Houses of Intrigue: Perspectives
by Joaquin MenchacaAs I was running Veiled Society (D&D3e), I notice there is a sort of classic vagueness about why the houses dislike each other, both in the module and also in the Gazetteers. Thus I came up with the following ideas (mentioned below). I was trying to have a redeeming point and also fallacy about each house, so that players can find points that they like or dislike about each house.
HOUSE VORLOI
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Opinions about Torenescu
1. They always flaunt their money
2. They are both pompous and arrogant.
3. They think money will solve everything.
4. These are the type of people that forced us out
of Traladara in the first place.
5. Their little exclusive society of elitist have no
concern for anyone but themselves.
6. Have little loyalty or concern for the people or
the state.
7. They think they can buy anything or anyone.
Opinions about Radu
1. They try to force us out of the market when we
refuse to play their game.
2. They want a complete monopoly on trade.
3. They want to force us to pay fealty to them to
operate in Specularum and do a honest business.
4. Suspect they are corrupt and use underhanded ways
to assert their power.
Reflection
1. We work hard to get to where we are today.
2. We want to work with the Duke build this kingdom,
which will improve the lives of everyone.
3. A successful enterprise will help the nation, and
help the people.
4. Whether a man is Traladaran or Thyatian is
unimportant. A man is measured by his own merit
and honour in his word.
HOUSE RADU
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Opinions about Torenescu
1. They are sell outs to the Duke, and will betray
anyone to keep their precious power.
2. They care only for themselves.
3. Their elitist cadre see everyone outside their
group as meek servants to do their bidding.
4. They exploit the people at any chance without
remorse.
5. They live plush lives while people suffer.
6. They sabotage our honest efforts through their
elitists connections.
Opinions about Vorloi
1. They use their imperial connections to steal our
business that we worked so hard to achieve.
2. They steal our clients and contacts through
underhanded means.
3. Sabotaged other trade routes in remote ports
through their royal connections or through
underhanded means.
4. They assert themselves in the court at the
expense of other Traldaran families.
5. Another Thyatian menace that pretends to be with
the people and pretends to be Traladaran.
Reflection
1. We had to work hard, fighting our way to the top
in order to get to where we are. Our success was
not handed on a silver platter.
2. We are one the of the last remaining houses that
concern themselves with the welfare of the people.
3. We oppose Duke's efforts to rob Traladarans of
their land through appointed robber Barons.
HOUSE TORENESCU
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Opinions about Vorloi
1. They use underhanded means to undermine our
influence in the court.
2. They try to steal friends and contacts through
their influence with the king and bribery through
business opportunities and concessions.
3. These pretenders have little concern for the
people except their Thyatian buddies.
Opinions about Radu
1. This family placed themselves in power through
thuggish means through extortion, violence, and
bribery.
2. Lost many good contacts and friends through
earlier struggles.
3. Several assassinations are suspected to be linked
to Radu.
4. Excessive wealth doesn't represent civility. A
monkey in a dress is still a monkey.
5. The Radu cannot buy their way into nobility.
Reflection
1. One of the last true houses that can restore
Traldaran power and hope.
2. We try to help the peasants have a better life.
3. Don't support the Duke's efforts to build a
kingdom on the backs of Traladarans.
4. We have to do what is necessary to survive and
await the eventual day Traladarans can achieve
The Golden Dream.
5. Only attempt furtive goals, not blind dreams with
no chance of success.