A Primer to Guilds

Guilds are formed when practitioners of a trade band together for mutual protection and assistance. Some guilds are organised empire-wide, with local chapters taking direction from the imperial headquarters. Others are locally organized, and communicate with similar guilds in other cities but have no direct organizational ties to them. Each guild has evolved according to its own peculiar political and economic circumstances.

Guilds set prices and regulate quality. They also lobby local and imperial governments on bealf of their members. For members without powerful families, the guild fills that role by providing strength in numbers, resources, and representation. Guilds are fiercely protective of their members, but equally harsh when handling out discipline.

The strength and influence of guilds varies by city. Generally speaking, the more practitioners the guild claims, the more power that guild wields. Of course, some guilds have greater power simply by virtue of their trade. The imperial textile guild is the largest and most powerful, with shipping, banking, and various smithing guilds next in line.

All guilds have certain characteristics in common. First of all, for practitioners of many trades, membership in guilds is mandatory. This isn't enforced by imperial or local law, but by the law of the people. Practicing a trade without joining the associated guild is a sure invitation to "accidents."

Guild members pay some form of dues to the guild. This varies, and can be either a flat fee or a percentage of monthly income. This money goes to the guild treasury, ostensibly to pay for the services that the guild rovides to its membership and pay off imperial taxes. In practice, of course, much of this money lines the pockets of the guild leadership. Guilds are led either by a single guildmaster, with a subordinate group of assistant guildmasters, or by a master council, comprised of a varying number of masters in the guild trade.

Common laborers are never represented by guilds, regardless of the trade in which they are engaged. Guilds represent business owners and managers, not the workers who toil for them. In fact, laborers are prohibited by law from forming or joining guilds. The reason is simple: Organization is power, and keeping that power away from the masses maintains the status quo for the wealthy. This is particularly true for the powerful textile guild members who, employing more laborers than any other guild, stand to lose the most should their workers become organized.