Encyclopaedia Elysia | People / The Alexandrian Merchant's Guild

The Alexandrian Merchant's Guild

AKA:	Alexshire's Merchant Guild, New Alexandrian Merchant's Guild
Leader:	Allen Patrick Fitzgerald, former member of the city council
Races:	Humans, Anyeli, Dracovari, Nymphs, Therians, Vampires
HQ:	#1 Raven Wood, New Alexandria

Politics

The guild follows a chief spokesman who is normally a member of the city administration if not the mayor himself. It also recognizes the presence of 12 other members who become the spokesman's "council" or "advisors" and become his aides in executing decisions, plans or other similar deeds. The council lasts only for as long as the spokesman remains in power, however, and is disbanded after his reign unless the next spokesman decides otherwise.

In spite of the tight team of 13 for their leaders, however, the guild has since become too big to be considered a closely knit group. Any and all merchant types operating within Alexshire are welcome to join for a membership fee on top of the annual fee they must agree to pay to represent their and the guild's collective taxes. Should a member be proven involved in an activity illegal to the constitution of the guild (an unlawful transaction with a non-member or anything that potentially damages the name of the guild), they are forced to pay a fine which, depending on its gravity, can cost as much as their own land.

Relations

The guild is one of the most respected organisations in all of Alexshire and even in all of Elysia. The opinions it holds, even on matters that does not concern it such as religion, is often one of the most recognized and even sought after. They are considered a powerful force, especially among merchants, starting or not, who consider membership as a vital factor for their success.

For all its recognition, however, it is inevitable that smaller clubs and whatnot might view them with ire (as they get much of the attention), intimidation or awe (for the name they have established). Because of this, the guild makes it a point to keep constant communication with these organisations almost as a means to maintain their power. This may happen in forms of a letter, a conference, a donation or charity work.

Among the guilds, they especially maintain good relations with the Alexandrian Craft Guild, the League of Bakers, the Farmers' Guild, the Zanaryan's Business Club and the Black Rose Cabal (although a recent incident has put their friendship with the cabal in troubled waters).

Territories

The guild holds authority over the entirety of Alexshire. Their headquarters, on the other hand, can be found in a low, flat, two-storey building within the inner city. The walls are covered in muddy red bricks with their seal hung outside by iron bars painted in black. The inside maintains a rather earthy color and the first floor contains a sizable lounge, the receptionist's counter behind it, and then a flight of stairs behind the receptionist. In the second floor are six rooms — two of which are the offices of the chief spokesman and his deputy. The rest of the rooms are reserved for conferences with one in the middle being the largest and used only in special occasions such as annual assemblies, dinner gatherings or elections.

Organisation

The guild had a history of delegating spokesmen until a rift between the council and the members erupted and threatened to disband the guild. Since then, the chief spokesman is chosen by way of elections and whoever wins forms his own council. Although such action has applauded democracy and satisfied the organisation in general, it hasn't done much to eradicate dirty politicking. In fact, right after the elections, parties are often held to celebrate the new spokesman and any of his council members for the sake of earning their good favor.

History

The idea of the guild was first conceived on Penteminas 21, 9981 when then marshal Jonas Duchovny raised the taxes among businesses within the territory of Alexshire. Following this decree, the city saw many of its businesses closing down due to a lack of funds and rumored politicking involving the marshal himself. Famous Economist Leonard Vening was the most concerned of the turn of events and made his protests known in the form of letters, personal visitations, newspaper articles and soon, rallies which involved mostly merchants and the working class, some of which led to unpleasant results. They spoke against the increase of taxes, the imprisonment of non-paying individuals and demanded for a protection and threatened to pull out their business altogether if their appeals were not granted.

After a number of these gatherings were held, however, Leonard found that there was an utter lack and support and sympathy for them. That was when he invited his friend Karl Madison to create an organization that will protect their income as well as their livelihood. On Menenas 1, 9984, the League of Alexshire's Working Folks was established and the first meeting happened two days later. Leonard and Karl stood as the captains of the organization which began with a quaint number of five. The number increased exponentially — and backed by the support of growing voices of their members, Leonard and Karl continuously fought for support and protection for all their hard labor.

On Oktominas 18, 9986, former marshal Jonas Duchovny was forced out of his seat after a scandal which involved the city's treasury and Ned Karmasov replaced him immediately after. He was sympathetic to the friends' request and later formalized the League of Alexshire's Working Folks into its modern name, The Alexandrian Merchant's Guild.

Currently, the guild has had 687 members since its birth and 56 leaders. They are now recognized as the central authority of business and commerce.

After the death of Marshal Cael Oisin's wife, which triggered the Great Vampire Hunt, prejudice has forced many Vampires to pay a "protection fee", something that normally came for free. Internal protests shook the guild and currently have not entirely gone away however, it wasn't the first time that a change in policy or a misunderstanding shook the guild in this manner.

Joining

Members pay an entrance fee and then an annual fee as the organisation's tax so that they, as individuals, do not get taxed more. If a member is to retire, their heir or heiress or spouse takes over for free. Younger siblings (or favored nephews, nieces or godchildren) who are non-heirs or non-heiresses can also join at a discounted fee.

The guild also recognizes "honorable members" (those who are considered members of the group even if they aren't), and special characters — such as the mayor — are offered free memberships to maintain relationships, power as an organization and privileges as a group.

Known Members