Difference between revisions of "House Melshimber"

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{{Waterdhavian House
 
{{Waterdhavian House
 
|housename=House Melshimber
 
|housename=House Melshimber
|image=[[Image:Melshimber.png]]
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|image=[[Image:Melshimber.jpg]]
|Pat-Mat=Matriarch
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|quote=''“Only the finest of wine and words.”''
|patmatname=Hlanta Melshimber
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|Pat-Mat=Patriarch
|consort=None
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|patmatname=Harlond Melshimber
|heir=Khallos (eldest son, third child)
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|consort=Andraethra Melshimber
|trade=Sage-lore (history, genealogy), information, fine wines
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|heir=Tasheene Melshimber (firstborn daughter)
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|membership=39
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|faith=Oghma
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|descriptors=Genteel, educated, suave
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|classes=Bard, Cleric (Oghma primarily), Rogue, Wizard
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|alignments=NE, LE, N, NG, LG
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|ranks=• '''Favored:''' ''Rank 1''. You are a favored member of the House. If you are a Melshimber, you have pleased the matriarch sufficiently to gain her notice. If you are an agent or retainer of the House, your efforts to aid the House have gone well-noted.<br>
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• '''Lynchpin:''' ''Rank 2''. You are given a position of some responsibility in the House's operations. If you are a scion of the House, the matriarch considers you one of the favored scions of the House, and consults with you on matters of House importance. If you are an agent or retainer, your contributions and skills in service of the House have won you a position of no small regard and respect in the matriarch's eyes - although that may earn you the jealousy of her blood kin who are less favored than you.<br>
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• '''Matriarch/Patriarch:''' ''Rank 3''. You are the acknowledged and legal head of the household.
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|trade=Sage-lore (history, genealogy), information, [[Melshimber Wines|fine wines]]
 
|holdings=[[Northern Seawatch Street]], [[Sea Ward of Waterdeep|Sea Ward]], Waterdeep (Estate); Offices ([[Castle Ward of Waterdeep|Castle Ward]]), Rooming House ([[Trades Ward of Waterdeep|Trades Ward]])
 
|holdings=[[Northern Seawatch Street]], [[Sea Ward of Waterdeep|Sea Ward]], Waterdeep (Estate); Offices ([[Castle Ward of Waterdeep|Castle Ward]]), Rooming House ([[Trades Ward of Waterdeep|Trades Ward]])
 
|ethnicity=Tethyrian
 
|ethnicity=Tethyrian
|membership=24
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|founded=1190 DR<br>'''Previous Eras:''' [[1354 DR House Melshimber|1354 DR]]<br>[[Image:Melshimber-lineage.jpg|center|280px]]
|founded=1190 DR
 
|lineage=[[Image:Melshimber-lineage.jpg|center|280px]]
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
Best known for their scholarly pursuits and fine wines, Waterdhavians in the know like to say that the Melshimbers have combined those two interests to master the art of gossip and information-gathering. One of the older families in Waterdeep, few are such a fixture on the social scene as the Melshimbers. It is a simple fact that no social event can be said to truly occur in Waterdeep without at least a flurry of invitations being sent to the Melshimber Villa, and acceptance by at least one is required to accord such an event a success.
 
Best known for their scholarly pursuits and fine wines, Waterdhavians in the know like to say that the Melshimbers have combined those two interests to master the art of gossip and information-gathering. One of the older families in Waterdeep, few are such a fixture on the social scene as the Melshimbers. It is a simple fact that no social event can be said to truly occur in Waterdeep without at least a flurry of invitations being sent to the Melshimber Villa, and acceptance by at least one is required to accord such an event a success.
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The Melshimbers never surrendered their nobility, unlike many others, though the dark times in Waterdeep hit them just as badly as others. Their old matriarch Edura was practically a slave to Open Lord Dagult Neverember, who used her information network as his personal spies, controlling her through a very addictive drug that he alone doled out to her. When she died of the caustic drug's effects, her eldest son Lord Harlond became head of house, and has sworn to never be beholden to such again.
 
==Members of the Family==
 
==Members of the Family==
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The Melshimbers are a rollicking large family, with a great many branches scattered all over. Not all Melshimbers are recognized as House Melshimber, in fact, due to various familial enmities and falling-outs, although Laeral's Reinvestment did bring quite a few of them home to roost (so to say).
 
