Highguard economic interests
“The pursuit of wealth is the foundation of suffering.”
Overview
There is a deep-seated distrust of the pursuit of wealth for its own sake amongst the Highborn. Highguard is founded on the concept that only action can be virtuous, and their culture rewards assiduous effort and self-improvement. “Wealth” by itself is a passive force; usury – charging interest on a loan – is considered despicable because the lender has no active role in what transpires.
In place of the moneylenders common elsewhere, the Highborn are proud of their benefactors. Often older merchants, benefactors make their wealth work for themselves and others. They try to encourage virtue by acting as patrons to other merchants. They may help a young trader get established, or participate in a risky but ambitious venture that has potential benefits beyond purely economic ones. Rather than lending money and charging interest, benefactors invest in enterprises and in individuals, sharing the risk – and sharing the profits.
Gambling on games of chance is as dubious as usury, since there is no action the participants can take to improve their chances of winning other than to cheat. That said, the Highborn love to wager on contests of skill, whether they are participating or not. Professional book-keepers collect wagers and distribute winnings, taking a small percentage for their service; some specialise in organising contests and competitions specifically to encourage wagering.
Permanence is a civic virtue in Highguard and there is no doubt that the nation produces the best architects and masons in the Empire. The quarries of Casinea produce a breathtakingly beautiful marble that absorbs heat when it is warm and exudes it when cold, making it the ideal building material. Other crafts include the creation of decorative mosaics and fabrics with complex geometric patterns. The Highborn also produce fine quality paper and coloured inks, used extensively to record the histories and archives of the nation.
Benefactors Council
- The Highborn have been inspired by Emperor Vesna to fund any commission
- The Council of Benefactors can redirect twelve wains a season, currently going to the Grand Inspiration of the Way, to any commission
- The Council of Benefactors meets at 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday of the summit
Inspired by Emperor Vesna's exemplary Vigilance and Ambition, the wealthy Highborn who support the decisions of the Council of Benefactors have gone even further than last year. Where before, the benefactors have been limited to providing twelve wains each season to a civilian commission, the citizens of Highguard have acknowledged the challenge the Throne has thrown down. After much discussion, the chapters have agreed that for the coming year at least, they will find the resources needed to support any project, providing up to twelve wains to a single commission each season. They are more than happy to continue funding the construction of the Grand Inspiration of the Way in Bastion if that is the will of the Council of Benefactors - but inspired by the Empress' words they will support any commission, regardless of nation or purpose.
There are two formal meetings of the Benefactors' Council at each summit, at 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday morning. They are likely to be held in the main tent of the Shattered Tower. If the Council want to change where their nation's donations are going, then they must ensure that their egregore is present when they make the decision. The egregore will make a note of the decision and pass word on to the other benefactors in the nation. If there is some debate over the decision, then the egregore will expect a decision to be taken by a simple majority vote of those present who are well known for their role as benefactors. The list above contains all the eligible benefactors currently known to be attending Anvil. Whichever commission is chosen, the people of Highguard will donate twelve wains towards it, each season, until it is complete. They will continue to support that commission until the Council of Benefactors nominates a new commission to receive the support of the nation.
Further Reading
Core Brief
Additional Information