Gilded Hand

wip

Summary

Katalin de Brasov's ambitions lie in the means of production. Resource, goods, and coin must flow. There is no prosperity without trade, after all, and one must answer to the Gilded Hand, in one form or fashion, for any venture. Artisans, laborers, and merchants; most major productivity ultimately winds up in a Gilded ledger. These lands were prosperous once, and Katalin is determined to rebuild the means of resource extraction, production, and commerce that saw Avardon prosper in the past. Those that try to skirt the Gilded Hand's rules, enforcement, dues, or forego their protections or standards see the Gilded Hand become an iron fist courtesy of well-funded and well-equipped mercenaries. The Gilded Hand is thereby a loosely organized collection of common interests and remains the only hope most will ever have of rising above the station of their birth. For better and for worse, competence and ruthlessness are rewarded in equal measure.

History

Avardon, at one time, enjoyed it's geographical position. Occupying historically magically infused lands, with southern riverine access to the Moonsea to the east, and Aunoroch to the west, the shifting sands ever revealing more hidden treasures for the locals to trade, or for intrepid adventurers to seek out. Combined with dense woods and highly productive mountains to the north, Avardon once prospered greatly.

The adventurers brought here by the mists may recognize many goods as having larger Faerunian influence; Calimshan inspired glass and stone work, Cormysh culinary traditions - or what traces remain - or construction that wouldn't be out of place in the Dalelands. Very few remain in Avardon who remember these things; most are simply doing as their parents did, or attempting to piece together new ways of doing things in a new, dreary reality.

Nearly a century has passed since the hard and sudden collapse of trade in Avardon with its expulsion from Faerun. Much of the plentitude has soured, the Mists being unkind to flora and fauna alike. The river trade route is now still, what few ships or boats remain now permanently moored with nowhere to really go.

Katalina believes, however, that there might still be prosperity to be found in Avardon. Though there are none to trade with, resources remain, if one could reignite the fires of industry. If she is to live in the lap of luxury, after all, one must first sew riches to harvest. Missing the decadence Avardon once enjoyed with increasing fervor, Katalin de Brasov has sought to preserve what prosperity there was to be had, ever experimenting with new and novel methods, policies, and procedures to maintain something resembling industry and trade within the realm, resulting in the Gilded Hand being the only hope most would have of rising in status, limited only by one's ability to lead and their ruthlessness.

The influx of thousands of souls, almost all of them exceptional sorts, presents entirely new potential to capitalize on and new opportunities to exploit. Mercenaries, spies, artisans, and the knowledgeable will always find themselves in demand among the powers that be.

Organization

The arrangement of the Gilded Hand is that of a confederation of interests. Laborers who pull resources from or till the earth answer to one of many syndicates. In turn, those artisans who refine those goods typically belong to one of the myriad guilds. Merchants and logisticians are often agents of one of the counting houses. This system is enforced and protected by professional men-at-arms.

Given the loose structure, it is not uncommon for the higher echelon to involve themselves in the affairs of their colleagues, wanted or otherwise. Competition within each of these groups is cut-throat, occasionally made literal.

Locations

Their operations are being led from a library in the jungle ruins.

Notable Figures

Katalin maintains something resembling a council to see to most affairs. Under her are: the Keeper of Arms, Karel Dolezal, responsible for coordinating the hired footmen. The Master of Coin, Vesily Sokol, oversees the Counting Houses and the silver mint. Pavel Masaryk is the Forgetender, overseeing standards and quality of ore and metals. Katalin's Seneschal, Heff Kucera, oversees Katalina's logistics and general administration. All manner of Viziers, guild or syndicate representatives, and the most significant merchants might each be called to Katalin's court. The identity of her spymaster is not public knowledge. Fiala Kral has made herself indispensable, able to keep the interpersonal links running smoothly