STRENGTHS: House Helgram maintains a thorough network of informants and spies through out the Courts. Being one of the oldest Major Houses has allowed Helgram to seize and maintain a great deal of political power.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: House Helgram handles a great deal of traffic between other Major and Minor Houses. Contracts, contacts and judging duels are the province of Helgram. They are often valued as witnesses to agreements as well as the huge referral network for resources. Helgram's informational resources are most daunting. They have knowledge of most other houses and their members. Helgram is also the House recognized for its gift and skill at shapeshifting. Their advance techniques are well respected and envied by other Chaosians.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: The House is always perfect in its loyalty to the Imperial House and is never in confrontation with it.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: The House has proven always loyal to the Imperial House and is never at Crossed swords with it.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: The internal structure of Helgram is a maze of intrigue and deception. It is not always apparent how one rises to a higher position within the House. The behind scene struggles and maneuvering are extremely low key. If people notices the flow of power someone has failed in their responsibility to the House.

POLITICS: Emperor Sharoc Swayvill comes from this House. Helgram maintains political strength through its network of influence and by maintaining Rim Lord Status as well.

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STRENGTHS: House Chanicut is one of the foremost marshal houses. They provide a large portion of the military for Chaos. They also provide a substantial amount of training to the other house forces.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: Chanicut contracts soldiers and guards out to many minor houses. They handle marshal training services for most of the guilds.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: The house maintains proper respect to the church. Observing all the Church's ceremonies as required by them.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: The House supports the Imperial House. The have proven loyal over several past rulers.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: The House is built around a classic military structure. To gain rank one must prove themselves in the areas of personal combat, leadership and negotiations. Though respect must be paid to all superiors complete obedience (other than in war) is only given to direct superiors. Obedience to others shows respect but can be denied for a sufficiently good reason.

POLITICS: Politically Chanicut supports the Emperor. The current Consort is Lord Marearn's daughter. They maintain superior military forces to almost all other houses. They actively resist change and believe deeply in traditional rules and methods. The House is probably the most conservative of the Rim Lords.

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STRENGTHS: The military might of this House is arguably the greatest in the Courts. They have extensive strategic holdings within the Black Kingdoms. Hendrake makes approximately 70% of the military ships in the Courts. Hendrake training is considered the standard by which other Houses are measured.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: Hendrake produces and trains the Elite forces of the Courts. Most young lords of other houses with military ambitions train for an extended period within this House. Outstanding graduates of this training without other opportunities are offered adoption into the House. Few turn down this honor.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: Hendrake is a known conservative and loyal house. Its current relationship with the Church is respectful. A few of the Lords/Ladies within Hendrake provided the Church with the majority of the military might on the Crusades of Amber. Even in defeat the House supports their obligations to the Church.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: Much of the Emperor's forces are made of Hendrake graduates who have sworn allegiance to him. Sharoc does not however tolerate House Loyalties to come before the Empire.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: Military. All members of the House have a rank within this structure. Order of rank: Soldier, Wardsman, Sergeant, Sergeant Marshal, Drapier, Captain, Commandeer, General, Lord General.

POLITICS: Hendrake is a known conservative house. each division with in the house is somewhat independent but loyal.

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STRENGTHS: House Sawall has an extensive network of informants with in the Imperial court and the other houses. Sawall considers itself above the petty infighting of the other houses. Sawall has Possession of Several important holdings in the near courts. Many of these are contested but the Imperial sentiment has been on their side.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: A moderate/conservative house, Sawall has good relations with most of the other Houses. Sawall is seen by many as a moderating force among the Rim Lords.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: Sawall has an impressive cathedral within its ways. Services are performed regularly and occasional members of this House join the Church of the Serpent. In the past some of the enemies of Sawall have attempted to discredit the House with rumors of cult worship. The House recently suffered a general indictment by the Church but all charges of heresy were dropped after a thorough investigation.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: House Sawall is very close to Emperor Sharoc and has, to all accounts, served him well. The Emperor's Minister of Protocol comes from this house. He is known to value her council.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: Kareles is acknowledged House Lord and rules the House with a steady calm hand. The House structure is similar to the Imperial Household (steward, chamberlain, and seneschal). Despil rules the House without known challenges. Mandor lives within his separate ways and it is unknown how much influence he exerts

POLITICS: House Sawall, offers a Moderating voice to the political autmosphere. Lady Dara's recent marriage to Lord Sawall is currently viewed with suspicion.

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STRENGTHS: House Jesby has in recent memory moved slowly out of a marshal role into a merchant based one. Using Black Kingdoms as new markets. Their first large ventures were in areas such as weapons and other tools of war. Using their knowledge in this area they have gained enough advantage to diversify.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: Jesby maintains sufficient marshal strength to contract troops effectively. They still sell a good portion of military supplies to minor houses as well as the Major marshal houses. The other merchant holdings are minor in comparison to other merchant houses.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: The House pays respect to the Church but this seems to be the bare minimum  necessary to prevent unwarranted attention.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: The House has kept itself in good favor with the Emperor by offering the Imperial house first choice in most of its earlier deals and by maintaining relations with the military arm as much as possible.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: The internal House structure is still a military one. Rank and promotion now include a profit consideration as well as personal combat skill and leadership ability.

POLITICS: Politically House Jesby has managed to maintain its position during the transition but has not been able to really influence the Court overall. Their strength is somewhat divided but they still manage to hold their place among the Major Houses.

