We never really seemed to hammer out anything concrete with regard to the government. So here goes my second attempt.
Guilds vs. Nobility – Most of the wealth of Mor’s End is tied up in five things. Pottery, silk, sapphires, shipping (by caravan or cog) and sheep. Each of these is controlled by a main power bloc – which are as follows.
1. Sheep are mainly raised by the country gentry’s employees. These gentry consist of Houses Harrowdale, Kelvin, Kelsios, Franhaig, Oghn, and Vuelth. With the exception of house Kelvin, they own steddings in the countryside. They have old money – the original wealth of Mor’s End. Most of their new enterprises are found in the city, as are most of the leaders of the six houses. With that said, they are still the most abundant suppliers of Mor’s End food – Mor’s End mutton. With the notable exception of Lord Vuelth, few take any part in the raising of their livestock.
2. Shipping is controlled by the Merchant’s Council. The nobles who have ties to this guild either bought their titles after the first sack, or were country Gentry who moved from farming to shipping early in the city’s trading years. Haljan, (more names), are all connected to the Merchant’s Council.
3. Sapphires. The principal nobility are old Gnome families who are respected jewellers. Interestingly enough, the Glittering Brotherhood actually bought the nobility for several of it’s leaders several hundred years ago – using funds contributed from all members. Most joined at the same time as the Merchant’s Circle nobility. Houses Drekan, Nitstar, and (more names) have close ties to the Glittering Brotherhood.
4. Silk. The elves of House Palmora pushed into the noble ranks through prodigious use of wealth. In probably the most expensive year for a guild ever, the Silker’s managed to push house Palmora into owning a title. Through political manuevering, Palmora managed to bring in the other elven houses, (more names), all who hold considerable percentages of the Watersilk market.
5. Pottery. As with the Merchant’s Council, the Glazer’s Guild managed to buy several key titles/assimilate some gentry in the early years of Mor’s End. Houses (more names) have all gained most of their wealth from pottery, and continue to do so.
Council Members - The following dictates how each member gained a seat on the council. Some hold a seat due to a long upheld tradition, others through charters involved in the original guilds (most noticeably the Mage’s Guild). Some are appointed by Lady Kelvin.
1. Noble from Merchant’s Council. The only representative of Merchant Council power. Holds considerable sway in the guild due to this. Not the largest shipping cartel – but they claim a seat due to ancient tradition. Originally a clan of sheep farmers, the family shifted early on to caravan trade, and swiftly became a sizeable competitor. Though no longer as large as they once were, the tradition of respect and long lineage of this House means it continues to represent Merchant Council interests.
2. The Stranger. Lady Kelvin, as is her right, has raised this foreigner to a position on the council. Now an influential figure in the city, the Stranger is quite knowledgeable of foreign lands – the main reason they are kept on the council.
3. Noble of the Glittering Brotherhood. Amble Drekan holds the current seat for the Glittering Brotherhood. When the Glittering Brotherhood purchased their titles, they also managed to include a provision, which granted one of their houses a seat. Since most of the Glittering Brotherhood tends to act of one accord (in contrast to the fractitious Merchant’s Council), they usually choose one of their nobles to represent them in all Council meetings. This is elected from the craftsmen of the guild, but only the nobles may stand for election.
4. Noble of the Gentry. Lord Bentley Harrowdale holds this seat. One of the oldest familes of Mor’s End, House Harrowdale was founded by the leader of the shepherder clans. He was given a seat on the council, and the Harrowdales continue to hold it due to this ancestral claim.
5. Noble of the Gentry. See above, save with a different noble.
6. Unsure.
7. Noble with ties to the Glazers. The Glazer’s hold a seat which they managed to take from one of the original founding families of Mor’s End. Similarly to the Merchant’s Council.
8. Noble of the silk-fishers. Rich elven watersilkers managed to strong-arm their way into the council under the weaker leadership of one of the earlier rulers of the city. Now held by Anton Palmora, the leadership will soon pass to Tomas. Many of the elves privately doubt that Tomas can lead the silkers as effectively as his predecessor – only time will tell.
9. Marcus Fleetfoot – Hold no vote.
10. Dwarven Ambassador – Hold no vote.
11. Alestra Silvyn. Under the original charter of the Mage’s Guild, the right to a council seat was granted. Though it has traditionally meant little to the running of the city, Alestra has taken a much more active role in the council. Due to this power amongst the rulers of the city, Alestra is much more able to hold on to her position – despite her unpopularity with the ‘old guard’ of the Mage’s Guild.
12. Sebastiano Palmora – Head of military.
Lady Kelvin serves as the head of the city’s main lawmaking body. She can tax (though these have traditionally been restricted to land taxes), make laws, and generally d as she pleases. The Castellan is appointed by each city ruler – and it pays to choose wisely.
The Castellan serves as the voice of the ruler on the council. They may hold any legislation up for the approval of the city ruler, but usually serve as a buffer to prevent the myriad of small day-to-day problems from bothering the ruler. The Council is empowered as a judicial body, may institute tariffs, duties, and customs fees, and can also pass laws – especially those that deal with mercantile matters. The Castellan may prevent any law from being enacted, and the city ruler may take a look at the legislation and discard it. For this reason, the Castellan needs be trusted to not have a vested interest in the guilds – which are usually trying to push through various legislation benefiting themselves.
The council works as a majority vote/ two thirds vote/ unanimous (I don’t know which is preferred.)
Anyway. Input?
