The Stoneheart Valley Trading Company
The Stoneheart Valley Trading Company is an enormous organization that has been one of the reasons that Bards Gates influence has spread as rapidly as it has. Based primarily out of the capital itself, it is ran by a collection of Burghers and wealthy land owners that then delegate the administrative functions to either its members or others appointed by the council. Control of a region is then given to a governor, who has supreme authority and answers only to the trading company itself. If a governor performs adequately they are given additional resources and are allowed to expand, if they fail at their duties they are replaced or withdrawn. While a governor is not an actual title of rulership as it is normally thought of, the company uses this delegation as a way to denote its authority over a region. In this way, the governor who arrives effectively claims ownership of the area in the name of Bards Gate, and often slowly annexes or takes supreme control over an area as the local powers are dissolved.
Because of the extremely profitable nature of the company, many mercenaries, soldiers, workers and adventurers freely work with the company to further the coin in their pocket. Trading outposts are established to bring in skins, furs, rare metals, magical components, and many other valuable goods. Trade is business, and anything that stands in the way of the bottom line is a threat.
The company has the full backing of the navy and the navy is often delegated to the direct control of a regional governor. They also are frequently the primary benefactors for the Waymarch Cavalry, and while they technically remain independent they follow the orders issued to them by the company. The company also employs a large number of mercenaries themselves, and often contract out important work to adventurers when monsters or threats to their trade are identified.
Organization
The company is owned by a collection of Burghers and influential citizens of Bards Gate who each own "stock" in the company. Every year, they then elect a Chief Factor to manage the affairs of the company or continue to put their faith in the existing Chief Factor. Most major decisions are given consult to the share owners, but often the Chief Factor has independent control over the company. The Chief Factor then delegates regional control and influence to a Governor. The Governor is in charge of a large swathe of land and has various Captains and Sergeants under their control. Share Holder - The company is beholden to the various shareholders who own shares in the company. These are all influential Burghers from the city itself, most owning large guilds or other influential positions. These members are given a number of votes based on their investment in the organization and the direction and influence of the trading company is done to further the financial gain of the company. Chief Factor - Once per year the position of Chief Factor is voted upon to lead the company in carrying out the agenda that is agreed upon by the shareholders. This position is often coveted for it is well funded and prestigious. The position is not held by a shareholder but rather is one given to an outside member, often a retired member of a mercenary or military organization. It is commonly believed that those coming from a military background would be neutral in carrying out the shareholders wishes and therefore many of the members of the company are more willing to trust them to not side with any particular member. They are also often trusted to carry out the orders with a rigid methodology, a lack of agenda and a modicum of military planning and intelligence. In return, the pay and promise of land is often enough that many who would retire from military would seek out this position as a way to further command forces while having a safe and lucrative retirement plan. Governor - The Chief Factor designates regional Governors, promoted by the Share Holders, to govern various regions that the company wishes to exert its control over. While they may not necessarily have the assumed authority that one would expect the title of Governor to have, the company chooses to use this title as a method of asserting control over a territory. The Governor is in charge of a certain amount of capital and militia and often has a specified goal once given control of a region. Should the governor do their job adequately, they are often given greater resources to continue their work. Should they fail, either they are relocated if the project is deemed fruitless or the governor is replaced if the share holders believe the fault lies on the Governor themselves. Captain - While the company is not technically a military organization, they have adopted the rank of Captain as an official designation for the captain of a company. A company is a large group of mercenaries that is beholden to the Governor and is the highest rank one of the companies mercenaries can achieve. Some of the most capable ones have been promoted to Governor, but this is exceptionally rare. Multiple Captains are sometimes assigned to a Governor if they have enough influence. Sergeant - Under the command of a Captain are various platoons of cadets that are all led by a Sergeant. Each sergeant is a hardened battle commander and is given some autonomy in carrying out the orders of the captains. Cadet - The lowest rank, these are payed members of the company that form the rank and file soldiers of the company. They are given basic amneties, pay, and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many cadets are recruited from the companies controlled or conquered territories, others are press-ganged or offered service as an alternative to punishment for crimes. Others are poor and see it as a viable alternative to starvation or poverty. Because of the great success the company has had, the cadets are well paid compared to many other professions and as such the loyalty to the company is often better than one might expect. Regional training is done to ensure the cadets are competent and prepared for a variety of threats. Chief Trader - While the military structure of the company is often thought of as commanding the most respect of the company, the traders are the true power of the company. The Chief Traders do not respond to the captains but rather to the Governor themselves. The Captains and Sergeants are to carry out the wishes of the Chief Traders in the taming of territory, neutralizing of company threats and general advancement of the company itself. The Chief Traders are the diplomats and investigators of the company, those that look for lucrative land, deals and trading partners. The Chief Trader must apply for a charter to Trader - Traders are beholden to the Chief Trader but are much more independant. Each must get a license from the Chief Trader to operate within the desired area, but are then given the protection of the companies mercenaries and the guarantee that disputes will be fairly arbitrated by the company. Worker - Workers are any members of the company that handle a different role than above. Couriers, trappers, tradesmen, bureaucratic agents, all of the various middlemen that might be found within the company.Auxiliaries and Allies
No organization as large as the Stoneheart Valley Training Company can exist without additional forces and allies. Wizards and Magic Users - The company has access to a wide variety of independently contracted magic users to help counteract those that would use magic against them. Some are hired from the Dominion Arcane, others simple have similar interests or debts to the company and are hired to aid in the various affairs that are. Bards Gate Navy - The navy of the city itself is independent but often works closely with the company in sea-based affairs. Because the company has numerous trading ships they often come into contact with pirates, and those that are foolish enough to harm a vessel barring the Bards Gate or Stoneheart Valley Company flag often find themselves on the receiving end of the navies wrath. Waymarch Cavalry - The famous cavalry from the distant realm is hired by Bards Gate as a show of solidarity and alliance with Reme, but is often paid for or delegated directly to the company itself. The company itself has almost no cavalry, and the auxiliaries expert skills on horseback is invaluable to the cause, especially in the Planes of Mayfarrow. Adventurers - While many are skeptical of their methods, adventurers are commonly employed by the company to undertake special assignments. Whether this is slaying a particularly nasty monster, clearing a dungeon of threats that inhibit trade, taking out a threat or eliminating bandits, adventurers can do the tough jobs that might otherwise cost the company lives. Adventurers also do not tend to ask as many questions if the price is right, and the company has been known to hire them under the table or through proxies to handle underhanded jobs that they do not want traced back to the company.
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