Marque Trade Consortium

Overview

"Gold moves faster than steel."

The Marque Trade Consortium is a powerful merchant syndicate operating throughout the Protectorate of Eastward and beyond. It controls key trade routes, negotiates high-value agreements, and enforces its dominance through both wealth and military might. With growing tensions in the Trial-Woods and surrounding regions, the Consortium’s actions continue to shape the economic and political landscape.

Founding & History

Founded over fifty years ago to manage trade and economic stability for the Estellian Demesne, the Marque Trade Consortium initially began as a coalition of independent traders pooling resources for mutual benefit. It primarily focused on regulating commerce within Estellian territories, ensuring stable supply chains, and managing tax-efficient trade routes. Over the decades, it evolved into a formidable economic power, securing monopolies on rare goods, influencing political figures, and consolidating control over vital trade routes. Originally focused on legal commerce, the Consortium gradually embraced more ruthless methods, leveraging mercenaries, spies, and political manipulation to eliminate competitors and enforce their dominance. Today, it remains under the authority of the Estellian Demesne, though its economic influence rivals noble houses and kingdoms alike, granting it substantial autonomy in regional trade affairs.

Leadership & Structure

Claudia Marque – Supreme Trade Commander

The enigmatic and ambitious head of the Consortium, Claudia Marque is a seasoned strategist and ruthless negotiator. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded aggressively into contested territories.

Trade Council

A group of influential merchants and investors who dictate Consortium policy, managing major trade deals and regional interests.

Captain Dorian Kessler – Logistics Commander

Responsible for overseeing high-value shipments, including military supplies, gold reserves, and food disbursement. He is currently engaged in securing trade convoys against interference from Renard Blackthorn and the Bogwood Dragonborn.

Security Marshal (Crimson Pact Mercenary Company)

An elite force of hired warriors and bounty hunters, serving as the Consortium’s private army. Their current priority is eliminating Blackthorn’s rebellion and protecting major trade routes.

Guild Treasurer & Financial Officers

Managing wealth flow and trade contracts, these individuals ensure that the Consortium maintains its financial dominance over rival factions.

Trade & Influence

The Consortium controls several key trade routes and has positioned itself as the primary supplier of luxury goods, weapons, alchemical materials, and food supplies.

Primary Goods & Resources

  • Luxury Imports: Rare textiles, enchanted jewelry, fine wines, and spices.
  • Weapons & Military Equipment: Estellian-forged steel, crossbows, and alchemical explosives.
  • Arcane Components & Alchemy: Magical reagents, potions, and rare spell components.
  • Fortifications & Infrastructure: Oversees key trade forts and supply depots in contested regions.
  • Food Disbursement: Managing the distribution of vital food supplies to allied settlements and controlling essential grain storage.

Major Trade Routes

  • The Artery River Trade Line: A crucial waterway connecting Eastward to the outer empire.
  • Trial-Woods Smuggling Route: A clandestine path for moving illicit goods and evading taxation.
  • The Estellian High Road: Secure trade passage linking Consortium holdings to major noble houses.

Current Conflicts & Strategic Goals

Trial-Woods Conflict

The Consortium is currently engaged in a scorched-earth campaign to eliminate Renard Blackthorn’s resistance forces. Claudia Marque has authorized massive fires to purge the Trial-Woods, cutting off Blackthorn’s ability to wage guerrilla warfare.

  • Mercenary Forces: Hired bounty hunters and Crimson Pact enforcers actively tracking and eliminating rebels.
  • Summer Court Fey Involvement: Claudia has made deals with Fey operatives, though tensions have arisen due to reckless destruction.
  • Counteractions: Blackthorn’s forces are intercepting supply shipments and using guerrilla tactics to stall the Consortium’s efforts.

The Bogwood Power Struggle

Valtharix the Scaled Tyrant, ruler of the Bogwood, is a growing threat to Consortium expansion. While he has previously traded with Blackthorn, Claudia has offered gold and legitimacy in exchange for his assistance in eliminating the rebel leader.

  • Dragonborn-Lizardfolk Forces: The Bogwood’s defenders are well-trained and familiar with the swamp’s terrain.
  • Potential Alliance: If Valtharix accepts, the Consortium gains an enforcer; if he refuses, conflict is inevitable.

Espionage & Internal Struggles

Recent intelligence suggests informants within the Consortium have been leaking shipment details to Blackthorn’s forces. Security measures are being increased, and internal investigations are underway to root out traitors.

Expansion & Control

  • Establishing permanent trade hubs in Eastward and the Bogwood.
  • Increasing mercenary presence to enforce trade dominance.
  • Negotiating exclusive trade agreements with noble houses to undermine competition.
  • Expanding food distribution efforts to cement economic influence over dependent settlements.

Potential Outcomes & Risks

  • If Blackthorn is defeated, the Consortium gains undisputed control of the Trial-Woods trade routes.
  • If Valtharix aligns with Blackthorn, a two-front war could threaten Consortium operations.
  • The Summer Court’s patience is thinning—if Claudia oversteps, she risks direct Fey intervention.
  • Internal spies and saboteurs threaten long-term security.
  • Food scarcity manipulation could either strengthen or weaken the Consortium’s regional control, depending on execution.

Final Assessment

The Marque Trade Consortium is at a crossroads. If Claudia Marque successfully maneuvers through these conflicts, she will cement her organization’s power as an economic juggernaut. However, with enemies on all sides, a single misstep could bring ruin to her carefully constructed empire.

Safe Share Link