Post by Erian El'ranelen on Jan 10, 2013 14:54:44 GMT -6
Sub-Charter: Ring of Gold
The individual rights of all sentient beings are sacred to the Keepers of the Circle. Fundamentally, contracts show respect for those rights. Keepers of Gold are those who engage in mercantile transactions on behalf of the Keepers as well as those who represent the diplomatic arm of the Circle. Keepers of Gold are known for strictly adhering to their contracts, for providing information to the Circle, and for maintaining positive relations with other groups and nations.
Section I: Hierarchy
As with the overall Circle, individual freedom and empowerment is seen as critical to accomplishing the purpose of the Ring, thus the Ring of Gold is specifically organized to avoid multi-layered, cumbersome bureaucracies. The Guardian of Gold, known within the Ring as the Principal Mediator, guides the entire organization and serves as the final arbiter of disputes that cannot be resolved at a lower level. The Principal is assisted by three Chief Officers, each in charge of one major interest for the Ring of Gold:
Section II: Other Rings
Crystal – Provides enchanted items and spell casting services for sale, as well as magical support and protection to shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities. All knowledge acquired during trade and diplomatic efforts is shared with Crystal for archival.
Earth – Gold works closely with Earth to ensure funding is provided for construction, maintenance, and expansion of Circle holdings and infrastructure.
Iron – The primary source of goods for sale in shops and stocking caravans. Gold works directly with Iron to ensure profitability, planning for shifts in production to meet local and foreign market demand.
Light – Direct partners in providing mediation and arbitration services, with a role similar to Crystal in magical support and protection of shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities.
Shadow – Provide covert protection of shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities, especially in foreign lands. Intelligence gathered by Shadow may affect mercantile planning. All knowledge acquired during trade and diplomatic efforts is shared with Shadow for proper use in defending Circle interests.
Steel – Provide overt protection of shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities.
Wood – Scout out new caravans routes and potential diplomatic opportunities. Provide mobile support and protection to caravans and other envoy-venturers.
Section III: Missions
Ultimately, all Ring of Gold members are both diplomats and merchants that can be called on for mediation. Individual Keepers and Wardens may pursue one aspect more than the others, but the skills for each are very cross-dependent.
The Ring of Gold maintains shops in all Circle settlements, and in other settlements when possible, for any goods that are not represented by other Ring members interested in direct sales. This approach ensures all Keepers and Wardens are free to pursue non-mercantile interests while still realizing a greater return on crafted, enchanted, or otherwise acquired goods. In the event that a Circle member outside the Ring of Gold desires to manage a shop, the Ring of Gold works with that member to ensure detrimental competition does not occur and market information is provided to ensure success. The Ring of Gold also works with other Rings to establish profitable caravans, trade ventures, and standing trade routes.
Through Ambassadors, Consuls, and Envoys, the Ring of Gold serves as the diplomatic corp for the Circle. This group ensures official relations with entities remain positive, establishes new trade agreements, non-aggression pacts, and alliances, and provides a first response in conflicts in an attempt to avoid unnecessary clashes. Mediation services are also available to anyone seeking resolution to contract disputes.
With their insight into fund utilization and a broad view of what all Rings can offer, the Ring of Gold bears ultimate responsibility for all Circle funding needs. The Ring of Gold must ensure adequate funding for all recurring Circle-wide costs, generate funds for new projects, and secure appropriate savings for emergency situations. Other Rings may, of course, maintain their own specific funds if desired, but the Ring of Gold stands ready to serve this need on request.
The individual rights of all sentient beings are sacred to the Keepers of the Circle. Fundamentally, contracts show respect for those rights. Keepers of Gold are those who engage in mercantile transactions on behalf of the Keepers as well as those who represent the diplomatic arm of the Circle. Keepers of Gold are known for strictly adhering to their contracts, for providing information to the Circle, and for maintaining positive relations with other groups and nations.
Section I: Hierarchy
As with the overall Circle, individual freedom and empowerment is seen as critical to accomplishing the purpose of the Ring, thus the Ring of Gold is specifically organized to avoid multi-layered, cumbersome bureaucracies. The Guardian of Gold, known within the Ring as the Principal Mediator, guides the entire organization and serves as the final arbiter of disputes that cannot be resolved at a lower level. The Principal is assisted by three Chief Officers, each in charge of one major interest for the Ring of Gold:
- The Chief Merchant supervises all mercantile matters, including the establishment of shops within Circle territory or by Circle members, the provisioning of caravans to properly benefit the Circle, and the monitoring of market prices to ensure Circle merchants are competitive.
