• Founding Year: 2625
• Headquarters: Headquarters of the Trade Guild of New Kourou, New Kourou
• Original Purpose: Foster free trade through lobbyism within the Free State of Settlers, provide financial support and offer common infrastructural services for members such as the Courier Service.

The Trade Guild of New Kourou was the most powerful exohuman trade organization within the Free State of Settlers, acting as a stabilizing force in an otherwise volatile frontier economy. Consisting of local merchants, supraregional trade organizations, and entrepreneurs, the guild regulated commerce, maintained supply chain stability, and organized trade logistics—including operating its own Courier Service.

Although not an official government body, the Trade Guild held immense social and political influence, often regarded by settlers as the real leadership of the Free State of Settlers. Guild members commanded public trust far more than politicians or former government figures.

The guild was led by an elected Chairman, chosen annually among merchants or entrepreneurs.

Founded in June 2625, shortly after the establishment of the Free State of Settlers, the Trade Guild of New Kourou immediately sought to strengthen economic stability and trade infrastructure. One of its first major initiatives was demanding the construction of a paved Trade Route connecting New Kourou with the farm clusters of the Hope Region and the emerging settlement of Morningstar.

Recognizing the Free State’s limited budget, the Trade Guild offered financial assistance for the construction, securing in return the exclusive right to operate a Courier Service on the Trade Route for at least ten years. The Settler's Council agreed, understanding the necessity of private support to establish critical infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the Trade Guild launched expeditions into the uncharted regions of the Asari Region and the Ralar Region of the Dark Side to secure resources for its members. It also played a key role in founding Fisherpoint near Lake Orlanda, seeking to expand settlement efforts, but unintentionally escalating tensions with the Orlanda Tribe.

The Guild’s involvement in founding Fisherpoint directly contributed to the Battle of Fisherpoint, where 1,000 Orlanda warriors overwhelmed the 90 lightly defended settlers. This devastating loss marked a major escalation toward full-scale conflict on VOI 700 D.

The destruction of Fisherpoint radicalized the Trade Guild, aligning its interests with the growing human nationalist movement. Viewing the Great War as a necessary step toward establishing human dominance on VOI 700 D, the Guild threw its full support behind the Volunteer Army of Man (VAM) and the Guarding Troopers.

Financial contributions, resource allocations, and morale-boosting propaganda — such as anti-Native comic strips and settler pride publications — became the Guild’s main activities during wartime. These materials, while popular among settlers during the Beta Age, are considered racist propaganda by the standards of the Gamma Age.

Following the signing of the Peace Treaty and the rise of Communardism, the Federal Council of the Free State of Settlers dissolved the Trade Guild of New Kourou. All trade activities, including the Courier Service, were nationalized to fit the new federal and communal structure.

Former Guild members, many embittered by the loss of their influence and enterprises, became key supporters of the Individualist Party, advocating for a return to a more capitalist, human-centric society.

The Trade Guild’s Courier Service was one of the first large-scale logistical operations on VOI 700 D. It operated exclusively along the Trade Route connecting New Kourou, the Hope Region farms, and Morningstar. Using a combination of light land vehicles, relay stations, and early warning outposts, the Courier Service became the backbone of commerce and communication before the establishment of the shortwave network.

Couriers often faced harsh environments, wildlife threats, and occasional bandit raids, making the service both dangerous and highly respected. The Courier Service was phased out after nationalization in 2631, replaced by federal logistical services.

The Trade Guild of New Kourou didn't limit itself to local commerce but actively worked on expanding settlement zones and resource acquisition:

• Trade Route Construction: A paved Trade Route between New Kourou, Hope Region, and Morningstar, built with Guild funds and labor.
• Resource Expeditions: Expeditions into the Asari and Ralar Regions to identify and secure new resource sites, including forests, ore deposits, and freshwater sources.
• Settlement Sponsorship: Sponsored settlements like Fisherpoint aimed at expanding the Exohuman presence but also increasing tensions with Native Tribes.

These projects laid early foundations for Exohuman territorial expansion but also sowed seeds for later conflicts.

• Economic Stabilization: The Guild stabilized the early Free State economy, preventing famine and material shortages.
• Political Influence: It became a major power broker, often overshadowing the elected government.
• Controversial Expansionism: While the Guild’s ventures expanded human settlement, they also contributed to worsening relations with Native Tribes.
• Cultural Divide: In the Gamma Age, the Guild is viewed with mixed feelings — admired for its entrepreneurial spirit by the Individualists, but criticized for its colonialist attitudes by the Communards.

Building the Trade Network: Players might help survey, protect, or expand the Trade Route during its initial construction, facing wildlife and bandit threats.

Trade Guild Missions: During the Beta Age, players could be hired for expeditions into uncharted territory or for protecting valuable cargo against attacks.

Uncovering the Past: In the Gamma Age, players could uncover hidden Trade Guild archives, revealing lost settlements, hidden treasures, or dark secrets about early settler-Native relations.

• Beta Age
• Free State of Settlers
• New Kourou
• Headquarters of the Trade Guild of New Kourou
• Trade Route
• Fisherpoint