First Announcement of the Imperial Business Association

[drtrollado 267]

 

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT 

OF THE IMPERIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

 

Issued on the year 271 of the Second Age

 

(The ways of commerce, circa SA 270)

 

INTRODUCTION

In the eternal struggle of the burghers' caste to create and increase profit from their trade, they understand that commerce is not a static thing, nor does it prosper under distant hesitation. Commerce and trade precisely thrive where judgment is swift, authority is present, and gold is empowered to act without delay, prejudice or contrary opinion to its natural course. Where markets stretch across seas and continents, governance that is too centralized becomes brittle, slow, and blind to opportunity and to the flourishment of the traders, main point of the creation of the Imperial Business Association.

Furthermore, the IBA has long understood that profit is born not merely of wealth, but of autonomy and freedom: the capacity for the commerce to respond, adapt, enforce, and expand where the central authorities cannot always reach in time. Without delegation of powers and work, trade stagnates; without trusted proxies, credit weakens; without local will, commerce decays.

Therefore, in recognition of the vastness of the world and the necessity that gold possess a living presence within it, the IBA declares the following measure to be essential, lawful, and irrevocable until amended by a posterior authority.

 

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ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROXIES OF GOLD

The Imperial Business Association hereby affirms that a singular agent shall act In Persona Auri, as the embodied will of the IBA within defined and predetermined regions of the known world. For this purpose, the Association establishes the title and dignity of The Merchant-Warden.

The Merchant-Warden is declared to hold authority nearly equal to that of the Merchant-Master, leader of the Imperial Business Association, and shall be obeyed accordingly in all matters of trade.

Within the confines of the region assigned to the Merchant-Warden, the word, seal, and judgment of the titleholder shall be treated as the word, seal, and judgment of the IBA itself, save only where the explicit will of the Merchant-Master is known and stated.

The Merchant-Warden acts not independently of the Association, but as its extension. Loyalty to the Merchant-Master, and subsequently to the flow of commerce and trade, remains absolute, and ultimate authority over all commerce remains undivided. For that reason is autonomy granted, not to weaken control, but to strengthen it by allowing gold to rule where gold must be swift.

Accordingly, the Imperial Business Association hereby names and invests the following Merchant-Wardens:

• Sebastien Jean-Chastel, appointed Merchant-Warden of the Central Region of the Empire of Man, to act In Persona Auri within said domain.
• Doctor Elizar sílna Pinemaw, appointed Merchant-Warden of the Western Region of the Empire of Man, to act In Persona Auri within said domain.

All agents, factors, officers, and servants of the Association’s commerce are commanded to recognize their authority as lawful, binding, and immediate.

In the event of dispute, overlap, or conflict of jurisdiction between Merchant-Wardens, or between a Merchant-Warden and any lesser authority, such matters shall be referred without delay to the judgment of the Merchant-Master.

 

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ON THE DEATH OF GENNAD VAR VIGO

The Imperial Business Association hereby acknowledges the unfortuitous and untimely death of Gennad var Vigo, First Governor-General of the Southern Imperial Trade Company, who perished while still bearing the burdens and dignities of his office.

Though his passing has left the Company without its appointed executive hand, the Association affirms that no death, however sudden, may be permitted to fracture the continuity of commerce or weaken the chain of command upon which trade depends.

Until such time as a new Governor-General is elected and confirmed according to charter, the Southern Imperial Trade Company is hereby declared to be in a state of interregnum.

During this interregnum, all charters, monopolies, contracts, garrisons, fleets, and treasuries of the Southern Company shall remain in full force and under uninterrupted authority.

To preserve unity of command and prevent disorder, the Merchant-Master of the Imperial Business Association, Franz Arthur, shall assume the role of Provisional Governor-General of the Southern Imperial Trade Company.

In this capacity, the Merchant-Master shall exercise all executive, administrative, and disciplinary powers customarily vested in the Governor-General, acting not as a permanent successor, but as custodian of the office and guarantor of continuity until lawful succession is concluded.

All officers, factors, wardens, captains, and servants of the Southern Imperial Trade Company are hereby commanded to recognize his authority as binding and immediate.

This provisional arrangement shall not be construed as an alteration of the Company’s charter, nor as precedent beyond the present necessity. It exists solely to ensure that imperial trade remains unbroken, disciplined, and secure in the face of misfortune. And so does the Association affirm that while men may fall, the ledger must endure.

 

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“DEFICIT DELENDA EST” 

 

Penned and Signed by,

Franz Arthur,

Merchant-Master of the Imperial Business Association

 

Sebastien Jean-Chastel,

 Central Merchant-Warden of the Imperial Business Association

Doctor Elizar sílna Pinemaw,

Western Merchant-Warden of the Imperial Business Association

 

 

Spoiler

Wish to participate in commerce RP? Make sure to send a letter to any of the mentioned above and join our discord: https://discord.gg/gcYDB3D9
 

 

Edited February 10 by drtrollado

[Anbennar 2351]

For the Doctor did sign; for there was much work to be done. There will always be work in this great plan.

[ashystoobid 7]

Recard looked at the announcement and began to connect the pieces together. "This is the woman that watched as I was kidnapped? I hope she treats her employees better than she does her neighbors."

 

Edited February 10 by ashystoobid

[Cryptic 549]

The Patriarch of the d'Artagnan, saw the missive in his travels in the Empire. Seeing one of the listed names, a familiar one at that, he decided to write a personalized letter, reaching out.

[Slorbin 2932]

Slorbin is met with utter shock as he learns the news of Gennad var Vigo's death. Is this a hint of sorrow, he feels...?

 

...Is it time to bring him back?