Annion Commerce Guild

The Commerce Guild is one of power and affluence in the township of Annion, they currently hold power in the city council with a controlling vote of 5 of 12 seats. Members of the commerce guild come from many walks of life, from a lowly travelling salesman to affluent bank managers, though those of wealth and power are the ones with the most say in the Commerce guild's activities.
To members of the Commerce guild, one thing matters. Money. How to get it, keep it and get more of it.
The Commerce Guild is in charge of the Annion Market Square and charges each vendor a fee to rent the space and taxes related to the purchase and sale of goods here. The fees paid by the vendor then go toward wages for the guards that patrol the Square and maintenance of the grounds used by the Vendor and their customers.
The Commerce guild's highest members can usually be seen wearing a gold ring depicting the guild's crest. Two hands cupped together, with the words "We Gather" written below in the script. The middle class will have a ring or brooch of the crest piqued in silver or platinum, and the lowest members of the guild will carry a bronze token about the size of a coin bearing the crest.
Becoming a member of the guild is simple enough, you must attend the guild registrar's office and pay your dues, fill in the necessary papers regarding your profession and identity and then you wait for approval which usually takes a few days to a week. You start as a bronze level member and can rise from their to the higher levels, depending on your wealth and connections and how much time and effort you put into both.

Structure

The top most tier of the Commerce Guild is a person called a "Councillor" These are members of the city council, they vote on matters that affect the township and have a lot of power and influence in the township and within the Guild. Councillor's are usually chosen from amongst the wealthiest members of the Guild, they must have served for a set period of time within the guild and must be voted to represent their trade within the guild.
The guild is broken up into "Trade's." Each of these groups represents members from a certain section of merchants, For Example Bankers, Salesmen, Moneylenders etc Each Trade must build wealth from taxation, bribes and fees and the trades with the most amassed wealth are the most likely to have their leaders chosen to be Councillors. To get ahead within the guild you need to be both a smart politician and wealthy, with a keen mind.

We Gather

Alternative Names

Trade Guild, Shop's Guild

Location

Annion