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.
In a world of shifting alliances, economic rivalries, and foreign occupations, these organisations are often more than simple trade associations—they are powerful institutions that shape economies, fuel conflicts, and decide the fate of entire regions.

Remon

The Kingdom of Remon thrives on maritime trade, with its merchants exporting steel, timber, wine, and fine textiles across the Helerin Archipelago. However, internal rivalries between noble-backed guilds and independent traders create constant tension, while competition with Forbin and the Seynan Islands for naval dominance fuels economic and political intrigue.

Harsann Merchants’ Guild

The Harsann Merchants' Guild dominates trade in the capital, overseeing the flow of steel, timber, and woven fabrics to foreign markets. It is led by the adventurous and slightly reckless Varon Naskir, a former ship’s captain turned merchant lord.

Laknas Trading Consortium

The Laknas Merchants' Guild controls the trade of glass, linen, and wolf pelts, often clashing with local nobility over tariffs and authority. The guild is led by Sivalla Dornis, a pugnacious and determined trader who refuses to be intimidated.

Jaltra Shipping Guild

The Jaltra Shipping Guild controls the maritime trade routes through the Straits of Jaltra, overseeing the transport of whale blubber, whalebone, and salt. It is led by the ruthless Polleema Ghaltann.

Forbin

The Realm of Forbin is the largest and wealthiest trading power in Helerin, with Holdras and Gilrimmon serving as economic hubs for metals, glassware, fine fabrics, and weapons. Yet, its merchant guilds are plagued by corruption, cutthroat rivalries, and noble interference, as powerful traders manipulate tariffs and policies to maintain their monopolies, often at the expense of smaller merchants and struggling towns.

Holdras Merchants’ Guild

The Holdras Merchants’ Guild is the wealthiest trading body in Forbin, monopolising glassware, leather goods, and aromatic resins. Its leader, Salshut Karmon, is a conservative and imperious merchant who carefully guards his guild’s influence.

Gilrimmon Guild of Merchants

The Gilrimmon Guild of Merchants is notorious for its corruption, controlling the timber, wine, and herb trade through bribes and backdoor deals. The guild is ruled by Yotin Jeskalin, a shrewd and unscrupulous trader with deep ties to organised crime.

Olbrint Guild of Merchants

The Olbrint Merchants’ Guild oversees Forbin’s shipbuilding and timber trade, ensuring Olbrint remains the kingdom’s maritime powerhouse. The guild is led by Ovaris Meldrin, a steadfast and experienced merchant with strong ties to the shipwrights.

Hapros Mercantile Society

The Hapros Mercantile Society maintains Forbin’s crucial trade links with Remon, specialising in olive oil, grain, and woven fabrics. Its leader, Welna Waddunar, is a warm and engaging merchant whose charm hides a sharp business mind.

Mintrass Guild of Timber Merchants

The Mintrass Guild of Timber Merchants dominates the timber and charcoal trade, ensuring a steady flow of wood from the Boswood to Forbin’s shipyards, fortifications, and foreign markets. Linn Simarrand, a cousin of the Lord Guardian, Yan Ghernon, is the group's leader.

Five Swords Traders’ Guild

The Five Swords Traders’ Guild dominates the iron, timber, and charcoal trade in Daros, frequently engaging in smuggling and underhanded deals. It is led by Kelvar Dornath, a hugely ambitious young merchant eager to expand his influence.

Mar Miskun

The League of Mar Miskun is a loose coalition of semi-autonomous trade cities, renowned for grain, wine, oil, and shipbuilding. However, merchant families feud for dominance, and the guilds, particularly in Ashanok and Penstrarn, often undermine one another through political maneuvering, bribery, and secret trade pacts with rival nations.

Ashanok Mercantile Society

The Ashanok Mercantile Society controls grain, wine, and wool exports, securing its dominance through strategic alliances with Ashanok’s ruling families. The guild is led by Vorthan Karrash, a seasoned and calculating Makkun trader who prizes stability above all.

Ashanok Shipping Assocation

The Ashanok Shipping Association maintains its grip on maritime trade, ensuring Ashanok’s ports remain under its control. It is led by Pallia Mursin, a wily and cunning veteran of the shipping industry.

Kunkana Merchants’ Guild

The Kunkana Merchants' Guild profits from the town's mining and production of metal goods. The guild is led by Tendric Valmar, a calculating and measured merchant who prefers subtle influence over open conflict.

