Byzorian Guild Guard

The Byzorian Guild Guard is a mercenary association, residing in Byzoria. The Guard primarily accepts escort contracts for mercantile ships leaving Byzoria.

Overview
Residing in Byzoria, the Guild Guard is made up of ex soldiers, retired captains, specialised infantry, combat trained labourers, and various other cuthroats. The Guard typically work exclusively for the Byzorian Commerce Guild, this is due to the long-standing relationship between both organisations, in which great trust has been formed.

The Guild Guard operate the grand auctionhouse in Byzoria's Dock District, this is typically where contractors meet, and guild members come to collect their payments.

The Guild Guard (as of 1048AT) own and command a current total of 82 ships (down from 214 due to the Blockade of the Korama Shogunate), of which 41 are military vessels. These vessels are primarily engaged in escort contracts between Byzoria and her trade nations.

Hiring the Guild Guard
In order to hire the Guild Guard, a contractor must first travel down to the docks district, and find a broker. They must then offer the contract, and agree on a payment and terms. This payment must be made primarily using trade notes, a currency developed by the Byzorian Merchants Guild to pay contractors in a way that was more airtight and less prone to value change than currency. The contract and fee are then written on a contract and signed by both parties, using their guild seals. Once this has been completed, the hirer keeps the contract, whilst the Guild Guard gets a contract coin. This coin lets others know the contract is legitimate, and that the job has yet to be completed.

Once the job has been completed, the two parties meet and payment is made in full. The coin is returned to the contractor, and the contract is marked as completed. The two parties then go their separate ways.

Ending a Contract
A contract that is active can be ended in a few ways;


 * 1) The contractor dies, and there is no successor to take on the debt;
 * 2) The task is completed;
 * 3) The task cannot be completed, or is no longer possible;
 * 4) The Contract is halted by the Commerce Guild Authority.

Non-payment of contracts will not end the contract, the binding agreement will remain in place, even once completed, until such time as the contractor can pay in full. Partial payments are typically not accepted. If the contractor requires to default on their payment, the Guild Guard applies to the Commerce Guild Authority for compensation, and as a minimum punishment, the contractor loses their contract coin. Further punishments are at the discretion of the Commerce Guild Authority.

If the Guild member dies whilst completing the contract, then another guild member will typically accept the contract, and attempt to complete it.