Guilds

Purpose

The Guilds of Eikeren have an established headquarters in Laketown. From here, they are able to maintain the Guild's functionality throughout the trade city with satellite hubs in both Taniford and Rhaedan kingdoms for extended guild members. The sole purpose of the Guilds is to oversee and control the manufacture and distribution of goods throughout the neutral trade city, and its extended guilds in both kingdoms operate likewise. Because of their locations, the policies of each Guild contingent differ depending on their presiding kingdom.

In Laketown, the Craftsman Guilds are directly responsible for taking orders and making deliveries within Laketown; they work in conjunction for deliveries outside of their jurisdiction. The Merchants Guild oversees the shipping of these goods between the kingdoms of Taniford and Rhaedan and directly controls the prices each kingdom pays. Their neutrality protects them from pressures of either crown to alter their pricing, and it also protects the crowns from manipulation of the opposing force.

Policies

The Guilds operate on a strict set of guidelines with regard to the manufacture and distribution of goods. The prices of all goods in the raw and finished products are tightly controlled to minimize the risk of inflation or disrupted economy. Because of this, the costs for most products is maintained at a reasonable and affordable level for maximum benefit to both customer and craftsman. Some of the guild policies are as follows:

  • All orders are evenly distributed among guild members to guarantee income.
  • Each membership level within the guilds will have a defined set of orders that can be filled. No craftsmen may create wares outside of their membership level without prior approval and supervision.
  • All prices are set by the Guildmasters.
  • Master craftsmen are required to requisition the necessary materials for each week.
  • Absolutely no advertising of any kind is allowed by guild members: this includes distribution of paper materials, hawking, and word-of mouth.
  • All craftsmen located within the boundaries of Laketown are required to be guild members.
  • Those who wish to leave a guild must do so before they reach master level. After reaching master level, a request of cease of contract must be submitted to the Guildmaster.

Membership

The membership of a guild is carefully organized to maximize the educational opportunities and income levels for all guildmembers.

Levels of Membership

Guildmaster

A senior member within the guild, the Guildmaster has been a master of their craft for a minimum of ten years. They know nearly every single trade secret, and pass these onto the master craftsmen over time. They do not directly train guild members, but instead see to the daily operation of the guild. They manage material requisitions, administrative paperwork, communication with other guilds, and maintain a council of master craftsmen (one from each trade) to regulate and update pricing, manage work assignments, and handle personnel issues.

Master Craftsman

This top-tier craftsmen has achieved mastery of their given trade, be they a smith or clothier. They are considered masters of their art and capable of filling any order that may be placed with the guild. Master craftsman tend to fill only the most ornate or detail-oriented orders, although any orders placed by royalty will be tended by the master craftsman. They submit requisitions for materials for the craftsmen of their trade, and they oversee the assignment of tasks to each craftsman. They also educate journeymen and apprentices on a 2:1 ratio of students per teacher. One master craftsman from each trade area will sit upon a council with the Guildmaster.

Note : Guildmaster and Master Craftsman positions require RP to be gained.

Journeyman

The second-lowest level of craftsmen, journeymen have succeeded as apprentices and moved into the next tier of crafting. They have been introduced to some of the lesser trade secrets, and they work diligently and closely with a master craftsman to improve their skill. They are equipped to handle the less expensive and less time-consuming jobs; as such, they will fill more orders in a day than a master craftsman may manage in a week.

Apprentice

An apprentice is usually the youngest and/or newest member of a guild. They work in conjunction with a master craftsmen and a journeyman in learning the basics of their trade. Their goal is mastery of the foundational skills, and they are often assigned to the more menial day-to-day tasks in order to fulfill this need. Although they are the lowest in rank, the most diligent and dedicated trainees are highly valued as good workers who will succeed.

Rules

  • All members must pay dues. The level of dues is offered on a gradient, with the lower costs for trainees rising to the highest costs for guildmasters.
  • Apprentices and journeymen are required to board in the guild itself. Only master craftsmen and above may own private property.

Benefits

  • Healthcare privileges: the guilds will cover the costs of medical needs of all members
  • Amenities and necessities: for those struggling financially, it may be voted upon by the guild's council to offer aid until a craftsman is better established
  • Post-mortem care: the guilds will cover funeral expenses as well as a yearly stipend to remaining spouse; orphaned children will be cared for at the guild's expense for all non-trainee members
  • Education: a guaranteed complete training for all members who succeed to master level; education is also offered in the areas of business management, accounting, writing and reading
  • Guaranteed work and fair wages/income
  • Open access to all necessary materials and tools for work

Existing Guilds

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Stonemason's Guild

The Stonemasons' Guild is located in the Craftsman's Quarter of Laketown. They supply the necessary hewn stone for building, as well as workers to assist with construction. The guild also contains local artisans capable of creating fountains, sculptures and busts to order.

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Woodcarver's Guild

The Woodcarvers' Guild is located in the Craftsman's Quarter of Laketown. They supply the necessary timber for building as well as carpenters to assist with construction. The guild also contains local artisans capable of creating furniture, frames, and other art to order.

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Metalsmith's Guild

The Metalsmith's Guild is located in the Craftsman's Quarter of Laketown. This is the biggest guild present housing all of the smiths necessary for any job, including armorsmiths, weaponsmiths, blacksmiths, jewelers, ferriers, etc. The guild also contains artisans capable of creating custom artwork.

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Clothier's Guild

The Clothier's Guilld is one of the oldest of the craftsman's guilds, and its headquarters are housed in the Craftsman's Quarters of Laketown. Although they are not nearly as large as their metalsmithing counterparts, the Guild still boasts a great array of craftsmen and artisans. They are highly skilled in spinning, weaving, dyeing, and tailoring, and employ some of Eikeren's foremost fashionistas.

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Merchant's Guild

Not to be confused with their crafty counterparts, the Merchant's Guild is not a group of artisans. Instead, the Merchant's Guild is tasked with employing an array of shipping vessels (for both land and sea) and manning their crews and guards, maintaining good trade relations with both kingdoms (and between them), working closing with the Guildmasters to monitor the cost of goods, and to ensure the safe passage of said goods across land and water.

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Healer's Guild

Operating on a completely different scale than the other guilds, the Healer's Guild is tasked with overseeing the education of healers and apothecaries both. They monitor the activities of all the guild members, maintain licensing of all apothecaries and healers, and participate in ongoing research into best practice.

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