Northern Traders
Mar 23, 2017 14:44:23 GMT
SouthWestern Traders, Maelgwyn ap Cadwgan (TOG), and 1 more like this
Post by James Holt (NT) on Mar 23, 2017 14:44:23 GMT
Northern Traders is a union of craftsmen's guilds and organised trade caravans. Until a few years ago, their byzantine contracts; organized bribes of Lothian war-bands and employ of the fiercest war-bands as caravan guards made them the only safe and reliable way to transport anything in the northern half of Albion. After James Holt made his entry into the court of camelot, the guild has grown at a lightning pace.
The Grand Guildhall and affiliated crafter's guilds dominate most of Camelots merchant ward. Under Holts leadership, the guild has shed many of its Lothian trimmings in favor of southern customs, and refocused their efforts on carpentry, masonry and metalworking. Skilled craftsmen can apply for guild sponsorship, where proof of aptitude can land them favorable work orders from across the realm. Northern Traders delivers their craftsmanship, and skims a transport fee for the guild coffers. A sufficiently well-connected craftsman can find his makers mark anywhere in Albion as a result.
The guild is rigidly structured. Many joke that the guild has buried countless enemies under piles of contracts and paperwork. Every senior member knows who they report to, and who is supposed to report to them. The master trader sits at the top of the hierarchy, with multiple lieutenants and specialist advisers propagating his decrees to his underlings. Their motto is profit above all, and the guild never pursues goals that it does not deem immediately profitable.
After coming to Camelot, a large number of guild holdings in Lothia and Bayard broke free, citing the oppressive rules of Camelot getting in the way of good business practice. James Holt has been working tirelessly to bring them back into the guild, while simultaneously purging his leadership of dissenting voices. Holt has been adamant that reputation carries more weight than gold, and makes sure the guild carries out its obligations to the letter. Among the common folk at least, NT is regarded as impeccably honest and trustworthy. Holt has been very vocal that the results someone provides carries more weight with him than their provenance. As a result, both ambitious women and nonhumans regularly rise to leadership positions in the Northern Traders.
James Holt
James Holt appeared at the court of Camelot one day, charmed the king with golden promises and made good on them in short order. He was a fat, jovial man who always seemed to have something nice to say about everyone. Beneath the surface however, lurked a keen mind. Many have walked away from a meeting with the master trader immensely pleased with themselves, and a signed contract where they have promised away half of what they own to James Holt. He seemed almost obsessed with amassing wealth for himself and his guild. At almost every chance he has been given, he has shied away from getting involved in conflict and found a way to increase his guilds earnings instead. He has lost a lot of weight following the recent attempt on his life and 6 month absence. He has taken to walking with a cane for assistence - an opulent thing made of heartwood and gold, encrusted with gems.
Kelly McLarnon
During James Holts absence, Guildmistress Kelly McLarnon stood in for James Holt. She is known to work tirelessly for the guild, usually wielding a writ of authority signed by the Master Trader. What is known about her is that her father was in one of the first Lothian war-bands that worked with James Holt. At some point in the past her father died in service of the Lothian Traders and Holt adopted her. She has retained her clan name including the "Mc" honorific indicating that she has killed enemies in battle. Prior to her appointment as Master Trader, she served as James Holts chief of security. Whenever the Northern Traders transport the vast riches they have been known to lend to rulers, McLarnon has hand picked the security detail to go with them. She has not taken to the Camelot customs nearly as fast as James Holt did. She is well-liked among the caravan crews for her no-nonsense approach and impeccable safety records.
In recent years, she has held the titles of Guildmistress of Umbria and Field Marshal. Private tutors have sanded some of the rough edges off her, but she is still very much a soldier who favours a direct approach. Much to the consternation of several domains when she informed a tent full of diplomats to make peace or else. Though their approaches to problem solving are very different, Holt is known to take a paternal pride in her accomplishments regardless and affords her considerable leeway in how she goes about conducting guild business in his stead. It is rumoured - but not confirmed - that she is being groomed for command as Holt's preferred successor.
She no longer travels incognito with caravans - she's become too public a figure. Her field marshal uniform still incorporates multiple old battle trophies in its design, and she often travels with a honor guard of Lothians from her old clan.
Nestor Holt
James Holt is known to have a son with his late wife, who presumably works somewhere in the guild. The leaders of the major guilds know of his identity, but he has so far refrained from making public appearances.
