Merchants’ Guild of Oð

The Merchants’ Guild of Oð is the second most powerful entity in the City of Oð after the Crown itself. This ranking was put to the test in 637 DR during a conflict now referred to as the Kūdom War. In 636 DR, the Crown was viewed as an antiquated institution that funneled great sums of money to an aloof and ineffective leader. To press the point, the Merchants’ Guild began minting their own coins.

Members

  • Inzūlon Màrdus, Guildmaster, Patron High Lord of Oð
    • Ōlànda Ældar, Patron of Kre Dùlnar
    • Dashàra Ældar, Patron of Teamsters
    • Herás Balçar, Patron Lord of Nardùral
    • Dēása Dàralyn, Patron Lord of Daráda Coast
    • Sorçān Dēsàdda, Patron Lord of Genter
    • Dreg the Brewer, Patron Lord of Westfields
    • Īkùrul, Patron Lord of Visháshūn
    • Narín Kadèrað, Patron Lord of Old Coast
    • Gerrèt Myrðèdnar, Patron of Mints
    • Maðar of Narhaven, Patron Lord of Northfields
    • Orála of Ensòret, Patron of the Merchant Guard
    • Ânya Medrāya, Patron Lord of Kyard
    • Mēdrìn Mōn, Patron Lord of Naryard
    • Salīas of Erhet, Patron Lord of Elmark
    • Old Serrel of Ōddon, Patron Lord of Platànya
    • Pryn Ergìn Yndòr, Patron Lord of Pryard
    • Vol Rādān, Patron Lord of Sulyard
    • Zīllus of Celôn, Patron Lord of Kreyard

Organization

The Merchants’ Guild of Oð’s organization is a mirror of the Hierarchy of Lords with the Guildmaster holding many of the same rights and responsibilities as Oðári High Lord. Each Patron Lord presides over a region that mirrors the holdings of the noble Lord of that same area. The parallels are not accidental. For centuries, the Merchants’ Guild of Oð has viewed itself as a viable surrogate for the Hierarchy of Lords, ready to take over those same roles should a vacuum of power appear. Historically, there have been instances where the Patron Lords have sought to create a vacuum and assume absolute rule. To date, all such attempts have been foiled.

The only posts within the Merchants’ Guild of Oð organization that do not mirror the Hierarchy of Lords, are the Patron seats. These seats preside over business operations that extend beyond the boundaries of patronal lordships. There is a Patron of Kre Dùlnar (i.e., shipping), Patron of Mints, and Patron of Teamsters. The number of patronal lordships grow and shrink depending on the needs of the Guild. Exact numbers are carefully weighed to avoid electoral imbalances. The Guildmaster usually prefers to have a tie-breaking vote in all matters.

History

Originally, the Merchants’ Guild of Oð was an international alliance of trading partners called the North Sea Merchants’ Guild. Spanning the shores of the Mar Dekàli from the Fertile Coast to the Straits of Avyrdāen, the trading guild was a powerful player in Dekàli politics for hundreds of years. The power-hungry alliance often credited by historians with encouraging the Old Empire’s expansion into the East (i.e., Vulmùra). This push is believed to have resulted in the guild’s eventual demise and ultimately in the collapse of the Empire. Easterly expansion put the North Sea Merchants’ Guild in direct competition with the Fivèndam League, a vast trading organization that operated throughout the Mar Illyri and Mar Vùlmuri. In the 13th century HK, the High Lord of Viríllis summoned representatives of the North Sea Merchants’ Guild to Mirégil to discuss the Free City of Fivèndam and the riches they controlled. The Fivèndam League maintained kontors in every major port of the city-state. The High Lord Hærgòrdan wished to escape the ancient contracts and regain control of all customs and taxation. The North Sea Merchants’ Guild wished to reclaim ports lost during the First Acèntyra-Dekàli War almost 500 years before. Contracts were drawn and signed with the North Sea Merchants’ Guild, canceling all agreements with the Fivèndam League. Warships were dispatched to enforce the new agreements. Outraged, the League sent out envoys to all its partners and allies seeking assistance against the Wyrm Crown, which was already unpopular throughout the Illyri Peninsula and much of the continent. Rebellions flared throughout the region. Wharfs, storehouses and granaries, that had belonged to the League, were burned. Dekàli merchant ships were targeted by arsonists and privateers in response to bounties placed on all vessels flying Dekàli colors. Conflict in Viríllis soon spiraled out of control. The High Lord raised an army and marched against the fortifications of Fivèndam, but his ships were intercepted along the Southern Shield and were unable to support the siege. As the decimated fleet returned to Dizmas, they encountered a fleet of foreign vessels and were destroyed in the Bay of Blood and Gold. As other castles and keeps began to fall, the Siege of Fivèndam had to be abandoned to reinforce the borders of Viríllis. In the Spring of 1242 HK, the High Lord petitioned the High King for assistance against the temperamental Vulmùryr. The new year however, brought a cessation of hostilities, as if the League and the Vulmùryr in general had surrendered their position and rights. The truth of this would not be revealed for another 2-3 years, as the League, Acèntyryr, and their allies regrouped and made plans to deal with the Dekàli problem once and for all.

Today, the Merchants’ Guild of Oð has been reduced to a single port, though it is believed to retain vast treasuries leftover from its affluent past.