Union of Merchants and Traders
| Union of Merchants and Traders | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Business association |
| Leader: | Dernan Nethane |
| Members: | Any with mercantile interest |
| Allies: | Guild of Thieves |
This article is about the Union of Merchants and Traders guild in the Free City of Greyhawk. There are also other guilds of a similar nature, with similar names, in Oldred, Ahlissa, Great Kingdom (rauxes), and many other nations.
Also seen as the Traders' and Merchants' Union or Traders' and Merchants' Guild, as well as simply the Merchants' Union[1], Merchants' Guild, or Guild of Merchants.
Description
"The Merchants’ and Traders’ Union encompasses any and all mercantile activity by members who do not qualify for another guild within the city. The great majority of members run diversified trading operations, rather than focusing on a single area. If they can buy it, sell it, and move it around for greater profits, they do it. ... The Union itself is interested in only one thing – making more money. Any money they spend is towards that end, whether it be the guards to keep their shipments safe, or buying seats on the Directing Oligarchy (the Union ... has four members on the Directing Oligarchy, including their Guildmaster.) The Union is rumored to have close tie to the Thieves' Guild, and thus the Lord Mayor, but those rumors are discouraged."[2]
History
The Traders' Union "has served Greyhawk’s merchants for centuries"[1]
When the former Guildmaster, Ren o’ the Star, was murdered over gambling debts in 583 CY,[3] he was replaced as Director by Cariel Mansharn.[3][4]
In the late sixth century CY, (most likely after c.585 CY) an ancient Suel battlemage, Izek (LE male human [Suel] Mag14) was uncovered where he'd been entombed by Oserak, an Oerid enchanter, a thousand years before.[5] The two had fought a "great magical duel" in which Oserak used a sink spell[6] to force Izek into the very earth in suspended animation. A millennium later, the area had become the City of Greyhawk's Thieves' Quarter in the Old City and new catacombs were being dug for the Common Crypt.[5] A digger had the misfortune of breaking the rock which sealed Izek's tomb, releasing him from the spell. Izek rampaged in the area before being stopped, but the Merchant's and Trader's Guildhall was set afire and badly damaged.[5]
"In 590 CY, the Association of Rafters, Freighters, and Bargemen of the Selintan was formed by workers from the Merchants' and Traders' Union. The Rafters (as this union is commonly known) was granted a monopoly on shipping big cargoes by raft, barge, or oared galley to ports along the Selintan, from Hardby to Greyhawk and to all villages between. Cargoes to and from Elmshire, on the Nyr Dyv, are included in the monopoly. This monopoly applies only if such cargoes originate within the Domain of Greyhawk, so foreign shippers can still pass through the Selintan freely, trading as they go."[7]
Members
"Guild membership is 15 gold orbs per year for Greyhawk citizens, and 30 gp per year for foreigners who wish affiliate membership. Membership brings low-cost accounting services, guards, storage fees, and tax concessions on cargoes entering the city, as well as full use of guild facilities (including the Caravan Warehouse [in the Slum Quarter)."[8]
Notable NPCs
- Dernan Nathane (N male human swashbuckler 2/Rog10)[9] (or Ftr2/Rog9)[1][8]—Guildmaster of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Union in 591 CY+. [9][8]
- Stimtrin Cannasay (LN male dwarf expert 6)[9]—officer and former assitant guildmaster.[10]
- Cariel Mansharn (LE male human duskblade 8)[9] (or Wiz4/Ftr6)[10]—
- Ren o’ the Star (male half-elf Ftr7/Mag7), the former Guildmaster[10]
- Laup Cobrun (LN male human Ftr3)—former Oligarch, long-time guildmember[10]
Headquarters
The guildhall of the Union is the Central Exchange of Greyhawk's Halls of Commerce.[11]
The main compund of the Union as a whole is "a broad complex of buildings including a corral, a stable, a storage barn, and a guildhall.... Freight wagons are stored here as well as at the Caravan Warehouse [in the Slum Quarter]. The guild hall itself is a huge, three-story structure between the barn and stable. No expense was spared to give this building a grand appearance reflecting the worldly nature of this great guild."[1][8] "ostentatious complex of barns, warehouses, and stables ... its buildings bear some of the characteristic stains and grime of the Thieves' Quarter."
"The Guildhall has a hostelry for members, secure vaults, a barracks for their private guards, shrines to their favored deities (Zilchus and Xerbo), and dozens of offices, meeting rooms, and courtyards to arrange deals."[2][8] There are also shrines to "Fharlanghan and a number of other gods connected with trade or travel."[8] It also has "several small libraries, an underground cargo storage area, and a barracks for hired guards."[8]
There is always activity at the guildhall—24 hours a day, year-round. The majority of public trade takes place during the day, and at night the business side is done; assessing taxes and value of goods, recording accounts, inspecting cargo, etc.[1][8][12]
Structure
Alignment
Heraldry
Ranks
Resources
Currency
Rumors and legends
Publishing history
See also
Gallery
External links
Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk (2007), p.35.
- ↑ a b Greyhawk Ruins Sourcebook (2007) (RPGA) , p.20.
- ↑ a b From the Ashes (1992), p.8, Campaign Book.
- ↑ The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.118.
- ↑ a b c "Izek's Slumber". Dungeon #42 (Jul/Aug 1993), p.32-34
- ↑ Player's Handbook (1989), p.192.
- ↑ "Elmshire: A Halfling Haven". Dragon #262 (Aug 1999), p.40.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h The Adventure Begins (1998), p.117.
- ↑ a b c d The Directing Oligarchs of Greyhawk. (April 2008)
- ↑ a b c d The Adventure Begins (1998), p.118.
- ↑ "A Return to Falcon's Bazaar". Dragon #271 (May 2000), p.76.
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.35, Folks, Fueds, and Factions.
Bibliography
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | The City of Greyhawk: Adventure Cards | 6 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 6, 15, 30, 32, 34-36, 38, 40, 89 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 36, 84, 85, 88 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Dragon magazine #262 | 40, 41 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Dragon magazine #271 | 76 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Dragon magazine #AN3 | 104 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Dungeon magazine #042 | 33 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 8, 46, 47, 70, 71 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Greyhawk Adventures | 40, 111, 112 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 5, 9, 11 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 29 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 5 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 16, 30, 33 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | Saga of Old City | 30, 45 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | The Adventure Begins | 5, 40, 60, 62, 64, 68, 70, 92, 95, 99, 101, 102, 105, 114, 116, 118, 123, 125 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | LT1 The Star Cairns | 3, 5, 13 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | 11 |
| Merchants and Traders Union (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Union, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 25 |
| Merchants and Traders, Guild of (Oldred) | People Group | Guild, | WGR4 The Marklands | 72 |
| Merchants and Traders, Royal Guild of (Ahlissa) | People Group | Guild, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 22 |
| Merchants and Traders, Royal Guild of (Ahlissa) | People Group | Guild, | The Adventure Begins | 62, 102, 115 |