The Republic of Portavas/Attitude to Guilds

The Nation has its own trading and merchant houses, but is heavily involved in world wide trade organizations. Political groups exist generally in the Nation, and in house justice was used historically but now is handled by the Court of Daggers methods of maintaining peace between Nations while in Haven.
Adventures and the Treasure Hunters Guilds will also most likely benefit from having many legitimate seafaring business people at their disposal.
Banking is used heavily to keep money safe during long sea journeys, as carrying it with you to the bottom of the sea is just ill advised and wasteful.