Monroe Corporation

A corporate monopoly that predates the founding Union, the Monroe Corporation holds the real power in Union.

Structure

Like any corporation, the Monroe Corporation is primarily controlled by its shareholders; it just so happens that the majority share belongs to members of the Monroe family. The shareholders have the final say in anything that the Board of Directors suggests, and because most of the shareholders are also on the Board of Directors, its rare that they disagree. Below the Board of Directors is the CEO, also - unsurprisingly - a Monroe. In fact, the only person in any position of "power" that isn't a Monroe is the current VP, an aging gnome whose sway over any corporate decision is debatable. The managers of the company are often related to Monroes, if not a Monroe themself, and only the grunts of the company - the researchers, engineers, builders, all the way down the hired muscle and miners - bear no real relationship to the family.
The current CEO is Elkoris Monroe, who also serves on the Board of Directors and is the majority shareholder, as was the legacy of his father.

Culture

Despite their prevalence in politics both in and out of Union, the actual Monroe family is secretive and very little is known about them. The company culture is greed-oriented, and it places its "menial labor" employees in positions of wage slavery to guarantee a large workforce while still keeping their costs low and profits high. Upper management pushes the idea that overworking is expected and good for the soul, and all-but forces its workers to work long hours for little compensation. Wage discussions are strictly prohibited, and unionizing has been met with physical violence in the past.

Public Agenda

It is widely assumed that the main motivation for the Monroe Corporation is to maximize profits. Its monetary control over Union's politics ensures that any legislation that is passed doesn't affect the company - or even is beneficial to it.

History

The Monroe Corporation was founded in the 11th Era by Sylric Monroe, an elven man at the cusp of middle age, as a mining operation working out of the Hell's Fingers mountain range. Several other companies had stakes in the range, but whether by a stroke of luck or some privileged information, Sylric's claim was rich in platinum ore. His success quickly led him to invest in his own processing plants where his company quickly flourished. He was soon able to buy out the neighboring mining operations and by the start of the 12th Era, the Monroe Corporation ran a monopoly out of the Hell's Mouth mining complex. In the following centuries, the company expanded into technology, building the first airship prototypes in 12E, 132; they also bought out Spiritworks Technology, the leading firearms manufacturer at the time. By 12E, 498, nearly every mining, technology, and weapons manufacturers are owned by the Monroe Company.
In 494, Sylric, now elderly, passed away, leaving his son, Elkoris, in charge of his estate and legacy.

Foreign Relations

The Monroe Corporation employs most of Union's military. Few soldiers work for Union itself - the only Union-run regiments are based out of Belcarra - and instead are militiamen hired by the company. The company's relationships with most countries are historically unstable, with its only real ally being Messino. Only 50 years ago, the Monroe Militia (or, the Union Army) was engaged in a hundred-years' conflict with Khyrdin over possession of the Tuchanka Bridge. In short, the foreign relations of Union are the foreign relations of the Monroe Corporation.

Founding Date

11E, 473

Type

Corporation, Conglomerate

Alternative Names

The Monroe

Leader

Elkoris Monroe

Parent Organization

Union

Location

Gravesend