, headed by two Lieutenants whom answer to the Magistrates organize, facilitate, and otherwise orchestrate with cooperation of our Trade Caravans the Defense of their Cargo and otherwise needed contingency plans in the case of a Bandit Attack, or any hostile incursion into our Movements. They typically will road with these groups in sets of 4-5 individuals, set up in a tandem-like formation to deter such activities.
The Second Sub-Squad is called the Protectorate. Once again, like with the Caravaneers they are also led with two Lieutenants reporting to the Magistrates. Their main charge is more of a larger spectrum, dealing with the protection of Guild Facilities, Trade Routes and Roads, and Supply Depots scattered throughout Fioralba. A bulk of the known contingent of fighters within the Merchants Guild will be allocated to this Division first and separated afterwards depending on the need and availability elsewhere.
The Trade City of Dromina is one of the great Trade Cities located within Chrysanthe, the capital County of the Duchy of Fioralba of the Ashland Kingdom. Boasting a robust Agricultural Community and Public Commercial Facilities, it is the current home to the Fioralbian Merchants Guild. It is from this City, where a vast network of Trade Routes, Roads, and Caravan’s are to be hosted, implemented, and even executed as they first venture out into the vast wilderness of Elyria. Another great benefit for Dromina is it’s easy-of-access to local resources, such as farmland, forestry, and potentially Oceanic via the city’s main Port allowing both commercial but extracommcerial trade access to other Counties, Duchies, and even Kingdoms. To top this off, the City offers both a robust Research and Development Scene, and land for any potential Land Owner whom may want a quick boost for their Business via a local Land-Lease from the City Government.
Or you can get in contact with me, Lord Octavian Thanidere - Baron of Dromina and Acting Chief Magistrate VIA Discord through the name TamedAchilles#9694
Keep in mind certain parts of this Guild are still a work in progress. Any feedback is certainly welcomed with open arms, as areas are also intentionally left Vague-like until Domain Selection, and further information on other areas becomes available to everyone. Thanks for reading!