B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers

The Guild of Brewers and Bakers of Verbobonc

A Culinary Coalition

The Guild of Brewers and Bakers is the beating commercial heart behind nearly every loaf and tankard in Verbobonc. The building itself is not a bakery or brewery; rather, it is the administrative and political hub that coordinates licenses, standards, prices, and disputes for the city’s ovens, alehouses, and beer-halls. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers

From this compact but bustling hall, Master Alden Fairbarrow—a flour-dusted, broad-shouldered baker-brewer with a warm smile and an iron will—oversees the guild’s books, petitions, and civic dealings. He is equal parts craftsman, politician, and community host, uniting Verbobonc’s brewers and bakers into a single culinary coalition.

Approaching the Guild

History and Evolution

The Guild of Brewers and Bakers has a rich history that traces back to the early days of Verbobonc, growing from a loose association of artisans into a well-organized institution that significantly impacts the local economy.

• Origins: Started as a small association of local craftsmen seeking to protect their trade secrets and enhance their market.
• Development: Over the years, the guild formalized, setting standards and practices that helped elevate the quality and reputation of Verbobonc’s culinary products.

Guild Structure and Operations

The building serves as the administrative heart of the guild, where various activities concerning the trade are coordinated.

• Administration: Handles day-to-day operations such as membership management, dispute resolution, and coordination of supply chain activities.
• Meetings and Debates: A venue for lively debates and discussions on topics ranging from product quality to new market opportunities.

Interior & Layout

Inside, the guildhall is dense with paper, people, and the faint perfume of hops and baked crust. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers

Front Chamber – The Ledger Hall

• Long tables strewn with membership rolls, supply contracts, and tariff schedules.
• Clerks in aprons and ink-stained cuffs sit with millers, innkeepers, and out-of-town brewers, checking seals and arguing politely over measures and rates.
• A chalkboard lists current guild standards for loaf weights, ale strengths, and fair prices, updated seasonally to reflect harvests.

Council Room – The Bread & Barrel Chamber

• A paneled meeting room with a long oak table, simple chairs, and a sideboard always bearing a fresh loaf and a small cask—Alden’s reminder that all talk here must serve those crafts.
• This is where disputes are arbitrated: accusations of watered beer, short-weight loaves, or unfair undercutting are aired, examined, and judged by a panel of senior guildsfolk under Alden’s steady eye. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers

Records Loft & Supply Office

• Upstairs, cramped loft spaces hold shelves of purchase ledgers, grain tallies, and supplier lists.
• A smaller office coordinates bulk flour, yeast, and hops distribution to member bakeries and breweries, smoothing shortages and ensuring no single merchant can choke the city’s food and drink supply.

Notable People

The guild is led and represented by individuals who are not only skilled craftsmen but also savvy businesspeople.

• Guild Master: Alden Fairbarrow The current leader who oversees all guild operations and represents the guild in civic matters.
• Expert Craftsmen: Senior members who have significant influence over the guild’s trade practices and mentorship programs.

Relationships & Politics

The guild sits at the crossroads of field, oven, and tankard:

• Local Farmers: Close collaboration on grain, hops, and honey supplies; Alden advocates for fair contracts that keep farms solvent and bakers stocked. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers
• City Government: Regular negotiations over taxes, health regulations, and wartime levies; the guild argues that hungry citizens make poor defenders. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers
• Other Guilds: Occasional coordination with butchers, spice merchants, and taverners for festivals; rare but sharp disputes with moneylenders or importers who try to muscle into staple trades. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers

In the rising tensions of 579 CY, the Guild of Brewers and Bakers is a quiet stabilizer: as long as the ovens burn and the barrels flow, Verbobonc remains fed, employed, and just a little more resistant to panic or demagoguery.

Using B22 in Play – Hooks for PCs

• “Bad Bread in the Lower Ward” – Rumors spread of spoiled or adulterated loaves in poorer districts. Alden asks the PCs to track the source: a corrupt miller, a cultist sabotaging supplies, or Temple-aligned smugglers diverting good grain. B22 Guild of Brewers and Bakers
• “Ale of the Autumn Crown” – The guild launches a contest for a new seasonal ale or festival bread. PCs with brewing or cooking skills can compete, while others navigate wagers, petty rivalries, and maybe sabotage.
• “Levy on the Loaf” – A noble house pushes a tax that would squeeze bakers and brewers; Alden needs discreet agents to gather evidence of who truly profits—and whether Temple of Elemental Evil money stands behind the proposal.