L'Assayer's Guild

L'Assayer's Guild, commonly known as the Fulcrum, is a powerful guild in Val Royeaux. Run by Countess Amrita Devasi, the guild has a powerful hand in all matters of finances and trade into and out-of the city.
They own Val Royeaux's banking institution, enforce strict laws on items entering or leaving Val Royeaux, and work closely with the current emperor or empress to control Orlais's monetary policy.
The symbol of L'Assayer's Guild is a ticking pocket watch on a silvered chain.

Public Agenda

This guild has close ties to Orlais's throne. They help advise the empire's leader in setting prices for goods and interest rates for loans. They track every ship entering Val Royeaux for purposes of trade, and impose such rigid structure with the help of the empire's navy.
They also comprise a large amount of the Val Royeaux's bureaucratic force surrounding monetary concerns. In particular, it is the source of tax collectors, regulators, and lawyers. The Guild collects taxes and dues, issues trade-based licenses and insurance, and helps to gather money related information for any census. Though membership in the Guild does not carry the prestige that some other groups can claim, its inductees do not seem to mind. To them, efficiency is much more highly prized than honor. They are well aware of the necessity of their posts, and though not a militaristic group for the most part, there are many in the city who claim that a visit from L'Assayer's Guild is one of the most frightening sights in the city.

Assets

Imperial Bank of Val Royeaux

The Imperial Bank is the central banking institution for Val Royeaux, serving as a place for people to store their assets as well as a place where public loans may be taken out. It's clientele range from the ultra-elite to the lowliest of workers who have only a few royals saved.

The Wall's Exchange

Nestling itself comfortably between the city's towering walls, the Exchange is a place where foreign travelers may visit to exchange their coinage to that of the Orlesian currency. Any notable visitor will always make their first stop here, as foreign coinage is rarely accepted in any part of the city.

Rivage Constabulary

As the enforcers of L'Assayer's Guild, the Constabulary has two primary goals. The first is to serve as the muscle needed when the Department of Trade Integrity needs to crackdown on infringements of the laws L'Assayer's Guild is meant to oversee. The second is to help deter criminal activity amongst the docks, particularly from sailors who plan on only staying in the city for a few days at a time. Its members are usually referred to as "Gold-Buttons", a name inspired by the fact that they wear Starkhaven-inspired doublets with prominent gold buttons down the middle. When someone is getting apprehended by these enforcers, they're considered to be "buttoned up".

Customs & Immigration

This department is only half-owned by L'Assayer's Guild, specifically Customs Enforcement. The purpose of this organization is to track all imports and exports, ensuring that they meet certain regulations. It's said that if anything enters into the city via a boat, they'll be the first to know.

Department of Trade Integrity

This branch of the guild focuses on investigating matters of contraband, falsified or incorrect shipping papers, the movement of large sums of money, and personnel who are improperly paying the empire's tariffs.

History

L'Assayer's Guild rose to prominence amidst Empress Celene Valmont I's reign, following the downfall of House Guilhem. Before their collapse, House Guilhem was one of the richest and oldest families in Orlais. This allowed them to take on the burden of owning Val Royeaux's monetary institutions, a task virtually no one else had the money for. Mysterious events surround their fall from grace with little factual evidence floating about. The most common story states that about a month after the head of the House died, demons began infesting the Guilhem's property. As a result, Templars had to storm the property and cut everything living down.
Regardless of what exactly happened to the Guilhems, one of Starkhaven's nobles petitioned Empress Celene to fill the void the Guilhems left behind. Her name, Amrita Devasi, began to circulate as she quickly gathered together as many people and assets to her side as she could.
Sometime after their creation, at least a year, Amrita met with an Antivan Lady: Lavinia de Salle. After their meeting, Amrita provided a massive amount of wealth to allow Lady de Salle and her fledgling guild a seat on the city's main council.

Type

Financial, Other

Alternative Names

The Fulcrum

Leader

Amrita Devasi

Parent Organization

Orlais

Location

Val Royeaux

Related Ethnicities

• Humans