===Main Branch===
 
===Main Branch===
* '''Lady Hlanta Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch of the House''. Considered one of the most dangerous social foes among the noble circles, Lady Hlanta Melshimber is a well-known woman whose ability to wield magic is far exceeded by her skills in manipulation and information gathering. Few ask her about her business, as that gives her an excuse to pry into theirs, so she often conducts clandestine business at her villa without interruption. Lady Hlanta has never taken a Consort, though she did spend years with the fathers of her children. (Age: 53y)
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'''15 Nobles'''<br>
* '''Elvie Melshimber:''' ''First Daughter''. Hlanta's eldest daughter is something of a legend among the noble set of her generation. Invitation acceptances increase when it is heard that she will be at a party; when it's heard that she's agreed to grace such a gathering with her voice and harp, even those not invited clamour to find a way to be there. Though she has lost some of the bloom of youth, Elvie is hauntingly beautiful, with a long graceful neck and head of immaculately coiffed glossy black hair. (Age: 33y)
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The main branch today traces its lineage back to Lord Khallos Melshimber, the son of Lady Hlanta.
* '''Colodacia Melshimber:''' ''Second Daughter''. As charming and affable as her elder sister is mysterious and beautiful, Colodacia is a regular on the social scene. She takes a great deal of joy out of welcoming those who are new to the scene, whether because they have just arrived in Waterdeep or they have just become old enough to do so. Her black hair is a mass of springy curls, and her figure lushly curved. Her laugh is infectious, and she is well-known for her love of zzar. (Age: 30y)
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{| align="none" border="0" style="background: white"
* '''Khallos Melshimber:''' ''Heir of House, First Son''. An historian trained by his great-uncle Gierobuco, Khallos is his mother's heir. Though his wit and charisma serve him well in that capacity, it is his interests in his mother's intrigues (and ability to facilitate them) that has truly earned him the spot. His elder half-sisters are relieved of such, for neither of them have ever wanted it. (Age: 28y)
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| [[Image:Harlond-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Harlond Melshimber'''<br>''Patriarch of the House (Rank 3) • 45 years''<br>A man comfortable in his role as head-of-house, Lord Harlond is part of the backbone of Waterdeep's noble community. He makes the requisite appearances at public events, of course, but his forté are the parlor and study meetings, the conferences late in the night, which shape the futures of Waterdeep, insofar as the nobility have any sway over such. He is pleasant but his smiles never reach his eyes.
* '''Ervais Melshimber:''' ''Second Son''. Bookish and given to bouts of sickness, Ervais is his great-uncle Gierbuco's current apprentice and assistant. His elder sisters dote on him quite a bit, as he's always followed them around adoringly. (Age: 25y)
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|- style="background: gainsboro"
* '''Ymarya Melshimber:''' ''Third Daughter''. The youngest of Lady Hlanta's daughters seems to have inherited no small measure of her magical talent. As such, rather than the finishing schools her elder sisters attended, Ymarya attends the Eltorchul Academy ([[North Diamond Street]], [[Sea Ward of Waterdeep|Sea Ward]]). She seems far more interested in her own social and arcane undertakings than anything her family is interested in. (Age: 22y)
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| [[Image:Andraethera-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Andraethra Melshimber'''<br>''Consort (Rank 2) • 41 years''<br>In contrast to her husband, it might almost be fairly said that there ''is'' no social set in Waterdeep without Andraethra. She sets a great deal of the nobility's standards of comportment and presentation, and a critical word from her has crushed reputations and futures within those circles before.  
===Other Branches===
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|-
* '''Agoda:''' ''Matriarch's Aunt''. A priestess of Oghma at the Halls of Inspiration in Silverymoon, Agoda is well-respected throughout Silvermoon and by the faithful of Oghma in the North. Agoda and Hlanta once maintained an active correspondence, but that ceased some twenty years ago. (Age: 76y)
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| [[Image:Tasheene-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Tasheene Melshimber'''<br>''Heir, firstborn daughter (Rank 1) • 23 years''<br>Young and ambitious, Tasheene seems to hold her parents' stodgy, traditionalist ways in contempt. She certainly is as power-hungry as they; she simply doesn't see any use in avoiding employing whatever contacts and resources come her way. Oddly enough, however, she has been quite sedate in the past half-year or so.
* '''Gierobuco Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Uncle''. A revered sage in Waterdeep, "Uncle Giero" (as everyone calls him) served with the Watchful Order in his youth, where his divinatory talents shone. His first and only consort, Liadnos, was a fellow watch-wizard well-regarded for his mastery of evocative magics. "The Eye and the Flame" their fellows dubbed their partnership, and the two solved many cases that surpassed the Watch. When Liadnos died in the line of duty some thirty years ago, Gierobuco retired from the Order and is fairly reclusive, only seeing those who come to hire him as a sage. Only Uncle Giero seems to break Hlanta's constantly scheming demeanor - it is obvious that she cares very deeply for him and is fiercely protective of him. In return, he is her constant advisor (even when she doens't like what he has to say). (Age: 69y)
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|- style="background: gainsboro"
* '''Zalo Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Brother''. Though he was once quite the wastrel in his youth, Zalo has retired into a position of some regard, acting as the chief archivist and historian for the Lord's Court of Waterdeep. All that remains of his philandering days is a tendency to flirt atrociously with young women half his age, and to carry on exhausting passionate love affairs that end terribly. (Age: 50y)
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| [[Image:Kobrostos-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Kobrostos Melshimber'''<br>''Secondborn son (Rank 2) • 21 years''<br>Spoiled and focused mostly on his own pleasures, everyone seems glad that Kobrostos is not the heir...including Kobrostos. Kobrostos runs with a clique of young nobles who spend their time partying and gambling, and he puts their diversions above all else. His father despairs of the boy coming to any use whatsoever, though his mother insists that he simply has "a young man's humors, which need to be expressed!"
* '''Gonta Urmbrusk:''' ''Matriarch's Sister''. Always a simple young woman, Gonta finished her time in finishing school and immediately found a husband. She married into House Urmbrusk and settled into the life of a noble lady and mother. Today, she occasionally visits her sister Hlanta, but for the most part remains involved in House Urmbrusk's business. (Age: 46y)
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|-
* '''Ciatto Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Brother''. The youngest of Lady Nettia's children, Hlanta always doted on her younger brother. For his part, Ciatto was always a willing agent for his elder sister's schemes, and more than capable at the arts of subterfuge she taught him. Despite his skills, his inclinations are far simpler: he is an avid book and map collector, and takes great pride in ''Ciatto's Collection'': a variety of books Ciatto has sponsored the writing of, on myriad subjects of history that interest him. Ciatto's favorite topic is elven history, and he is fascinated by old stories of Miyeritar, the ancient kingdom of dark and wood elves that stood where the High Moor is now. He has gone so far as to hire adventurers in the past to comb the moors for ruins seeking more lore. (Age: 44y)
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| [[Image: Gholsetha-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Gholsetha Melshimber'''<br>''Patriarch's sister and Master of Pages (Rank 2) • 43 years''<br>Secretive and elegant, Gholsetha delights in the social rounds. In many ways, most think of her as the very icon of the Melshimber secret-merchant: she always knows just the right gossip for your needs, so long as you can bring her something she didn't already know. If not, she's happy to direct you to discover some!
** '''Andedda Melshimber:''' ''Ciatto's Consort''. A daughter of House Talmost, Andedda shows her upbringing as the undisputed fashion plate of House Melshimber. Fortunately, she is only too happy to see that her family (particularly Lady Hlanta and her children) are on the cutting edge of fashion. She and Hlanta are fast friends - indeed, it is through Hlanta that Ciatto met Andedda, and their friendship remains to this day. (Age: 48y)
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|- style="background: gainsboro"
