Armiger

Armigers are members of the gentry, upper class commoners who are wealthy enough to own and maintain their own business and provide employment to others. Their wealth affords them influence and the opportunities to rub shoulders with nobility - or even join them.

 Overview

Armigers are the business innovators and managers of the Aodhian upper classes, and they provide services for other Aodhians to enjoy. These range from restaurants and brothels to luxury stores and gardening firms. Aodhian business centers around innovation and constant competition, and themed establishments are especially in vogue. If there’s money to be made in it, someone in Aodh has probably tried it out.

Unlike the common merchants, who are far more numerous, Armigers are wealthy proprietors, and run businesses large enough to employ others. They can afford to act as managers and owners, rather than necessarily having to work the day-to-day life of a store clerk or haul their own goods around - although some Armigers do like a more grassroots approach to their chosen field.

Many Armigers come from what might be considered old Aodhian families. Although they lack the breeding and titles of Eminents, they nevertheless often have generations of accumulated wealth and connections behind them. Many Armigers are “noble-adjacent”, as it is not uncommon for children of Armigers to marry into Lesser nobility, or for noble bastards to use their parental favors to start up a business.

An Armiger’s business is often one that has been in the family for generations, or at least has been made possible with family money. Very few Armigers are completely self-made - even the ones who lack breeding often have a wealthy benefactor.

Non-profits and donation based businesses are essentially non-existent. Armigers are typically in it to increase their own value and social prestige, and Aodh’s atmosphere makes it difficult to run a non-profit.

### **Role in Society**

Armigers, like all members of the gentry, enjoy a far more privileged lifestyle than those below them. They are wealthy enough to own several slaves, and can afford to enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle. Compared to Artisans, they are less famous, and don’t enjoy the same reverence, but are often envied for their success by those below them. An individual Armiger’s reputation among lower classes will vary wildly depending on how they are perceived as an employer.

Nobility are generally willing to play nice with Armigers and it's not unusual for lesser noble families to marry their younger children to Armigers. However, this does not mean nobles consider Armigers their true equals - like with all commoners, they’re a step below, useful for their wealth and services, but not truly peers. They do not inspire the same admiration as Artisans, nor the respect given to Paramounts.

As Armigers are still commoners, they do not enjoy the reduced taxes and increased representation that nobility do. While the wealthiest Armigers can have every outer signifier of nobility - the luxury, the nice house, the family dynasty - they still have trouble finding the ear of an Adviser or the King. Armigers with political aspirations must make due with the Common Court, where many of the more prominent business owners have purchased seats. Armigers can escalate issues to the Peers Court, but do not have seats there.

## Types of Business’

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is only intended as a base for ideas, as well as providing information on some common establishment types. You can use the page navigation to read up on various business types, or come up with your own. The only limitations for Armiger business’ are:

1. They must be sizeable enough to employ several people. Tiny business ventures that only employ the owner and 1-2 people would go under Commoner - Merchant or Gentry if wealthy.
2. If the character is basically a lower level manager, they would be Merchant or Gentry
3. They should be limited to one fairly clear operation. This could be a single building - for example a restaurant that also sells and showcases art - or a construction company. For more ambitious projects, you should look into nobles.

### **Food & Groceries**

**Bar**: Aodhians love their bars. Alcohol is a common recreational drink in all its forms, and so there is a wide variety of pubs, bars and classy wine houses. Aodhian drinking establishments compete with each other by offering exotic drinks, innovative side dishes and top notch entertainment.  Range from extremely seedy to eye-wateringly luxurious.

**Cafe**: Caffeine and sweets are Aodhian favorites, and in the wealthier neighborhoods one can rarely walk the length of a street without coming across at least one cafe. Condittorias and chocolatiers often serve coffee as well.

**Grocery Store:** The urban life style in Aodhian towns means that very few Aodhians actually have anything to do with the production of food - and groceries fill this need. Buying products wholesale from producers, they make a tidy profit by reselling them to customers. Some stores focus on local produce, others on exotics, while some compete with lower quality and prices.

**Restaurant:** Most wealthier Aodhians like to eat out at least once a week, and even those without wealth will do so on special occasions. New Valore is home to experimental cooking, with exotic ingredients and styles imported from around Hireath. Many restaurants are themed, and range from fast casual to the finest of dining - some are more art exhibits than anything else.

