The Trade Consortium Council was the ruling council of the great trade city of Caldeum, which for a long time ruled the city largely independent from the Imperial Kehjistani throne in Kurast. When Kurast fell to the Prime Evil Mephisto and his minions, the nobles of Kehjistan migrated to Caldeum, where they soon demanded seats on the council. This led to a civil war-like conflict that only ended when Emperor Hakan I arrived, making Caldeum the new capital of his empire an making peace between the waring factions.