My Hallifax clan has gotten rather boring, and I'm considering turning it into a smithing cartel. So, I have some questions.

Are cartels automatically democratic? Because if so, that.

Also, do you have to be transcendent in said trade skill to submit designs of a certain type, and do you have to have the tradeskill to be in the cartel clan? Since I wouldn't want the clan to be just a cartel either.

Cartels are not democratic unless you make it so, the clan head is the Trademaster. I am not sure about your second question, but to your third, no anyone can be in a private cartel.

Cool, I like the way this is heading.

Do you get gold every time someone uses one of your patterns, or only if you are charging clan dues?

It's only the dues, not a per-use fee.

Not per use, you can set clan dues, anyone can be in it, it functions just like a clan, you can only use the ones that you have under ab forging, but I belive you can submit designs for anything.