Platinum Consortium
The Platinum Consortium is the creatively named organization which controls the platinum mining in the creatively named Barony known as Platinum Peak.
They control what is presumed to be the single richest source of platinum in all of West Colassia, if not all of Scarterra.
Like most of the Border Baronies region the area is geographically isolated and exposed meaning that many hireling soldiers are needed to safeguard the miners and their stores of platinum.
The lands around Platinum Peak are not especially fertile, so it is a logistical challenge to feed the miners and soldiers.
Priests help the cosmopolitain work force cooperate, theurgists provide magical support.
The Consortium balances out the varied needs of the mining community in order to get rich from platinum.
Structure
A triumvirate of tengku is in charge. The most social of the trio acts as the triumvirate's mouthpiece and she is colloquially known as "The Baroness of the Mines."
The triumvirate is aided by about a dozen tengku seneschals.
Most of the miners are kobolds, most of the soldiers are dwarves, most of the farmers and hunters are humans, most of the porters and scouts are kalazotz, but the triumvirate does not (openly) discriminate and will not turn away any employee they deem useful regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.
Culture
The Platinum Consortium runs the medieval equivalent of a company town. While they do sell their employees supplies, they don't charge their employees so much that they are perpetually stuck in debt.
The conditions are rough, so most workers don't stay in Platinum Peak their whole lives. Most eventually leave, and most eventually leave with a fair amount of platinum. It is also noted that most miners and support staff eventually have to leave if they want to spend their earnings given that the settlements associated with Platinum Peak have very little in the way of comforts or luxuries.
Public Agenda
Why did the Platinum Consortium hire a bunch of miners, farmers, and soldiers to work Platinum Peak? What do you think?
Assets
The Consortium used their platinum to set up fortifications and housing for their working. They have farmlands that are vaguely nearby which feed their workers and guards.
The consortium is out to make money above all other concerns, and they make they make their workers work hard, but miners for the Platinum Consortium are paid double what miners tend to receive elsewhere. The miners are not just well paid; they are well fed, well-housed, and well protected.
History
Platinum Peak has been hotly contested by many ambitious warlords and entrepreneurs for many centuries. No single person or organization has managed to hold on to the mine for longer than fifty-seven years. The Platinum Consortium established themselves in 1782, the Zodiac year of Phidas which was fifty-five years ago.
The Consortium is planning to have a huge celebration on their fifty-eighth year of operation.
Worship
Hallisan is worshipped her because he is the god of mining and the Barony of Platinum Peaks is a mining town.
Phidas is worshipped here because he is the god of commerce and the Consortium is a commercial entity.
Mera is worshipped here because she is the goddess of intercultural communities and the consortium employs a very cosmopolitan workforce.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The priests and theurgists are well paid for their services but they don't have much direct influence. They are employees of the current tengku owners like everyone else.
Founding Date
1782
Type
Financial, Other
Demonym
Peakers
Government System
Plutocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
standard currency with more platinum than one usually sees though they will bring in lots of copper, silver, and gold to make change.
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Related Ethnicities
Comments