Historical Overview
Formation
The neighborhood of Newgate represents the closest one has come so far to an understanding between local government and House Semillon. Unlike territories south of the Spill, in a constant churn of turmoil and Braelea-loyalist outbreaks, Newgate was able to use its economic power to barter for a level of autonomy from the oppressive figures of the
Free Company lieutenants. This has allowed the natives of Newgate to survive much of the gentrification and Coquet Heights-influenced architectural planning that has demolished many of their adjacent neighborhoods.
"They have undertaken quite an alleged beautification, though it is far too gaudy for my taste, since I was last here. The Newgate truly is new, as one of what I believe to have been the most ancient structures in the city has been torn down to make way for a gilded cage." - Letter from Lord Thewisy home to his wife, on a trip to the New Wine Festival
The response to House Semillon's encroachment came after they began refurbishing the gate itself, one of the oldest structures in the city, in order to bolster attendance of the
New Wine Festival, the main touristic draw of Surlee. Around 80AM, the Semillon government began to implement a plan to move Surlee, visually, away from the more rugged, rural culture of the Vinelands, and towards that of the Coquet Heights in order to impress their new colleagues on the
Rostrum.
While the construction efforts instigated petitions, the favorite means of protest for an Anhara, the real issue came with an excise tax placed upon inns and taverns who refused to comply with new building standards. In response to this, they organized the Guild of Illustrious Hosts and Barmen, which would come to somewhat include shopkeepers. Through the bargaining power of this organization, the business owners of Newgate successfully shuddered their inns and taverns during the next New Wine Festival, embarrassing House Semillon before their hoped-for allies from the Coquet Heights.
Governmental Power
With the success of their protest came negotiation, and the new building codes were relaxed. Increased autonomy did not immediately follow, however, and there were some flare-ups of violence over the subsequent few years, occasionally with an added flavor of Braelea loyalism. Eventually the guild was able to reach a tacit understanding with the local lieutenant, granting them a level of neighborhood self-government, with some noteworthy exceptions.
"Their proclivity for coups and backhanded dealings have given the Semillons quite the paranoid edge. Their fortifications are dotted throughout the countryside, every approach to the city manned, even the poor servants' entrances to their palace." - Letter from Lord Thewisy home to his wife, on a trip to the New Wine Festival
The exceptions factor into the "illustrious" portion of the guild's name, excluding membership to those businesses outside of the Newgate, particularly in the Horseshoe Vale or any valeside along the
Ruby Key. This also extends to those living in the western portion of Newgate, alongside Terracetop and the Oldvine Yard. Here reside palace employees and their families, of the serving class, who are closely monitored for loyalty out of paranoia over the security of the Semillon palace. Opinions on the guild board have varied from wanting to incorporate this area, to classism, to indifference throughout the years and depending upon the personal preferences of the members.
When it comes to actual responsibility, the guild board organizes local tax, food and health relief in emergencies, maintenance of services, general cleanliness, and regulation of any festival activity in the neighborhood. They also have limited contact with, varying from year to year, the committee responsible for
Raymon's Rest and the other "official" marching season events.
Structure
The structure of the Guild of Illustrious Hosts and Barmen is twofold. Largest of the two is that responsible for the government of the neighborhood, not just the businesses within it. This group is made up of the owners of the fifteen largest inns, ten largest taverns, and five other businesses such as shops, hostels, restaurants, and so forth. The status of "largest" is assessed once a decade by five elected members, but change generally only applies to the five assorted businesses and the lower halves of the inns and taverns, with some historic leeway given to the others, allowing the most significant if not profitable to remain on the board. These are also responsible for the running of the actual, official, guild, and thus for managing issues related to business, rather than government.
Outside of these twenty-five are thirty at-large members elected every five years. Fifteen of these are bound to run for non-consecutive terms, ten others bound to run for only two consecutive terms, and the others without term limits. From the fifteen non-consecutive members are drawn, by lot, those responsible for the assessment every decade.
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