The Ireem Chronicles

As you know, the Chronicle always tries to bring you interesting news and gossip from Ireem. I heard that there is a new development in the city and decided to investigate. It appears that the Merchants of Ireem are forming a guild. Why? What is its purpose? I talked to one of the Merchants to find out more. Ulric MacNeasa, owner of The Ship Inn, agreed to a brief interview.

Tre Marjeta: So what would you tell the people of Ireem about this new Merchant's Guild?

Ulric the Celt: We - that is the merchants of Ireem - have decided to collaborate more closely on matters of common interest. It is open to all who own or run businesses in Ireem. We are calling it The Merchant's Guild.

Tre Marjeta: Common interests? What are they?

Ulric the Celt: The merchants are finding it very difficult to survive in the city. We pay high rents for our businesses, high taxes to the Sultana and yet we have few ways of making money. We try very hard to offer high quality services to the citizens, knights, factions and the poor girls who have to run the sands. Sadly, we find that most who use our services do not even stop to say 'Hello', let alone talk to us properly or pay us for providing the service. It is really tough and I know many business owners who sold up and left the city because they grew tired or worse, went bankrupt. So we will now cooperate with one another more closely. For a start we will lobby the city authorities to reduce the taxes and rents because they are penal and we get nothing for them: no protection, no support and no representation. There is a council but I have never once been approached by a councillor to discuss my needs as a business owner. So who do the councillors represent? Citizens are supposed to have jobs or official offices. If councillors represent citizens then why aren't they interested in our business? Well now that there is a Merchant's Guild the council had better sit up and take notice of the people who invest themselves and their money in the businesses that pull people into Ireem.

Tre Marjeta: You sound angry.

Ulric the Celt: No, not angry. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a happy chappie who takes pretty much everything in his stride and with a smile on my face. That's important for an Innkeeper. I am not angry, I am just very frustrated as are my fellow merchants. We want to help people and make them happy but we don't seem to be making inroads. Look at Meagan Ling, who owns the bathhouse. You will not find a sweeter or more beautiful woman in the whole of Ireem - apart from my silk of course. She offers excellent bathing and massage services in her lovely bath house and yet I see dirty near-savages pass her establishment every day. Judging by how many of them fight openly in the streets, they could use w good massage to ease their stress. And then there's Elder Lubitsch. His Cafe is a wonderful place, often packed to the gunnels with lovely dancing girls. He is the happiest, most helpful guy I know and yet he gets grief from campers every day and few seem to want to enjoy his dancers or his coffee. Okay, I mean I know he can talk a little fast but is that a crime? I mention just a couple of the hardworking, dedicated, diligent people that try to ply their trades in Ireem every day. We are up before the sun, making our bread and our carpets and our beer. We provide these to people in the best establishments we can make. All we ask in return is a little respect and some business.

Tre Marjeta: So taxes and rents are the areas of common interest. Is that all?

Ulric the Celt: That's all to start with. Over time we may decide that there are other issues that we want to be addressed. I will let you know, Tre.

Tre Marjeta: Are there any other messages you want to give to the people of Ireem.

Ulric the Celt: I just want to ask them to come and use our businesses. They are always welcome. We are here to help and in doing so we hope that we might be able to make a profit because we add value to people's lives and their play. Thanks for listening Tre. And keep up the good work, I read your paper cover to cover every day.

- Tre