Hearthhome Commune & Zendar Trading Guild Union
Based out of a small settlement near Fearichen, Ranulf Carpenter grew up as the son of a carpenter and tradesmaster who had periodic trade with Sargoth, Wercheg, the free city of Zendar, and Curaw. His father, Kennald, had formed a branch of the Zendar Trading Guild after meeting Richard and Phil Slots who was looking for lucrative trade posts at the arteries of vibrant trading centers. Ultimately, this trading post turned into a settlement called Hearthhome as the trading post expanded and families came to settle and live there bringing their craft and commerce to bear into Hearthhome.
The years were good for Ranulf, his three brothers, and their father who had lost his wife and never remarried. The community built there became a commune, where the members of the trade post settlement were tight knit. Ranulf was taught his father’s craft, whereas his younger brothers became a fletcher, tailor, and jeweler, respectively. Exporting timber, stone, and other processed and unprocessed down river also ensured a steady stream of income. Life was good, and life was peaceful. Caravan guards, led by the caravan guard captain Allric Fowler, were hired to protect them from raids and protect the trade post merchants and craftsmen from being coerced by bandits, and the people prospered.
Eventually shop stalls, and stores were made, and the weekly markets were opened. Usually they happened at Hearthhome, but on occasion the markets were opened at other settlements nearby as a gesture of good faith to get into the good graces of local lords who would be more inclined to aid in protecting the studiously neutral trade post settlement because it benefited their trade and thus their revenues.
Eventually moneylending became an activity in which the commune participated, but they made it a point to never resort to force to get back soured loans from men whose lords protected them. Instead, they used the threat of embargo and commercial interdict to force a return on investment.
Ranulf was taken along with his father on their expeditions, and thus made many contacts including Richard from Zendar. However, when Ranulf was 19 Zendar was destroyed and his father lost track of Richard. However, contact was re-established almost a decade later by Richard who informed him that he needed some help establishing a vibrant trade post in the Curin Basin. Initially, Kennald dismissed this as he didn’t want to bother, but soon after the Vaegirs declared war on the kingdom of the Nords. Not too long thereafter the war reached Fearichen and the trading post settlement of Hearthhome was sacked and looted. Ranulf’s father and many others were killed, and the remaining members of Hearthhome who a peaceful people were further repelled from violent confrontations. With nothing left, they decided to gather the gold, goods, and their community and move to the Curin basin to reunite with their Zendar brother in arms in commerce and trade. There they will rebuild their trade commune.