** '''Emilos Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Nephew''. Originally quite the annoying cousin who constantly snuck out to follow Elvie and Colodacia out on the town, Emilos is a raucous socialite. He has always considered himself his cousins' and siblings' protector, and he is arguably the best with a blade in the House. (Age: 26y)
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| [[Image:Elbymil-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Elbymil Melshimber'''<br>''Gholsetha's consort (Rank 2) • 48 years''<br>A scholarly man raised in Candlekeep, Elbymil assists his wife's work as Master of Pages. While she focuses on the informants and secret-mongering of her position, she leaves a great deal of the management of the House library and archives to Elbymil. He has a reputation for a certain dourness of outlook, and is quite quiet most of the time. Elbymil is one of the few people that Gholsetha seems to trust implicitly, however, and is without question one of the finest minds of the House currently living.
** '''Enagia Melshimber:''' ''Emilos' Consort''. As far as Enagia and Emilos are concerned, theirs was a fairy-tale romance. Precocious and willful, Enagia soon grew tired of typical noble debauchery and found a new game for herself: paying the owner of a festhall to let her pose as one of the girls there. It was in that capacity that she met Emilos, and won his heart and loins forthwith. She continued to play that role, only seeing him while hidden behind the purple silk veils in the House of Purple Silks in the [[Sea Ward of Waterdeep|Sea Ward]]. Finally, when he proposed to her one night, his House be damned, she gleefully revealed herself to be a daughter of House Lathkule. (Age: 23y)
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|-
** '''[[Ciro|Ciro Melshimber]]:''' ''Matriarch's Nephew''. x (Age: 20y)
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| [[Image:Veluithan-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Veluithan Melshimber'''<br>''Gholsetha's firstborn son (Rank 2) • 22 years''<br>Quiet as his father, Veluithan is his mother's right hand, acting as her eyes and ears in the salons of the younger generation of nobles. Not given to smiling or revelry much, Veluithan still manages to collect plenty of useful information for his mother's network. Indeed, he seems to have a somewhat sinister reputation among certain circles of his generation of nobles.
** '''Ronto Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Nephew''. Young and ambitious, Ronto has been his father's apprentice in swordplay since he could hold a blade. He cuts a rakish figure, having just entered Waterdhavian society, and is probably one of the best dancers to be had (thanks to his mother's lessons). Thin but muscled, he has drawn the eye of more than a few of the noble ladies (and lords, in fact), but has thus far accepted no one's advances (or so the rumors say). He is also a fine singer. (Age: 16y)
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|- style="background: gainsboro"
* '''Moro Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Uncle''. Head of his own branch of the family, Moro nonetheless works very closely with his niece Hlanta. He is a canny business man, and is well-regarded as one of the noble patriarchs of Waterdeep. His palate for wine is unparalleled, and he has a friendly rivalry with the other vintner families of Waterdeep (in particular his life-long friend-and-rival Karustos Snome). Moro manages a great deal of the family's vineyards and vintner operations. (Age: 65y)
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| [[Image:Jhaenureth-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Jhaenureth Melshimber'''<br>''Gholsetha's secondborn daughter (Rank 1) • 19 years''<br>Bright where her brother is dark, and cheery where he is melancholy, Jhaenureth is often the foil to Veluithan's brooding sobriety. Since her Coming Out, she has gained quite the reputation as a reveler, befitting the Melshimber reputation for love of wine and song far better than dour Tasheene does. Jhaenureth and Tasheene have not gotten along since both were girls, and their contempt of one another is notorious in noble sets.
** '''Ailias Snome:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. Almost to put a lie to the rivalry between her father and Old Man Karustos, Moro's daughter Ailias married Karustos' son Kertival. She can frequently be found on the Melshimber estate to visit her father, occasionally accompanied by her adolescent children Martyn and Willa. (Age: 43y)
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|-
** '''Raimfre Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. Fiery-tempered and despising being "managed," Raimfre long ago fell at odds with Hlanta. In order to achieve familial peace, Moro sent him and his new bride to manage the House's operations in Scornubel. It has been some twenty years since doing so, and Raimfre is a well-established Scornubian citizen of some standing. (Age: 40y)
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|}
** '''Sibeth Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. The daughter of a rich merchant lord with aspirations towards lordhood (Walmos Arborfair), Sibeth came to her marriage with Raimfre with a fine dowry of extensive vineyards in Scornubel. Thus, when her husband had problems with the Matriarch of the House, she was only too happy to return to her childhood home and raise a family there. Sibeth is calm and quite canny, and tends to mange the day-to-day operations of their vineyards, letting her husband deal with their places in society. (Age: 38y)
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* '''Elhorar Melshimber:''' ''Patriarch's brother (Rank 1) • 39 years''. Elhorar has always escaped into his books. Fortunately, in House Melshimber, that is a viable option for one's vocation. Elhorar is a sage for the familial business, although he doesn't try to actually ''run'' any of the Melshimber sage business. He's simply a scholar, happy to help folk within his areas of expertise (jewelry and gemstones across Faerûnian cultures, as well as the religious traditions of the cultures off the Sword Coast, including the Moonshaes). Halrond wanted him to take on the Master of Wines title, but Elhorar couldn't be less interested in wines.
*** '''Aelent Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. A sweet girl with her mother's fair complexion, Aelent took her vows as a priestess of Lathander in 1351 DR, at the Healing House of Lathander in Scornubel. She jokes that she has her grandfather Walmos' wanderlust, and has occasionally ventured out in the company of an adventuring company, bringing Lathander's blessings to her companions in doing so. (Age: 19y)
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* '''Alon Melshimber:''' ''Elhorar's consort (Rank 1) • 34 years''. The handsome Alon is Elhorar's husband. Tall and muscled, Alon was a dancer that the bookish Melshimber met when a theater company hired him to advise them on the proper jewelry to use for a theater production. Elhorar attended every show, eschewing the noble boxes so he could sit as close to the stage as possible, his attention rapt on Alon. The two have been together for ten years or so now. Alon is very social, and still dances semi-professionally, and Elhorar still attends every performance faithfully.
*** '''Cynndria Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. A young woman coming into her own, Cynndria's sweet singing voice is the talk of Scornubel's social elite. Despite this, she doesn't have much affection for noble life. Her parents have promised to help her establish herself however she likes, if she will simply decide what she wants. (Age: 16y)
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* '''Diemba Hunabar:''' ''Patriarch's sister (Rank –) • 37 years''. The youngest of the four children of Lord Hasten, Diemba married into House Hunabar some fifteen years ago, and has several children by her husband Lhuellyn. She occasionally visits and seems very intent that her children should have relationships with their Melshimber cousins. She has three children, ''Narenda'' (age 14), ''Lyelle'' (age 10), and ''Xavin'' (age 4).
*** '''Johans Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. A mischievous young man, Johans shows every indication of fitting in well with the young nobles of his generation in Scornubel. (Age: 13y)
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* '''Ruldryn Melshimber:''' ''Patriarch's cousin (Rank 2) • 33 years''. The son of Lord Hasten's younger sister, Ruldryn has always been a staunch supporter of the main branch of the family, particularly his cousin Harlond. Ruldryn is a trained fighter and oversees the Melshimber guards.
** '''Ambenc Melshimber:''' ''Matriarch's Cousin''. Moro's youngest son, Ambenc used to be quite the socialite. When he was in his late twenties, he found himself in a duel with a distinctly unsavory character: one Orlpar Husteem, who laced his blade with poison. Though the scoundrel was held legally accountable for it, and Ambenc healed to the best extent magic could provide, it still left him with a limp. He quickly retired from public life, and now works primarily with his uncle Gierobuco. (Age: 38y)
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* '''Mrinil Melshimber:''' ''Ruldryn's consort (Rank 0) • 33 years''. The daughter of Karadaq Ampesarr, the former guildmaster of the Master Mariner's Guild, Mrinil was just as happy to meet Ruldryn and marry into a family that didn't expect her to engage in "maritime nonsense." She vastly prefers her feet on dry land, ideally propped up while listening to a handsome minstrel play something racy. Mrinil tends to be quiet at parties, but is quite sociable in smaller groups.