Elothirel
A veteran of the Hibernian crusades and wood elf of Umbria. Has seemingly struck up a close friendship with Kelly McLarnon. Currently acting as a general for the Guild Wardens, Elothirel oversees scouting and strategy while the field marshal handles logistics and drilling. Shortly after the Alined incident, the general has started wearing tartan matching that of the field marshals lothian clanguard.
The Grand Guildhall and affiliated crafter's guilds dominate most of Camelots merchant ward. Under Holts leadership, the guild has shed many of its Lothian trimmings in favor of southern customs, and refocused their efforts on carpentry, masonry and metalworking. Skilled craftsmen can apply for guild sponsorship, where proof of aptitude can land them favorable work orders from across the realm. Northern Traders delivers their craftsmanship, and skims a transport fee for the guild coffers. A sufficiently well-connected craftsman can find his makers mark anywhere in Albion as a result.
The guild is rigidly structured. Many joke that the guild has buried countless enemies under piles of contracts and paperwork. Every senior member knows who they report to, and who is supposed to report to them. The master trader sits at the top of the hierarchy, with multiple lieutenants and specialist advisers propagating his decrees to his underlings. Their motto is profit above all, and the guild never pursues goals that it does not deem immediately profitable.
After coming to Camelot, a large number of guild holdings in Lothia and Bayard broke free, citing the oppressive rules of Camelot getting in the way of good business practice. James Holt has been working tirelessly to bring them back into the guild, while simultaneously purging his leadership of dissenting voices. Holt has been adamant that reputation carries more weight than gold, and makes sure the guild carries out its obligations to the letter. Among the common folk at least, NT is regarded as impeccably honest and trustworthy. Holt has been very vocal that the results someone provides carries more weight with him than their provenance. As a result, both ambitious women and nonhumans regularly rise to leadership positions in the Northern Traders.
James Holt
James Holt appeared at the court of Camelot one day, charmed the king with golden promises and made good on them in short order. He was a fat, jovial man who always seemed to have something nice to say about everyone. Beneath the surface however, lurked a keen mind. Many have walked away from a meeting with the master trader immensely pleased with themselves, and a signed contract where they have promised away half of what they own to James Holt. He seemed almost obsessed with amassing wealth for himself and his guild. At almost every chance he has been given, he has shied away from getting involved in conflict and found a way to increase his guilds earnings instead. He has lost a lot of weight following the recent attempt on his life and 6 month absence. He has taken to walking with a cane for assistence - an opulent thing made of heartwood and gold, encrusted with gems.
Kelly McLarnon
During James Holts absence, Guildmistress Kelly McLarnon stood in for James Holt. She is known to work tirelessly for the guild, usually wielding a writ of authority signed by the Master Trader. What is known about her is that her father was in one of the first Lothian war-bands that worked with James Holt. At some point in the past her father died in service of the Lothian Traders and Holt adopted her. She has retained her clan name including the "Mc" honorific indicating that she has killed enemies in battle. Prior to her appointment as Master Trader, she served as James Holts chief of security. Whenever the Northern Traders transport the vast riches they have been known to lend to rulers, McLarnon has hand picked the security detail to go with them. She has not taken to the Camelot customs nearly as fast as James Holt did. She is well-liked among the caravan crews for her no-nonsense approach and impeccable safety records.
In recent years, she has held the titles of Guildmistress of Umbria and Field Marshal. Private tutors have sanded some of the rough edges off her, but she is still very much a soldier who favours a direct approach. Much to the consternation of several domains when she informed a tent full of diplomats to make peace or else. Though their approaches to problem solving are very different, Holt is known to take a paternal pride in her accomplishments regardless and affords her considerable leeway in how she goes about conducting guild business in his stead. It is rumoured - but not confirmed - that she is being groomed for command as Holt's preferred successor.
She no longer travels incognito with caravans - she's become too public a figure. Her field marshal uniform still incorporates multiple old battle trophies in its design, and she often travels with a honor guard of Lothians from her old clan.
Nestor Holt
James Holt is known to have a son with his late wife, who presumably works somewhere in the guild. The leaders of the major guilds know of his identity, but he has so far refrained from making public appearances.
Elothirel
A veteran of the Hibernian crusades and wood elf of Umbria. Has seemingly struck up a close friendship with Kelly McLarnon. Currently acting as a general for the Guild Wardens, Elothirel oversees scouting and strategy while the field marshal handles logistics and drilling. Shortly after the Alined incident, the general has started wearing tartan matching that of the field marshals lothian clanguard.
