((((A small side story that was started many many months ago yet abandoned. I figured I'd settle it here and allow the Syndicate to grow some through it... if only to stir up some intrigue from outside)))
The grass felt good under his feet and the air was clean. Charles took a deep breath and surveyed the immediate area. It was a beautiful sunny day and the breeze blew gently across the open plain. If it wasnÂ’t for the busy and loud laborers nearby, it would be the perfect spot for a nap. He looked over to where a small sparrow SpellJammer, his personal craft, was being unloaded for the 4th time. Several crates were being stacked nearby, atop crates already ferried from the first three trips and all the crates carried the stamp of both the Consortium and the Syndicate. Although it could not be seen from this area, high above the ground was a large SpellJammer warship. It was loaded with even more crates yet to be brought to the planetÂ’s surface.
As they were being unloaded, and the Sparrow pilot headed up for another load, the crates were being opened one by one by several large men who appeared to be officers of some military organization. They were well dressed and professional. TheyÂ’d pick up some of the weapons one by one and check their weight and balance. TheyÂ’d test the shields and breastplates or attach spearheads and throw them at targets. There were thousands of weapons and hundreds of suits of armor sitting nearby once the warship had finally been emptied. All were unmarked but were made from good quality steel and were well craftedÂ… forged and purchased from the Doomguard.
The people purchasing the weapons had not yet mastered the art of steel. They used iron weapons which were much more brittle and heavy. The weapons that filled the cratesÂ… and the breastplates and shieldsÂ… would permit them to take out opponents 10 times their size. It would assure them victory over their poorer equipped cousins.
A chest filled with gems, platinumÂ’s and jewels was placed in front of Charles for him to examine. A couple of spells later and he was satisfied the full amount was there. He shook hands with the supervising officers and made for the waiting cargo ship.
He had been sitting on this large cache of weapons for a long time. He had made a deal many months ago with specific Sinkers in preparation for another deal that had fallen through at the buyer level. He had a great investment in the goods that sat in the warehouse collecting dust. It was when he heard through various mercantile channels in Sigil and Tradegate that the Merkants were preparing to arm these people in exchange for a kingÂ’s ransom in payment that he knew he had to act. While the Merkants set to prepare to fill the order, Charles contacted an old friend from the Cartel and contracted her ship for the task. They made haste to this spot, beating the Merkant ships by several days, and made the buyers a sweeter offer.
It was cleanÂ… and extremely profitableÂ… not so much for the Merkants who would take a very large hit on this one.
He had decided to cut the Syndicate in for a cut of the profits, a healthy amount for the coffers, if only to raise their profile in the world of Sigilian politics, but the lions share would go to the Consortium.
Not everyone had the stomach for arms dealing. It was inevitable that dealing in such would ensure the deaths of thousandsÂ… but business was business.
The trip back was a relaxing one. Charles was in the business of profitÂ… and business? It was good.
The Syndicate
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*Darkrob
- Posts: 1097
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
With the loan program in full swing, the offices of both the Fated and Fraternity were busy transferring property deeds to the Syndicate and the Consortium and filing debts as paid in full. Day after day Syndicate representatives in all four wards would meet with debt holders to negotiate the paying off of the debts that threatened to draw Mercykiller attention.
Charles spent a fair amount of time personally negotiating debt transfers of those who would otherwise require privacy and secrecyÂ… if only to maintain their positions and status in their communities or to avoid embarrassment due to their positions. Factotums, Notaries, Harmonium officers and an assortment of other Faction members, those who had debts and needed to remainÂ… clean. These people he made special deals with. Most were not required to sign over property or assetsÂ… most were permitted to use position as collateral.
As payments started to flow backÂ… it was time to decide how to invest this income as simply sitting on it would do no good.
During the next meeting, Charles begins;
“I’ve created a proposal for you all to consider. As you’re aware, our coffers begin to fill with the proceeds of the last project I brought to the table. As you can all attest… it was a very profitable suggestion that has benefitted us all greatly. I am proud to know that my efforts to strengthen the Syndicate bears fruit for us all. So with that being said, I have a proposal to make in how we use these funds to further our goals and our profit margins.
