House Cathak

House Cathak approaches every situation from a strategist’s perspective, whether importing food into famine-stricken prefectures, undermining business rivals, or suppressing satrapial unrest. It can be subtle when necessary, but prefers the direct, aggressive approach. Shipments of grain are delivered by legion detachments, inspiring gratitude to House Cathak and awe for its legions. Mercantile rivals meet with threats and buyouts orchestrated with tactical precision.
Satrapial rebels are crucified en masse to teach their countrymen the folly of defiance. It tightly secures its most profitable satrapies’ loyalties and resources, while withdrawing forces from less important satrapies lest it spread them too thin. House Cathak’s foremost strategic goal is maintaining the income that supports its legions.
Unpaid salaries result in poor morale, desertion, and mutiny. This in turn means that prefectures and satrapies under Cathak control have historically borne some of the highest taxes within the Realm. Peasants view the house more favorably than might be expected from its taxation, as it’s done much to equate its military might with the Realm’s safety.
It’s also gained popularity from strengthening ties with the Immaculate Order, as its leader, Cathak Cainan, grows more pious with age. It enjoys no such admiration from satrapial subjects, but so long as they obey, House Cathak doesn’t demand their love.
The house’s passion for physical and mental challenges is emulated by patricians and brought home to peasant villages by retirees from the house legions. Athletic contests, sports, and games of all sorts enjoy prominence in its holdings.
The house legions form the predominant economic and cultural influence on Cathak holdings. While the poorest bear the brunt of steep taxation and food shortages, merchants and patricians negotiate lucrative contracts for supplies with legion provisioners, or lure soldiers into teahouses, markets, and brothels.
House Cathak’s move toward Immaculate piety has spread through its legions as well. They lend manpower and supplies to the Order, and crack down on peasant heresies in Cathak prefectures.
House Cathak has always relied on Ragara loans for its legions’ upkeep, and its debts are considerable. Despite this, its financial stability now surpasses that of many houses. Since Cainan offered to back a viable contender for the throne, House Cathak has been showered with bribes and gifts from other houses seeking to curry favor.
Combined with strategic retention of lucrative satrapies and mercenary deployment of legions, this covers interest payments on the house’s loans.

Leader

Cathak Cainan

Parent Organization

The Great Houses