House Retainer

House Retainer

You served as a personal retainer to one of the seven Great Houses of the Persian Empire. These houses are second only to the Imperial Dynasty in prominence and each hold great influence within the empire. Each of the Great Houses has certain specialties and areas in which they are dominant within the Empire.

Skill Proficiencies: Perception

Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools of your choice.

Languages: One of your choice.

Equipment: A set of fine clothing in your house colors, a signet ring with your house emblem, one set of artisan’s tools of your choice, and a pouch containing 15 gold coins

Feature: House Resources When you choose this background select one of the houses below. You gain proficiency in the skill specific to this house. In addition, you may call upon this house in times of need. Provided they are able, the agents of this house will provide you shelter and information. Conversely, the opposed houses will actively seek to frustrate any endeavors you may be undertaking, occasionally going so far as attempting to have you killed should you be perceived as a threat or inconvenience.
House Mihran specializes in the breeding and training of war animals and provides the largest number of riders to the Empire’s defense and war efforts. House Zik has substantial influence within the halls of the great Fire Priests and holds particular prominence among the Empire’s Zoroastrian citizens.
House Varaz dabbles in the dark and wicked powers of the earth, skeletal thralls and other undead horrors guard their shadowed halls.

House Spandiyadh specializes in the assassination of the Empire’s enemies, without and within. As such the other houses work hard to ensure they maintain good relations with the Spandiyadh. They have particular animosity towards the Varaz, as they view the necromantic arts as antithetical to their death-dealing.
House Ispahbudhan is considered the most martial of the houses (though the Mihran dispute this) and can put as many footmen into the field as the rest of the houses combined.
House Karak works closely with the ruling dynasty and has heavy influence in the day-to-day civil administration of the empire.
House Suren has the most direct contact with the other realms of the world. Their merchants can be found from Gaul to Wei and are a key piece of the global trade network that has materialized in recent centuries. Anywhere a merchant guild exists you can be sure at least one representative of the Suren will be present.
d6 Personality Trait

1. I am loyal to my house to a fault.
2. I seek to spread the power of my house.
3. I am loyal to a specific member of the house, but not to the wider family.
4. My loyalty is flexible for the right coin.
5. I am want to talk about myself.
6. I am a good listener and say little myself.

d6 Ideal

1. Power: The strongest houses dominate one another.
2. Subterfuge: Safer to be in the shadows than the spotlight.
3. Religion: We must unite under the true pantheon, lest we be toppled from within.
4. Commerce: The best deals are just over the horizon!
5. Peace: Peace is good for maintaining order and stability.
6. War: In war the house can prove its merit.

d6 Bond

1. My mentor who introduced me to the house.
2. A fellow agent who I have served with numerous times.
3. A sweetheart I met while conducting my duties.
4. The head of the house who I feel get great respect and admiration.
5. My sword, it keeps me safe when carrying out my duty.
6. A story I was told once as a child.

d6 Flaw

1. I have trouble keeping secrets.
2. I don’t like following orders.
3. I laugh at the worst times.
4. I secretly hold no loyalty to my house.
5. I’m very gullible.
6. I hate my job.

The House of Ispahbudhan — Athletics
Specialty: Soldiers. Opposed Houses: Zik, Suren, and Varaz
The House of Varaz — Arcana
Specialty: Necromancy. Opposed Houses: Karak, Spandiyadh, Suren, Mihran, and Ispahbudhan
The House of Karak — Insight
Specialty: Administrators. Opposed Houses: Suren and Varaz
The House of Mihran — Animal Handling
Specialty: Cavalry. Opposed Houses: Zik and Varaz
The House of Spandiyadh — Stealth
Specialty: Assassins. Opposed Houses: Varaz
The House of Zik — Religion
Specialty: Priesthood. Opposed Houses: Ispahbudhan and Mihran
The House of Suren — Persuasion
Specialty: Mercantilism. Opposed Houses: Ispahbudhan, Karak, and Varaz