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* '''Ilomnar Melshimber:''' ''Ruldryn's firstborn son (Rank 0) • 14 years''. Ilomnar has been learning the use of the sword since his father would let him, and has since enrolled in the Agundar's Grand Salle academy as part of his finishing years. He has spoken with his father about the possibility of enlisting with the Skybolts (an Agundar mercenary company) when he is of age.
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* '''Brylla Melshimber:''' ''Ruldyryn's secondborn daughter (Rank 0) • 11 years''. Painfully shy and generally uninterested in the presence of other people around her, Brylla is quite clever. Though she has a hard time learning from a traditional tutor, her mother has noticed that she learns excellently from books, and so has focused her education in that direction as much as possible. Her refusal to make eye contact and general confusion or disdain for what others see as basic etiquette is a source of ongoing concern for her father and mother.
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* '''Shalyth Melshimber:''' ''Ruldryn's thirdborn daughter (Rank 0) • 8 years''. Brylla's staunch defender, Shalyth is very well-spoken for a little one of her age. She makes friends easily and often, from the other nobles to the serving staff to the guards. In particular, she seems to currently adore a young woman in the Melshimber guard, one Meridee Talan, who seems embarrassed and unsure what to do when the little girl inevitably seeks her out so she can sit nearby and chatter with her all day.
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===The Scornubian Branch===
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'''12 Nobles'''<br>
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Only about half of the Scornubian branch of Melshimbers is actually in Scornubel. The rest of them are located in Waterdeep. While the matriarch of the Scornubian Melshimbers remains at the Helm-and-Eye Estate, her son and his family act as her representatives to the House in Waterdeep.
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* '''Nethlaw Melshimber:''' ''Patriarch's cousin (Rank 2) • 42 years''. Grasping and jealous, Nethlaw sees everything as an insult from the "main branch" of the family. He is sure Harlond is out to deny his family their due, despite all the hard work they have put in maintaining prosperity in Scornubel.
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* '''Serielle Melshimber:''' ''Nethlaw's consort (rank 1) • 38 years''. Serielle is exhausted with her husband's constant whinging, and utterly delighted to be out from under the thumb of his mother in Scornubel. She has taken to Waterdeep's many delights and diversions with aplomb, so much so that she utterly dreads leaving it in winter.
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* '''Rilnissa Melshimber:''' ''Nethlaw's firstborn daughter (rank 0) • 18 years''. Friendly almost to a fault, if Rilnissa were less meek she could be a very good mediator. Unfortunately, she is often browbeaten for her "soft, useless opinions" by her father, and her mother does nothing to protect her from his temper. Rilnissa has found a friendship in an unusual spot: Kymeera, the mother of the two Melshimber tieflings, whom Rilnissa adores.
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* '''Vhirar Melshimber:''' ''Nethlaw's secondborn son (rank 0) • 14 years''. Taken out of the home he's always known and plopped down into a confusing, antagonistic, strange situation, it is no wonder that Vhirar is something of a trouble-maker. He frequently sneaks out of the Melshimber villa – growing up, he had the run of the Scornubian estates, and he misses the freedom of the countryside. He has fallen in with some less-than-savory boys his own age, the sons of non-nobles who do not know of his nobility.
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* '''Dleathe Melshimber:''' ''Nethlaw's thirdborn daughter (rank 0) • 9 years''. As much as Rilnissa loves the tieflings Psalm and Hosannah, it was probably inevitable that Dleathe should react with jealousy. She and Hosannah often play, but their play frequently turns to squabbling.  
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===The Silverymoon Branch===
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'''4 Nobles'''<br>
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Descended from Ciro Melshimber and his husband Naerond Aerasume, the Silverymoon Melshimbers tend to be tall and fair of hair and demeanor. Though half-elven Naerond is still alive, he has never considered himself a Melshimber. Despite this, he is basically the patriarch of the family. The Silverymoon Melshimbers seem to have inherited no small measure of wizardly skill, likely from their mother, a renowned half-elven wizardess who is part of the clergy of Lurue in Silverymoon. Only two of the family are in Waterdeep: the cousins Evannos and Ymetta.
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* '''Evannos Melshimber:''' ''Patriarch's cousin, Ymetta's brother (rank 1) • 24 years''. It is no surprise that Evannos is kindly regarded by Harlond and Andraethra both: he is young, handsome, polite, and a Knight in Silver. With his dark hair and bright blue eyes, Evannos has set hearts aflutter in Waterdeep's social set. He is happy to flirt and more, but has not taken anyone in Waterdeep as a lover – which of course only heightens the pull he exerts on his admirers. Though everyone who meets him expects him to be protective of his sister, he has every faith in her ability to take care of herself.
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* '''Ymetta Melshimber:''' ''Patriarch's cousin, Evannos's sister (rank 1) • 22 years''. A young wizardess as lovely as her brother is handsome, Ymetta is the more serious of the two. She was trained in the Art by her
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===The Baldur's Gate Branch===
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'''5 Nobles'''<br>
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Descended from Ymayra Melshimber after she fled Waterdeep in grief, the Baldur's Gate branch was found through the efforts of Laeral and Falconfree. Her descendants inherited Ymayra's skill for wizardry. They are rarely seen in Waterdeep, focused as they are on the management of Melshimber lands around Baldur's Gate and throughout the Western Heartlands.
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===The New Kin===
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'''3 Nobles'''
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{| align="none" border="0" style="background: white"
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| [[Image:Kymeera-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Kymeera Melshimber'''<br>''Matriarch's Cousin (Renown 4) • 44 years''<br>A distant cousin, Kymeera showed up in 1471 DR, when things were looking very bad for House Melshimber. The infusion of coin she brought with her prompted Lady Edura to overlook the stain on her name: her tiefling children Psalm and Hosanna.
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|- style="background: gainsboro"
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| [[Image:Psalm-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''[[Psalm Melshimber]]'''<br>''Kymeera's firstborn son (Renown 1) • 21 years''<br>xxx
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|-
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| [[Image:Hosanna-melshimber.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Hosanna Melshimber'''<br>''Kymeera's secondborn daughter (Renown 0) • 8 years''<br>Sweet dispositioned and gregarious to a fault (although with a ''slight'' impulse control problem), Hosanna loves making friends. Unfortunately, she's realized that a good many folk don't wish to make friends with someone who looks like her. Though her relationship with her cousins her age is still fraught, she has taken solace from the welcome she has gotten from some of her aunts and uncles.
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|}
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===Retainers===
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{| align="none" border="0" style="background: white"
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| [[Image:Erathus-talsker.jpg|left|150px]] || '''Erathus Talsker'''<br>''Patriarch's Valet (Rank 2) • 44 years''<br>The patriarch's valet is his right-hand man. Though his formal duties deal with grooming and dressing Lord Melshimber, like so many valets, Erathus's responsibilities include any other tasks the patriarch puts to him. Everyone in the House knows that when Erathus speaks, he does so with the backing of the House patriarch, and those who seek to stymie or deny him risk the lord's wrath. Still, Erathus himself isn't cruel or petty – he is simply deadly efficient and loyal to a frightening degree. He is also known to be a deadly hand with a hidden blade, a fact that has saved Lord Melshimber's life one at least one occasion.
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==Holdings==
 
