The Most Honourable Guild of Armourers


The association known as The Most Honourable Guild of Armourers, alternatively called the Armorer's Guild, united the most skilled weapons experts throughout the galaxy. This Guild excelled in acquiring and trading a comprehensive range of armaments, achieving unparalleled status during the Imperial Period. Supported by patrons such as bounty hunters like Boba Fett, Imperial dignitaries such as Abran Balfour, and aristocrats such as Imal Valesovich, the Guild amassed considerable resources, even purchasing the entire planet of Epsi Nadir.

Although catering to the elite with high prices, the Most Honourable Guild of Armourers maintained a stock of diverse weaponry, ranging from standard-issue blasters to ancient swords. The Guild also engaged in the trade of scarce ship components and other mechanical devices. If the Guild lacked a specific item, it was either out of production or previously unknown to them. Regardless, the Guild strived to maintain a comprehensive inventory at all times. Their significant wealth and influence allowed the Guild to operate independently, free from interference by the Galactic Empire.

Equipment and merchandise

The "Armorer's Guild," formally known as the Most Honourable Guild of Armourers, specialized in the rarest and most exotic forms of weaponry. While they also stocked more common items like the BlasTech DL-18 blaster pistol, the majority of their profits came from more obscure—and sometimes prohibited—merchandise. The types of weapons varied widely, from everyday blasters and stokhli spray sticks to obsolete, ancient weapons such as rail guns, and micro-missile guns. It was a common belief that if the Guild did not carry an item, it was either no longer manufactured or represented undiscovered technology. In the case of the latter, the guild would inevitably acquire it. During the Imperial era, the Guild obtained relics such as a lightsaber and a suit of Mandalorian armor. These rarities typically commanded exorbitant prices in credits; the lightsaber alone fetched 250,000 credits, though it still did not meet the reserve price. The Guild's interests extended beyond weaponry to include limited edition items, such as the Kalld'n-class stardrive. Furthermore, the Guild specialized in acquiring melee weapons, including dueling swords and vibroblades. To secure these rare items, the Guild often commissioned third parties to search the galaxy.

History

During the Imperial period, the Most Honourable Guild of Armourers had to circumvent the attention of the Galactic Empire, known for its strict weapons regulations. To avoid conflicts with these laws, the Guild simply purchased the planet of Epsi Nadir, conducting the majority of their business there. By acquiring planetary waivers, the Guild could legally sell their products. To avoid the bureaucratic complexities of other worlds, their products were labeled as "collectors items" or "historical artifacts." After each sale, the Guild would request that buyers register their purchases, but for a small fee, these records could be "lost."

The Guild successfully established franchise agreements with all major armorers throughout the galaxy, including even the smallest dealers. Recognizing the difficulty many customers faced in reaching the Guildhouse in the Core Worlds, the Guild dispatched a liner filled with "samples" to the galaxy's outer reaches. Simultaneously, they extended invitations to wealthy individuals who might be interested in the Armourers' offerings.

Locations

Possessing considerable resources, the Guild acquired Epsi Nadir during the Imperial era to evade the Galactic Empire's laws and regulations. Epsi Nadir became the center of Guild operations, featuring an auction house to showcase the extensive collection of merchandise gathered by its members. The Guildhouse, situated in the Core Worlds, was difficult to reach for many customers due to the expense of travel. Further complicating matters, the Guild typically operated by invitation only, discouraging unsolicited customers. Due to the presence of bounty hunters and other dangerous individuals, disturbances at Guild auctions were relatively infrequent.

Membership and patronage

The Guild was composed of the galaxy's most accomplished weapons experts. Among the Guild's customers were bounty hunters such as Boba Fett, Dengar, Zardra, and Matt Talon, along with crime lords, wealthy hermits, corporate leaders, and nobles, both Imperial and planetary. Marshal Levnis and Moff Abran Balfour both utilized the Guild's acquisition services for their personal interests. Count Imal Valesovich and High Lord Jaris Affric engaged the Guild to procure rare melee weapons. The Guild's ability to bypass Imperial restrictions was highly appealing, granting them a market monopoly. While Guild auctions were generally invitation-only, certain officials were open to accepting substantial bribes.

The bounty hunter Dej Vennor acquired his droid IT-904 at a guild auction held on Epsi Nadir.

Behind the scenes

Simon Smith and Eric S. Trautmann created the Most Honourable Guild of Armourers, which was initially mentioned in the West End Games sourcebook titled Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim.

Sources

  • Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim (First mentioned)
  • The Far Orbit Project

Notes and references

Appearances