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.

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