The Metalsmiths Guild was a major trade union on the ore-rich planet of Vandelhelm, whose roots dated back to the original settling of the world. Renowned for creating some of the galaxy's finest alloys, the Metalsmiths Guild had sole control over Vandelhelm's metal production, which in turn played a large role in shipbuilding galaxy-wide. Vandelhelm's metalsmiths were renowned for their secrecy and superstition, jealously guarding the methods they used to create their alloys and refusing to work without the blessing of the Venerated Ones, who were descended from the original founders of the Guild. Although the Metalsmiths Guild fell under Imperial sway during the Galactic Civil War, the Alliance of Free Planets freed the imprisoned Venerated Ones and removed the Imperial collaborator Guildmaster Orrk.
The Metalsmiths Guild was the dominant trade guild on the planet Vandelhelm, representing the craftsmen who controlled all metal production on the world. The Metalsmiths Guild had a reputation for superstition, specifically surrounding their reverence of the Venerated Ones, the descendants of the guild's original founders. The Venerated Ones were treated essentially as hereditary royalty, and the metalsmiths traditionally stopped working if they were off-planet or withheld their blessing—openly opposing an edict from a Venerated One was unthinkable to members of the Guild. The metalsmiths of Vandelhelm were also renowned for their secrecy, tightly guarding the methods they used to create their alloys. The Guild was led by an official known as the Guildmaster, who was elected by popular vote among guild members.
Extremely rich in valuable metals and minerals,the planet Vandelhelm was discovered around the year 3053 BBY, by a pair of independent prospectors, Vandel and Helm. The two partners' first ore exports from the world that would bear their names were highly profitable, so much so that they used the proceeds to attract many of the galaxy's best metalsmiths to found the first Metalsmiths Guild, which was granted total control over the planet's metal production by the . The guild persisted for over three millennia on Vandelhelm, driving the industry that made the planet famous for its extremely fine alloys.
Guildmaster Orrk, who collaborated extensively with the Galactic Empire.
Vandelhelm's importance to the galaxy's shipbuilding industry had only grown by the era of the Galactic Civil War, when Vandelhelm fell under Imperial control. Then-Guildmaster Orrk conspired with the Imperials to arrest the two child Venerated Ones—Lillindri "Lilli" Nanimei Filda Vandelhelm XXXII and her younger brother Endrodanar "Endro" Tiopuld Shaamador Vandelhelm XXIV—in order to take full control over the Metalsmiths Guild. The Venerated Ones were imprisoned for three years on Ord Vaug before they were freed by liberators from the Alliance of Free Planets, who dispatched top pilots Han Solo and Nien Nunb to return them home. The Venerated Ones return to rejoicing from the common guild members, even as Orrk continued plotting against them along with Imperial Admiral Mordur. However, he was quickly discovered and his plans foiled upon the Venerated Ones' return, meeting his end at Solo's hands.
Immediately after the Venerated Ones' return and Orrk's demise, the Metalsmiths Guild elected the 15-year-old Lilli as the new Guildmaster. Lilli remained forever loyal to the Alliance of Free Planets and the successor New Republic, and presided over a very generous trade agreement with the government that had rescued her and her brother from captivity. This loyalty took precedence over the Guild's profits, much to the New Republic's benefit—increased shipments from Vandelhelm played a large part in the New Republic's victory in the Thrawn campaign. The increased production came with stagnant income, as Lilli ensured prices stayed down for the New Republic and earned her opposition from some in the Guild.
These rumblings only grew louder in 14 ABY, when Lilli ordered a enormous shipment of alloys to create a new Solo-class combat freighter—in conjunction with the Republic Engineering Corporation, SoroSuub and Fondor Shipyards—to commemorate the 10th anniversary of her rescue by the Alliance. Having grown accustomed to unfettered trade after the end of Imperial control, the hit to profits caused by this undertaking created a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction within the metalsmiths. This extended to her own brother, who served as her security officer and advisor, and who himself plotted to wrest control of the Guild from his sister and sell the Solo-class ships to the highest bidder. His attempt on her life was foiled by Solo and Nunb, who had returned to Vandelhelm for the launch ceremony.
The Metalsmiths Guild was introduced in Star Wars (1977) 98, written by Archie Goodwin, illustrated by Al Williamson and released in 1985.