Union of the Cardinal Directions
To the north, south, west, and east... some say that this is a sign of a greater ambition than many can guess.
Overview
The Union of the Cardinal Directions, or simply the Cardinal Directions, is alliance of guilds with the common goal of increasing trade across the Quassus Continent, thereby increasing profits, and in opposing the ever growing Mabara Guild. The union is so named because its member guilds are named after the cardinal directions. The Cardinal Directions are currently led by Skyler Varywind, a somewhat enigmatic individual The Union of Cardinal Directions isn't headquartered in Centrum. They have almost no presence in the Free City at all (no shops and few representatives), but the Union is still a formidable business venture despite this.Alliance Membership
While the term "Company" is used in the official titles, they are functionally guilds. The term company is leftover from when each guild began as small roving companies that traveled from settlement to settlement to conduct trade. It is not entirely accurate that one guild exclusively operates in the north while the another exclusively operates in the south. The guilds certainly started in their respective directions, but a building bearing the mark of one of these guilds can be found anywhere. This is especially true after the unification.Helia's expansion is not the only cause of war on this continent. Factions of a different kinds all have their own claims to fight over, and steel is hardly the only implement of war.
Mabara Guild's Greatest Rival
It is no secret that the Union of the Cardinal Directions wishes to challenge the Mabara Guild as the most powerful and profitable guild on the continent. As powerful as the union has become, many are quick to point out that the Mabara Guild simply has more connections with which to utilize, including connections within the judiciary circles of Centrum. The Union of the Cardinal Directions has yet to obtain such an advantage for themselves, though they have been making inroads within the The Seven Northern Tribes of Quassus.Headquarters
The current headquarters of this alliance of guilds currently resides in the Radiant City of Sol. The exact building is located within the same ward as South Company's HQ. The other guilds in the alliance have each expressed their own concerns this proximity between the HQs may have on who ultimately influences the alliance. Skyler wishes to set up a new HQ for the alliance in Centrum, although the rivalry with the Mabara Guild has made that a somewhat infeasible prospect for time being.History
The cardinal guilds weren't always united in their goals. For a time, they were rivals with one another. In fact, they were founded by four brothers who each had a bet on which side of the continent would prove most prosperous and therefore most profitable. They each established their own guilds named after the cardinal directions, and so the competition began. At one point the rivalry between the guilds grew so intense that each guild fielded mercenary groups to engage in conflict with one another. When the destruction inherent in these engagements began to impact their reputation with locals, and therefore their bottom line, they ceased such open hostilities.
When it became increasingly apparent that the Mabara Guild was capitalizing on their ongoing rivalry, the leaders of the Cardinal Guilds held a series of secret meetings. In these secret meetings, it was decided that the Mabara Guild represented a threat to all four guilds and that by working together they could increase their influence on the continent.
From competing pieces to unification. One could only wish for the same fate to happen to our shattered world as a whole if only so that we can start working towards something greater than our own petty interests.
Bringing prosperity to people in every direction!
Type
Alliance, Generic
Alternative Names
Cardinal Union, Cardinal Directions
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Company Leaders Alser of the Golden Plains - Director of the South Company Melinda "Metal Eye" Snowfall - Director of the North Company Grybek Broadhammer - Director of the East Company Valmeila Althadin - Director of the West Company
Every business has a gimmick.
"Cardinal Specialties":
Each guild in the Cardinal Union has a claim to a particular specialty. Originally, the specialties gave each guild a unique selling point that distinguished one from the other when they were rivals. Now, they are combining their specialties as a way to increase their competitiveness against the Mabara Guild. West Company: Extraordinary Herbs East Company: Curious Crystals North Company: Remarkable Metals South Company: Exotic SpicesNote(s) from the Archivists:
I would make a pun here, but the slogan stole my thunder. - Archivist ThetaRemove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
I really like the concept of this alliance, especially the way they began as a rivalry between four brothers. Definitely sounds like a sibling thing. :)
Thank you for the kind comment. :)