I suggest we invest our exterior operations, those outside the boundaries of UnderSigil, with the Consortium. As you know the Consortium spider-webs throughout the city and beyond as a merchant houseÂ… and we all know there is great profit in the mercantile business. IÂ’ve already been generous enough to cut the Syndicate in on a few select Consortium deals in order to increase our profile and gold reserves. That alone shows the commitment IÂ’m willing to make to this groupÂ… to this family.
The Syndicate can continue to profit by directly funding the Consortium in return for an increased share of Consortium profits. In return, the Consortium uses its mercantile expertise in the field. The Consortium has established contacts, established supply routes, established customer and supply bases, a legal team and a proven record of maintaining profitabilityÂ… even in the least profitable markets. With a large increase in cash flow, the Consortium will not only be able to branch out into newer markets, but will immediately be able to purchase less successful merchant houses and take on their business and contracts, hire more security to protect new routes and become a viable player in the Mercantile community here and abroad. This would guarantee Syndicate coffers would continue to grow, permitting either reinvestment in the Consortium or the beginning of new projects.
This is an opportunity for the Syndicate to reach out beyond the dark caves and tunnels of the Under Village. It would force the movers and shakers of the surface to sit up and take note.
I am willing to discuss any aspect of this as you wish."
((bear in mind that we need an opposing movement in order to create events, intrigue, confrontation and such and the Merkhants, being a non-faction group, are a good place to start))
Charles spent a fair amount of time personally negotiating debt transfers of those who would otherwise require privacy and secrecyÂ… if only to maintain their positions and status in their communities or to avoid embarrassment due to their positions. Factotums, Notaries, Harmonium officers and an assortment of other Faction members, those who had debts and needed to remainÂ… clean. These people he made special deals with. Most were not required to sign over property or assetsÂ… most were permitted to use position as collateral.
As payments started to flow backÂ… it was time to decide how to invest this income as simply sitting on it would do no good.
During the next meeting, Charles begins;
“I’ve created a proposal for you all to consider. As you’re aware, our coffers begin to fill with the proceeds of the last project I brought to the table. As you can all attest… it was a very profitable suggestion that has benefitted us all greatly. I am proud to know that my efforts to strengthen the Syndicate bears fruit for us all. So with that being said, I have a proposal to make in how we use these funds to further our goals and our profit margins.
I suggest we invest our exterior operations, those outside the boundaries of UnderSigil, with the Consortium. As you know the Consortium spider-webs throughout the city and beyond as a merchant houseÂ… and we all know there is great profit in the mercantile business. IÂ’ve already been generous enough to cut the Syndicate in on a few select Consortium deals in order to increase our profile and gold reserves. That alone shows the commitment IÂ’m willing to make to this groupÂ… to this family.
The Syndicate can continue to profit by directly funding the Consortium in return for an increased share of Consortium profits. In return, the Consortium uses its mercantile expertise in the field. The Consortium has established contacts, established supply routes, established customer and supply bases, a legal team and a proven record of maintaining profitabilityÂ… even in the least profitable markets. With a large increase in cash flow, the Consortium will not only be able to branch out into newer markets, but will immediately be able to purchase less successful merchant houses and take on their business and contracts, hire more security to protect new routes and become a viable player in the Mercantile community here and abroad. This would guarantee Syndicate coffers would continue to grow, permitting either reinvestment in the Consortium or the beginning of new projects.
This is an opportunity for the Syndicate to reach out beyond the dark caves and tunnels of the Under Village. It would force the movers and shakers of the surface to sit up and take note.
I am willing to discuss any aspect of this as you wish."
((bear in mind that we need an opposing movement in order to create events, intrigue, confrontation and such and the Merkhants, being a non-faction group, are a good place to start))
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*MirielKanan
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
*Emmy, who is back after a small hiatus, shakes her head at this.*
I am liking this idea, let me know if there is any aid or resources that I can bring into this.
I am liking this idea, let me know if there is any aid or resources that I can bring into this.
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*Lucereflame
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
*garm just yawned at the whole talking a finger lodged into his nose cleaning it out*
You just tell when you need Strength or dirt on people above. Garm good at listening when they think is crazy.
*with that he ate the snot off his clawed fingernail and blinked*
You just tell when you need Strength or dirt on people above. Garm good at listening when they think is crazy.
