Mercercle

Mercercle is a northern country named for the crescent shaped strip of land that encircles the sea that it controls. It is a plutocracy, ruled by the Council of Six: a gathering of the most wealthy merchants within its borders. The houses on the council are made up of the major houses of Mercercle and they use this influence to keep themselves in power, ensuring that even when one council member becomes ineligible to sit on the council, another house member can step up and take a seat.

Major Houses of Mercercle

LaSaphir
Human house. Hails from the Port of Saphir and is largely invested in sea trade. Represents humans and the interests of Saphir. The LaSaphir crest is a ship with billowing sails. 
Saulerue
Halfling house. Controls the shipping lanes through the rivers inland. Represents halflings and river trade. The Saulerue house emblem is a small boat.
Norric
Elven house. Holds the most lucrative land transportation and trade routes since they were paved (and the head of House Norric proudly claims that his father, thousands years ago, was the one to pay for the creation of those roads). Represents elven interests and land trade. The Norric emblem is a stylized tree with silver leaves.
Myron
Known as the "Menagerie House," House Myron is headed by a shifter and the house is united not by blood but by Jaskier Myron's kindness. He adopted from several different Mercercle orphanages over a dozen children and as they have grown, they have also adopted the throwaways of the coastal country. But they are a loyal house and the in-house camaraderie is astronomical. Represents the lower caste's interests.

Namia
Military house. Headed by a hobgoblin and represents the interests of the military of Mercercle, the Platine Garrison.

Starling
Religious house. Run by a human Darmonite and co-run by a member of The Great Church. Remains the strongest house by sheer numbers, but LaSaphir is the wealthiest house. The Starling house emblem, a bird with outstretched wings.

Minor Houses

• House Myrna
• House Blackwood
• House Angelon

Demography and Population

Racial Breakdown

Mercercle is:

• 30% Human
• 30% Elf
• 15% Halfling
• 15% Gnome
• 3% Dwarf
• 7% Other Races

Religious Breakdown

The most common deities of worship in Mercercle are:

• The Great Church (27%)
• Shalimyr (20%)
• Darmon (20%)
• Terak (10%)
• The Three Sisters (primarily Canelle) (10%)
• Maal (10%)
• Mormekar (2%)

Places in Mercercle

• Aberella
• Port of Saphir
• Freeport
• Meigan-Rue 
• Châtelain

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Subsidiary Organizations

• Platine Garrison

Controlled Territories

• Aberella
• Freeport
• Meigan-Rue
• Port of Saphir

Neighboring Nations

• Vespmar

Notable Members

• Aeneas Kleitos
• Rahvin Ashdust

Related Myths

• First Vengeance and First Law

The most common skills for Ducercles are:

• athletics
• investigation
• insight
• sleight of hand
• persuasion

The most common backgrounds for Ducercles are:

• charlatan
• courtier
• criminal
• entertainer
• faction agent
• fisher
• gambler
• pirate
• sailor
• shipwright
• smuggler
• urchin

The most common classes for Ducercles are:

• bard
• fighter
• rogue
• wizard

The traits most valued by Ducercles are:

• Intelligence
• Charisma

The traits least valued by Ducercles are:

• Strength
• Constitution