The Syndicate
Following the razing of Sil'dih, Ul'dah began to truly flourish. The city established itself as a mercantile power, hiring sailors and purchasing ships to further extend their reach, opening trade with Radz-at-Han and the Near East. As the city's wealth began to grow, the second Ul Dynasty worked hard to increase commerce, giving more and more power to the merchants.
This policy slowly but surely shifted the power and control of Ul'dah into the laps of those who brought the most wealth into the city-state, while draining the Sultanate of its power in equal measure. In 1401, the Syndicate was officially formed, crowning six merchants as advisors based on how much wealth they added to the city. Though the Sultanate acts as the face of Ul'dah, the true ruling power is the Syndicate.
Currently the Monetarists are the ruling faction of the Syndicate. Their current goal is to establish self-governance, much against the will of the Sultanate. With the power afforded to the Syndicate, it is a constant battle to gain a seat.
Syndicate Members
Monetarists
- Lolorito Nanarito (Chairman): East Aldenard Trading Company
- Teledji Adeledji: The Mirage Trust[1]
- Chief Foreman Fyrgeiss Loetkilbsyn: Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern
Royalists
- Raubahn Aldynn: General of the Immortal Flames and owner of the Coliseum.[2]
Other
- Prioress Dewlala Dewla: Head of the Order of Nald'thal and director of Milvaneth Sacrarium[3]
- President Godbert Manderville, Manderville & Manderville[4]
Lore
The Syndicate has half a dozen chairs, each occupied by one who has added most to the coffers of Ul'dah. Though they initially served in an advisory role, at present they are the nation’s ruling body. The Monetarists, the reigning faction, work to establish self-governance—though Raubahn acts as a foil to their attempts. Nonetheless, the sultana’s opinion carries little weight.
Given the range of power afforded the Syndicate, struggles over membership have always been fierce. One recent example is Eolande Quiveron, who is widely thought to have perished in the Seventh Umbral Calamity. The seat thus vacated by the former head of Frondale’s Phrontistery’s has since been filled by Godbert Manderville, yet rumors still abound that Eolande was assassinated due to a quarrel within the Monetarist ranks. [5]
Images
Footnotes
- ↑ Teledji is known to flip-flop and vote with the Royalists as he feels the Sultana is easily manipulated. Since his death, his seat has remained vacant.
- ↑ Since Raubahn's resignation to focus on the reconstruction of Ala Mhigo, it is very likely that Pipin has inherited his seat as acting leader of The Immortal Flames.
- ↑ Although the prioress states her neutrality during
Keeping the Flame Alive, she is also shown voting with the Monetarists on several occasions.
- ↑ Godbert has never voted in a cutscene involving the Syndicate, however the only unidentified member at the table has consistently voted with the Monetarists, and is almost certainly Godbert's representative.
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Eorzea: Volume I, page 132