Mariners’ Brotherhood

Leadership The Grand Captain: The elected leader of the guild, serving a five-year term. Oversees major decisions, represents the Brotherhood in city council meetings, and mediates disputes between guild members. Often a former ship captain with decades of experience.   The Council of Anchors: A group of five senior members elected from different maritime professions (e.g., sailors, shipwrights, dockmasters, navigators, and merchants). Advises the Grand Captain and ensures all facets of the Brotherhood are represented. Responsible for approving trade agreements, resource allocation, and guild policies.   Divisions   The guild is divided into key divisions, each led by a Harbor Master, who reports to the Council of Anchors.   Dockworkers’ Union: Handles loading, unloading, and warehousing of goods. Overseen by the Master of Cranes, who manages the labor force and ensures fair wages and safe working conditions.   Shipwrights’ Guild: Specializes in building, repairing, and maintaining ships. Led by the Forgewright, a seasoned artisan responsible for overseeing large-scale projects and training apprentices.   The Navigator’s Guild: Provides skilled navigators and cartographers for ships, ensuring safe passage across treacherous waters. Run by the Starhand, an expert navigator who manages training programs and maintains the guild’s charts and maps.   The Seafarers’ Union: Represents sailors and officers who work aboard trading and fishing vessels. Led by the High Bosun, a veteran sailor who advocates for fair contracts, safety at sea, and equitable shares of profits.   The Tidewardens: A security division focused on protecting ships, docks, and trade routes from pirates and other threats. Commanded by the Harbormaster-General, a retired naval officer or mercenary captain with expertise in maritime defense.   Local Hubs and Regional Representatives   District Offices: Each dockside neighborhood has its own guild office, run by a Dockmaster, who acts as a liaison between local workers and guild leadership. Dockmasters are responsible for resolving small-scale disputes and organizing labor on a daily basis.   Regional Representatives: Larger ports allied with Barrensburg often host representatives from the Mariner’s Brotherhood, fostering trade relations and ensuring guild influence abroad.   Training and Apprenticeship Programs The Lighthouse Academy: A guild-funded institution dedicated to training sailors, navigators, and shipwrights. Offers specialized courses on topics such as celestial navigation, ship construction, and sea monster defense. Graduates are guaranteed placement in guild-approved positions.   Apprenticeship Pathways: New members must complete apprenticeships under senior guild members to advance in rank. Apprentices are mentored by a Tidewarden or experienced tradesperson, depending on their chosen profession.   Decision-Making and Dispute Resolution   The Captain’s Moot: A quarterly gathering of all guild members to discuss major issues, propose changes, and vote on key matters. Each member, regardless of rank, has one vote, ensuring democratic participation.   The Anchor Tribunal: A judicial body made up of the Council of Anchors, tasked with resolving internal disputes, punishing misconduct, and arbitrating conflicts with other guilds.   Communication and Coordination   Signal Towers: A network of towers equipped with magical beacons allows rapid communication between docks, ships, and distant ports. Managed by the Navigator’s Guild and Tidewardens to relay weather warnings, pirate sightings, and trade updates.   Harbor Bells: Each dock is equipped with large bells that signal emergencies, work shifts, and ship arrivals or departures.

Brotherhood for All: The guild prides itself on inclusivity, welcoming anyone willing to work hard and uphold the code of the sea. Members share profits and responsibilities, fostering a culture of mutual support.   Loyalty and Legacy: Many members come from families with long histories in the Brotherhood, creating a sense of tradition and pride. Betrayal of the guild is met with exile and blacklisting from all maritime professions.   The Code of the Tide: A set of unwritten rules that emphasize fairness, respect for the sea, and solidarity among sailors.

1. Safeguarding Maritime Trade Mission: Ensure that Barrensburg’s docks and trade routes remain secure, efficient, and profitable. Public Stance: Advocate for increased city funding for dock maintenance and harbor defenses. Push for better patrols along shipping lanes to deter piracy and smuggling. Key Initiatives: Sponsor the construction of signal towers and patrol ships to protect trade routes. Campaign against rival guilds or foreign powers interfering with Barrensburg’s maritime dominance.   2. Protecting Workers’ Rights   Mission: Guarantee fair treatment, wages, and working conditions for sailors, dockworkers, and shipwrights. Public Stance: Support labor reforms to prevent exploitation by wealthy merchants or external employers. Provide emergency assistance for injured workers or families of those lost at sea. Key Initiatives: Offer legal representation for guild members in disputes with merchants or employers. Promote fair profit-sharing systems for sailors and other maritime laborers.   3. Economic Growth for Barrensburg   Mission: Boost Barrensburg’s reputation as the foremost trading hub in the region. Public Stance: Advocate for reduced taxes on maritime goods to encourage trade. Partner with the city council to attract foreign merchants and ships. Key Initiatives: Invest in the Dockside District, improving infrastructure and amenities to support larger trade volumes. Organize festivals and events, such as the Tidewarden’s Fair, to celebrate and promote the city’s maritime culture.   4. Maritime Safety and Training   Mission: Reduce risks at sea and improve the skill level of maritime professionals. Public Stance: Emphasize the importance of proper training and safety protocols for sailors and shipbuilders. Promote collaboration with the Riftguard Brotherhood to counter sea-based threats, such as planar incursions or sea monsters. Key Initiatives: Operate the Lighthouse Academy, offering free training for low-income apprentices. Fund research into Rift-resistant ship designs and magical navigation tools.