Hudson’s Bay Company



The Hudson’s Bay Company is an organization that has branched off from the association roots. It operated with trading posts found along the Don River and around it’s watershed. The Company trades finished goods for raw resources or currency.

Governance
It is led by a board of 14 governors and each fort has a local captain that reports to them.

The board is mostly made up of people from Crimea or the Sea of Azov.

Currently 4 members are from Crimea including Bostwick who serves as an honourary member. One has ties with the land transportation association, one the water transportation association, and one the Weavers Association.

2 are locals from the Rostov region and have ties to the tribes in the area. They have a history in fishing, hunting, and helping guide people. As locals, they bring a different perspective with regards to which groups are trustworthy and which are not as well as a familiarity with the lay of the land that may otherwise be hard to bring forward to the discussions.

3 are from Krasnodar Krai. One is a farmer, one is a fisher, and 1 used to work in carpentry.

1 is from Georgia with a history in weaving.

The other 4 are from Ukraine. One used to be a farmer, one used to be involved with land transportation, one has ties to black smithing, and one grew up the son of a chief.

The members were typically educated people who served as an apprentice to a key association.

The company stakeholders include their board, customers and suppliers. Along with the NW company, they were among the first to issue shares of the company. There are currently 38 issues. Each of the 14 board members hold two, giving them a large say in the company but they must sell at least one share upon retirement to their successor and the other within 10 years to a current or former shareholder. The other 10 are held by the captains of the fort which entitles them to supplement their income with a dividend from the company profits, providing an incentive to keep trade going when they can.

The board may decide to produce more shares, as well as call for changes to company policy including wages or expansion/contraction with potential consequences depending on the move.

The board also employs non-voting members in the form of a neutral facilitator, 2 record keepers, and a field representative committee of 4 people that switch every 6 months. Of these 4, 2 are from the Don river, 1 is from the Donets and 1 is from the Khopyor. These people must have 2 years experience, not be a high ranking member, not be related to a sitting member or former member who served within 5 years, and be from one of the 4 main roles: Clerk, Warrior, Maintenance, Voyageur.

Each year the required role from the area changes. The committee members are chosen by lottery from within their section in their area. It provides an impression on how things are looking on the front line, and makes it harder for captains to hide information from the board.

Foreign relations
They maintain relations with those they trade with, whether clans/tribes or associations or forming states, and occasionally provide gifts to those they trade with - especially during the crowning of a new chief for a clan or tribe.

Being outside of the Single Market proper, they make their own diplomatic and trade relations. The board provides the final say upon which an agreement with other organizations or states will occur. The board also decides most high level actions such as approving Fort import requests for resupply, changes to pay rates above 5% and bonuses above 50 chits or MB, and hostile military actions by the company warriors.

Land Claim
The HBC maintains a land claim over the trading rights for the resources found along the Don River and the surrounding land.

While they trade with the associations for goods, and hire their members for services, they have forbidden them from moving into the territory. This has provided for an uneasy relationship.

Forts
There are 10 forts under the companies control. They are typically made similiar to real HBC forts with palisade style walls with a gate, and inside hosting a barracks, general store, storage area, courtyard, and a HQ. Depending on availability it may also host an infirmary of some kind.

5 barracks reside near the Don proper, 2 near the Donets, 2 near the Khopyor, and 1 at the mouth of the Don River on the Sea of Azov.

Each Fort is home to approximately 50 permanent or semi-permanent residents.

Leading them is a Captain, appointed by the board and serves at their pleasure. Under them is a sergeant at arms who is the senior warrior, a quartermaster who governs rations as well as equipment and supplies, and a general clerk who is a senior merchant.

The General clerk is served by two regular clerks. Each regular clerk is served by a scribe, who records transactions, and two apprentices who assist around the shop.

The Quartermaster is served by 2 junior company officers, 4 cooks, and 5 caretakers who help with maintenance within the Fort.

The Sergeant at arms is in charge of a retinue of 27 guards who serve to keep the fort in a defensible position.

Beyond the permanent garrison, Voyageurs from the company also make their home in the Fort when they come in from abroad. This number is generally between 4 and 16.

Voyageurs
These people are often recruited from the Sea of Azov territories of Ukraine or Krasnodar Krai. There job is to canoe in search of tribals to trade with, bringing processed goods out and raw resources back.

They are known for singing along the trips, their strength and constitution while travelling, and for their tendency to measure trio distance in snack breaks.

Twice each year, as a benefit, the Voyageurs are treated to a new suit, feast of food, and fixed equipment. The equipment repairs could include fixing damage to their canoes or paddles, or providing new tools for making a fire or cooking for example.

At the start of winter the suit they are given is fur made for the cold. At the start of summer they are given something more formal. They can do with these however they choose.

Warriors
As the HBC operates outside the single market, they have a more militarized operation. Under their employ they have standard voyageurs and merchants but also warriors to guard their forts.

Their warriors are taken in for the long term and supplied with food and equipment. They are more used to ranged weapons such as bows and arrows and slings, but have been seen with a sword or spear as a side arm.

The warriors are mostly recruited from guards in Crimea and other northern areas within the single market. A minority are also hired from the local population.

Twice a year the warriors are provided with equipment maintenance, a thank you dinner, and a uniform exchange. The thank you dinner happens in September and March.

Equipment and Gear
Taking their cue from the farmers association they tend to stock up for the winter and, taking their cue from the northern climate, tend to do more trade in the warmer months and wear clothing made for the colder conditions.

The Voyageurs are more free in what they can wear. The Fort residents are provided with a uniform that is adjusted with the season.

Operating Location
Don River and surrounding area

Currency
Crimean Chits

Made Beaver

Barter also happens, although mostly by the Voyageurs.

Pay rates as of 2975
Currently uncertain

It’s possible that pay may be around 2 MB or 2 Chits per day, but it’s hard to say without knowing the cost of living such as by knowing the price of food and rent.