- The Chief Representative directs the diplomatic efforts of the circle by coordinating official representation in foreign territory and sending appropriate emissaries to lands or groups that do not yet have formal ties with the Circle.
- The Chief Financier oversees the financial needs of the Circle through the establishment of banks, coordination of investments to support projects of other Rings, and management of income/expense records and planning.
- Envoy-Venturers are members of the Circle that routinely travel on trade and/or diplomatic missions. When present, Ambassadors and Consuls serve in leadership and advisory roles to Envoy-Venturers in their assigned territory.
- Mongers are members of the Circle that maintain shops with inventory for sale. Mongers cover all sales not otherwise provide by another Ring in Circle settlements and may also provide these services to other Rings. In Circle settlements, Mongers look to the Chief Merchant for support and guidance. In foreign territory, Ambassadors and Consuls serve in leadership and advisory roles to Mongers in their assigned territory.
- Mediators are officially recognized representatives of the Circle empowered to provide impartial conflict resolution and contract negotiation services. Mediators report to one or more Chiefs, depending on their favored area(s) of arbitration.
- Bankers are officially recognized representatives of the Circle that run banks and coordinate other individual investments. These services are centralized under the Ring of Gold, but may also be provided to other Rings upon request. Bankers report to the Chief Financier.
- Consuls are officially recognized representatives of the Circle that live in another area and provide diplomatic/trade support for the Circle to the locale. There may be more than one Ambassador per location, if the size of the location warrants such. Consuls ultimately report to the Chief Representative, with an Ambassador (when present in the Consul’s location) serving as Prime Consul.
- Ambassadors are officially recognized representatives of the Circle to other groups, able to make binding decisions for the Circle with that group. They also provide diplomatic and trade oversight for their assigned territory. There is never more than one Ambassador per outside group to avoid confusion of authority, although in times of need one Ambassador might be assigned to multiple groups. Ambassadors report to the Chief Representative.
Section II: Other Rings
Crystal – Provides enchanted items and spell casting services for sale, as well as magical support and protection to shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities. All knowledge acquired during trade and diplomatic efforts is shared with Crystal for archival.
Earth – Gold works closely with Earth to ensure funding is provided for construction, maintenance, and expansion of Circle holdings and infrastructure.
Iron – The primary source of goods for sale in shops and stocking caravans. Gold works directly with Iron to ensure profitability, planning for shifts in production to meet local and foreign market demand.
Light – Direct partners in providing mediation and arbitration services, with a role similar to Crystal in magical support and protection of shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities.
Shadow – Provide covert protection of shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities, especially in foreign lands. Intelligence gathered by Shadow may affect mercantile planning. All knowledge acquired during trade and diplomatic efforts is shared with Shadow for proper use in defending Circle interests.
Steel – Provide overt protection of shops, caravans, banks, and consulate/chancery facilities.
Wood – Scout out new caravans routes and potential diplomatic opportunities. Provide mobile support and protection to caravans and other envoy-venturers.
Section III: Missions
Ultimately, all Ring of Gold members are both diplomats and merchants that can be called on for mediation. Individual Keepers and Wardens may pursue one aspect more than the others, but the skills for each are very cross-dependent.
The Ring of Gold maintains shops in all Circle settlements, and in other settlements when possible, for any goods that are not represented by other Ring members interested in direct sales. This approach ensures all Keepers and Wardens are free to pursue non-mercantile interests while still realizing a greater return on crafted, enchanted, or otherwise acquired goods. In the event that a Circle member outside the Ring of Gold desires to manage a shop, the Ring of Gold works with that member to ensure detrimental competition does not occur and market information is provided to ensure success. The Ring of Gold also works with other Rings to establish profitable caravans, trade ventures, and standing trade routes.
Through Ambassadors, Consuls, and Envoys, the Ring of Gold serves as the diplomatic corp for the Circle. This group ensures official relations with entities remain positive, establishes new trade agreements, non-aggression pacts, and alliances, and provides a first response in conflicts in an attempt to avoid unnecessary clashes. Mediation services are also available to anyone seeking resolution to contract disputes.
With their insight into fund utilization and a broad view of what all Rings can offer, the Ring of Gold bears ultimate responsibility for all Circle funding needs. The Ring of Gold must ensure adequate funding for all recurring Circle-wide costs, generate funds for new projects, and secure appropriate savings for emergency situations. Other Rings may, of course, maintain their own specific funds if desired, but the Ring of Gold stands ready to serve this need on request.