Penstrarn Traders’ Society

The Penstrarn Traders’ Society is a powerful coalition of merchants overseeing Penstrarn's lucrative dye, copper, and stone trade. It is led by Sarilsa Kheneth, an astute and fiercely independent Keeva merchant.

Mar Mabon

The Mar Mabon Townships control some of the richest spice, dye, and gemstone markets in Helerin, with Argonsa, Orbont and Gathansin at the heart of this lucrative trade. However, conflicts between powerful merchant guilds, such as the Orbont's Guild of Merchants and the Spice Consortium, threaten to destabilise alliances and plunge the region into trade wars fueled by greed and ambition.

Argonsa Spice Guild

The Argonsa Spice Guild dominates the trade of Achamen leaves and fine ceramics, ensuring Argonsa’s spices remain the most sought-after in Helerin. The guild is controlled by Onadas Havnamon, a serious and meticulous merchant who tolerates no deviation in quality.

Blue Guild of Gathansin

Various guilds hold sway over Gathansin’s economic activities. The Blue Guild, led by Farnon Haddinan, monopolises the production and trade of the renowned blue dyes, while

Spicers of Gathansin

The Spicers of Gathansin control the trade of valuable spices like Nifrin root root and Areem. They are led by Lirall San-Geen.

Orbont Guild of Merchants

The Orbont Guild of Merchants wields immense influence over wine, oil, and fine ceramics, often manipulating tariffs to protect its dominance. The guild is ruled by Huthim Mathimor, a ruthless and corpulent trader whose greed knows few limits.

Orbont Spice Consortium

The Orbont Spice Consortium competes fiercely with its rival guild, controlling the trade of Areem and Nifrin while maintaining elite connections. It is led by Jeddan Mellis, a lavish and well-connected merchant who thrives on political manoeuvring.

Teros

The once-independent trade networks of Teros have been hijacked by Forbin’s occupying forces, with the Salt Lords of Elinann and the Olnath Merchants’ Guild profiting from the region’s exploitation. Smuggling, resistance movements, and underhanded deals are rampant as native Terosian merchants secretly fight to reclaim their economic independence, while Forbin-backed guilds bleed the land of its wealth.

Salt Lords of Elinann

The Salt Lords of Elinann monopolise Teros Minor's salt trade, growing rich under Forbin’s occupation while manipulating local markets. The guild is led by Kontirrash Lomarr, a neurotic and paranoid merchant who fears betrayal at every turn.

Olnath Guild of Merchants

The Olnath Merchants’ Guild controls the perfume, metalwork, and shipbuilding industries, profiting heavily from its alliance with Forbin’s occupying forces. Its leader, Pynon Toola, is an enormously fat and corrupt Boma trader who indulges in both wealth and excess.

Persothan Merchants' Guild

The Persothan Merchants’ Guild dominates the trade of fish, jet, and Dash Tabar nuts, operating freely outside of Forbin’s reach. It is led by Pelmin Tassaleen, a young and opportunistic merchant who thrives in the city’s independent economy.

Natarr Traders’ Guild

The Natarr Traders’ Guild ensures Natarr remains a major exporter of fish, spices, and Borsha liquor, while secretly funnelling goods to smugglers and resistance forces. The guild is led by Kayba Potatheen, a cunning and pragmatic Drile merchant who skillfully balances cooperation and defiance.

Benann Mining Consortium

The Benann Mining Consortium controls the vast copper, tin, and gold mines of the Crimson Hills, ensuring that the rich veins beneath Benann remain a vital economic and strategic resource. The diminutive Sasheen Eltarmon leads the group.

Seynan Islands

The Seynan Islands rely on pearl diving, fishing, mead brewing, and fine crafts, but the growing power of the Island Traders’ Society has sparked tensions with the Island Council.
As Talmar Seython’s Traders' Society consolidates control over key exports, smaller island communities push back against monopolisation, raising the risk of fracturing the unity of the Free Peoples in pursuit of economic survival.

Island Traders' Society

The Island Traders’ Society oversees the Seynan Islands’ pearl, fish, mead, and dye trade, growing increasingly powerful despite resistance from the Island Council. The guild is led by Talmar Seython, a shrewd and charismatic Keeva merchant whose expanding influence threatens the islands’ traditional independence.