*with that he ate the snot off his clawed fingernail and blinked*
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*Midnight
- Posts: 870
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Annia looks over at the large toad like slaad and blinks once as if she hasn't noticed it eat the grime from the back of its own fingernails. She looks over at Charles.
"I already have a successful business on the surface and have acquired a large share in several more which are beginning to thrive now that their owners have been released from the debtors prison. I will of course be happy to offer whatever means of assistance I can to our endeavor. For a return of the previously agreed upon rate of course."
"I think it would be best if we began by reminding the lesser mercantile houses of the surface how harsh the current economic climate is and how much we as a group have the best interests of such struggling enterprises as theirs at heart."
"I already have a successful business on the surface and have acquired a large share in several more which are beginning to thrive now that their owners have been released from the debtors prison. I will of course be happy to offer whatever means of assistance I can to our endeavor. For a return of the previously agreed upon rate of course."
"I think it would be best if we began by reminding the lesser mercantile houses of the surface how harsh the current economic climate is and how much we as a group have the best interests of such struggling enterprises as theirs at heart."
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Issanthis listens silently its emotions (if it has any) impossible to read.
When it adresses its peers it seems wary and cautious.
::The Consortium has some history in attracting trouble. Trouble is bad for business in many ways. While I welcome a mutula beneficial cooperation we need to remember who we are and we shall not be drawn into conflicts that are not ours. ::
It gets up, the tentacles moving to support its mental voice.
:: Yet growth is necessary. Growth is important for us to be able to compete- now and in future.
What the merchants on the surface do not need right now is more pressure. Trouble.
Dealing with us or the Consortium means pressure for some of the more squeamish merchants. They will turn down an offer to help them fearing our spreading influence.
Yet we want them too, we need them too.
I suggest to infiltrate or buy a minor house or guild with good reputation first and using them as a rally point for all those who do not want to deal with us directly.
This gives us time to collect leverage against them as well as infilitrate their ranks so we can later increase our influence on their buisness and holding. ::
When it adresses its peers it seems wary and cautious.
::The Consortium has some history in attracting trouble. Trouble is bad for business in many ways. While I welcome a mutula beneficial cooperation we need to remember who we are and we shall not be drawn into conflicts that are not ours. ::
It gets up, the tentacles moving to support its mental voice.
:: Yet growth is necessary. Growth is important for us to be able to compete- now and in future.
What the merchants on the surface do not need right now is more pressure. Trouble.
Dealing with us or the Consortium means pressure for some of the more squeamish merchants. They will turn down an offer to help them fearing our spreading influence.
Yet we want them too, we need them too.
I suggest to infiltrate or buy a minor house or guild with good reputation first and using them as a rally point for all those who do not want to deal with us directly.
This gives us time to collect leverage against them as well as infilitrate their ranks so we can later increase our influence on their buisness and holding. ::
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*Darkrob
- Posts: 1097
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
You raise some good points, well aside from the choice of snackÂ… (looks to Garm) but some things must be considered.
First Mrs. Kendt, I realize youÂ’re a successful merchant and enchanter. I applaud your efforts in business but you neednÂ’t worry about the growth of the ConsortiumÂ… at least too much. When I talk about increasing market and influence, I speak on a much wider scale. While I would like to absorb all the independent merchants I can, and you are more than welcome to join our ranks, I am more focused on larger markets.
Sigil exists as a large, mass consuming, organism. A city built on greed, decadence and lust for goodsÂ… but Sigil has a fatal flaw that allows merchant houses to exploit it. It has no natural resources of its own. No farms, no pastures, no general goods industries, only specialized mills and foundries. It simply exists as a large basket with which houses, much like the Consortium, import everything it needs to exist. These are the markets weÂ’re targeting.
The Merkhants currently control a huge part of the market simply by creating an organization much like oursÂ… a collection of houses working under the same banner. The Consortium, for the most part up until now, has been too small for them to really worry about. Just another merchant house with a niche market. If we want the serious profit marginsÂ… we need to break out of that shell. We need to grow to a level that will make them take notice.
It has been mentioned that we should buddy up to some of these smaller houses and attempt to absorb them quietly. I can assure youÂ… in all but the most extreme cases, this will not work. If these houses could be willingly absorbed, the Merkhants would have already done so. NoÂ… they need to be taken over much like a competitor in any business. You force them to merge or you force them out of business. Polite? NoÂ… but it is the cost of doing business.
