Today, I wanted to remind everyone a bit of the purpose of the
Merchant's guild. Originally, it was founded in secret, with people from
all walks of life joining. The guild has suffered large personnel losses
over the years because of city or commune leaders disallowing others
into this guild, but we've always maintained close relationships with
our fellow merchants.

Now, as we are the Merchant's Guild today, we have grown much. We have a
large tradehall, funded completely by myself. We have one of each cartel
type, funded (with one cartel exception), completely by myself. But as
our family has grown larger, we don't want to lose sight of why this was
started. To discuss trade with one another, to maintain the spirit of
fellowship between ourselves, and to provide a meager financial benefit
to other members. One of the greatest benefits has been to provide for
each other, without the games we might play with customers. If a service
requires nothing but your time, then usually that time is given freely
and gladly. With commodities, I've never charged a member of the
Merchant's Guild for their own personal weapons or armour.

Naturally, we don't want to do anything to lose our precious gold, so we
also do not create expense for others. If the service they provide to
you requires gold or commodities, you come up with the money, and be
glad for their gift. If a member asks for your services or assistance,
within reason, help them out.

This is as much about fellowship as it is cutting costs. We each have
our own expenses, to provide services to our customers, so our hope is
that our own personal items might be at a greatly reduced price. And by
having each and every kind of merchant within our ranks, we can make
whatever is needed, whenever.

I wanted to make it clear than while we do not charge for personal
services above the commodity price, we also do not -overcharge- our own
members. We can play games with our customers, but we maintain a
benevolent attitude towards each other.

If any have lost sight of this ideal, if any feel they cannot perform
basic services, while receiving free services in return, then perhaps
this is not the place for you.

-Richter

Penned by my hand on the 5th of Shanthin, in the year 146 CE.