The Northern Coast Shipping and Trading Co.

[WarderDragon]

The Northern Coast Shipping and Trading Co.

Proposal.

Tonight the Duchess and I discussed the formation of an Alliance Merchant and Trading Federation. The Northern Coast Shipping and Trading Co.

The concept began as a plan to have all Alliance Merchants (e.g. Cleopatra Selene, Tarwyn Runeblade, et. al.) friended to the All Public Forges and Crafting Halls in Dawn and Avalon.

It evolved from there.

The Northern Coast wouldn't be an actual 'Guild' - each character would retain his or her prior Citizenship (Britannia, Berg, Avalon, et. al.) and Allegiances - but instead would be an Independent League of Prospectors and Tradesmen who share their resources and exchange trade secrets. Federation Members would also be involved in IC Trade Agreements and IC / OOC Vendor Arrangements that benefit NCTC / BRPA Members.

Federation members would be involved in Sosarian / Britannian politics (e.g. Union Representation and Trade Disputes) and IC interactions with current and future Pirate and Bandit groups.

NCTC Merchants would be friended to Feluccan houses (e.g. Dawn Public Forges, the Avalonian Armory, et. al.) allowing them to gather double resources in the resource rich Northern Kingdoms under the protection of the Order of the Blue Rose and the Avalonian Guard.

There would be a Federation Bank (Chest) established in a trusted members establishment or home that would be accessable to all Federation members. It will allow a Craftsman in need of that hard to find ingredient to borrow from the chest on the condition that he or she contributes back to it. (e.g. Federation Shipbuilder borrows 1000 Boards to repair a Town Guard Ship. It would be expected that he or she help to grow the Chest by contributing that or more back to it for someone else to use at some future point.)

Federation members will elect their own 'Grandmaster.' I will be an OOC Adviser but this is to be led and organized by the dedicated Crafters and Tradesmen in our Alliance. (e.g. Tarwyn Runeblade, Cleopatra Selene, Camilla, et. al.)

A uniform piece would be chosen to identify members. This would either be a Sash or Apron. It would only be required during meetings and perhaps Bazaars.

It would be up to the members to determine the organizations moral alignment. Is the Northern Coast a benevolent and philanthropic organization that supports the Arts and gives to Orphanages? Or is it an Organized Crime Ring that smuggles Slaves and sends Street Toughs (e.g. Pirate Gang or the Order of the Crow) to harass the Competition? Could it be both?

Discuss.

 

[WarderDragon]

We might also have our own version of this.

The United Pirates - Black Market.

 

[Noble Beast]

I like this idea. It is a great way to get things rolling in the political scene. I like the fact that this group could be a middle ground for both noble & despicable purposes depending on where the money is or where the political maneuvering is most advantageous. It could also become a good cover for a spy organization & a place for Craters to perform their tedious duties in the company of others. I can see the many possibilities. *stops the rant but continues to ponder* Nice work, you two!

 

[WarderDragon]

Xanthe mentioned his desire to contribute to this discussion. I await his response.

Those familiar with World of Warcraft - and similar titles such as EverQuest II and the Pen and Paper Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting - know that there exists numerous factions a character can befriend and sometimes join separate from his or her Guild. You might remember organizations such as the Steemwheedle Cartel and the Argent Dawn.

This is the concept behind the Northern Coast Trading Co.

I plan to have more of these in the future. Organizations that don't require a Guild to be a participating member. You could be a Citizen of Dawn [DWN] or a Citizen of Hearthfire [T'nA] and be part of the Trading Federation or another Secret Organization. We had something similar in the Town Guards and Redcaps; neither of whom one had to join to be a member of.

There would remain some IC restrictions. A Dawnite wouldn't join the Town Guards of Britain but a Britannian and a Dawnite might both be part of a Secret Organization dedicated to preventing the Shadowlords reemergence in Sosaria. (e.g. The Harpers from Forgotten Realms.) You might have a Squire of Berg who is also a Nun in the Order of Pragmatic Wisdom.

It also means those people who want to start an Organization - what about a Hunting Club or Knighthood - and people can participate without the burden of leaving their own guild or attempting to create a new character.

 

[Thunderz]

Xanthe mentioned his desire to contribute to this discussion. I await his response.

Those familiar with World of Warcraft - and similar titles such as EverQuest II and the Pen and Paper Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting - know that there exists numerous factions a character can befriend and sometimes join separate from his or her Guild. You might remember organizations such as the Steemwheedle Cartel and the Argent Dawn.

This is the concept behind the Northern Coast Trading Co.

I plan to have more of these in the future. Organizations that don't require a Guild to be a participating member. You could be a Citizen of Dawn [DWN] or a Citizen of Hearthfire [T'nA] and be part of the Trading Federation or another Secret Organization. We had something similar in the Town Guards and Redcaps; neither of whom one had to join to be a member of.

There would remain some IC restrictions. A Dawnite wouldn't join the Town Guards of Britain but a Britannian and a Dawnite might both be part of a Secret Organization dedicated to preventing the Shadowlords reemergence in Sosaria. (e.g. The Harpers from Forgotten Realms.) You might have a Squire of Berg who is also a Nun in the Order of Pragmatic Wisdom.

