On the Western side of Arilaand, there are several minor Houses and nobles who oversee regions in small keeps and settlements. They provide personal levies to the ruling regional Lord, and see to the peace and security of their personal lands. These families operate autonomously until they are called to perform tasks for their Lord, who resides at Cadworth Keep. These families are as follows-
- House Mildenhall
- House Goodwin
- House Hartford
- House Swale
These houses are important and old. Even though they are minor noble Houses, they are integral to maintaining the region and keeping the populace in check, trade profitable, and war prepared for. In a time of war, The ruling Lord will summon noble levies - forcing the Houses that are loyal in this region (that should be all of them) to raise a percentage of their personal troops, and send them to the ruling Lords army. They will then bolster his ranks and obey his commands without question. The minor nobles will act as commanders in the field on the Lord’s behalf. Once the conflict comes to an end, the levies will be sent home.
House Mildenhall[]
House Mildenhall is ruled by a younger noble by the name of Alric. Alric is a younger man, in his late 20’s, forced to be head of the house after the untimely death of his father. A suspicious occasion, the older nobleman was found dead within his study, soon after a confrontational meeting with House Swale. There were no wounds upon his body, but after a look over by the Apothecary, it was declared to be poison. Alric has been on guard ever since this occasion, bearing nothing but ill will towards the old House, and those he blames for his father’s murder. His hands are tied, however, as he has barely any support amongst his own bannermen, due to his age and lack of experience. They will do the bare minimum, and nothing more, often mocking him behind his back, knowing full well he needs them more than he can punish them for his pride.
House Mildenhall is mostly responsible for the plains and great lake region to the far west. They provide and manufacture a variety of goods, from massive fish-mongeries to honey and more exotic pelts - the House is decently funded. But silver often finds itself in the pockets of disloyal bannermen, and Alric must work with what he has. They have a small levy, and even less professional soldiers - most of which abuse the House’s resources. All in all, House Mildenhall is in decline.
House Goodwin[]
House Goodwin is ruled by Perren Goodwin, a loyal vassal to King Aleus. He is a middle-aged man known for having a knack for business, and all things mercantile. He has built his House over the years creating trade that was never really expected - monopolizing the one trade route travelling through the Dwarven mountains to Gradia. His wheeling and dealing has granted him a fortune that he spends on debauchery, women, food, and wine. If it isn't something that involves one of those four, he is uninterested, and will more than likely tell you what you want to hear so he may return to his lifestyle. He has two sons, Reece, and Lowe, who are just as bad as he. They enjoy the lifestyle leftovers of their father, growing fat and lazy on the success of others. Most of their House is hired help - mercenaries and indentured servants - as nobleman Perren believes the only man who will work hard for him, is one who does it for coin. His sons follow the same line of thinking, often neglecting their duties, and delegating as such to their lessers.
House Goodwin is often seen providing exotics to the rest of Arilaand for hefty sums, and overpriced dealings. Gradian goods, and women find their way to men with deep pockets, and Perren Goodwin has the only means to provide as such. Merchants from all over Arilaand come to see this nobleman’s wares, and more often than not, wind up leaving with things they didn't truly need for far more silver than they ever should have paid for.
House Hartford[]
House Hartford is run by Daniell Hartford, reigning nobleman. His is an obscure House, faded from notice by the more prestigious families. Once known for their knights and heavy cavalry, House Hartford has grown complacent, and far less concerned with quality. After the open murder of Lidda Hartford, by her husband Daniell, no less, most of those who considered themselves honorbound men, or kinghtly in any fashion, abandoned his service and would seek to serve elsewhere. Due to the outrageous behavior of nobleman Hartford, many would come to distance themselves from the House, and those that remained in their service either did not have the morality to care, or shared the views of their noble. Daniell has no sons, but a single daughter, whom he has raised with contempt and downright hate. Seeing the signs of his disobedient wife within his daughter, Lauretta, he oftentimes disgraced her - having her carry out duties alongside the men, knowing full well what that entailed. She often found herself engrossed with the history of her once great House - and more so the knights who once served it.
House Hartford, no longer a purveyor of heavy cavalry and armored knights, supplement their income and services by training and selling horses. They care not who the buyer is - be it Lord, noble, or bandit. While their bannermen and servants are not known for decency, their horses are of quality, and the entirety of Arilaand comes to them for their steeds.
House Swale[]
House Swale is ruled by Faustus Swale, a middle aged nobleman with an eye for coin and opportunity. Faustus is probably one of the most disliked nobles - aside from Atterton - but not because of his attitude. Faustus has the reputation of a snake - one that is willing and able to do whatever he deems needed to keep himself on top. More than once his House has found itself embroiled in disputes with other Houses, most notably House Mildenhall. In a heavily wrought disagreement over illegally minted coins finding its way into Mildenhall lands, the noble of Mildenhall threatened to take this disgrace to the King’s court in Adwick. Soon after, Iwan Mildenhall was found poisoned in his study, with no signs of a struggle. There is not a soul who thinks it isnt Faustus, but no one dares speak a word. He has 3 sons, and a daughter - Roel, Emory, Porter, and Aubine. They are not known well of - but it is expected that they serve their father’s interests with impunity, if only to claw their way above each other when the time comes to assume the family lead.
House Swale is a very prosperous House, in full control of the Silverreach Mines. They are solely responsible for transporting silver and gold to the Adwick minters after it is mined and refined. Every single coin circulating Arilaand comes from House Swale’s lands, and the amount of influence that generates alone makes them a force to be reckoned with. There are whispers that the House does not exactly give all that it mines to the ruling house, as it should - but those who whisper such things eventually stop whispering….at all.