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STRENGTHS: House Minobee has among all the Houses the most extensive connections to the Church of the Serpent.  While the House's holdings are not as profound or extensive as others among the Rim Lords but their political connections and ancient treaty connections keep them relatively safe.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: As the acknowledged favored house of the Church. In general Minobee supports conservative politics. Houses however are watched for signs of heresy or disloyalty to the Emperor.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: As mentioned previously this House is tightly wound with the Church. A majority of the current Bishops and Cardinals are from this House.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: Minobee is very supportive of Emperor Sharoc. Minobee's Bishops are prominent feature of the Imperial Court.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: for all of Minobee's activity within the Church and the Imperial Court the internal workings are a mystery. All members must apprentice at the Church, those who wish to influence events should reach Bishop.

POLITICS: Due to the present losses at Patternfall their standing has plummeted. Currently rebuilding.

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STRENGTHS: House Ysarn's main strength comes from a far reaching net of trade routes and contacts that range far out into shadow. No other house understands the fractured many-wayed maelstrom as this house does. They are known as extremely fair in dealing with the Black Kingdoms.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: Ysarn is currently in negotiations with House Reklan over mutual exploration of certain shadows. The House is completely business with the Rim Lords.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: The House attends official functions. A small chapel is located with in the main House ways.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: House Y'Ysarn's wealth has kept the Emperor interested in their loyalties.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: Members remain within the House usually for self protection and mutual interest. Each Lord is responsible for generating his/her own wealth and contributing to the families influence.

POLITICS: Ysarn usually keeps out of the spotlight of the Imperial Court, Church or Major House scrutiny.

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STRENGTHS: Reklan maintains its holdings by selling information on newly discovered territories in shadow. The family line is possessed with a wanderlust. They constantly explore through out Chaos and surrounding shadows. While most of the family is in and out of the ways, the oldest maintain the House estates.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES: Reklan maintains a good relationship with most of the Major Houses. They contract out services involving forging shadow paths, locating new resources and maintaining perimeter security for minor houses. They often auction off shadow resources they have located and control.

INTERACTION WITH THE CHURCH: The Church at this time is at odds with the House due to there less than conservative leanings. The Church watches House Reklan for any indiscretions.

INTERACTION WITH THE EMPIRE: House Reklan maintains its position with the Imperial House through their contracts with the Caravaneers Guild. If the Emperor so chose he could disband the Guild which would harm Reklan irreparably.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: The internal management of Reklan is often confusing since many nobles are absent. Councils are held informally by those that are present at the moment to deal with problems requiring attention. Ranking is mostly a matter of prestige dependent on who has seen and done the most. The Houses upper positions are held by retired explorers mostly.

POLITICS: Reklan maintains some immunity due to its lack of political ambition. They serve a specific purpose through exploration and their close ties with the Guild.

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HOUSE LORD: Deorlin Bariman

STRENGTHS: Barimen has suffered a long and trying time, due to the indiscretions of its forefathers they were labeled as a common enemy of the Courts. Their perseverance, survivability and sense of family are their greatest assets. Barimen has carefully invested in a variety of projects and has a willingness to take risk that falls just below House Reklan and Ysarn. The result has been a relatively profitable House with holdings in a variety of areas.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER HOUSES:
Helgram - Holds Barimen at a distance, giving respect for how far Barimen has come, but not extending assistance beyond Helgram's normal duties within the Courts.
Chanicut - Chanicut treats House Barimen with polite indifference, they hold several contracts through them.
Hendrake - Overall Hendrake frowns on Barimen's existence, they consider them untrustworthy and dishonorable, this feud has ignited to just short of war in the past but is now at a low boil. Hendrake is responsible for the two petitions to dissolve the House.
Sawall - Sawall maintains good relations with Barimen, their political leanings are similar, and they contract with each other regularly but have few common projects right now.
Jesby - Barimen worked with Jesby during its slow transformation and has lost money on them. Jesby seems committed to repaying their obligations and escape such a close connection to them.
Minobee - Relations continue to be cool, Barimen until recently has been watched closely by the Church, this is now changing, no warming of relations is expected in the immediate future.
Ysarn - Ysarn and Barimen have excellent relations, they have worked together on various projects/explorations of the Chaos Sea, Barimen often purchases/sells exotic items from them.
Reklan - Reklen maintains a neutral stance with Barimen providing services when requested, no privileged rate status has been negotiated.

INTERACTION WITH CHURCH: Barimen has recently sent a few individuals to the Church. The Church is very interested in the happenings about the House. The House has a medium sized chapel that is currently being expanded and refurbished.

INTERACTION WITH EMPIRE: Barimen was reinstituted as a Major House under Sharoc's reign.  Two separate petitions to remove Barimen's Major House status have come before Sharoc. The first was dismissed immediately (Barimen was accused of Treason). The second is still under review (the accusation is not public but is rumored to involve a Black Kingdom acquisition). Barimen will probably have to continue to give a little more than the other Houses to the Empire.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE: Fairly traditional structure with Lord Deorlin clearly in control.

POLITICS: Barimen is a neutral House and has dealings with most of the other Houses within Chaos. The Rim Lords have little to do with the House. There are occasional suggestions that the reinstitution of House Barimen might have been premature. None of these have yet received much Imperial recognition. As Barimen continues to exhibit loyalty and support to the Emperor it is likely that their status within the Court will continue to improve. No known political connection to the Royal House of Amber.

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Sins of the Father game materials © 1996 - 1999 Scott Acker and Chris Salzer

All other game and story materials ©1999 -2000 Scott M. Acker