Gilded Hand

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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

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.

Katalin maintains something resembling a council to see to most affairs. Under her are: the Keeper of Arms, Karel von Jsem, responsible for coordinating the hired footmen. The Master of Coin, Spatna Malicek, oversees the Counting Houses and the silver mint. Pavel Vymysleni is the Forgetender, overseeing standards and quality of ore and metals. Katalin's Seneschal, Heff Jmen, 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.

Locations

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

Notable Figures

• Katalin de Brasov; middle daughter of Count Farkas