The House of Life

The House of Life is one of the oldest organizations in Arda, tracing its origins back to the dawn of the Old Kingdoms. The House of Life seeks to protect and preserve the good societies of Arda, regardless of race.

Structure

Each house of the House of Life is an independent entity however each house owes allegiance to all other houses. Each house is run by the most powerful priest in residence, with members filling roles as their talents dictate. Because of the individualistic nature of the houses, their isn’t many commonalities between the structures of houses.

Assets

Individual houses don’t have a lot of resources on hand. Generally, a safe house with rooms and board for a few guests. The organization as a whole doesn’t horde resources. However as members pledge themselves to supporting the goals of the House of Life, and many members are adventurers the House can call upon quite a bit of resources when it needs them.

History

The House of Life was founded when priests of Azu, Utu, Sinnis, and Arammu banded together to preserve the ancient city of Nedjem against an incursion of goblinoids that threatened to wipe out the city. They remained together after the crises was averted and pledged their services to preserving human civilization. They recruited new members initially only from the followers of the four deities whose priesthood founded the order, but later expanded their recruitment to followers of other good and even neutral deities.
When the order travelled with human settlers to the New kingdoms, they encountered the elven nations, and amended their charter to include not just human civilization, but the civilizations of all good humanoids. Naturally when humans began spreading to and colonizing the Frontier Lands the House of Life went as well.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Members of the House of Life seek to spread the influence of good civilizations across the globe. At one point the membership was very humanocentric they have since expanded their charter to include the civilizations of all good races. They do this by supporting rulers in good lands and subtly opposing rulers in evil lands. They are a secret organization, known only to its members, so they tend to move in shadows and influence things subtly. Its membership has houses in every human nation in the old Kingdoms, New Kingdoms, and Frontier Lands, where they encourage goodness. One tactic they have found very effective is to encourage the building of temples dedicated to good deities. It’s members have little direct influence, though many clerical advisors to rulers are members of the House.