The Mercantile

This is the south-western third of the Island of Gold. It is here that the real business of running the government takes place. All of the islands are small, resources are generally limited, but the islanders have found ways to carve out neiches for themselves and if trade is handled fairly and negotiated skillfully, everyone has enough. Much of this trading takes place at the merchantile. Ships will bring in goods, and the Merchant's guild will assess how best to direct or distribute the goods, for a profit, of course! The merchantile itself is made up of three parts; there is a residential area where the merchants, clerks and office workers live, a commercial area where shops which service those living on the island fill the streets, their owners living above them; and an area of offices and warehouses where trade goods are dropped off, picked up and directed.
It is the Merchant Guild who truly control the islands. Islands who break the laws set out by the guild find themselves suddenly without buyers or unable to purchase the goods they require. Disputes between islands are brought to the Merchant Guild for sorting out. Thus the Merchantile is the busiest port in the entire Elven Isles, it is where you come to get things done.

Demographics

Made up of three distinct groups: Merchant Guild Members (all Elven), clerks and beurocrats (various races...one of the few places humans can find work) and craftspeople (Elvish mainly, some dwarves, humans, gnomes, other species)

Government

The Merchant's guild runs it all, with a firm but generous eye on profit. This has not always been the case, but the current government realizes that the guild thrives when the islands are trading happily and not distracted by war. Currently ruled by Prudence Fairbanks

Defences

This area sits on the harbour; strong walls surround the warehouses as do the guards installed by the Merchant's guild. Piracy has not been an issue due to geographic remoteness; and currently the Islands are happy with the balance of trade and unwilling to risk disrupting it. There are crumbling ruins from in the past when this was not the case; currently the wall surrounds only the warehouse, but is lined with parapets and cannon

Industry & Trade

All trade that goes on between the Islands is brokered by the Merchant Guild. There are some neighbouring Islands which have informal pacts and trade regularly, but finished goods generally need a larger market than any one island can provide. Goods purchased and distributed by the Merchant Guild are taxed by the government and an additional percentage is taken by the Merchant Guild, but in the current climate this is generally understood as the cost of doing business. Well, at lest the Merchant Guild part. There is some resentment about the The Oligarchy of the Isles...the Golden Six taking their share, but they are seen as far too powerful to mess with so no one is challenging them just yet.

Infrastructure

Warehouses: The port is lined with them, there are 6 all together. The Merchant Guild, like the Oligarchy, is headed by Six main companies. These are enormous buildings made of clay bricks, crafted simply but designed to withstand time and the elements
Residential Area: Homes here are solid and unassuming, mostly. The owners of the six companies have larger homes of stone with a second story and a terraced yard; most homes are a single story with a small yard. The lower paid clerks live in larger 3-5 story buildings with small living quarters assigned to them. Sewage removal is advanced, fresh water is available.
Market Area: this section of the city consists of two story buildings built side by side. Each main floor contains a artisan shop; above are the living quarters. This arrangements stretches for almost a mile down the large, wide main road which gives access to those of the Realms to drive their coaches and do their shopping. At the end of this road is the market square, in which off-island artisans come twice weekly to set up shop. In between market days this area is used as a common area

Guilds and Factions

Six companies who run trade: one for Produce, one for Unperishable food, one for live plants/animals, one for crafted goods, one for natural resources and another for luxury items.

Geography

Located on the Harbour, climate is warm, palm trees abound, there is even a public beach which is frequented by the Golden Six and other powerful families on Market day. The ground is rock, not much good for growing things, but excellent for build upon.

Alternative Name(s)

The Merk

Population

15 000

Included Locations

• Tappin's Tin Works

Characters in Location

• Hemlock Splinter
• Prudence Fairbanks