The Athkatlan Jewelers Guild

The Jewelers¹ Guild of Athkatla is wealthy, far wealthier than most would believe, and it has used that wealth to maintain a careful place within the society of Athkatla, seemingly removed from the political whirl. But then, little in Athkatla is truly removed from politics. The Guild is openly allied with the Doves and Tailors Guilds, a long-standing arrangement that has proved profitable for all three, and is connected by rumor to House Rezah and the Churches of Sune and Gond. It is known to provide much of the delicate machinery required for some of the new clockwork mechanisms the clerics of Gond have been experimenting with, and its ornaments are much favored by Sune for blessing and donations. It also has a cordial relationship with the Miner¹s Guild, though the lack of good gem veins in the region makes that association more politeness than economic necessity.

The Guild itself is structured as many artistic guilds, with masters, journeymen, and apprentices, but this guild, with its associations to the Doves and Bards, is a bit more open than might be expected. Apprenticeships can be bought for 50 gold, or earned at the School of the Arts, an adjunct of the Bardic College run with the aid of the Churches of Lathander, Sune, and Gond. Apprentices live and work at the School and must demonstrate mastery of four jewelling techniques to become journeymen. Journeymen are placed with master jewelers under whom they study until allowed to show in the Exhibition, a show held every three years at the school in which everyone, from masters to apprentices, present examples of their work for judging and sale. This show is a huge social event in Athkatla, and is one of the few where House members rub elbows with low-market vendors. Everyone comes to see what¹s new, and try to pick out the next big trend and pick up a few bargains. Each of the Churches sponsoring the Show gives out awards based on style, creativity, and sheer beauty, prizes that are much sought
after and proudly displayed. Jewelers must have won prizes from at least two of the Churches to be considered for Master status, as well as having demonstrated mastery of at least 10 techniques and know how to manage a shop.

Masters are entitled to Guild-mediated trade deals for gemstones and metals, journeymen to work in their shop, and sixty percent of the net profit from their work. Thirty percent of the profit of the shop is split among the journeymen working there, and the remaining ten percent is paid in Guild fees. The Guild is also entitled to one special order item a year from all Guild Masters.

It is well known that Calliaran Rezah is a prominent investor in the Jewelers Guild, and her patronage has been known to make an artisan, but less well known is that she herself is a master of the Guild. She is the third ranked member on the Guild Council, composed of five Masters elected by the journeymen and masters of the Guild. Calliaran and Master Erien Alchineri were the force behind the alliance with the Doves¹ and Tailors Guilds that increased the prominence and profitability of the Spring Show, and she has recently moved the Council to begin a relationship with the Mages¹ Guild, providing carved gemstones and exactingly made ornaments for enchanting at reduced prices, that could prove equally profitable. How this subtle shift in influence might affect Guild and House relations remains to be seen.