The Trading Guild

[Daos]

The Book of Villains has a list of questions regarding organizations (not necessarily evil ones). I'll post those here and we can work on answering them, regarding the guild. (Speaking of which, should we just call it 'The Trading Guild' or should it have a name?)

What do they deliver? What is their objective?
How do they acquire resources?
How are they organized?
Do they have an advantage?
How do they plan for the future?
How do they establish conformity?
How do they satisfy their audiences?
Who are their prominent characters?

Any thoughts on these?

[Airellian]

I would like to think about these questions for a few days before posting my thoughts.

[Airellian]

Should we just call it 'The Trading Guild' or should it have a name?

I think Guild or Trading Guild is fine for now. At least until it forms a more complete identity while we brainstorm.

How are they organized?

I think there should be a small local guild in each of the major Octhanian ports and cities. The monopoly conflict arises from one of the larger of these local guilds trying to exert control over the other guilds and form a sort of "super-guild".

As for how each of these guilds are organized, they should be similar to business partnerships. These guilds would basically be wealthy individuals pooling their resources together, so there would be a top tier of three to ten Guild members, with perhaps a single individual holding the title of Guildmaster. And then, a fifty to a hundred or so lower tier members. And you can add tiers to stratify the organization even further.

[Daos]

I think there should be a small local guild in each of the major Octhanian ports and cities. The monopoly conflict arises from one of the larger of these local guilds trying to exert control over the other guilds and form a sort of "super-guild".

The 'super-guild' is the one we should concern ourselves with them, as they will be one of the big movers and shakers of this setting.

What do they deliver? What is their objective?
Their objective is simple enough--to make as much money as possible. As for what they deliver, they trade goods from island to island and from other landmasses, bringing the people of each island what they need. They also try to bring order to the chaotic islands, but that service is not as welcomed as the former by some.

How do they acquire resources?
As Joe suggested, the guilds are run by wealthy individuals and families that pool their money together to make the guild work. As the guild grows more successful, it acquires more money and resources.

How are they organized?
The guild is organized as a hierarchy, with a guildmaster at the top, a council of guild leaders beneath him, and then further members in lower tiers.

Do they have an advantage?
The main advantage to the 'super-guild' is a growing monopoly and a larger pool of money and resources to draw upon. The smaller guilds in the individual city-states are often crushed by the super-guild, as they are unable to compete on price and service.

How do they plan for the future?
The guild's primary concern is creating a full monopoly in the islands. They wish to crush all competition completely, leaving only themselves to serve the people of Octhania.

How do they establish conformity?
The guild has a strict set of rules its members are expected to abide by, including standard price sets, ethical practices, and how much of a cut from profits they are allowed to keep themselves.

How do they satisfy their audiences?
Well, they have to satisfy their customers, of course, by providing them with superior goods at a reasonable price. They also have to deal with the government of the individual city-states, for things like taxes, laws, taboos (some items would be illegal in some areas, but legal in others), and so forth.

Who are the prominent characters?
Well, the guildmaster, obviously. And probably the members of the council.