The Merchant Guilds

There are numerous guilds large and small that handle the actual gathering and marketing of goods throughout the known world. The vast majority of them are affiliated with the Empire but there are a few that defy the Empire and make deals directly with other communities or private interests. These “outsiders” are largely tolerated as long as they don’t close of a market significantly or earn outrageous profits.

The big five in ascending order are The Sapphire Council, Symath's Guild, Brine's Wayfarers, The Circle of Jade, and the largest, The Gold Trade Company.

The Sapphire Council: The youngest and smallest of the big five, “The Council” has been around for only 45 years but by focusing on small markets that are of little or no interest to the bigger guilds, the Council has been able to help these markets produce more and focus on rarer trade goods. They’re actions have some of the old guard in the Empire questioning if their methods are still as innovative.

Symath's Guild: Founded by Al-hir Symath, a half-elf who grew up on the Living City of Llangav. A waterborne community of over 500 individuals vessels that is permanently anchored in the Sleething Sea. A favored guild of elven and halfling communities throughout the known world. The guild prides itself on pressing the for the best prices for elven and halfling goods. They have tight control of these markets and few other guilds even try to gain a foothold in them.

Brine's Wayfarers: The guild of choice for seaborne communities. Brine’s current owner is an aquatic elf named Tar-sha Lerohir. She grew up in the business with her two sisters Letael and Saxana. They are loyal to the family business. Saxana is a long term member of the high senate and vocal advocate for the Seaborne.

The Circle of Jade: The second largest merchant guild in the known world, members of the guild are known for striking deals that can cost them money in the short term to secure long term contracts. They have trade houses on all of the places that have high senate seats and all places that  have populations over 25,000 citizens of the Empire. Their emphasis is on large markets using quantity to make their profits. The guild also spends a large amount of money in support of the Empire’s infrastructure. It has helped ingratiate them to many of the senators and nobles throughout the Empire.

The Gold Trade Company: The oldest and most reputable merchant guild in the Empire. Members of the Gold Trade Company have trade houses on every known market in the realm both those in the Empire and emerging markets as soon as they appear to have trade goods that can be marketed. The guild also sponsors a number of adventuring companies and privateer ships to search the wildlands and unexplored territories to try and be the first merchants to set them up as members of the Empire.