The Lords Alliance

An order based out of Lundinium that aims to promote peace and prosperity between the people of the north. A large part of their drive is based on the desire to improve trade relations in the region and thus increase profits. They are working actively against the Zhentarim who tend to make profits by destabilising regions.

Structure
The Lords Alliance began as an agreement between a number of merchants and the Duke of Lundinium. The merchants would handle the building and maintenance of trade infrastructure in the region in return for greater trade freedoms.

Each mercantile faction has a representative within the Lords Alliance who oversees their specific needs:

The Lord of Salt
Represents naval trade, as well as trade in spices and luxury goods from foreign lands. Is responsible for maintaining harbours and sea trade routes.

Work for the Lord of Salt can include dealing with pirates, opening up new trade routes, or finding lost cargo.

The Lord of Grain
Represents agricultural industry, especially in the production and distribution of food. The Lord of Grain operates extensively in the Highmark.

Work for the Lord of Grain can include dealing with banditry, helping clear monsters from farm lands, negotiating agreements with woodland peoples.

The Lord of Stone
Represents the mining and minerals industry, including the secondary production of useful products by craftsmen (e.g. blacksmiths).

Work for the Lord of Stone can include clearing monsters from a mine, dealing with bandits, and exploration missions.

The Lord of Red
Represents livestock farmers and hunters. The Lord of Red works very closely with the Guild of Hunters and the Lord of Cloth.

Work for the Lord of Red is the same as for the Lord of Grain.

The Lord of Cloth
Represents the textiles industry in the region, including the production of leather, wool and linen, as well as representing weavers, spinners, tailors and cobblers.

Work for the Lord of Cloth includes maintaining trade routes.

Ranks Within the Lords Alliance
After repeating the Lords Oath (to protect and serve the goals and ambitions of the Lords Alliance for the purpose of furthering peace and prosperity in the region) members can gain the rank of squire. They will often be required to align themselves with a particular Lord as well.

As a squire, the member can take on paid contracts and, if successful, gain further ranks as detailed below. Higher ranks come with a set income, but require the member to administer certain tasks within their assigned region, and failure to do so can result in disciplinary action.
 * Lord Representative
 * Commander
 * Knight
 * Marshall
 * Squire