Mercenary Houses of Verrich

The Mercenary Houses of Verrich are the governing body of a collection of territories within or around the Korskar peninsula.

There are seven regions currently recognized by the last revision of the Confederated Charter of Verrich, in which the dissemination of the land within the nations borders is organized. Greater Houses are Mercenary Houses who hold claim to one of the districts within the first region, Korskar, the second region, Arkad, or the third region, Saltmere. Only the Greater Houses may elect a mercenary Lord, and in the same fashion, only a leader of a Greater House may be elected to that prestigious position. Thus, the Greater Houses are differentiated from the Lesser Houses by their privilege. In order for a Lesser House to be recognized within Verrich, they must be sponsored by one of the Greater Houses and must control land in one of the outer regions of Verrich.

Outer regions are controlled by Great Houses, but they are administrated by notable lesser houses that are appointed by a controlling Great House. For a lesser house to control land within an outer territory, they must gain the approval of that region's Great House.

There are a number of ways for a Lesser House to initiate the process of becoming a Greater House, but they must be confirmed by the Greater Houses while one of the inner districts currently has no Greater House. A three fourths positive vote is required for the motion to succeed.

Houses may select their contracts at their own initiative and may even end up fighting against other Mercenary Houses in the process. Such is the nature of mercenary work.

## Korskar

The Korskar river valley was the original land held by the nation of Verrich at its founding. After the Planebreak, Verrich expanded its borders, but the Houses within the original valley still hold the most power.

1. Korskar - In the heart of the valley lies the original settlement of Korskar, the first district of Verrich. Much of the administration for the nation is handled here, and most of the embassies are also found here. Its architecture is largely reminiscent of the original buildings of the Korskan Humans. Korskar is still held by House Korskan.
2. Drulbaz - Drulbaz is the westernmost district of Verrich, and as such, handles any traffic passing into the valley from the Greywood. Historically, this district has been held by House Grulbreaker, which is predominantly dwarven, so it has the highest concentration of dwarves in all of Verrich. This holds true, currently, as the territory is still held by House Grulbreaker.
3. Goldfield - Goldfield is found in the north-east corner of the valley. With rich soil and a long history of agriculture, Goldfield continues to maintain its fields, despite most of Verrich's food being grown in the Southreach territory. It is currently held by House Malorin.
4. Gorvar - Gorvar is the southern-most territory within the valley, and is often referred to as the "Brutish District". In this district live many orcs, goblins, kolbolds, dark dwarves, and even dark elves. Despite their undesirable ways, these peoples still give out contracts on behalf of their many peoples, contracts that are typically looked down upon because of the ones offering them. Many of the mercenaries of Verrich refuse to do this sort of work, but the vast majority of House Gavlelt feel no qualms, so they are the Greater House that controls this area.
5. Atulharst - Atulharst is found just east of the central District of Korskar. This territory is known for the strange mercenaries that typically work out of it. Many of them do not typically work for coin, but only in exchange for mystical items or tomes of lore. Some of the houses here hoard the items they find, but many choose to sell them off for exorbitant fees to interested buyers, making them quite a rich territory. Known for their secretive magical arts and information gathering techniques, this territory has been held by House Catrice for as long as anyone can remember.
6. Farhaven - Farhaven was once another farming district. However, because of its less fertile soil and the burgeoning population of Verrich, it was eventually urbanized, with many of its farmers moving to Southreach. Despite this change, though it is still notable because it serves as a gathering point for many of the halflings that find their way to Verrich. Located in the southwest of the valley, the mercenaries of Farhaven typically make their money through odd-jobs and unique labor, such as cooking or sewing, as the halflings from this territory are particularly good at that sort of thing. The halfling-dominated house Brightstep is currently in control of this area.
7. Darkast - This territory is almost as large as the valley itself, existing beneath the ground in a series of sprawling tunnels. This territory handles many of the disreputable and shadowy dealings that Verrich might be involved in, ranging from dangerous smuggling work to quiet assassinations. The house of Harrowmere is in control of this subterranean labyrinth and has been since the territory was first created.

## Arkad

Arkad is the defensive curtain that protects Verrich. Consisting of two districts, the houses of this district are known for their martial power and staunch loyalty to the Mercenary Lord.

1. Arka-ash - This district is the original Arkad. Made up of the mountains surrounding the original river valley, it protects the heart of Verrich from all external threats, and is currently held by House Remirian.
2. Arka-elk - This district is made up of the mountains that separate the Korskar Peninsula from Viz'tar. The Houses here see significantly more action that many of their brethren and are often given contracts directly from the Mercenary Lord in the name of protecting Verrich in its entirety. This district is held by an offshoot of House Remirian, House Reman.

## Saltmere

Saltmere is the easternmost part of Verrich and the port through which most of the nation's trade is handled. Established shortly after the Planebreak, Saltmere is both a region and a district, but the importance of the port and its trade makes the houses in it as respected as any Great House within Korskar. However, despite its important merchant work, this district is also known for some of the less reputable activities that is inhabitants get up to. Smuggling, trafficking, and prostitution are common here, though none are officially sanctioned. Because of the crimson lanterns used during the night, this district is often called the Red Light district.

Saltmere is currently controlled by House Darkcrest.

## Greywood

The Greywood is a large forest of ashen trees that covers most of the Verrich's territory outside of Korskar. The woods are dangerous, but make for good hunting and better training grounds. The city of Greywood is found here.

The Greywood is currently held by the Great House Remirian, and administrated by the Lesser House Dustblade.

## Southreach

Southreach is a large flatland on the southern border of Verrich. It is dominated by farmland, with the only developed area being the city of Talorn. Most of Verrich's food is cultivated here, while Talorn serves as a defensive port to ward off raiders and pirates in the Sea of Knives.

Southreach is currently held by the Great House Brightstep and administrated by the Lesser House Mornheart.

## Eastward

The Eastward is a series of treacherous islands that protect Verrich's eastern shoreline. The city of Cyanas was established by High Elves and incorporated into Verrich peacefully some time after the Planebreak, making it an important embassy city between the mercenary nation and the Elder Council of Cyesha.

The Eastward is currently held by the Great House Darkcrest and administrated by the Lesser House Alasin.

## Drul'tar

Drul'tar is the land held by Verrich that extends past the mountains of Arka-elk. Established following the war between the mercenaries and the Bestali, the region's capital of Drulak is an impressive fortress city constructed by dwarven hands. However, despite the city's impregnable defenses, the lands surrounding it are rarely safe, and Verrich's hold over this region is precarious at the best of times. The dwarven houses of Verrich work together to launch forays into Viz'tar from Drulak in order to gather rare resources that cannot be found elsewhere. These expeditions are incredibly dangerous but, should any succeed, they are also incredibly lucrative.

Drul'tar is currently held by the Great House Grulbreaker and administrated by the Lesser House Ironskin.