==Holdings==
* '''Resources Limit:''' If necessary, House Melshimber could probably generate about 35,000 gp in liquid coin and valuables within a month, or about 15,000 gp within a tenday.
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* '''Resources Limit:''' If necessary, House Melshimber could probably generate about 50,000 gp in liquid coin and valuables within a month.
===House Estate===
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===Wine's Wisdom Hall===
 
[[Image:Melshimber-estate.jpg|right]]
 
[[Image:Melshimber-estate.jpg|right]]
''x, [[Sea Ward of Waterdeep]], Waterdeep''<br>
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''[[Sea Ward of Waterdeep]], Waterdeep''<br>
 
The estate villa of House Melshimber consists of a trio of buildings, with extensively landscaped gardens between them. The whole is surrounded by a fine white-washed wall, decorated with carved interwoven grape vines around quills across the top of it. The buildings themselves are likewise a mist-grey (almost white) stone, and they are fond of decorative stained glass windows - even the regular windows often have a frame of stained glass across their tops and bottoms, usually depicting grape leaves and clusters, books, scrolls, writing utensils and the like.  
 
The estate villa of House Melshimber consists of a trio of buildings, with extensively landscaped gardens between them. The whole is surrounded by a fine white-washed wall, decorated with carved interwoven grape vines around quills across the top of it. The buildings themselves are likewise a mist-grey (almost white) stone, and they are fond of decorative stained glass windows - even the regular windows often have a frame of stained glass across their tops and bottoms, usually depicting grape leaves and clusters, books, scrolls, writing utensils and the like.  
* '''Main House:''' A four-story structure, the Main House's best-known feature is the Tasting Room, a large rounded room that sticks out into the gardens. It is four stories in height, and its garden-facing walls are all fine glass windows. It is a fine party chamber that is the envy of many nobles, and rightly so - many of the finest social events in Waterdhavian histories have taken place there. The rest of the building is made up of private living spaces, for the most part: the ground floor features sumptuous chambers for entertaining guests, including a massive banquet hall with a stage on one end that is sometimes used to host theatrical events or musical performances. The upper floors are all wings of private suites for household members. Lady Hlanta's immediate family maintain rooms here, as does Zalo.
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* '''[[Wine's Wisdom Hall]]:''' A five-story structure, Wine's Wisdom's best-known feature is the Tasting Room, a large rounded room that sticks out into the gardens. It is four stories in height, and its garden-facing walls are all fine glass windows. It is a fine party chamber that is the envy of many nobles, and rightly so - many of the finest social events in Waterdhavian histories have taken place there. The rest of the building is made up of private living spaces, for the most part: the ground floor features sumptuous chambers for entertaining guests, including a massive banquet hall with a stage on one end that is sometimes used to host theatrical events or musical performances. The upper floors are all wings of private suites for household members. Lady Gholsetha's immediate family maintain rooms here.
* '''The Vintage House:''' This five-story house has extensive rooms, including two floors of guesting housing for friends of the family visiting Waterdeep. The street-front face of the building features a massive set of oaken double-doors all entwined with grape vines and closed books in the center of the doors emblazoned with the Melshimber heraldry. There is also a small gate in the wall directly north of the house, allowing delivery wagons access to the house's extensive wine cellars. The cellars themselves are the size of the whole of the building, and entirely made up of row-after-row of ceiling-height wineracks. Half the servants of the Vintage House are directly under the Master Sommelier Chasal Maridun, and employed to keep the wines in fine shape and inventoried properly. These servants also deliver wines to the houses of the estate and see to its proper service. Moro maintains rooms here, along with his children (including a wing for Raimfre and his family, on the off-chance they should visit).
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* '''The Vintage House:''' This five-story house has extensive rooms, including two floors of guesting housing for friends of the family visiting Waterdeep. The street-front face of the building features a massive set of oaken double-doors all entwined with grape vines and closed books in the center of the doors emblazoned with the Melshimber heraldry. There is also a small gate in the wall directly north of the house, allowing delivery wagons access to the house's extensive wine cellars. The cellars themselves are the size of the whole of the building, and entirely made up of row-after-row of ceiling-height wineracks. Half the servants of the Vintage House are directly under the Master Sommelier Denaren Izira, and employed to keep the wines in fine shape and inventoried properly. These servants also deliver wines to the houses of the estate and see to its proper service.
* '''The House of Parchments:''' Before the House maintained separate offices for such, the Parchments House provided them with a base for their sages to do their work from. Now friends of the family (and other Waterdhavian nobles) still occasionally visit for that purpose. The ground floor is made up of a handful of reading rooms and parlors which line the outer walls of the building. The southern edge of the building juts out in the gardens - this is the House library, a massive four-story construction, with literal walls of books. The upper second through fourth floors of the northern portion of the building is divided into a variety of suites. Gierobuco maintains ground-floor rooms here, with Ciatto and his family taking suites in the rooms above.
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* '''The [[Melshimber Villa House of Parchments|House of Parchments]]:''' Before the House maintained separate offices for such, the Parchments House provided them with a base for their sages to do their work from. Now friends of the family (and other Waterdhavian nobles) still occasionally visit for that purpose. The ground floor is made up of a handful of reading rooms and parlors which line the outer walls of the building. The southern edge of the building juts out in the gardens - this is the House library, a massive four-story construction, with literal walls of books. The upper second through fourth floors of the northern portion of the building is divided into a variety of suites.
* '''The Great Cellars:''' Beneath the villa grounds is an extensive warren of cellars. These cellars can be accessed from the cellars of any of the houses, although only a few heads of house (Lady Hlanta, Khallos, Gierobuco and Moro) have keys to them. The family maintains a massive wine cellar down here somewhere, in which they store ancient and extremely valuable vintages, including some wines magically restored or preserved garnered from ancient historical sites (a neat cross of the House's interests). It is also said that the House's vaults are down here somewhere, hidden away behind traps and locked doors. Family rumor maintains that one passage also extends out into the sewers.
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* '''The Great Cellars:''' Beneath the villa grounds is an extensive warren of cellars. These cellars can be accessed from the cellars of any of the houses, although only a few heads of house (generally those of Rank 7+) have keys to them. The family maintains a massive wine cellar down here somewhere, in which they store ancient and extremely valuable vintages, including some wines magically restored or preserved garnered from ancient historical sites (a neat cross of the House's interests). It is also said that the House's vaults are down here somewhere, hidden away behind traps and locked doors. Family rumor maintains that one passage also extends out into the sewers.
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* '''The Garden Chapel:''' A small private family chapel, situated in the northwest corner of the gardens, shrouded by trees.
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===Waterdhavian Properties===
 
