The Lumber Consortium
This powerful collection of unscrupulous tycoons and magnates of the lumber trade controls most of the tree-felling camps (commonly called cutyards) in the area around the Vale. Those lumberjacks who refuse to affiliate with the consortium (and agree to its horrendously exploitative labor and pay practices) are often muscled out of business or simply disappear. The consortium employs close to six hundred ‘jacks and nearly half that many sellswords, thugs, and mercenaries to protect the cutyards from monsters as well as to intimidate potential competitors.
Structure
The Lumber Consortium is controlled by a board of directors in Oregent, all of whom possess a controlling share of the company. They oversee the operations of the organization, laying out the long-term, large-scale strategies and leaving the day-to-day management to on-site foremen known as gavels. At its height, the Consortium had over a dozen, but currently employs only two gavels. No one rises to power within the Lumber Consortium without making their fortunes on the backs of lumberjacks and at the expense of the forests and native civilians. Though they have never been known for their kind hearts or straight morals, members of the board have become increasingly sadistic and cruel as their power has eroded.
History
The Lumber consortium was founded in the year 1853 AR, to provide a steady supply of lumber to Taldor, but little is known of the Consortium before Barenddo Novotnian founded the city of Olfden in 4128 AR as the first lumber town in the Darkmoon Vale region. Novotnian lumberjacks provided wood to Oregent, where Barenddo’s business partner, Lord Rene Rakesclaw, owned the necessary sawmills. Lumber was sent off to Augustana. There were many chefs involved in the lumber stew.
Rene’s grandson, Tarris Rakesclaw, bought out Novotnian, headed up a partnership and established a lumber organization focused on efficiency and profits, not employee welfare, in 4139 AR. Rakesclaw’s efforts were very successful and he bought out competitors and vendors and donated generously to the Chelaxian Empire.
In the ensuing three centuries, the Lumber Consortium was unstoppable. Government-run operations were privatized (lobbied for by the Consortium) and absorbed. Privately operated competitors were taken over, be they lumber companies, sawmills or barge operations. The Consortium had a complete monopoly when the Thrice Damned House of Thrune took power in Cheliax.
Not a big fan of anybody holding power but themselves, the Thrune government tried to legislate the Lumber Consortium out of business. Years passed and the Consortium’s power and control decreased. Then Andoran rose up and declared independence from Cheliax and the Consortium’s Board saw a golden opportunity. They supported the new government and came to a mutually agreeable arrangement, though both sides distrust the other, as the Consortium’s management style is in direct opposition to Andoran’s principles of liberty.
Founding Date
1853
Type
Consortium, Business
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
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