The Major Trade Associations
The Major Trade Associations
There are ten major trade associations that operate legitimately in the lands of Britannia and among its trading partners. Many of these guilds are divided into local or specialty subguilds, who use the same colors but vary the heraldic pattern. There are many lesser trade associations that have closed membership, and one can join only by invitation. "Beltran's Guide to the Guilds" is the definitive text on the fulll range of guilds and other associations in Britannia, and I heartily recommend it.
In what follows I have attempted to bring together the known information regarding these guilds. I offer thee the name, typical membership, heraldic colors, known specialty organizaitons within the larger guild, and any known affiliations to other guilds, which often occur because of trade reasons.
League of Rangers Members: rangers, bowyers, animal trainers Colors: Red, gold, and blue
The Guild of Arcane Arts Members: alchemists and wizards Colors: blue and purple Subguilds: Illusionists, Mages, Wizards Affiliations: Healer's Guild
The Warrior's Guild Members: mercenaries, soldiery, guardsmen, weapons masters, paladins Colors: Blue and red Subguilds: Cavalry, Fighters, Warriors Affiliations: League of Rangers
Merchant's Association Members: innkeepers, taverners, jewelers, provisioners Colors: gold coins on a green field for Merchants, White & green for others Subguilds: Barters, Provisioners, Traders, Merchants
Guild of Healers Members: Healers Colors: Green, gold, and purple Affiliations: Guild of Arcane Arts
Mining Cooperative Members: miners Colors: blue and black checkers, with a gold cross Affiliations: Order of Engineers
Order of Engineers Members: tinkers and engineers Colors: Blue, gold, and purple vertical bars Affiliations: Mining Cooperative
Society of Clothiers Members: tailors and weavers Colors: purple, gold, and red horizontal bars
Maritime Guild Members: fishermen, sailors, mapmakers, shipwrights Colors: blue and white Subguilds: Fishermen, Sailors, Shipwrights
Bardic Collegium Members: bards, musicians, storytellers Colors: Purple, red, and gold checkerboard
In addition to these aboveboard guilds, there is one other covert organization well known to exist, whose membership is likewise open to those who seek to apply. In some places where illegal activities are condoned more openly, they dare post their sigils publicly.
No law-abiding citizen would ever join a guild such as this, of course! Yet their existence must be acknowledged of the sake of completeness.
Society of Thieves Members: beggers, cutpurses, assassins, and brigands Colors: Red and black Subguilds: Rogues (beggars), Assassins, Thieves
