Negotiations with the Guild Masters of Galette County
Having successfully persuaded Young lady Conniette in the morning, the afternoon was dedicated to explaining and convincing the guild masters of the various artisan guilds in Galette County.
We were allowed to use the lord’s manor for the meeting.
Apparently, Young lady Conniette herself would also be attending.
She claimed to be taking a neutral stance, but I wondered how she would actually act.
After enjoying a lunch at the manor, we waited in the antechamber until we were summoned.
Once the guild masters had gathered, we were called into the meeting room.
Inside, a group of older men and women were already waiting.
“Miss Lily, Miss Alizée, thank you for waiting.”
“Young lady Conniette, you arrived before us?”
“As the host, it’s only natural. Please, take your seats over there.”
Following Young lady Conniette’s lead, we took our seats opposite the guild masters across the table.
The guild masters wore serious expressions, even though we hadn’t started discussing anything yet.
Why was that?
“Now that MIss Lily and Miss Alizée have arrived, let’s begin the formal negotiations.”
“Formal negotiations…?”
“I explained the general outline to the guild masters before you arrived. That should make things easier, no?”
Young lady Conniette spoke playfully, but wasn’t that a lot of pressure on the guild masters?
She wasn’t the type to impose tyranny, but she had the overwhelming support of the people.
If they opposed a policy she endorsed, it could put their positions at risk...
“Before we start, can I ask a question?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“This ‘artisan training institution’—who’s building it? We don’t have that kind of money.”
“Oh, I’ll be funding it. I’ll also be managing its operations.”
“You, missy? Can you really pull that off?”
“I can. I may look young, but I am a Silver-ranked merchant.”
The moment I mentioned my Silver merchant status, the guild masters stirred.
Of course, they wouldn’t expect a young girl like me to hold the same level of authority as a count.
“... Is that true?”
“It is. The Trade Guild vouches for Lady Lily’s credentials.”
“And who are you?”
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Alizée, Lady Lily’s personal representative from the Vardmoi Trade Guild. Pleased to meet you.”
“If you have a personal representative, you must be quite the businesswoman. I apologize for doubting you.”
One of the older men bowed his head in apology.
I accepted his apology, and with that, the negotiations officially began.
Though, it was Alizée who would be handling most of the explaining…
“… As I just outlined, this ‘artisan training institution’ will provide aspiring artisans in Galette County with fundamental skills. Rather than teaching only one craft, students will receive a broad education in all trades before selecting a specialization to pursue in depth.”
“Why teach all crafts instead of focusing on one?”
“Even if they only learn theoretical knowledge, a broad foundation will serve them well in unexpected situations. For example, a weaponsmith or armorer might receive requests for decorative embellishments. If they have basic engraving skills, they can either do the work themselves or make an informed decision about hiring an expert.”
“Hm… I see. If they also have some carpentry knowledge, they’d be able to assess whether a damaged workshop needs repairs before calling in a professional.”
“Teaching them isn’t just about passing on our own skills.”
So far, things were going smoothly.
Now, we had to discuss costs.
This was an investment, not charity.
I didn’t mind taking decades to recover the funds, but I did expect a return.
“I see… So workshops that take in graduates will pay you 1% of their profits per graduate?”
“Yes. Only until the graduate becomes fully independent. The maximum contribution per workshop will be capped at 10% of profits.”
“From profits, not revenue? That’s not too bad… But what if we try to cheat you?”
“In that case, you’ll have the Trade Guild as an enemy.”
“… That’s terrifying. Let’s not try that.”
It seemed like the deal was settled.
The Construction Guild agreed to build the training institution as part of their apprentice training efforts, incorporating lessons into the process.
It would take time, though, and the facility was expected to be operational by next spring.
I had no problem with that—I just wanted them to build something truly worthwhile.
What do you think about this chapter?
Thanks for the treat. ?
Honestly this Institute of Foundational Craftsmenship will probably spread to other territories. It honestly just makes sense.
And in any form of media with an Adventure Guild or likeness, it always baffles me if they dont have newbie training. I mean, really? A guild that, in many stories, is continent or even world spanning cannot see the value of losing income at the outset of Adventurer careers for the massive returns they can reap later?
If a 6month program where White rankers are taught the basics and how to fight with their preferred weapon type(s) and taught some basic Magic for the mages could reduce White Ranker deaths by 50%, that would roll over into EVERY OTHER RANK AFTERWARDS! White Rankers are the bulk of the guilds #s if I remember correctly. They are also the bulk of the death toll.
Lets say 100 white rankers join during the Spring Cleaning, if originally only 10-20 survived, we'd now have 20-40 survivors. If we calculate it as 50% survival rate thats 50 of 100. If those white rankers that survived cause of training progress, they also probably have a higher likelihood of making it to higher ranks. Apparently a lot of people stagnant in Green (or blue?) but with the basic training, it might help correct mistakes they'd make and they do not stagnant there. Or hell, make an OPTIONAL training course they can PAY for that would help them progress through Green and Blue ranks.
Seriously baffles me how a giant organization cant seem to wrap their heads around "Train stupids, make less stupids. Less stupids, less death. Less death, more profit." Though somehow it usually feels like its more that they just dont wanna pay for it or in some universes cant afford to. At that one, I think the local Lord (noble running the region) should step in to fund it. I mean, more trained and not brain dead adventurers running around cleaning out the monster issues in the local area would probably be a boon, right?