===Waterdhavian Properties===
* '''Melshimber Offices:''' ''Castle Ward''. House Melshimber maintains a small office, with ample library (all copies of the House's own tomes) for the use of its members who maintain public presences as sages. In particular, it is Gierobuco's office, though at his age he doesn't often make his way there. Ambenc, on the other hand, frequently spends time there, and has even set up the apartments above it as his own retreat (which he claims is for when he works too late, but in reality is usually for when his House's social predilections become too much for him). Ervais can often be found here as well, running errands for his great-uncle.
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* '''Melshimber Offices:''' ''Castle Ward''. House Melshimber maintains a small office, with ample library (all copies of the House's own tomes) for the use of its members who maintain public presences as sages, with a set of apartments above.
 
* '''The Quill Hall:''' ''Trade Ward''. House Melshimber also maintains a rooming house, which they rent out to only writers, sages and the like. The top floor of the house they keep empty, for the exclusive use of those writers they patronize to produce written works for them.
 
* '''The Quill Hall:''' ''Trade Ward''. House Melshimber also maintains a rooming house, which they rent out to only writers, sages and the like. The top floor of the house they keep empty, for the exclusive use of those writers they patronize to produce written works for them.
 
===Other Land===
 
===Other Land===
House Melshimber maintains extensive vineyards around the North and Heartlands.
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House Melshimber maintains extensive vineyards around the North and Heartlands, which produce their variety of [[Melshimber Wines|fine vintages]].
* '''The Helm-and-Eye Estates:''' A collection of rich vineyards just outside of Scornubel, with an opulent manor in the center of the lands, the Helm-and-Eye (named for the Melshimber heraldry) is home to Raimfre's family. They are masters of over a dozen individual vineyards and two small villages where the harvests are brought in and made into wines at the estate proper.
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* '''The Helm-and-Eye Estates:''' A collection of rich vineyards just outside of Scornubel, with an opulent manor in the center of the lands, the Helm-and-Eye (named for the Melshimber heraldry) is home to xxx. They are masters of over a dozen individual vineyards and two small villages where the harvests are brought in and made into wines at the estate proper.
 
* '''Greenfields Vineyards:''' Though they own only a few of the vineyards to be found in these lands just north of Amn, House Melshimber invests in quite a few others here, and usually benefit from a pick of the harvest. They also own most of the best wineries in the area.
 
* '''Greenfields Vineyards:''' Though they own only a few of the vineyards to be found in these lands just north of Amn, House Melshimber invests in quite a few others here, and usually benefit from a pick of the harvest. They also own most of the best wineries in the area.
 
* '''Heartlands Estates:''' The Melshimbers also own a handful of vineyards and wineries across the Western Heartlands, including in Bereghost, the lands around Baldur's Gate, Triel, Scoubar and Elturel.  
 
* '''Heartlands Estates:''' The Melshimbers also own a handful of vineyards and wineries across the Western Heartlands, including in Bereghost, the lands around Baldur's Gate, Triel, Scoubar and Elturel.  
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* '''Patronage of Authors & Sages:''' The Melshimbers also make a point of acting as patrons for many writers of topics they consider of interest or importance, providing funding and even room and board (in the Quill Hall, above) for promising writers.
 
* '''Patronage of Authors & Sages:''' The Melshimbers also make a point of acting as patrons for many writers of topics they consider of interest or importance, providing funding and even room and board (in the Quill Hall, above) for promising writers.
 
* '''Contributions:''' House Melshimber contributes heavily to a great many institutions, mostly libraries and temples to Oghma. Every major urban library and temple to Oghma in the North receives an annual stipend. They also contribute heavily to Candlekeep's coffers.
 