The Consortium, contrary to popular belief, has never been in trouble. We have never been charged or tried for any crime. Our books have always been completely clean and we have had the Takers audit us, rather deeply, and have walked away clean. It is simply our birth as an organization, from the now defunct Cartel, that creates that illusion. Remember, the Cartel was not always outlawed and not always hunted. It was a legitimate organization at one time. It was at this point that the Consortium was created. When the Cartel became corrupted, the Consortium broke away from it and existed on its own. Do not blame the Consortium for the crimes of the CartelÂ… we are not the same.
SoÂ… if the Syndicate is willing to invest in the Consortium, we will, in turn, increase our profit share to compensate. It is a win-win situation. The Consortium gets the influx of coin it needs to spike growth and the Syndicate gets a larger piece of the pieÂ… and a ride to the top.
(((and an ooc tidbit for those not connected to the Syndicate yet, DM/EM/Player alike. You donÂ’t always need to approach Charles to do business with us. If your characters have IC knowledge of a member, approach that member and allow them to make the deals with you. While I do so enjoy Charles getting all the perks from making all the deals (in his favor of course) it would be nice if the others (should they want it) were able to plot and plan as well. Keeps things lively :) )))
First Mrs. Kendt, I realize youÂ’re a successful merchant and enchanter. I applaud your efforts in business but you neednÂ’t worry about the growth of the ConsortiumÂ… at least too much. When I talk about increasing market and influence, I speak on a much wider scale. While I would like to absorb all the independent merchants I can, and you are more than welcome to join our ranks, I am more focused on larger markets.
Sigil exists as a large, mass consuming, organism. A city built on greed, decadence and lust for goodsÂ… but Sigil has a fatal flaw that allows merchant houses to exploit it. It has no natural resources of its own. No farms, no pastures, no general goods industries, only specialized mills and foundries. It simply exists as a large basket with which houses, much like the Consortium, import everything it needs to exist. These are the markets weÂ’re targeting.
The Merkhants currently control a huge part of the market simply by creating an organization much like oursÂ… a collection of houses working under the same banner. The Consortium, for the most part up until now, has been too small for them to really worry about. Just another merchant house with a niche market. If we want the serious profit marginsÂ… we need to break out of that shell. We need to grow to a level that will make them take notice.
It has been mentioned that we should buddy up to some of these smaller houses and attempt to absorb them quietly. I can assure youÂ… in all but the most extreme cases, this will not work. If these houses could be willingly absorbed, the Merkhants would have already done so. NoÂ… they need to be taken over much like a competitor in any business. You force them to merge or you force them out of business. Polite? NoÂ… but it is the cost of doing business.
The Consortium, contrary to popular belief, has never been in trouble. We have never been charged or tried for any crime. Our books have always been completely clean and we have had the Takers audit us, rather deeply, and have walked away clean. It is simply our birth as an organization, from the now defunct Cartel, that creates that illusion. Remember, the Cartel was not always outlawed and not always hunted. It was a legitimate organization at one time. It was at this point that the Consortium was created. When the Cartel became corrupted, the Consortium broke away from it and existed on its own. Do not blame the Consortium for the crimes of the CartelÂ… we are not the same.
SoÂ… if the Syndicate is willing to invest in the Consortium, we will, in turn, increase our profit share to compensate. It is a win-win situation. The Consortium gets the influx of coin it needs to spike growth and the Syndicate gets a larger piece of the pieÂ… and a ride to the top.
(((and an ooc tidbit for those not connected to the Syndicate yet, DM/EM/Player alike. You donÂ’t always need to approach Charles to do business with us. If your characters have IC knowledge of a member, approach that member and allow them to make the deals with you. While I do so enjoy Charles getting all the perks from making all the deals (in his favor of course) it would be nice if the others (should they want it) were able to plot and plan as well. Keeps things lively :) )))
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*MirielKanan
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
That seems to be a common misunderstanding. The Consortium gets a bad rap for it's associations with the Cartel. The break was in fact a very public one and in fact I think it is safe to say that everyone at this table has completely broken any ties they may have with d'Kriss and his Cartel. He was a valuable member to the Syndicate until his escapades after that .... well we all know how it went, no need to drag up the past.
