Major
Guilds:
Wool &
cloth merchants
First in Privilege
and the oldest of the Major Guilds that reflects the earliest trades that
established themselves in the City. The ‘Clothiers’ sponsor many institutions,
such as chapels, schools and homes of respite, and have many franchises on the
markets not just in the City itself, but for all the settlements and lands for
miles around. Many Guildsmen of the Clothiers are active throughout Telia as
well. While it remains one of the larger guilds in membership alone, it has
limited available wealth, much of it invested in property.
Some say its
influence has waned over the centuries – but you wouldn’t say that directly to
a Clothier’s face or in his presence. Conservative in their outlook, they
hanker after expansion, but theirs is the easiest trade to work in without
guild allegiance, and the Clothiers often bemoan that fact at the Grand
Sessions in the Guild Chamber. Consequently, many of the lesser guilds refer to
the Clothiers as the ‘Grumblers’.
Judges
Second in Privilege
and the next oldest, are the ‘Judiciary’, the lawmakers of the City. They came
about as a deciding influence for the arbitration courts when the Clothiers
disputed amongst themselves for the markets and franchises of the surrounding
estates. Soon the Judges were presiding over Courts-Civil to assist the
‘Signoria’, the ruling council of the City, on all matters involving the
populace and eventually the Courts-Marechal, to sit in judgement over the
City’s martial affairs in defence and security. They with the Notaries maintain
the Ledgers of Law, and support the ruling Signoria and Priori to maintain
order within Estera.
It is the
smaller of the Major Guilds, remains aloof in Guild politics and yet is often
seen acting as a mentor to the lesser guilds, and while not renowned as a
wealthy guild, they hold a great deal of power with its continual support of
the Priori.
Lawyers &
Notaries
Third in Privilege
and close supporters of the Judiciary, the ‘Notaries’ document everything that
involves the City. Consequently, they maintain a vast archive in Estera, and
are often referred to for establishing the ‘rule of precedence’. Conservative,
reserved and meticulous in detail, the Notaries are a dependant backbone for the
Priori and support the populace in their own specific way, with small libraries
and schooling for those judged to be talented enough.
The Notaries
are rumoured to be wealthy but no one outside the guild can say for sure.
Something everyone agrees is that the Notaries know all about the other guilds.
Assayers
Fourth in Privilege
and the fourth oldest guild, the ‘Assayers’ came into being when the population
in the City and its surrounding lands first began mining the resources from the
earth. Consistent and loyal, the Assayers are the best trusted of all guilds,
for their word on the value of all things underpins the economy. The guild is
also one of the most widespread and well-structured, with franchises of guild
Lodges spread throughout the lands. Many a backward frontier village can boast
its own Lodge where it’s Assayer plays a pivotal role in supporting
civilisation there, and the Assayers provide an invaluable network of
communication with their travelling garzoni journeymen.
The Assayers
are a large yet dispersed guild, and from the commission they charge have a
considerable wealth with a regular income, and are renowned as very generous
benefactors, supporting many institutions and aspects of Esterian and Telian
society.
Bankers
Fifth in Privilege
and formed from a joining of some young Notaries and retired Assayers, the
‘Bankers’ are the pinnacle of the economy for Estera. The wealth of the City is
governed by these men, and the Signoria relies upon their judgement to ensure
that the City remains affluent, powerful and the one place that a merchant
would wish to establish his trade. The guild is not that much bigger than the
Judiciary in its membership, but its amassed wealth ensures it is sought after
to support the ruling parties. Overseeing taxes and tariffs, the guild knows
the state of health for the City’s prosperity and fortunes, and from its
Assayer heritage, ensures that they are trusted to continue to maintain their
status.
The Bankers
support some charitable concerns, and have invested heavily in the small colleges
that have sprung up in the City, including part-owning some of the guilds own
schools. The Bankers also assist the Physicians with their Grand Hospital with
continued financial support, while not necessarily sharing the Physicians
altruistic aims.
Silk Weavers
Sixth in Privilege
and formed after a split from the Clothiers, who still hold a slight degree of enmity
and professional jealousy to the ‘Weavers’. After many years of internal
dissent, clamouring for greater recognition of their particular skills, the
Judiciary found in favour of the Weavers disputed claims and a new guild was
the inevitable result.
The Weavers are
renowned as elitist and insular, even more so after the Furriers subsequently
split from them and set up another new guild. The members of the guild are
another group of far-ranging travellers who seek out trade opportunities to
bring back exotic items. Indeed it’s the Weavers who are responsible for the
various breeds of animals that can be purchased from the City’s markets, some
of the strange spices and herbs, and the exotic plants. Other guilds have a
saying – ‘if it can be wrapped in a sward of cloth, the weavers will bring it
home to Estera’.
Physicians
and Apothecaries
Seventh in
Privilege and one of the last of the major guilds to be formally recognised by
the Priori, the ‘Physicians’ are the most devout of all guilds. More chapels
and churches, and more hospices (obviously) are patronised by them than all the
others. A friendly guild who maintain strong links of support with the Clothiers
and Assayers, they also often assist the Judiciary in the form of a neutral
arbitration service. Not considered a wealthy guild as such, the Physicians
spend vast amounts pursuing their high-minded goals for providing care to all –
regardless of birth, class or affiliation.
The guild
enjoys one unique gain above all others – they never pay taxes. However, their
fervent beliefs in equality and pacifism do not endear them to all of the
ruling classes, and conflicts have arisen in the past, and the Physicians often
have to draw in and temper their demands. The Esterian population regard them
highly, and many overseas or foreign rulers seek to enchant or recruit the
leading members of the guild to their domains. Esterian physicians and their
apothecary cousins have advanced the world of medicine to new heights, and like
other guilds, enjoy exploring the lands.
Furriers
Eighth in Privilege,
and originally one part of the breakaway faction with the Silk Weavers, the
‘Furriers’ - or nicknamed simply 'the Skinners' by some other guilds - eventually tired of becoming second-class artisans yet again, and
with Judiciary support, successfully separated from the Weavers and began a new
guild, the youngest of the major concerns. In respect to their selective trade,
and their reliance on travelling merchants and trappers providing them with
their produce, the Furriers are one of the more far-ranging of all guilds.
Like the
Assayers, their franchises are spread throughout the known lands, and again
like the Assayers, their members provide the Priori with news and knowledge of
the events and happenings from those regions. Discreet, quite wealthy, and
quietly industrious, the guild has never demonstrated any real ambition to
participate in the governing of Estera.
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