### **Services and Hospitality**

**Apotechary:** There are no legal limitations on who can sell herbs and medicines in Aodh, and so, there are plenty of people who make that their business. Although there are plenty of snake oil sellers in Aodh, most apothecaries who are wealthy enough to employ others are reputable.

**Beauty Parlor:** What would Aodh be without their salons, hoof manicures, tattoo parlors and piercing shops? Not the same, that is for certain. All styles and tastes are catered to.

**Hotel:** Aodhians are big fans of traveling within their own country under normal circumstances. Hotels cater specifically to tourists from other parts of Eithne. Often have their own restaurants and other services to stay profitable off-season.

**Specialty Stores:** Fashion. Makeup. Bridles. Statuettes for the garden. Aodh is filled with stores serving various customer bases and offering the finest goods. Often work closely with craftspeople and Artisans.

### **Entertainment**

**Brothel:** In Aodh, a brothel is just another place to spend a night out. Like with any establishment, brothels range from questionable to amazing, and offer a variety of services. All Aodhian brothels have a strict 18 age limit for workers and visitors alike.

**Casino:** While the Crucible is the big thing when it comes to gambling, other games of chance and skill are also enjoyed. Card games and rudimentary slot machines hold center stage, along with various other games.

**Party Planning:** Aodhians love parties, and party planning is an industry unto itself. Often the planner offers decor and connections for a good deal for the buyer. Party planning business’ may specialize in themes or only certain types of parties, and cater mainly to the wealthiest Aodhians.

**Spa:** Public baths are one thing, but what really hits the spot is a spa. Hot and cold pools, saunas, bubble baths, massages… Setting up a spa tends to be quite expensive, but the profits can be immense as well.

### **Construction and Maintenance**

**Cleaning:** Not the most glamorous, but certainly a field with a lot of work on offer. While many upper class Aodhians use slaves for day-to-day maintenance, a team of professionals can really make a difference when you’re looking to impress. Also employed to clean public spaces on occasion.

**Construction:** Construction firms work closely with architect Paramounts, and compete with other construction companies for the best deals. While most public buildings in New Valore are built on the backs of Labor Slaves, private citizens have to pay for labor - and that’s where these companies come in.

**Design:** Not everyone with talent becomes an Artisan; for the more business-minded, leading or working in a design company might be the right choice. Design services range from marketing and logos to clothing and accessories; there is certainly a wide market in Aodh for beautiful things.

**Gardening:** Like with Construction, Gardening companions are generally hired when a professional, highly trained touch is needed. Landscaping and garden design also fall under this category.

## Creating a Business

Each incoming Armiger character must own and/or manage a business in Aodh. This business should be large enough to employ other characters. Armiger business’ are allowed to be closed for other players, but those that accept player characters as workers are favored in the application process.

The business is reviewed as a part of your application process, and should be lore friendly. As Armigers are commoners, the business should be limited to one relatively clear cut establishment. Larger business empires are more a thing for nobles.

Each business should have at least the following info:

* Name
* What type of business it is; what services/products are offered
* From where the business is run: approximate location (ie New Valore, Sol District), basic description of the building(s). Almost any business would have at least an office of some kind for appointments and mail.
* What kind of workers the business employs.

Additional info may be included, such as hiring practices, history of the business, close collaborators - these are not mandatory, but anything you’d like to add is welcome! Approved businesses may be uploaded to the wiki if desired.

For an example of a setup for a business, you can check out the brothel, Pearl.

### **List of Approved Business'**

*Owner - Business - Open to PCs?*

* Asalah - Casino Ragnarok - Yes!
* Levante - Passion Vineyard and Wine Collective - Yes! Laborers/ Guards/Overseers/Saleshorses
* Taffy - Mr Taffy’s Marvelous Menagerie of Sweets - Yes!
* Tesana - Ignacio's Touch - Spa and Beauty - Yes!
* Zarina - Gold and Riches - Yes!

## Rank Levels

* **At 25 AP** | You’re in the business of making good business. Gain a **Tier 1 Talent** early (for your first talent only).
* **At 50 AP** | An Armiger is the face of their business. Dress up with a **Collar** and **Cloak.**
* **At 75 AP** | Competition is tough, and connections are everything. Your experience has granted you **+15 SP** to Wisdom or Cunning.
* **At 100 AP** |  An impressive pet can guard your business, or simply make a good impression. If your familiar spot is free, receive an **Aodhian Level 2 Familiar (except rare)**.