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*ManyFaced
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Nienna listens to the explanations, sighs, then speaks.
"The Cartel was never considered a reputable business organization at any point, due to their relation, the Consortium justifiably shares much of the relation. This is exacerbated by the new ties to the Syndicate." She leans back in her chair. "I am not against this gesture if it meets two concerns."
"The first is a sizable return on all investments, before a bauble is given I would like to see past spending records, past sales, and projected profits. It would be negligent of me to give coin without due study, especially since it could conflict with my own livelihood. "
"The second is, it is unacceptable if the Syndicate forces out other business- especially those based in the Bazaar, through extortion, violence, blackmail, or excessive price-gouging in the attempt to make a monopoly. It was one of the reasons of the Cartel's downfall." She glances between Charles and Em, her voice dry. "Likely a non-issue, I admit, for no Indep would entertain such a destructive attempt."
"The Cartel was never considered a reputable business organization at any point, due to their relation, the Consortium justifiably shares much of the relation. This is exacerbated by the new ties to the Syndicate." She leans back in her chair. "I am not against this gesture if it meets two concerns."
"The first is a sizable return on all investments, before a bauble is given I would like to see past spending records, past sales, and projected profits. It would be negligent of me to give coin without due study, especially since it could conflict with my own livelihood. "
"The second is, it is unacceptable if the Syndicate forces out other business- especially those based in the Bazaar, through extortion, violence, blackmail, or excessive price-gouging in the attempt to make a monopoly. It was one of the reasons of the Cartel's downfall." She glances between Charles and Em, her voice dry. "Likely a non-issue, I admit, for no Indep would entertain such a destructive attempt."
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*Darkrob
- Posts: 1097
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
FirstÂ… The Consortium was born from the Cartel and then it parted ways when the Cartel became corrupted and violent. The break was public and absolute. Much like a son who sees the errors of his fatherÂ’s way, if he cannot change him, he breaks relations and goes on alone. You cannot fault the child for the mistakes of his father. The Consortium distanced itself from dÂ’Kridis for good reason. Do not blame us for his madness. That is not the Indep way either.
The Consortium has no interest in shutting down small business in the market. Have you not been paying attention? We are looking at the big pictureÂ… Mass markets, importing caravans, distribution, etc. WeÂ’re not in the business of extorting or blackmailing independent merchants into abiding by usÂ… thatÂ’s bad for businessÂ… but undercutting? Absorption of Merchant houses through starving them for profit? IÂ’m sorry NiennaÂ… the first rule of competitive business is learning how to edge out your competition. Those who cannot survive by honest market practices, and selling lower than those you are against and taking their customer base out from below them are acceptable practices, do not deserve to operate. When youÂ’re in the business of earning profit off of selling and dealing waresÂ… youÂ’re not simply going to raise your prices to keep a competitor afloat. Things donÂ’t work that way.
But I digressÂ…
As for recordsÂ… The Consortium will be happy to supply all public financial records to the Syndicate. This includes what we currently take in and spendÂ… including expenses and projected profits based on current deals, but we will not release names of clients or suppliers, current supply routes or other investors in our business. The Syndicate will be considered an investorÂ… not a partner. Such information will remain confidential.
The Consortium has no interest in shutting down small business in the market. Have you not been paying attention? We are looking at the big pictureÂ… Mass markets, importing caravans, distribution, etc. WeÂ’re not in the business of extorting or blackmailing independent merchants into abiding by usÂ… thatÂ’s bad for businessÂ… but undercutting? Absorption of Merchant houses through starving them for profit? IÂ’m sorry NiennaÂ… the first rule of competitive business is learning how to edge out your competition. Those who cannot survive by honest market practices, and selling lower than those you are against and taking their customer base out from below them are acceptable practices, do not deserve to operate. When youÂ’re in the business of earning profit off of selling and dealing waresÂ… youÂ’re not simply going to raise your prices to keep a competitor afloat. Things donÂ’t work that way.
But I digressÂ…
As for recordsÂ… The Consortium will be happy to supply all public financial records to the Syndicate. This includes what we currently take in and spendÂ… including expenses and projected profits based on current deals, but we will not release names of clients or suppliers, current supply routes or other investors in our business. The Syndicate will be considered an investorÂ… not a partner. Such information will remain confidential.