Woundwort — Roleplayer Guild

I've completed the first part of my submission-the guild sheet, detailing the faction my character will head up.

Drinks are on the house here Sonny
You can't take it with you honey
A queen beats a jack here Sonny
Are you thinkin' red or black now honey?
Double up your stack now Sonny
Luck says don't look back now honey
Lay your money
Lay your money
Lay your money down!

Name: Rialto Merchanter Guild (Officially the Most Esteemed Company of Mercantile Brethren of the Serene City of Rialto...it’s...often shortened for understandable reasons) 

Race/Faction: The majority of the Merchanter Guild is human, but it’s doors are open to all species. The Merchanter Guild holds typically Verenzian views on the subject of race-talent is talent, no matter what skin it wears. Officially, the Guild is a neutral party in any and all political conflict outside of Verenzia-they’re here to make a profit, sell their wares, and build their gambling halls. That said, this neutrality will likely become untenable as the conflict escalates. The Merchants will be forced to choose a side. 

Age: Unknown, it claims to have roots going back to the foundation of the city state of Rialto. Well over four centuries ago. Whether this is actually true, or just some creative ‘enhancement’ of the truth isn’t known. Even to the merchanters themselves. 

Description: The Rialto Merchant Guild is best understood as a crossbreed between a traditional guild and an embassy. Merchants function both as tradesmen and as representatives of Rialto in general and Elector Prince Medevichi in particular. They’ll trade, with the clint of coin in their eyes, and then conduct important state business within the next blink of an eye. The head of the guild is traditionally the right hand of the Elector Prince, someone who is completely trusted and loyal. The Guild can also call upon more resources than a typical, non-Verenzian merchant guild might have access too. The state troops of Rialto make up a hardened core of sargeants, helping to tame and train the mercenary rabble that the guild often relies upon for protection.

The use of such arms and troops however, is incidental to the purposes of the guild. They are there, primarily, to defend the guild’s main aims. Profit. Be it gambling houses, bathhouses, vineyards, plantations, or any other number of money-making ventures. Like a vine, the guild spreads through the land. Always seeking a chance to make some more coin, to expand their reach. To send more and more back to their beloved home city, to ensure it can stand strong and proud against its native rivals. While it might be odd to an outsider, the Merchanter guild’s drive for profit stems from a bonedeep loyalty to their home. Everything they do is for her.

Motivation: Profit. The clink of coin. Their main objective is to send the fruits of their labours back to their home city, with some compensation for themselves of course, as is proper. Make no mistake however, Rialto has their first loyalty, and their labours go to her benefit. 

History: The foundation of the Merchanter Guild is shrouded in mystery. They claim to have been founded as the city state itself was founded, growing strong alongside it. Often, the two are compared to two siblings, who will defend eachother against all comers. Whether this fanciful tale is true or not is unknown, even to the Guild itself. The fog of history, unfortunately, hides all. And the chaos of Verenzia ensures records that could prove it, one way or another, are difficult to find. 

Whatever the truth of it, this much of the tale is true. The Guild and the City act as one, and are loyal to each other unto destruction and their dying days. For centuries, the Guild has acted as the hand of Rialto outside of Verenzia. Sending wealth, coin and resources back to their precious mother city. They have also, at times, fought for her. When the state troops of the city are unavailable or otherwise preoccupied, the Merchanters have dug deep into their coffers to hire mercenaries to fill the gap. They haven’t won any wars for the city, but they have often, quite literally, bought her time to bring herself back from the brink.

There have been times in history when Rialto has returned the favor-at times when the Guild is the target of a purge in foreign lands, the city and it’s people have marched to her aid, her men and arms marching proudly and boldly into foreign lands to rescue their sons and daughters. This wholly symbiotic relationship has endured through the ages, and seems set to continue well into the future. Whatever the mists of time hold, one thing can be held up as a certainty. The Guild and their beloved city will meet it together. 

Strengths: The Merchanter Guild is quite wealthy, having money and resources to burn. Their ties with their home city also ensures they have access to quality state troops, ensuring their guards are a cut above the normal rabble. They have a tendency to dig their roots in just about anywhere they can, ensuring they have a wide network of holdings throughout the land. Perhaps their biggest strength however, are their strong ties to their home city. If things grow truly dire, the Elector Prince will not abandon them to die. Rialto will always heed the troubled cries of her children, and act in their defense. This also applies in the reverse however, if Rialto should ever fall into troubled times, the Merchanter Guild will abandon everything to run to her aid. 

Weakness: Despite the quality of their guards, it would be a mistake to think of them as an army in waiting. Those troops and mercenaries function primarily as a protective force, and fighting a royal army on the field is simply not what they are made for. They don’t have the numbers to hold off an organized force indefinitely, simply put. They are also reliant on the patronage and tolerance of noble families within the kingdom to conduct their business, as the winds of change blow, their operations could suffer. The guild also tends to struggle to get along with local churches and priests-being the managers of various ‘dens of sin’ has that effect. 

What is the most important thing to know about your guild?

They are not only merchants, but representatives of their city. The two functions are completely wed to each other, in many ways, they bring the culture and norms of Rialto with them, wherever they go. 

What is your guild's greatest flaw?

They’re reliant on the good will and patronage of various noble families within the kingdom, unless they wish to go entirely rogue, a risky move in these uncertain times, these circumstances will not change.Their political situation, should their neutrality fail, could be summed up with “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

Why should your guild be in a position to influence an entire country?

They control an immense amount of wealth, and have connections to a powerful city state back in the home country. While they might not be the biggest player on the block, they have enough power and influence to have a say in how the future plays out.

@Aerandir

Oh, I actually have some cliff notes on culture/government and the works. 

What I’m envisioning for his homeland is a chaotic stew of city states ruled by various Elector Princes, with a strong base of ‘merchanter’ princes underneath them. The city states, the Free Cities of Verenzia, are a melting pot of diversity in many ways-you can find merchants from just about everywhere. Walk down the street and you’ll see a dozen things you do not know. Sexuality tends to be fluid too-society is pretty open. Bisexuality is more or less expected. Though there is a strong undercurrent of homosexuality.

Philosophers too, thrive in the open societies of Verenzia. A collection of homegrown thinkers and exiles who love to write long-winded treatises and srgue endlessly with each other. As is the wont of every philosopher. But...this libertine, thriving, even vibrant culture, does have a downside. Wars between city states are common. Power can change hands quickly. Street fights between merchanter princes are common in the less stable cities. A constant low-level civil war.

“Ah, the free cities!”

“If you don’t like the politics, wait five minutes for new ones!”

That’s...Uhm, the cliff notes. More or less a summary of the general time and feel I’m going for. Think that’ll fit in?

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