* '''Contributions:''' House Melshimber contributes heavily to a great many institutions, mostly libraries and temples to Oghma. Every major urban library and temple to Oghma in the North receives an annual stipend. They also contribute heavily to Candlekeep's coffers.
==Rumors About House Melshimber==
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<div style="float: right; width: 350px; border: 1px black solid; margin: 20px; padding: 10px;">
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==Faction==
<div style="text-align: center; font-size: 150%">Society Engagements of 1353 DR</div>
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Best known for their scholarly pursuits and fine wines, Waterdhavians in the know like to say that the Melshimbers have combined those two interests to master the art of gossip and information-gathering.
House Melshimber has made the following public plans for the Society Season of 1353 DR:
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===Overview===
* '''Spheres (Tarsakh 10th):''' House Melshimber has committed to throwing one of the many Spheres parties for this year - in response, at least two other Houses canceled their own parties. The Melshimbers have already begun to exert social pressure on their friends to ensure that their party is the best-attended.
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House Melshimber is a House of scholars and carousers. They are usually quite well-regarded for their winning charms, their love of (and access to) the finest wines, and as patrons of the arts. Once, the Melshimbers were regarded as intrigue-loving dilettantes and party-goers, but their reputation evolved a somewhat sharper edge for knowing everyone's secrets. To this day, everyone knows: the Melshimbers ''know''.
* '''Vernal Trousseau Festival (Tarsakh 26th):''' Of course, the standard commitments to attend parties are in place. In addition, however, this year Andedda has spearheaded a party on the night of the 26th in the Tasting Room of the Main House.
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===Goals and Philosophy===
* '''Greengrass Tasting (Greengrass):''' Hlanta's annual Greengrass Tasting is an extravagant affair every year, and this year promises to be as grand as every other. It will be hosted in the Tasting Room of the Main House.
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Where once the Melshimber investment in intrigues was simply a harmless game to engage in between parties and events, now they are nearly a stock in trade. The Melshimbers continue their oldest vocations - that of wine merchants, vineyard owners, and patrons of the arts - but all of those can be and have been turned to the increase of power for Hlanta's House.
* '''Theater Season (Flamerule 18th):''' This Theater Season, Hlanta has agreed to host a Garden Theater party for Ciatto and his new discovery: a fine playwright whose works Ciatto is publishing.
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===Activities===
* '''The Annual Garden Parties (Eleasias 17th):''' As is the case every year, Hlanta is busy preparing her House's gardens to compete in the garden parties. Hlanta has hinted that she is excited to meet one of the judges, even though their identities aren't supposed to be known yet.
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By and large, Melshimber scions are involved in sagecraft, wine (either the making or selling of it), and the patronage of the arts in any number of capacities. In many ways, the House as a whole is involved with Hlanta's search for interesting secrets, which she rewards her family and household well for.
* '''The Gathering of Harps (Eleasias 25th):''' House Melshimber's contribution to the night parties of the Gathering is on the 25th this year.
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* '''The Matrons' Diversion (Eleint 10th):''' At current, Hyara Talmost II organizes and hosts these eventrs, although she has been depending more and more on Hlanta to organize them. Everyone knows that Hlanta wants "ownership" of the event back into House Melshimber, who started the tradition. At present the event includes the five matriarchs of Houses Melshimber, Lanngolyn, Maerklos, Ruldegost, Talmost and Thorp, plus their myriad daughters and nieces.
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Quests undertaken by agents of House Melshimber might include the following:
* '''The Pankration (Eleint 22nd):''' House Melshimber has registered as fielding a competitor from their own House among the wrestlers. Though the name hasn't been announced publicly, the fact that Ciro - a known wrestler in the Lathandran style - has returned to Waterdeep has been pointed at as very indicative.
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* Deal with anything disrupting the lines of wine flowing from any Melshimber property to Waterdeep.
</div>
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* Seek out by any number of unsavory means the secrets of other Houses...and even those beyond the nobles' Game.
''It is said that''...
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* ...'''Lady Hlanta''' frequently targets other mages of some note, either blackmailing them or using her information to rob them for their magical secrets, extending her own magical power thusly. Indeed, the wags of Waterdeep would have everyone believe that both the fathers of her children were mages whom she lured in and killed to gain their spellbooks and items of magic.
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===Perks===
** It is also said that she studies include many rare alchemies, including the creation of various nearly unheard-of poisons. She is said to be willing to provide those for a price.
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Scions and agents of House Melshimber in good standing might receive the following benefits:
** There are also those who suggest that someone as connected and knowledgeable as Lady Hlanta is either an agent of or enemy to the Lords of Waterdeep. There are also those who suggest that she is one of the Lords herself, and that the rumored tunnels beneath the Melshimber villa features a passage to the Lords' Court and other city structures, as well as the chamber where she conceals her lordly attire.
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* '''Living Quarters:''' ''Renown 1+''. Those in good standing with the House are given quarters within the House's Waterdhavian villa appropriate to their role in the House.
* ...'''Elvie''' has drawn the notice of a vampire, who has caused her to fall in love with him. Her melancholy and distance is caused by his feeding upon her, supping slowly at her life's essence to draw out the pleasure of her death. For herself, she is too in love with him - some say this is why she doesn't notice he is killing her. Others say that she does notice, but is too in love to care.
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* '''Living Expenses/Salaries:''' ''Renown 1+''. Those in good standing with the House also receive a stipend of 1gp plus 5sp per day per point of Rank. This is not actual cash, but simply familial credit towards payment of Lifestyle costs. This stacks with the same kind of familial credit received from the ''Waterdhavian Noble'' Background (see ''Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide'').
* ...'''Colodacia''' has stopped taking lovers from among the social set, because she has a lover of some power and importance. She is coy about answering such questions directly, but spurns everyone who approaches her amorously, even those old lovers with whom she frequently spent evenings in the past. Others simply claim that is because something terrible has happened to her and she can't stand the touch of a lover, or because she is pregnant.
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* '''Business Opportunities:''' ''Renown 3+''. Lynchpins to House Melshimber's operations receive access to a variety of business opportunities within the House's money-making endeavors. This is handled as "Running a Business" in downtime months. This does not incur a business expense, but if the character rolls results that end in a loss of money, he can and will find access to his House funds reduced until the loss has been made up for.
* ...'''Khallos''' makes it a point to get information on everyone in the social set he can. Indeed, it is said that he maintains an extensive dossier of documents regarding each of those he has such secrets on, and is sometimes willing to sell such information in exchange for information he doesn't have, in essence turning nobles into his agents in exchange for access to some of his secrets. If there is any truth to this, only those who'd be taking advantage of the arrangement know, and they aren't speaking.
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* '''Heir or Consort (Title):''' ''Renown 3+''. The holder of one of the legal titles ''Heir of House'' and ''Consort of House'', as recorded with the city of Waterdeep, is entitled to an additional 2gp per day in familial credit, per the "Living Expenses/Salaries" entry above. The heir is also accorded certain privileges within the legal system of Waterdeep, including the ability to speak on behalf of his House in some legal proceedings and the like.
* ...'''Ervais''' isn't truly sickly, save perhaps in his mind. He is given to unwholesome appetites, and the Melshimbers have sequestered him to prevent scandal.
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* '''Vault of Secrets:''' ''Renown 5+''. Upper-tier House members gain access to the House's "Vault of Secrets," a metaphor for the body of knowledge the matriarch and the upper echelons of the House have accrued about other nobles and other important individuals in Waterdeep. Those with access to that Vault may seek out information from the House's sources, taking up a day of discussion with family members and records. If the individual or organization in question have any secrets known to the House, that scion gains access to them at the end of that day...although the asking may draw the interest of Gholsetha or any of the other important House members.
* ...'''Ymarya''' doesn't truly have any magical talent. In truth, it is her mother Hlanta attending the Eltorchul academy in her guise, using the opportunity to not only gain more lore, but to also secure the loyalty of many young magical nobles, in order to use them as her agents.
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* '''Master of Pages:''' ''Renown 7+''. A family title, the Master of Pages is the head of the house's sagely business, considered the direct employer of the family's many sages and librarians, as well as its network of informants and information-brokers. This title comes with a monthly stipend in addition to familial credit in Waterdeep and mastery of the House of Parchments, including unrestricted access to the House's fine library therein.
* ...'''Gierobuco's''' melancholy is so deep and long-lasting because he himself was responsible for the death of his love Liadnos. He didn't voluntarily retire from the Watchful Order - he was forced to do so, for his own safety, after receiving attempts on his life by those watch-wizards seeking revenge for the well-liked Liadnos.
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* '''Master of Wines:''' ''Renown 7+''. A family title, the Master of Wines is the head of the house's wine business, considered the direct employer of the family's many sommeliers, wine merchants, and vineyards. The title comes with a monthly stipend in addition to familial credit in Waterdeep, as well as the right to take residence either in one of the House's many vineyards or in the Vintage House in the Waterdeep villa compound.
* ...'''Zalo''' hasn't truly cleaned up his philandering ways. His sister has simply seen to it that he puts them to the use of the family. They say that he uses his position in the Lords' Court to secure secrets on behalf of House Melshimber, and when that doesn't work, he turns to his old arts of seduction to get what he wants. Others claim the same, save that he does not do so for Hlanta's benefit, but that of the Lords themselves!
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* '''Wealth of the House:''' ''Renown 10''. The matriarch of the House is in total control of the House's finances and various holdings, established by the laws of Waterdeep.
* ...'''Ciatto's''' interest in the dark elves was too fervent and obvious - he has been made into an agent of the drow who dwell in the Underdark beneath Waterdeep. Even now, he gathers ancient lore for them to give them power for when they make their incursion against the surface world. Some claim he does so willingly, so enamored is he with their kind, while others claim that he is magically dominated or has even been replaced with a shapeshifter entirely!
 
