College of Bakers

Organization Structure: Every bakery proprietor earned a vote after five years of membership in the College. In exchange, they provided dues which served the group as a whole. The coins went directly into the treasury and it paid for parties, members’ funerals, and even to repair member’s shops in the event of a fire. They chose their leaders for elections and through lots. The most important positions, including the Head of the College, the Treasurer, and the Hallmaster. Other members were selected by lot to manage and maintain the meeting hall.
Culture: Members supported each other during both easy and difficult times. When providing help to a fellow baker, the Venian providing the service expected assistance when needed in return. These quid pro quo relationships ensured the College’s strength when dealing with adversity, as well developing a sense of solidarity among its members.
Public Agenda: Protecting the interests of bakers was the College’s priority, as was providing for them. The College employed numerous agents to negotiate the price of grain with vendos ranging from the Venian state to estate-grown Ipiculan growers. They played a minor role in the grain’s distribution, but they bought the best grain possible and kept it for themselves. They also worked with the government to bake bread for the grain dole - an initiative intended to support Venia’s poorest citizens.
Assets: The College possessed a spacious meeting hall not far from the city’s largest open-air market. It was a members-only setting. They had a bar stocked with food and wine. A wide room acted as a room to hold meetings and elections.
History: By the time of Venian-Satri Wars, the Venian College of Bakers had a prestigious and storied history. Rather than being founded during a single event, the current organization gradually coalesced from several smaller groups. Some of their members were among those who pushed for the initiation of the grain dole. They saw the effort as good advertising for their businesses.