# ### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Restov's Merchant Guilds - **Alias/Nicknames:** The Guildhalls, The Restov Exchange, The Golden Circle - **Type:** Economic Consortium/Trade Organization - **Symbol/Emblem:** Varies by guild, but commonly feature scales, coins, or trade goods on a blue and gold background - **Headquarters/Base of Operations:** The Guild Quarter in [[Restov]], with the central Guildhall dominating the district - **Scale & Reach:** Regional influence throughout southern Brevoy, Rostland, and extending into the River Kingdoms and Stolen Lands ### **Purpose & Goals** - **Primary Objective:** Economic prosperity through controlled trade, protection of merchant interests, and expansion of commerce into new territories - **Core Ideology:** Free trade backed by strong regulations; profit through stability and order rather than risky ventures - **Methods & Operations:** Regulation of commerce, setting of prices, certification of quality goods, arbitration of disputes, and financing of trade expeditions - **Notable Activities:** - Organizing seasonal trade caravans south into the River Kingdoms - Maintaining standardized weights, measures, and currency exchange - Training and certification of merchants, artisans, and skilled laborers - Providing loans and insurance for trade ventures - Collecting and distributing market intelligence ### **Structure & Leadership** - **Leader(s):** The Guild Council, comprising the heads of the seven major guilds, currently led by Guildmaster [[Sarrona Lebeda]] - **Hierarchy & Ranks:** - Guildmasters - Heads of individual guilds - Guild Council - Governing body of representatives from major guilds - Master Merchants - Established traders with voting rights - Journeyman Traders - Licensed merchants of good standing - Guild Apprentices - Merchants in training or small-scale traders - **Recruitment & Membership:** - Membership requires sponsorship, payment of dues, and adherence to guild regulations - Advancement through demonstrated business acumen, wealth accumulation, and service to guild interests - **Key Figures:** - [[Sarrona Lebeda]]: Current head of the Guild Council, with ties to House Lebeda - [[Varrin Dulcova]]: Treasurer of the Merchants' Consortium and influential voice in trade politics - [[Idris Kaleth]]: Master of the Jewelers' Guild and expert on valuation of precious items - [[Raston Selline]]: Though not directly a guild member, works closely with them on city governance ### **Influence & Power** - **Allies & Affiliations:** - [[House Lebeda]]: Strong economic ties through [[Sarrona Lebeda]] - [[Aldori Swordlords]]: Mutual interest in Rostland's independence - [[Merchants' Consortium]]: Broader organization connecting Restov's merchants to other cities - [[Rivermarch's Leadership]]: Developing relationship to establish new trade routes - **Enemies & Rivalries:** - [[Issian Merchant Guilds]]: Competition for trade dominance in Brevoy - [[Lords of the Black Sails]]: River pirates who prey on merchant vessels - [[Unscrupulous River Lords]]: Those who charge excessive tolls or tariffs - [[Mosswater Syndicate]]: Criminal organization that runs smuggling operations - **Reputation & Public Perception:** - Respected by the merchant class and skilled workers - Seen as overly rigid and controlling by some independent traders - Viewed as a stabilizing force by common citizens of Restov - Considered somewhat corrupt but necessary by nobility - **Military/Magical Strength:** - Guild Guard of approximately 120 well-equipped guardsmen - Contracts with mercenary companies to protect caravans - Limited magical resources, mainly focused on securing valuables or detecting fraud - Significant wealth to hire protection when needed ### **History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** Formalized about 150 years ago from previously loosely organized trader associations, during Rostland's economic expansion - **Major Historical Events:** - The Guild Charter signing during the reign of [[Nikos Surtova]] - The Trade Wars with northern merchant houses during Issian expansion - The Great Fire of 4702 AR that destroyed the old Guildhall, leading to the construction of the current grand structure - Recent economic treaties with new settlements in the Stolen Lands - **Scandals & Secrets:** - Several guildmasters are rumored to have ties to smuggling operations - The Guild Council has a secret agreement with certain [[Aldori Swordlords]] for political support - Some guilds have been suppressing technological innovations that might disrupt established trade patterns - Records of secret trade with Numerian technology brokers - **Current Struggles:** - Increasing competition from [[Issian Merchant Guilds]] - Disruption of traditional trade routes due to banditry in the Stolen Lands - Internal power struggles between traditional guilds and newer merchant interests - Balancing opportunities in the Stolen Lands with the risks of expansion ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Ethics:** - "Fair measure and fair price" - at least officially - Loyalty to guild over personal gain - Stability and predictability in trade - Controlled expansion rather than reckless ventures - **Rituals & Initiations:** - The Weighing of the Scales - formal induction ceremony for new members - Annual Guild Feast during the spring thaw, marking the start of the trading season - Quarterly audits and affirmation of guild oaths - Merchant's Challenge - competitions of trade acumen for advancing in rank - **Notable Sayings/Mottos:** - "Profit flows like water, but gold endures" - "The wise merchant counts twice" - "Trade brings peace; peace brings trade" - **Symbols of Authority:** - Guild rings with specific gemstones indicating rank and affiliation - Certified scales and measuring tools issued by the guilds - Documents bearing the guild's wax seal - Distinctive colored sashes worn during formal guild functions ### **Additional Notes** - **Vibe & Inspirations:** - Renaissance-era merchant guilds with strong political influence - Blend of legitimate business and behind-the-scenes manipulation - Focus on stability and regulation over free market principles - Tension between old wealth and new entrepreneurial spirit - **Adventure Hooks:** - Escort mission protecting a valuable caravan - Investigation of counterfeit goods flooding the market - Mediating a dispute between rival guild factions - Uncovering corruption within the guild structure - Securing a new trade route through dangerous territory