Overview
The Minrothad Guilds are a maritime nation located on a series of islands, a confederation of powerful guilds rather than a traditional kingdom or empire. It is a nation of merchants, artisans, and seafarers, with a strong emphasis on trade, profit, and craftsmanship. The guilds are a unique blend of various races, with humans, elves, dwarves, and hin all living and working together under the banner of commerce. The nation is a neutral power, preferring to engage in trade rather than war, and its powerful merchant fleet is a common sight in all the major ports of the Known World.
Appearance
The landscape of the Minrothad Guilds is a collection of lush, forested islands. The islands are home to a number of bustling port cities, which are a chaotic but organized mix of different architectural styles, reflecting the various races and cultures that make up the guilds. The ports are filled with ships of all sizes and descriptions, from small fishing boats to massive merchant galleons. The people of the Minrothad Guilds are a diverse lot, with all the major races living side-by-side. Their clothing is practical and designed for life at sea, and they are often adorned with the colors and symbols of their respective guilds.
Culture
The culture of the Minrothad Guilds is one of commerce, craftsmanship, and competition. The guilds are at the center of life, and a person's status is determined by their skill and their wealth. They are a highly pragmatic and practical people, with little interest in war or conquest. Their religion is a mix of various pantheons, with a strong emphasis on gods of commerce, luck, and the sea. They have a strong tradition of guild apprenticeships, and a person's life is often dedicated to a single craft, which they strive to perfect.
Society
The society of the Minrothad Guilds is a plutocracy, a government ruled by the wealthy and powerful. The nation is ruled by the Council of Master Guildsmen, a group of the most powerful and influential guild leaders. This council, in turn, elects a single Grand Master to lead the nation. Below the council are the various guilds, which control every aspect of life, from trade and shipping to crafting and magic. Social status is determined by one's wealth and their standing within their guild, and a person can rise to great power through hard work and cunning.
Territory
The Minrothad Guilds are an archipelago of islands located on the southern coast of the Known World. Their territory is limited to the islands themselves and the surrounding sea lanes, which they patrol with their powerful merchant fleets. The islands are a mix of different environments, with some being heavily forested and others being rocky and barren. The islands have a number of natural harbors, which have been fortified and developed into bustling ports.
Resources
The Minrothad Guilds have no natural resources to speak of. Their wealth is entirely based on trade, craftsmanship, and their control of the sea. They are masters of crafting, and their goods are highly sought after throughout the Known World. Their merchant fleet is their greatest resource, and they use it to transport goods, information, and people across the seas. Their true wealth, however, is their network of trade connections and their shrewd business acumen.
Military
The military of the Minrothad Guilds is not a traditional standing army. It is a powerful navy of heavily armed merchant ships, which are more than capable of defending themselves from pirates and rival nations. They are masters of naval combat, and they are known for their use of powerful ballistae and other siege weapons. The military is a professional organization, with a clear chain of command, and its sailors are some of the most skilled and experienced on the seas.
Relations
How the Minrothad Guilds Feels about Others: The Minrothad Guilds are a neutral nation, and they have a pragmatic and business-like approach to foreign relations. They are willing to trade with any nation, as long as it is profitable. They have a competitive relationship with the Kingdom of Ierendi, a rival for control of the sea lanes. They have a cordial relationship with the Empire of Thyatis, as they often trade with them. They view the Grand Duchy of Darokin as a natural trading partner, and the two nations often work together.
How Others Feel about the Minrothad Guilds: Many nations view the Minrothad Guilds with a mix of respect and suspicion. They are seen as a powerful economic force, and their goods are highly sought after. They are also viewed as cunning and greedy, and they are known for their willingness to put profit before principle. The Kingdom of Ierendi sees them as a rival for control of the seas, while the Empire of Thyatis sees them as a useful, if untrustworthy, trading partner.
Reputation
The Minrothad Guilds have a reputation as a nation of shrewd merchants, masterful artisans, and powerful seafarers. They are seen as a neutral and pragmatic power, a nation that will not get involved in a war unless it is profitable to do so. They are also known for their powerful navy and their ability to defend their trade routes from any who would seek to disrupt them. They are a testament to the idea that wealth, cunning, and a strong fleet are just as powerful as any army.