Jewelers’ and Gemcutters’ Guild

Somewhat out of place in the fine streets of the Merchant District, the Jewelers’ Guildhouse is a squat building with little ostentation. There are few doors and windows, and those that exist are heavily barred. A high wall with steel spikes encircles the building; a single gate allows access. The whole place is patrolled by guards day and night, inside and out.   Unlike the luxurious Merchants’ Guildhouse, the jewelers’ headquarters is all business. The bulk of the interior is taken up by a large, common workshop in which the guild members can work. In the center of the workshop, a massive vault holds a fortune in both raw materials and finished goods. The vault is triple-locked, with a security system that floods the whole workshop with poisonous gas if triggered. The place is also under the constant protection of a dozen highly trained, well-paid veteran guards.   Apart from the workshop and vault, the guildhouse also holds a dining room and kitchen, some offices and storage rooms, and quarters where a few members can sleep if they wish. Most guild members spend only a day or two here each week, however.

This guild was founded nearly 50 years ago by the jewelers of the city, who until that time had simply been part of the Guild of Craftsmen. Having far greater security concerns than their erstwhile fellows—for instance, carpenters didn’t tend to get robbed twice each week by every pirate in Scurvytown—the jewelers decided to form their own separate guild, based far from the dangerous seaside parts of Freeport. The Merchant District was happy to extend its hospitality. The guild established itself, elected Dirwin “Nimblefingers” Arnig as guildmaster (a position he has retained ever since), hired a boatload of guards, and got back to work.   Now this guild is one of the wealthiest groups in Freeport, although it doesn’t tend to do much with that fortune; with few exceptions, the gemcutters prefer to work and invest rather than get involved in politics or social agendas.