The Mangai is, essentially, the Guild of Guild which regulates and oversees the guilds, settling disputes between different guilds and organizing markets and fairs. The Mangai also work with the local government concerning matters of guild rights and privileges. However, the Mangai generally resists using their enormous power to influence politics, while the government generally reciprocates by limiting their involvement with guilds to taxation and the enforcement of the Charter of the Mangai, a law which protects the guilds' monopolies.
A Mangai chapter includes at least one representative of each local guild who elect an executive council to run the day to day operations. In Tashal, the Mangai Hall can be found south of Mangai Square, on Iemald Street east of Ternua. Questions concerning guild memberships, complaints against guild members, and other matters for the Mangai can be addressed to the Mangai Council Chairman (npc) on the upper level. On the lower level can be found a board with listings of local jobs that are available, a good place for newcomers to Tashal to look if they are in need of coin.
Guilds
Guilds are associations of craftspeople working together to regulate economic activity within specific crafts or professions. The rights of guilds are protected by law and throughout Harn almost all businesses are under the protection and direction of guilds.
To further it's goal of providing economic security for its members, guilds limit the monopolies and licenses they grant.
Guilds generally have three ranks that members must advance through, starting as an Apprentice without pay to learn, then working as a Journeyman for a small wage and board before becoming a Master. A Freemaster holds a franchise, or license, from the guild to own and operate a business at a specific location (or locations). A Bonded Master works under contract for a person or institution. All masters are required to pay 10% of their income as tithe to the guild.
Guilds ensure the economic security of their masters by limiting the number of licenses granted and establishing fair price guidelines to avoid price wars. As well, the limitation of prices prevents the selling of inferior goods or services at high prices, which would damage the reputation of the guild. Members who consistently ignore the price guidelines will be warned, further violations will warrant fines, and licenses can be revoked.
Guildsmen, rights and privileges of
The term "guildsman" for the purposes and rights entailed here shall be defined as anyone actually holding membership in a legal guild as either Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master. And having their status or dues in "good standing". Obviously, "good standing" is open to interpretation, in such cases the opinion of the Guild will carry more weight than the opinions of non-guilded persons, even including nobles.
Most guildsmen are represented by a local guild that holds membership in the Mangai, the joint association of Harnic guilds. The Mangai oversees its guilds in many facets of their tradesmen's businesses and lives, specifically things like how many and what type of shops may exist in a certain town or kingdom, how apprentices shall be treated, how long someone must remain an apprentice or journeyman before being allowed to advance to Master status, how much the licenses to run a certain type of shop cost, as well as such things as "fair price" guidelines for merchandise.
Most kingdoms or states have by now agreed in principle to the regulations within the Charter of the Mangai, the body of text and guild regulations that governs the member guilds of that association and dictates how they relate to the governments of the various kingdoms and states.
It should be noted that these largely take the form of "principles" and regulations, rather than laws, as the Mangai is not a feudal government it doesn't technically have the right to pronounce laws.
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The feudal government or Crown, will recognize in principle the right of a guilded man to freely ply his trade within its borders, provided that the man meets the required expectations of his guild (membership, license, etc)
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The feudal government or Crown, will agree in principle that the property of the guilded man is his and his family's heritable property and is not the feudal holding of the Crown or any local nobleman.
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The Mangai agrees that the land that such property stands upon is the feudal holding of the Crown, and that the Crown or feudal governor has the exclusive right to evict a guilded man for non-payment of due taxes, failure to properly maintain a structure in safe condition, or conviction of any felony offense under either Crown or Canon law.
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(Amendment - previous principles did allow for seizure upon merely a formal laying of charges) The Crown or feudal government agrees in principle that no forfeiture or seizure of a guilded man's property can take place without a conviction, either in person or in absentia of at least a felony or capitol offense under either Crown or Canon law.
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The Mangai agrees that the Crown or recognized legal churches may lay charges against any guilded man under the same conditions as any other commoner, and that the guilded man shall be required to answer for any criminal offense, regardless of severity before the King's magistrate, sheriff, or appointed officer.
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The Mangai does, however, reserve the right to employ a litigant or press for a formal hearing before a royal magistrate or unbiased nobleman IF they feel their guildsman is wrongly accused. It shall be the Crown or appointed representative which chooses the magistrate or noble officer to oversee such a hearing, however.
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The Crown or feudal government agrees in principle that a foreign guildsman shall be afforded de facto guilded freeman status while visiting in the kingdom or state, and shall not unduly press him/her into serfdom, slavery, or other binding contractual service.
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The Crown or feudal government agrees in principle that so long as a guildsman maintains licensed status in "good standing" within his guild he shall only be responsible for payment of taxes as negotiated between Crown/governor and the Mangai for each calendar year, and not be liable for incidental levies, marriage or death taxes*, or other undue charges.
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* unless a bonded guildsman operating on a feudal fief
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The Crown or feudal government agrees in principle that the Mangai and/or at least the guildsman's local guild should be informed when a felony or greater charge is levied against him/her by either Crown or Canon authorities.
Notes: It should be noted that "property" is including buildings, livestock, coins, clothing and other goods. It should further be noted that "forfeiture or seizure" refers to permanent removal of such, the law does allow for authorities to temporarily confiscate or take a guilded man's property into custody to be examined, counted, or held until trial/conviction/release (which may be a very long time) The Mangai itself reserves the right to suspend the licenses of any guildsman accused of any felony or greater offense under either Crown or Canon law and to shut down businesses until such charges are resolved to their satisfaction (which may take more than the Crown simply dropping the charges)