TRADE REGULATIONS as of NOVEMBER 1216

Travance Trade Regulations of 1216
Subjects of Travance!

Listed Below are the updated trade definitions and regulations for Travance:

All subjects of Travance are free to trade within Travance as long as they are in accordance with the Laws of Travance.

Business Owner: Individual(s) or entity that owns a business with a physical storefront in an attempt to profit from the successful operations of the company. Generally has decision-making abilities and first right to profit. Business owners that have employee(s) are considered to be operating a business. Owners operating a business are automatically in the Merchant's Guild of Travance as a business and obtain a Business license.

Business licenses: are permits issued by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that allow individuals or companies to conduct business. Ownership of a business license is proof of membership for the Merchants Guild of Travance and grants the owner certain privileges explained below.

Business licenses will be given at the start of the business. If lost the Business owner can pay the Chancellor of the Exchequer ten gold to have another created. Only one license will be given per business; if multiply owners all owners’ names shall appear on the license.
(New business licenses will be distributed January 1217 for all established businesses. Further information to be announced at a later date)*

Merchant’s Guild of Travance

By order of the Baron of Travance, the Chancellor of the Exchequer holds the title of Guild Master of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance, a chapter of the Merchant’s Guild of Kormyre.

Membership within the Merchant’s Guild of Travance is gained by ownership of business license. One business license grants one vote within the Merchant’s Guild.


The Merchant’s Guild Master of Travance henceforth maintains sole rights to the sale of all items within the Barony of Travance.
*The sale of all items that are “arcane” in nature are regulated by the Mage’s Guild and anyone who sells them is subject to a 10% tax to the Mage’s Guild, regardless of whether they are a member of the Merchant’s Guild, Mage’s Guild, or not. This tax shall be collected in accordance with the guidelines established by the Mistress of the Occult, Guild Mistress of the Travancian chapter of the Mage’s Guild of Kormyre.

No new merchants shall trade, nor businesses be established within the Lands of Travance, unless said business owners are in good standing with the laws of Travance.

During the weekends of the Baronial Feast, on Saturday from the hours of 11 bells in the morning to 2 bells past midday, the main hall of the Dragon’s Claw Inn is open for Market Faire.

During this time, this location is considered to be under the purview and protection of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance and is considered Merchant Guild property.

The yearly cost of Merchant's Guild of Travance is, but is not limited to, twenty gold per Business License per year, and will be automatically deducted from each business account.

Guild membership shall include but may not be limited to the following benefits:

- Discounted Advertising in the Travance Chronicle
- Guard protections during Market Faire
- Guard protections to and from the Bank of Travance
- Business representation by Merchant Guild Governor

If you are an employee of a merchant and are not being compensated, please see a Governor of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance as soon as possible. Employees are to be paid a minimum of five gold pieces in coin or goods for their monthly service.

License Revocation: If a license is revoked, this means a merchant or business will not be allowed to sell their goods and/or services for up to one year from the date of suspension, or until the fine is paid. The penalty fine is the business license at two times the normal cost. Revoked owners will not be permitted to establish any other businesses during this time, independently or as a partner. Owners that have their licensed revoked may request a hearing with the Merchant Guild Governors.

Reasons for loss of Business License and Guild membership shall include but may not be limited to the following:
- By the Baron’s word which is the first law.
- Discretion of judgment from the Seneschal or Chancellor of the Exchequer.
- Lack of fair pricing as regulated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
- Sale of illicit goods – The Guild Master and Governors reserves the right to inspect goods prior to their sale in order to ensure the highest quality of goods.
- Poor treatment of employees.

Loss or revocation of Business License and Guild privileges does not entitle the merchant or business to recompense for any fees paid to the Merchant’s Guild of Travance.

Registering Complaints: Anyone who feels that they have been swindled, cheated or otherwise treated unfairly by a merchant should speak first to the Governors of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance who will then bring theses issues to the Guild Master for final review in order to hold a hearing. All complaints will be handled fairly, confidentially, and as quickly as possible. Any merchant with three or more substantiated complaints will be subject to fines, confiscation of goods, possible revocation of their license, and/or possible criminal prosecution. Merchants who have continuing problems with customers may also lodge complaints with the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Magistrate. An investigation will take place to determine whether stronger actions must be taken (i.e. Involvement of Town Guard).

Ambassadors/Dignitaries: Unless granted leave by the Barony, all Ambassadors and Dignitaries from foreign lands shall meet with the Guild Master of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance before selling goods in Travance.

Visiting Merchants: Merchants who may be passing through or making visits with passing caravans must follow all the laws of Travance and could possibly be subject to visitor taxation.


Governors of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance

In order to become a Governor of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance one of the following needs to occur:
• Prospective Governors require three signed recommendations from three different lords or ladies of different lands. These signatures are needed in order to be eligible for representation for a vote.

• By the Baron’s word which is the first law.

• By appointment from the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Guild Master of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance.

• Each year a vote will be held within the Merchant’s Guild of Travance to elect a select number of new Merchant Guild Governors for the year.


Market Faire

A member of the Town Guard shall be in attendance for safety of merchants during and after the Market Faire. The guardsman will escort any merchant after Market Faire to the bank upon request and business license presentation.

All subjects who will be attending the Market Faire of a Baronial Feast should be in the inn and prepared to setup their wares at least one half hour prior to Market Faire.

At this time, the Guild master of the Merchant’s Guild of Travance or the Merchant Guild Governors will make announcements or speak on general trade matters.

Market Faire will be held from 11am – 2pm. This time may be adjusted depending on activity of the Market Faire and at the discretion of the Baron.

It is at the discretion of the customer whether or not they wish to pay more than current guidelines specify. Price ranges are in place so that all subjects of Travance, regardless of prosperity, may enjoy goods and services.

If it is found that regulations are not being followed, the Town Guard will be called and the merchant will be fined. The Merchant’s Guild Governors will seize any gold made during the Market Faire, any commodities will be forfeit to the Merchant’s Guild Governors, and any other items will be forfeit to the Town Guard.

Please come to me or contact me with any questions, I wish for all of Travance to prosper and grow.