Across the island of Aerona, the ten major noble families of Chalon find themselves in near constant political and territorial disputes. While each family vies for higher rank, additional resources, or even prolonged security, the varying tactics and methods deployed by each family contrasts their vastly different approaches to conflict and politics.
The Karvonen Family
"The only folks who have a place take it for themselves."
The longest tenured of the noble families, the Karvonens have generally been known as benevolent and kind feudal lords, remaining neutral in many of the affairs of other nobles. While they possess one of the largest portions of land on the western half of Aerona, it is well known their land is considered the least valuable among the other families. With resources growing increasingly scarce, many wonder if an instigating conflict led by the Karvonen family is a matter of not if but when.
The Eskola Family
"A man's library is a man's wealth, his knowledge his worth."
Maintaining much of the homesteads immediately surrounding Chalon, leaders of the Eskola family prefer to prioritize intellectual pursuits over political cunning. Many consider this a luxury given their dominance and stability in the prosperous region they possess.
The Anttila Family
"Seeds not sewn bloom no fruit."
The secondary noble family lording over the farmlands bordering Chalon's walls, the Anttila family operate as opportunists in the Eskola's shadow. Whereas the Eskolas focus on their studies and searches for knowledge, the Anttilas are far more active within the political sphere of Chalon and more involved with those who work their land. Though their lands to the south of Chalon are not as fertile as the territory north of the city, the Anttila are considered by many to be the more gracious noble lords in the area.
The Latvala Family
"Reason, the first and last."
Controlling much of the northeastern region, the Latvala Family are known for their beautiful lakeside estates and luxurious riverboats which can be seen traveling to and from Chalon throughout the day. With a monopoly on transporting raw materials from the northern mines, the Latvala Family has long secured its wealth and position in the city.
The Lehtinen Family
"Caution carries little weight."
Considered one of the more traditional noble families, the Lehtinens are one of the few families to reside within the walls of Chalon. With their eastern portion of Aerona in a relatively stable and uncompetitive state, the Lehtinens prefer to focus on keeping relative peace amongst the other families to middling at best success.
The Jarvela Family
"Truth is relative until victory absolute."
The remaining half of a single noble family torn asunder by an extramarital affair which resulted in the immense wealth being split evenly much to the shock and seething anger of the direct lineage. With this betrayal and unjust loss of their security constantly in the forefront of their mind, the current leaders of the Jarvela family are amongst the most disruptive families, creating civil and political unrest frequently.
The Jarvinen Family
"Daggers wound, defamation cripples."
The second counterpart to the Jarvela family, the Jarvinens are seen amongst the other nobles as the illegitimate heirs of the prosperous eastern valley regions in which the best vineyards remain under their dutiful care. To combat their discredited position amongst the nobles, the Jarvinen family relies more frequently on cunning and subterfuge than outright struggles over territory or policy.
The Saarvela Family
"Friends for favors, favors for friends."
While the Saarvela family are separated by leagues of the Dela Sea from the mainland of Aerona, they make up for the physical distance with a stronger than most presence within the city, much like the Lehtinen family with whom they often find themselves aligned. Once the most affluent of noble families given their prime position as a waypoint on the voyage to Chalon, the Saarvela family focusses on prudent investments of their inherited wealth. When other noble families speak of their "offshore debts," it is often the Saarvela families to whom they are indebted either for resources needed in territory skirmishes or favors in exchange for political support.
The Nienimen Family
"Hard work profits all."
The sole noble family in possession of the western peninsula of Aerona, the Nienimen family profit from a monopoly on commercially fishing the Dela Sea. Their whitewood boats can be seen all along the horizon, floating along in the mists like haunting apparitions. Though they possess one of the smallest partitions of land amongst the nobles, their economic contributions to Chalon keep their position firmly in place.
The Niskanen Clan
"Survival through struggle is true strength"
The only non-human nobility, the dwarven clan rose out of generations of working relentlessly in the mines to pooling their resources so as to buy a say in the politics funneling out of Chalon to Zidaar which often indirectly affected their wellbeing. On good terms with the Karvonen family, the Niskanen clan received a small deed of land in exchange for militaristic fealty centuries ago. Though the service has infrequently been called upon, the dwarves remain well-trained and well-armed in case their loyalty is ever called into question.
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