House Kortegga
Among the noble houses of the Snowcloak Dominion, House Kortegga commands wealth not from mines or land—but from commerce, customhouses, and contracts. Based in Graepor, they are the undisputed merchant “royalty” of the Dominion tradeships, wielding power over tariffs, trade routes, customs inspections, and merchant licensing. Any significant trade that passes through the Snowcloak Dominion is taxed or approved by a Kortegga—or one of their puppets.
Though they lack military might or magical prowess, House Kortegga's influence is undeniable. Their strength lies in brilliant diplomacy, generational bribery, and a network of guild alliances and economic leverage. They are masters of “official favoritism”—often making even enemies dependent on their trade routes or tariffs.
Structure
- Dame Viretta Kortegga (Matriarch) – Cold, calculating, and immaculately dressed, Viretta is rumored to have orchestrated four trade wars and one political marriage collapse. She speaks softly, but every word lands like a signed contract. Despite her age, she leads the house with undiminished sharpness.
- Farrik Kortegga (Her nephew) – The Guildmaster of Maritime Exchange in Graepor, Farrik oversees port customs and licensing. Smugglers hate him. Captains fear him. But none can do business without him. He’s known for public politeness and private menace.
- Liora Kortegga (Her daughter) – A traveling envoy and speaker for the house, Liora handles foreign negotiations and guild alliances. She is charming and seems generous, but many leave deals with her unsure who got the better end—until much later.
- Tolen Kortegga (A black sheep cousin) – Exiled from house dealings for allegedly losing a major contract to House Mireholt, Tolen is bitter, witty, and suspiciously well-informed. He might be a wild card ally or dangerous rival depending on how he's treated.
Public Agenda
Kortegga tradition glorifies cunning over force. Every deal is a battle, every ledger a battlefield. They maintain a vast web of clerks, merchants, lawyers, and informants across major cities, and are infamous for always knowing just a little too much about those they speak with.
Values:
- Clever manipulation: They prefer to nudge enemies into failure rather than confront them.
- Mercantile honor: While corrupt, they keep their contracts. Reputation among trade partners is sacred.
- Political puppetry: Kortegga rarely leads openly, but they sponsor others, placing proxies in powerful positions.
- Flexibility: They will back any side in a conflict that promises better economic outcomes.
