"Under Guild Protection"
Many businesses in Drury enjoy guild protection. Sure, some people may use terms such as "extortion" or "protection racket", but citizens of Drury refer to it as one of the several well-loved traditions throughout the city. This practice is extremely simple - a business owner is approached by one or two 'guildmembers' who ceremonially compliment their business and make some vague omen about an oncoming storm, expected fire, or other general disaster. These guildmembers then offer the owner 'insurance' - which they pay with immense gratitude - and then the oncoming doom never arrives. This is then repeated several times a year.
Every once in a while, a fight between two rival guilds breaks out over who can provide insurance to which businesses. These fights are typically very public and very brutal, and are generally avoided. Instead, what normally occurs is that money is exchanged and your business is traded from one guild to another.
These guilds are typically supported by one of the Group of Nine, who shares in part of the profits.
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