Solemn Order of Recognized Furriers and Woolmen

The Solemn Order of Recognized Furriers and Woolmen

The Solemn Order of Recognized Furriers and Woolmen is a guild of Waterdeep representing the city's furriers and wool workers.

Organization

The official livery of the Solemn Order is gray, fur-trimmed woolen cloaks in the winter, and gray, fur-fringed woolen skullcaps in the summer. 

Membership

Applying for membership requires a deposit of 25 gp, refunded if the application is refused. Members are also charged 2 gp in monthly dues. The Master of the Order IS elected by its members, usually for life. A Master resigning IS virtually unheard of, with most holding on to their titles even as they lay bedridden or dying.

Base of Operations

The guild is based out of the Guildhall of the Order in the Castle Ward, located on Waterdeep Way between the intersections of the High Road and the Street of Bells.

Activities

The Solemn Order is a storied fixture in the fur trade of Waterdeep, over which they exert near-total control. Independent businesses are summarily outbid or outright sabotaged. Although the guild proudly asserts none of its furriers deal in fake, second-hand, or stolen wares (and are thus "recognized"), this is occasionally not heeded by certain members. 

Relationships

As a highly conservative organization, the Solemn Order distrusts enterprising, young merchants as well as adventurers. They consider these people reckless and dangerous. The Order is closely associated with the noble House Talmost, local industry leaders in fur-trading and trapping.

History

In the Year of the Wanderer, 1338 DR, Thoss Balein was elected Master of the Order when his predecessor died. Thoss implemented a series of highly conservative policies intended to strengthen the Order, including refusing to accept new members and encouraging rich members to buy less wealthy merchants out of the guild. Over the course of Thoss Balein's tenure, guild membership shrank by 25% while revenues grew by 40%.

Notable Members

The guild is generally composed of members of old Waterdhavian families.

• Thoss Balein - Master of the Order
• Shalrin Meraedos - Gentleman Keeper of the Order, served as the guild's public contact

Type

Guild, Professional