Guilds and professional bodies

Guilds typically have charters within their towns or cities allowing them significant control their profession or industry. Trade guild membership is typically a prerequisite for doing business. Guilds often act as guardians of competence and standards within a profession. Guilds often serve as a useful network for business opportunities, as well as enabling collective action and influence in support of the profession and its members.

Merchant guilds and trade bodies

Merchant guilds and trade bodies in Helerin serve as the backbone of commerce, regulating markets, protecting their members’ interests, and securing profitable trade routes. While some guilds operate as cooperative coalitions, others function as ruthless monopolies, using bribery, tariffs, and political influence to dominate their industries. See also: Merchant guilds and trade bodies

Craft and labour guilds

Mage guilds and collectives

Other professional associations

Bardic Fellowship

The Bardic Fellowship is an association of musicians, singers, storytellers and poets. Less formal than a regular guild, the Fellowship has no formal structure or leadership.