Imperial Guilds

The Guilds are an initiative which bands together certain groups of craftsmen and artisans. By joining a guild, an artisan receives the benefits of being with a guild, such as easier access to resources, training and financial support, but also agrees to help the Guild as a whole to further their causes and to set their goods to a certain price and standard.
A guild consists mostly of Journeymen, which are workers that are skilled in a particular craft. These men and women have followed an apprenticeship under a Master Craftsman for a number of years and have proven to them that they are suitably skilled. A Journeyman usually works in service of another individual, such as a Master Craftsman, but would not need to work at their shop. They are however, not allowed to have employees, which is something that only Master Craftsmen are allowed.
The Master Craftsmen distinguished artisans which have proven mastery in their chosen craft. In order to become a master, a Journeyman has to donate a sum of money to the guild, and present a "masterpiece", which should prove a certain level of mastery over their craft to the guild. This masterpiece is evaluated by a group of masters, and should it be considered worthy, the Journeyman is then named a Master. After which they are allowed to open their own shop and take on apprentices.
The apprentices are at the bottom of the Guild hierarchy and perform work for a Master Craftsman at their shop. They are employed exclusively by that Master and are not allowed to work for someone else. If their master decides they have proven sufficient mastery over their craft, they might be graduated to Journeyman, and become a full part of the Guild.
Above the Masters is usually a group of overseers, who pay visits to the shops of the Master Craftsmen, to hand out any special assignments or orders commissioned to the guild. They are supposed to make sure that the Guild's members are still keeping its interests in mind and are paying their due taxes to the Guild. These Overseers also make up the ruling body of a guild, with at the top a Guildmaster, who is usually a Master at their craft, as well as a distinguished businessman and adept at politics. This position maintains considerable weight in the Empire, as they often hold a seat on the Council of Nobles, where they are expected to work for the benefit of the guild and its members.
Most guilds have their own sets of rules and their own agenda. It it not uncommon for an influential guild to claim ownership over one or more settlements and sometimes even a small army of mercenaries, to keep the interests of the guild safe.

Examples of Guilds

Armourers Guild

Blacksmiths Guild

Carpenters Guild

Clothiers' Guild

Jewelers Guild

Leatherworkers Guild

Masons Guild

Painters Guild