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
[edit | edit source]"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
[edit | edit source]The Traders' Union "has served Greyhawk’s merchants for centuries"[1]
Ren o’ the Star is the Guildmaster in 576 CY. He is murdered over gambling debts in 583 CY,[3] and is 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) is 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 becomes the City of Greyhawk's Thieves' Quarter in the Old City and new catacombs are being dug for the Common Crypt.[5] A digger has the misfortune of breaking the rock which seals Izek's tomb, releasing him from the spell. Izek rampages in the area before being stopped, but the Merchant's and Trader's Guildhall is set afire and badly damaged.[5]
Establishment of the Rafters
[edit | edit source]In 590 CY, some members of the Guild of Merchants split off a separate guild.
"The Association of Rafters, Freighters, and Bargemen of the Selintan is formed by workers from the Merchants' and Traders' Union. The Rafters (as this union is commonly known) are 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
[edit | edit source]"Guild membership is 15 gold orbs per year for Greyhawk citizens, and 30 gp per year for foreigners who wish affiliate membership."[8]
Notable NPCs
[edit | edit source]- Ren o’ the Star (CN male half-elf Ftr7/Mag7), Guildmaster in 576 CY[9][10]—murderd over gambling debts in 583 CY.
- Cariel Mansharn (LE male human duskblade 8)[11] (or Wiz4/Ftr6)[10]—Guildmaster in 583 CY; replaces Ren o' the Star
- Dernan Nathane (N male human swashbuckler 2/Rog10)[11] (or Ftr2/Rog9)[1][8]—Guildmaster in 591 CY+.[8][11]
- Laup Cobrun (LN male human Ftr3)—former Oligarch, long-time guildmember[10]
- Stimtrin Cannasay (LN male dwarf expert 6)[11]—Assitant guildmaster,[10] murdered during the Cenntennial Celebrations in 598 CY.
| Year | Guildmaster | Asst. Gduilmaster |
|---|---|---|
| ≤576-583 CY | Ren o' the Star[12] | Laup Coburn |
| 583-589 CY | Cariel Mansharn[13] | |
| 589-≤591 CY | Stimtrin Cannasay | |
| ≤591-598 CY+ | Dernan Nathane[14] |
Headquarters
[edit | edit source]The guildhall of the Union is the Central Exchange of Greyhawk's Halls of Commerce.[15]
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 is 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."
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][16]
Structure
[edit | edit source]Resources
[edit | edit source]"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]
"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 "Fharlanghn 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]
Publishing history
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 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 i The Adventure Begins (1998), p.117.
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.35.
- ↑ a b c d The Adventure Begins (1998), p.118.
- ↑ a b c d The Directing Oligarchs of Greyhawk. (April 2008)
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.151.
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.6, Folks, Feuds, and Factions.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.62.
- ↑ "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
[edit | edit source]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 |