The Leatherworkers Guild of Eisen
The guild’s workers handle anything having to do with leatherworks -- leather preparation, crafted items (utilitarian and decorative), armor (in conjunction with the armorer’s guild in partnership), supplies for bookbinding, harnesses and saddlery, parchment for bookmaking, etc.
Structure
Guildmaster
Odal the Gentle’s name is something of a misnomer. This gruff, salty orc has the personality of a wet sock and the temper of a wet cat. That said, he is the best bag maker in Eisen, bar none. Odal releases limited lines of custom handbags and satchels every spring and they are the talk of noble society. Lesser non-guild leather workers regularly knock off his designs but the quality of his own bags is unmistakable. He does NOT react well to anyone using his full “name”, with the exception of Jonas.
Guild Representative
Jonas Gerber, Odal’s human husband, is the soft political side to Odal’s significant artistic pique. Jonas takes it as his mission to help keep the leather crafters’ guild in good graces, arranging presentations and displays for the artisans and serving on the Council of Guilds.
Guild Administrator
Elias Paul, the human guild administrator, is a no nonsense worker who handles the guild business, funds, and paperwork. While not precisely a soft character, he is so much more approachable than Odal that no one seems to mind.
Guild Structure and Ranks
Apprentice: Apprentices are first taught how to prepare and tan hides into leather, a process that most older guild members despise. Afterwards, they are instructed in leather construction, tooling, and other aspects of general construction before learning how to actually craft complete items. Journeyer: Journeyers in the guild typically find the disciplines they prefer working in and will stick to that path, specializing in crafting one or so particular types of materials or items. Master: Guild Masters tend to collect journeyers who craft similar items to themselves, and many open small workshops in which to pursue their specialty. Mastery Exam: Mastery in the Leatherworkers Guild is shown through an exhibit of five pieces, all of which must be created from raw hides to finished item, and each of which must be of a different shape -- an entrant cannot create, for example, two bracers to display.Culture
Since Odal is usually busy creating, Jonas and Elias tend to run the guild rather formally. Titles are used and apprentice-journeyer-master relationships are considered very important. Hands-on learning is also a critical part of the guild culture.
Patron God: Rhodena
Guild Symbols
Guild members wear leather cuffs or bracelets. Apprentices wear a simple band with no decoration, while journeyers may have carved or tooled embellishment, and Masters may display precious stones, metal, or painting in theirs.Guild House Description
The Guild has two guild houses - one in the city on guild house row for the working of prepared leather and parchment, and one well outside Novandria in the farm lands where the chemical preparation of leather can occur away from the noses of the town.Public Agenda
The guild ensures that several other guilds have necessary materials at hand as well as providing their own goods to the populace. The guild works with the armorer's guild for leather armor needs as well. The guild also assures that techniques and products are quality, and that safety measures are followed in preparation of hides.
Assets
While very important to the working of society, the leatherworkers guild sometimes struggles for resources as their actual source material fluctuates with cattle and crops. The guild considers itself practical in all things and is frugal in its expenditures and needs.
History
Despite the current all male leadership, the guild has grudgingly accepted other genders in the last century and now sees the craft as open to all.
Demonym
Leatherworker
Location
Rhodena Guild Symbols
Leather cuffs or bracelets