It also means those people who want to start an Organization - what about a Hunting Club or Knighthood - and people can participate without the burden of leaving their own guild or attempting to create a new character.

I just read this and it instantly reminded me of the raven (series of books by james barclay, its epic read them) and its sooo familiar.

A band of mercenaries brought together to fight the greater evil all from different scholls of magic or warrior backgrounds, when each of there own where at war with one another.
They found friendship and tallent and trust in each other skills, being from a different guild to become one to fight evil and pervailed as each member hat talents that enhanced anothers.
So as one they where united and undestroyable, where as there own gulds or factions where waring with eachother over petty things where week to the greater evil.

Thunderz

 

[WarderDragon]

I plan to leave this discussion open until the End of December. Then I will make a decision on moving forward.

Those interested in having a role should contact me. If there is someone with ambitions of creating a Merchant Lord or Trade Baron and leading such an Organization step forward.

 

[Noble Beast]

Selene would be very interested in this but she is too shady to be at the forefront. However, if there were another entity or dark force that wanted a false front or puppet then she would be a willing spokeswoman for hire.

 

[WarderDragon]

We might choose to draw our inspiration from the Zhentarim and the Iron Throne.

I believe most people have the concept in mind. There is no shortage of Corrupt and Opportunistic Organizations in Fiction.

We might also go further down the amoral path and become the Syndicate.

Independent merchants generally tend to be individuals who deal on face value and (at least reputed) honesty. They also tend to stay out of politics, other than currying the favor of whoever or whatever is currently in charge of their favorite watering holes and way stops. Merchants trust to their luck but hire mercenaries as protection, and enough of their goods get through to make them profitable. The rulership of the lands they pass through is up to others, including retired members of their craft, whom they trust to give them a fair shake.

An apparent exception to this is the Iron Throne, a mysterious organization which has been operating over the past decade. Despite its long existance, little is known of its purpose or the identity of its backers.

The Iron Throne operates through agents, mostly low level thugs and brigands who have only recently taken legitimate employment and entered into the service of the merchant coster. The turnover is apparently high, since Iron Throne agents often seem to lapse into their old ways. The Throne denies all complicity in any criminal acts by their agents, and replaces them regularly. The Iron Throne wishes to maintain a patina of respectability, regardless of how thin.

The veneer has become thin indeed, for the Iron Throne has been charged with attempted assassination of competition, extortion, and thuggery, trading weapons to inhuman tribes, and trafficking in smoke powder, poison and drugs. There have been frequent reports of conflicts between the Iron Throne caravans and agents and those sponsored by the Zhentarim, and reports of Throne disputes with the tribes of the North and the Goblin Marches. The Iron Throne has recently been banished for a year from acting within Cormyr.

The Iron Throne may enter the adventurers' lives as an agent looking for caravan guards or someone to perform a special mission - though the Throne's actions may well be suspect, since it is perfectly willing to set up people of all races as catspaws in its plans. Throne members may also be foes, in that they are attempting to cut into the Zhentarim's clandestine slave trade, and are much less picky about their victims.

The Masters of the Iron Throne are at present unrevealed, and have to this date resisted all attempts to magically divine their identities or intentions. This indicates some level of magical ability or protection on their parts, and rumors are rampant. Some say the Iron Throne members are secretly agents of the Zhentarim, or of Cormyr, and previous actions against those groups are only to hide their trail. Some mention that some god is involved, such as Cyric or Lliira, or that some dead deity is using the Throne as a stage for ressurection. Some talk of undead beholders, sentient lizards, or pale blue sea giants as the true masters of the merchant company and the secret of its power.

The truth remains to be seen.

 

[WarderDragon]

We have an Owner.

Master Runeblade [DWN] has expressed interest in the position. I will arrange for some IC interaction between those interested and the previous owner for the mantle to be passed on and the deed signed.

Cleopatra Selene and Xanth de Orlig. I invite the two to become the Heads of the Organization in those respective Townships. (Avalon and Hearthfire.) Runeblade and the Division Chiefs will be arranging Trade Agreements and Caravans between the Townships.

I will be an OOC Advisor but the mantle is now passed to those participating in the IC development of the Trading Co.

I anticipate the Organization will be headquartered in the Kingdom of Dawn though I will leave this to be decided. WildStar has said that in time she will be able to friend Trading Co. Merchants to the Dawn Public Forges.

I have prepared a Runebook of Outdoor Mining Locations and Public Forges in Felucca. This will be a Trading Co. Members Only Book that should benefit those who want to exploit the Old World's abundant resources.

Claudia. You and the New Alliance have expressed interest in an RPvP Caravan Event between the Township of Hearthfire Haven and the Kingdom of Dawn. You interested in using the Trading Co. and the Trade Routes that are to be established following the signing declaration.

I have also received word that the Pirate Queen - Black Jenny - would be interested in planning events between the two IC Organizations. (i.e. Merchant Fleet with a Town / Royal Guard escort being raided en route in Felucca.)

 

[WarderDragon]

I anticipate the current owner of the Trading Co. will be approaching Runeblade sometime before the end of the week.