Guild of Factors
The Guild of Factors, one of the recognised Guilds of Benacia, stands as the principal institution representing the lawful merchant communities within the Benacian Union. Under its auspices, merchants seeking to engage in trade or establish wholesaling enterprises must obtain their livery and charter from their respective bailiwick's chapter of the Guild.
Remit
1. Export and Import Oversight: The Guild of Factors assumes responsibility for overseeing the export of finished goods and the import of raw materials necessary for their production, particularly when domestic sources are insufficient. Additionally, it manages nominal currencies required for trade in finished goods.
2. Regulation of Trade: Intra-bailiwick trade is regulated by Liveried Companies operating under the Guild of Factors, while international trade is monopolized by the esteemed Great Corporations, such as the Honourable Company, among others. As such, the weights and measures used at market within the bailiwicks, although established in time honoured custom upon the basis of the riq, are enforced by the bailiffs on the advice of the local chapter of the guild.
3. Turnpike Bastion Control: Goods can only be imported through the Guild of Factors via designated turnpike bastions. Consequently, bailiwicks are encouraged to cultivate self-sufficiency, with an emphasis on fostering an internal market. This stands in stark contrast to socialist command economies.
4. Showcase Locations: The Guild of Factors has facilitated the establishment of specialised showcase locations to exhibit the wares of its members. Notable among these is the Grand Arcade of Chryse, serving as a prestigious venue for the display and exchange of merchandise.
5. Political activity: The Guild of Factors is one of the four guilds represented on the Chamber of Guilds and Corporations. Each continental Governorate of the Benacian Union sends eight delegates to the Chamber, with each delegate being appointed by the corresponding chapter or regional cadre of the guild or corporation represented in the Chamber, yielding two hundred and ninety-six delegates in all. In consequence of this, the Guild received a block vote of thirty-seven delegates. As such the Guild of Factors is assured that its vital interests are represented in the drafting of economic and social legislation applied across the Union-State.
