Guilds of Mt. Kyora

Guild Distribution

Since its founding, the city of Mt. Kyora has chased out, overthrown, or otherwise deposed no less than thirty two attempts to install noble oversight in the city proper. The first attempt, by an enterprising but poor Orelli noble in 302, failed spectacularly when he attempted to intimidate the miners into obeying him. Once his accountant admitted that the miners were pulling gemstones worth twice what the noble had in his coffers every day, they proceeded to buy him out of house and home. That tradition continued, and with it, the idea of professionals banding together.

Guild membership in Mt. Kyora is not merely a token of skill, but rather a sign of citizenship. Not every profession is represented as a minor guild, but nearly all can find some greater umbrella willing to take them in. Adults without guild membership, whether as an active member or spouse of, are largely held to be less than true citizens of the city. Therefore, the vast majority are affiliated with one or another.

Unguilded

Since spouses are counted as part of guild membership, provided they are not registered with another guild themselves, there are two primary groups that lack guild protection: those who are underage for apprenticeships, which usually begin around ages 10-14 depending on discipline, and those who have never learned a trade. These individuals may still work odd jobs around the city, but are typically considered the city's 'undesirables.'

The unguilded account for a combined 19% of the city's population, or approximately 6,500 souls.

Miners Guilds

The main powerhouse in Mt. Kyora, the Miners guild representative has been the Council's Primary speaker more often than not. The group is also the most unified of the guilds, with only four subfactions. The Miners guilds are considered the main voting block to win over for any new legislation, as weaker guilds representatives will typically vote in tandem with the Mining Guild. Regarded as the most dangerous, the most honorable, and the most traditional role in Mt. Kyora, the Miners guilds rarely hurt for membership.

The Miners guilds are divided into the Quarriers, the Gemstone Miners, the Orriers, and the Panners, who sift through the sediment of the mountain's rivers. Together, they account for the largest guilded portion of Mt. Kyora's population, at 15% and approximately 5,000 members.

Luxury Guilds

A more recent political block, the Luxury guilds are also sometimes referred to as the 'miscellaneous' or 'gilded' guilds by their detractors. In the last decade, the numbers of the Jeweler's and Gemcutter's guilds have risen sharply. Currently, members of the two minor guilds are beginning to petition for a twelfth faction to be made, dedicated to the gemstone trade exclusively. This would result in a severe powershift, particularly if they can persuade the gemstone miners to shift allegiance from the Miners guilds.

Contrary to popular belief, however, the rise of the Luxury guild's power has less to do with the wealth and numbers of Jewelers and Gemcutters, and more to do with the influence of the messenger faction. As a chapter of the Lavender Correspondence, its members were among some of the first to begin advocating for involvement in the Theoli Revolution. That garnered their and the people's goodwill, and after the war, the Jewelers and Gemcutters were among the population less affected by losses.

The Luxury guilds cover the Jeweler and Gemcutters guilds, as well as the Chandlers, Musicians, Messengers, and 'guilds of pleasure.' Though most of the faction is now in the first two guilds, together they account for another 12% of the city's population, or 4,000 people.

Architectural Guilds