The Society of Merchant Venturers

Any business with items for sale

The Society’s members include any business with items for sale, such as rope, candles, ink, magical items, cookware, china, pillows -- anything that can be sold, really. Some shops do fall under other guilds, such as a bakery under the Food and Drink Provisioners, or a furniture store under the banner of the Woodworkers Guild. However, dual membership in the Society is common, and some shops work with individuals of other guilds who may not wish to man their own shops.

Structure

Guildmaster

Zalgo of the Grinning Skull is the current Guildmaster of the Society. He is a strangely cheerful, dapper goblin, known for his ever-present skull mask. He is a procurer of fine walking sticks crafted from metal, bone, wood, and other more exotic materials. He is rumored to be a devout follower of Gorath.

Guild Representative

Viktor Rurikson is an immigrant from Ruskovich. A dragonborn of middle age, he is stern, serious, and gruff, but with a decided soft spot for small animals. His bookshop doubles as an adoption agency for abandoned and neglected dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small creatures in need of love and care. One must pass Viktor’s rigorous examinations before being allowed to adopt one of his babettes.

Guild Administrator

Tamika Andrenya is the guild’s administrator, having just stepped into the role. A half-sea elf, her business lies in small magical trinkets. She is a mischievous young woman, constantly playing pranks on other members, but her bookkeeping is very well organized.

Guild Structure and Ranks

Apprentice: Society apprentices typically perform the most mundane tasks in a shop, such as stocking shelves, sweeping floors -- small things that will not affect the overall profit of the business. More advanced apprentices are allowed to assist customers and perform transactions, under supervision.
Journeyer: Journeyers are usually responsible for the actual day-to-day shop operations, overseeing transactions, inventory, customer inquiries or complaints, and sometimes helping to make the products. Some Masters will leave their journeyers in charge of the business while they travel or handle other matters.
Master: Masters of the Society most commonly own a single brick-and-mortar store, although Masters with multiple shops, mail-order businesses, or traveling shops also exist. Masters handle the most important facets of their business, dealing with advertising, procurement, special orders, and the like.
Mastery Exam: Mastery in the Society is proven through a lengthy examination, wherein the applicant is tested on the theories and practices of trade, economics, supply and demand, and marketing. The candidate is also given a series of hypothetical situations and asked how they would handle each one.

Culture

The Society tends to be fairly casual. Businesses are often passed down among families or close friends, so many relationships tend to be far more close-knit than strict.
Patron God: Lucetius

Guild Symbols

Society members wear the emblem of the guild -- a set of scales -- as a piece of jewelry or embroidery, in the standard colors of copper, silver, or gold depending on rank

Guild House Description

The Society house is on guild row, a modest three-story stone building with a few bedrooms, meeting rooms, and lots and lots of transaction records.

Public Agenda

The Society mostly functions somewhat as a better business bureau. The guild protects both merchants and customers from being cheated, watches for price gouging, and occasionally inspects shops to determine the standards of their products.

Assets

The Society has close ties with many other guilds, especially those that craft physical items, since quite a few crafters only want to make their products, not sell them.

Type

Guild, Merchant

Alternative Names

Merchant's Guild

Demonym

Merchant

Location

Novandria, Eisen

Patron God
Lucetius
Guild Symbols
Set of Scales