The Church of Gold

The Church of Gold is New Z'hrat's bank. It was originally a cult devoted to profit, prosperity, and the dark angel who made it possible, but since the end of the Serpentine War and the Treaty of 241st Street, they've been put in charge of business ventures: banking, financial regulation, and commerce. The original cult members and their families are now part of a mafia-like organization with the Prophet of Platinum, at its head. The cult has recently exploded in popularity, as everyday New Z'hratians seek stability in turbulent times.

Structure

Prophet ( Sadiyah, the Prophet of Platinum )
The Gilded Hierophant- highest obtainable title, passed down from the former Hierophant
Archbishops- head of the Church in a district
Bishops
Priests/Head of Family
Family members
Enforcers
Congregation- members of the religion but not the guild

Each individual church has a bank and a financial consultancy connected to it. These are run by priests, who either lead or affiliate with a prominent local family, and each family hires Enforcers, who serve as business-people, debt collectors, and armed guards. Therefore, most individuals outside the Church have an impression that it's run like a mafia.

Culture

The Church of Gold tends to value ambition, shrewdness, faith, appearances, and familial bonds.
They tend to shun outsiders and the poor, and can come across as selfish and unfair.
At their best, they're quick-witted individuals who care deeply about providing for the well-being of their communities, but at their worst, they can be predatory lenders who get what they want through extortion and violence.

Public Agenda

They are responsible for New Z'hrat's macroeconomy.
They handle the majority of the banking. Few are willing or financially able to compete with the Church as bankers and lenders.
They are responsible for the flow of goods within the city, and any regulation that might be put on merchants.

Assets

The Church is extremely wealthy as a guild, and is the home guild of most of Z'hrat's richest citizens.
They have Enforcers, assassins, and undead at their disposal.

History

In 1094, their founder, the Gilded Lady, was born
1302, they were founded, but started off as just a small cult.
1445, officially recognized as a state religion, much to the irritation of the gods.
2109, the original Cathedral was built.
2495, the Church is the first guild to rebel against the gods.
0 NZE, the Church is put in charge of the world's banking.
105, the Cathedral is destoyed and the Gilded Lady is killed.
112, the Central Cathedral is completed.