Martro Union

The Martro Union is an organization that seeks to achieve legislative and financial protection for its affiliated establishments. The union, run by the eccentric Hasdur Martro, has accomplished a litany of positive changes for its subsidiaries; farms are protected, ale's maximum price has been waived, tariffs have been lowered, and many merchants have been connected to substantial buyers abroad. Martro purchased the union guild from its less successful owners, who were threatened with extinction. Its previous owners had pure intentions but lacked the influence to accomplish much for its members. Seeing that many establishments in Euvurcrest owed him a debt, Martro offered leniency to any who joined the union and used political connections with the nobility to drive legislative change. 
Years after its founding, the union merged with the Orc-Urr Aegis, allowing the orcs of Euvurcrest to seek employment beyond crude labor. Upon merging, all affiliated establishments were required to hire a certain number of orcs (a controversial decision driving many to leave the union when questioned, Martro criticized those who happily hired human foreigners from Vagrants' Lot while ignoring the long-time residents of the orc-quarter. 

Hasdur Martro

"Hasdur's 'rise' is nothing if not a combination of divine luck and humility. He's driven by himself without regard for the future of the Martro name. I'd call it divine luck that he found himself the sole inheritor of his name, lands, and title. Even luckier to be born in the era of Gunderr's reign: perhaps the only one in which The Scramble could be allowed to happen. The sale of Lichteben has all but destroyed his future and guaranteed a life of incomparable wealth. Hasdur has purchased a world for himself with no binds to responsibility; perhaps the Osmans envy him. 

It's with a heavy heart that we failed to purchase his land, but a lord is a competitor while a businessman is an asset. Already we've been connected with his subsidiaries and waived tolls at Lady Emilsen's bridge thanks to his influence. I say the lack of title suits him. It certainly held back his business desires.
His savvy investments have helped the union grow substantially, and debt collection is like a drop of water in the well. Hasdur can easily ignore his debts to accomplish any change he desires. With honesty, we should hope he never spends his money, unless we desire for bread to cost a gold piece."

— Lady Gadder on Hasdur's Denouncing of Titles

Hasdur Martro, previous lord of Lictheben, sold his land to the Hellstrom Governy (a sale that would previously be considered unlawful) in an event that came to be known as The Scramble. Denouncing his titles, Hasdur took up a life of business in Euvurcrest with more gold than he could spend in a lifetime. His decision is considered short-sighted and driven by the immaturity of his youth, but with age, he's shown little consideration for undoing his drastic actions. 
His agenda is unknown, but only insofar as outsiders distrust his claims at face value. Hasdur states that he fights for the people of Laminarum, as titles have never accomplished anything for the common man. While other nations have begun valuing education and technological advancement, Eldurgrund has become a relic of older times. While he idealized outside nations, he has made strides in accomplishing his vision. He has made work more accessible for orcs and vagrants and helped break down the political barriers between lordships in the name of improving commerce to support his employment initiatives.

Type

Alliance, Economic

Predecessor Organization

• Guild Union of Euvurcrest

Notable Members

• Hasdur Martro