"Don't mess with the Wharf Rats -- there's an awful lot o' big lads in that guild."
- —Anonymous Altdorfer[2a]
The Guild of Stevedores, commonly referred to as the Wharf Rats, is the official dockworking guild in Altdorf.[1a][1b]
History[]
The Wharf Rats originated during Altdorf's early days, before the city had an offical stevedores' guild. At that time, the docks were worked by many unofficial work gangs. These gangs competed for business, but competition sometimes spilled over into brawling. At one point the situation grew so severe that the aldermen of the city decided to designate one gang as the city's official Guild of Stevedores. This designation went to the Wharf Rats, the largest of the work gangs.[1c]
The Wharf Rats monopolized dock work in Altdorf until 2051, when Vlad von Carstein ravaged the Empire. Refugees from across the country spilled into Altdorf. Many settled in the Docklands, but the Wharf Rats did not allow a large quantity of new workers to join. Meanwhile, as von Carstein's army neared Altdorf, smugglers brought boatloads of goods into the city, intending to sell them at inflated prices once the siege began. The Wharf Rats refused to take on such work, but there were plenty of unemployed refugees in the docklands willing to do the job. Thus the unofficial waterfront gangs, the Hooks and the Fish, were born.[1c]
Membership[]
The Guild of Stevedores admits new apprentices four times a year. In order to join the guild, a candidate must be listed on the Civic List of Altdorf. The guild's master foremen examine the youths, and generally award apprenticeships to the strongest, although sons of current Wharf Rats are almost always accepted also.[1e][1f]
Wharf Rats must pay guild fees.[1c] Once a stevedore becomes a journeyman, they join the members' assembly. The Master Stevedores advise the Guild Master.[1d]
The Wharf Rats, along with their allies in the Teamsters' Guild, sometimes raid the Hooks or the Fish. The Guild keeps the raids quiet, although they are ordered by the Guild Master himself.[1g]
Territory[]
The Wharf Rats control most work in the Reiksport.[1b]
Notable Members[]
- Hieronymous Johanssen: Hieronymous Johanssen is the current Guild Master of the Stevedores. Although has a confident manner, he's really a dupe of the Merchant's Guild.[1h][1i]