The Merchants’ Guild

A powerful lobby group representing Angasa’s merchant class.

Normal Membership is open to just about anybody who lives by trade or barter, and is willing to pay the membership price. There is a joining fee of 50gp and then an annual subscription of 12gp. Members get their market pitch at a reduced rate and attract a 5% decrease in sales and transfer taxes. Should a member become disabled, or unable to work for any authenticated reason, they receive monthly charity of 5sp. Should a member die, the guild will make a small payment for a cremation ceremony, and dependants will be found new places (apprentice, house keeper, etc. with other guild members)

Master Membership is open to members with at least two years' membership of the guild, who clearly have their own business. There is an initial administrative fee of 300gp and an annual subscription of 36gp. Master Members get to elect Guild Officers, including the Alderman, and get the same benefits as normal members. Although they attract a monthly charity of 1gp should they become disabled, and get a larger funeral if they die.

Guild Officers are elected by the master membership on the death or retirement of the incumbent. Master members, of at least two years standing, are eligible to stand for office. There are three guild officers, The Guild Master, The Guild Syndic, and The Alderman. The Guild Master chairs meetings and makes policy etc., The Syndic ensures that all of the dues are collected and alms paid, and The Alderman represents the Guild on the Council. All officers are paid a stipend of 10gp per month for their efforts.

Elections are in the council chambers and is overseen by the Malik's Deputy. Any master may nominate himself for office. Once nominations are closed, the names of the candidates are written onto special, tamperproof, boxes and placed in a room. Each member passes through the room and places a ball in one of the boxes. A candidate must get more than 50% of the balls to take office, if this is not achieved the candidate with the lowest score is removed and the ballot process starts again. If two candidates tie on the low score, they are both removed. The process continues until there is only one.

Guild Officers:

Guild Master: Peter Bramble

Guild Syndic: Yorric Alfredson

Alderman: Ath Marisi

There are currently only two other master Merchants: Yousuf Alakani and Karen Baccal