House Glanend
Seafarers of the Dragonmere
Overview
House Glanend is a notable noble family in Cormyr, distinguished for their mastery of maritime trade across the Dragonmere. Unlike most noble houses, whose fortunes are built on land-based ventures, House Glanend thrives on shipping and trade. However, their success is not without controversy—rumors abound that their wealth is bolstered by piracy and sabotage against their rivals.
History
House Glanend rose to prominence several generations ago, leveraging their fleet of swift, well-armed ships to dominate trade routes across the Dragonmere. Their ability to secure lucrative shipping contracts with Sembia, the Dalelands, and even ports along the Moonsea has made them one of the wealthiest families in Cormyr.
However, whispers of piracy have long followed the Glanends. Competitors who attempt to outmaneuver them often find their ships raided or mysteriously lost at sea. While the Crown has investigated these claims, no concrete evidence has ever been found to link House Glanend to such acts, thanks in part to their carefully cultivated web of influence and plausible deniability.
Current Affairs
The family’s noble estate in Marsember, Cormyr’s largest port city, serves as the center of their operations. House Glanend maintains a sizable fleet of ships, many of which are armed and crewed by seasoned sailors with questionable loyalties.
Notable Members
- Felicia Glanend: A charismatic and ambitious scion of the family, Felicia is known for her sharp wit and talent for negotiation. She oversees much of the family’s trade and shipping operations. Felicia’s charm masks a ruthless streak, and it is rumored that she personally orchestrates the family’s less-than-legal ventures.
- Lord Harren Glanend: The aging patriarch of the family, who is more focused on enjoying the fruits of their success than maintaining the family's influence.
- Captain Orik Glanend: A distant cousin and captain of one of the fleet's most feared vessels, Orik is rumored to have direct ties to the pirates who plague the Dragonmere.
Reputation
House Glanend walks a fine line between respectability and scandal. While they are admired for their contributions to Cormyr’s economy, many nobles and merchants view them with suspicion. The War Wizards and Crown keep a watchful eye on their activities, though their influence and wealth have thus far shielded them from retribution.
Rumors and Intrigue
- Pirate Fleet: It is said that the Glanends secretly fund a fleet of pirates who attack their competitors under the guise of independent raiders.
- Black Markets: Some claim that the family’s ships smuggle illicit goods, including magical contraband, for clients in Sembia and the Dalelands.
- Political Maneuvering: Felicia Glanend has been courting influential allies within the Crown, in an effort to secure trade routes to the Sword Coast, through the pass of Minroe.
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