[A] the Hedemark Trading Union

Step up, step up - see the sights meet the people! Hello there chums, Reghall here. You might remember that one tiny thread all those days ago calling out for interested people to join up in a merchant guild (http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/4211603220) Well, the guild have been created and The hedemark Trading Union is now looking for able bodied merchants to join our ranks as we set out to fill azeroth with the finest of wares and goods!

Wait what, a trading union?

Correct, the idea is fairly simple: The Hedemark trading union (or HTU) is a newly created group of merchants and traders that have united in hope to bring their wares to azeroths all four corners.
In the wake of the cataclysm many trade routers where destroyed and merchants from all over the world have felt the impact, by uniting and pooling their recourse they can afford to create caravans, hire guards to protect them - and aid each other in this time of economical distress, but also of great potential

So, what are our intents with HTU

It's rather simple - we intend to become a new market for guilds and, of course private heroes to buy everything from Armor to the newest craze among the nobles. By traveling around in caravans and also making private deals with guilds we hope to create a nice seedbed for great RP to grow upon. Fair like events will be arranged and certain days you will find us in the cities ready to ply our trade!
We also hope to arrange expeditions to rare and forgotten places of azeroth (with the protection of hired guards) to gather wealth we can sell of at our markets!

Wait, so you have to have a "profession" to join?

Of course not! We have everything from leather workers to people selling ice cream and wooden figurines, any merchant or crafter that can pay the modest fee of 25 silver for membership, and a puny 10% of all their sales towards the union are more then welcome.
The union cares for all willing to care for it, each merchant still retains a lot of their freedom - and can refuse to take part in any caravans or event they feel is to dangerous or to far fetched to earn them any gold.

So, its just a lose connections of merchants?

Not quite, every merchant is expected to swear and uphold a certain set of rules regarding their wares - and to server under elected Grandmasters. These grandmasters form a council that decided upon the general course of the union. The grandmasters power are limited, since the individual merchant holds much power over his own wares however, their power over the caravans, in being able to refuse anyone from partaking and deciding where its heading, along with access to the guilds treasury leave them with great political power within the union however.

Essentially you will just be traveling around the world then?

Yes, and no the caravans will be our main "goal" and most of our time and effort will go towards maintaining these on a regular basis. However it wont be completely unheard of to find us in a city temporary selling wares in the market place or similar. Your best bet however to contact us IC would be either during a caravan, or sending an ingame letter.

Where will you travel then?

For starters places close to stormwind, lakeshire duskwood eastwell logging camp etc. The goal is to cover all of azeroth in our mighty union - but as of now our member count is low and so is our cash pool, as the guild grows we want to expand to new places and bring our caravans to even more places. It wont be completely impossible to in the future start caravans from ironforge to surrounding areas, or even in kalmidor among the elf's (however, this is far into the future)

So, what if I aint a merchant or a crafter - can I still join up?

Of course! The caravans can always use a pair of hands to help lifting and transporting so we do "hire people", we also have a smaller security force (that's mostly accounted for however so it would be hard getting in there) also if you have an amazing concept towards a character that would suit perfectly but happens to not be a merchant or trader, you could always send us a poke. In the end however your best bet is to be a merchant or craftsman if you want in!

... About that gold?

Oh yeah, the money. How we have set it up right now - we sell wares with GHI and Total Roleplay 2 and take money for it, for how much the cash is worth a common sword would sell for two three silver coins. We'll try as much as possible not to "generate" money within the guild. And instead take the money from the outside sources in buyers and members joining in. This is going to be the hardest part about the guild, but we hope to pull it off! *ambitions awaaay!*

Right, enough questions where do I sign up?

You can contact me in game, or any of our officers to set up an in game IC interview (after some OC talk naturally) or visit our website at ; http://hedemark-trading-union.wowstead.com . If you pass the interview you will be initiated into the guild as a apprentice regardless of your characters "skill" to be "taught the ropes" by the higher standing members.

What if my character have no real crafting skills, but wants to learn - or still is a newbie to trading?

Many of our members are more then willing to play some manner of "apprentice" roleplay by teaching a new face their craft!

Regarding those caravans will they transport other peoples goods?

Yes of course, as the caravans travel we'll pick up letters and other items that people want transported in a "RP" fashion (for a modest fee of course!)
The caravans will also allow people to (for a laughingly low fee of course!) to travel along with it as it makes its routes thorough out the countryside for protection and company.

What if we want to attack it!?

D: Why, what have my poor merchants ever done you *falls to his knees and cries* ... No really, we are actually more then open for this, but we'd appreciate if you inform us of your intents beforehand, naturally we'd pick a day our security and minimal of our caravans staff would know off - just to keep it realistic.

So, to wrap things up:

We are looking for people that would like the idea of joining a Merchant guild traveling around plying their wares, now we understand there are other merchant guilds around, and we love and encourage the possible rivalry that can emerge among us! (HTU 4 ever) and also that many wont at all like our idea, but that's fine - we are new and aint so thick headed we can't adapt, any constructive criticism any can lend on this project is happily appreciated! Also, we tend to lean towards a rather "simple down to earth" rp, We do have some people that has a somewhat colored backstory, however if your character is an amazing dragon construct, a perfect blend between steel and flesh capable of destroying entire cities with a sweep of her/his/it/both claws, that's perfectly fine - but perhaps HTU wont be the place for you.

Yours truly, Reghall Hedemark.

Hedemark Trading Union - Best wares, everywhere