* ...'''Emilos''' and '''Enagia''' have continued their original roles: occasionally Enagaia ventures out to the old festhall and Emilos comes by, and they act as though they were strangers at a festhall. It is said that sometimes others who do not know them are invited to join in!
 
** It is also said that Emilos turns his wife's charms to the House's benefit, getting her to seduce someone to gain access to their secrets. Some say that she relishes this game, while others claim that she hates it and does it only out of fear of her husband and the Matriarch of the family (to whom these secrets are rendered).
 
* ...'''XXX''' was sent away to Silverymoon and forced into a priesthood for committing some terrible wrong, possibly ravishing or murdering someone. They say that he was forced to take holy vows of chastity and celibacy as punishment, though his predilections caught up to him in Silverymoon, so he's come home.
 
* ...'''Ronto''' occasionally turns his blade against others for profit. When another noble fears to duel someone who has wronged them, it is said that the right secrets or promise of a favor to Emilos will convince him to create a reason to challenge that person to a duel.
 
* ...'''Moro''' is in truth the master of House Melshimber, simply preferring to have someone like Hlanta out in front of the public face. He is also said to have subtly arranged for the poisoning of his rivals in the past, and does not hesitate to do so even now. Indeed, it is said that '''Alias''' was only married into the Snome family because Old Man Karustos caught Moro trying to poison him and forced him to give over his eldest daughter as surety against further attempts.
 
* ...'''Raimfre''' was banished from Waterdeep by Lady Hlanta, who threatened to kill him. Others say that he was the one who issued threats on her life, and barely escaped the confrontation where he dared to do so in her presence.
 

Latest revision as of 00:30, 26 December 2019

House Melshimber
Melshimber.jpg
“Only the finest of wine and words.”
Personages
Patriarch: Harlond Melshimber
Consort: Andraethra Melshimber
Heir: Tasheene Melshimber (firstborn daughter)
Membership (Nobles): 39
Predominant Faith: Oghma
Faction Details
Common Descriptors: Genteel, educated, suave
Primary Classes: Bard, Cleric (Oghma primarily), Rogue, Wizard
Alignments: NE, LE, N, NG, LG
Faction Ranks
Favored: Rank 1. You are a favored member of the House. If you are a Melshimber, you have pleased the matriarch sufficiently to gain her notice. If you are an agent or retainer of the House, your efforts to aid the House have gone well-noted.

Lynchpin: Rank 2. You are given a position of some responsibility in the House's operations. If you are a scion of the House, the matriarch considers you one of the favored scions of the House, and consults with you on matters of House importance. If you are an agent or retainer, your contributions and skills in service of the House have won you a position of no small regard and respect in the matriarch's eyes - although that may earn you the jealousy of her blood kin who are less favored than you.
Matriarch/Patriarch: Rank 3. You are the acknowledged and legal head of the household.

Interests
Trade & Interests: Sage-lore (history, genealogy), information, fine wines
Holdings: Northern Seawatch Street, Sea Ward, Waterdeep (Estate); Offices (Castle Ward), Rooming House (Trades Ward)
History
Ethnicity: Tethyrian
Founded: 1190 DR
Previous Eras: 1354 DR
Melshimber-lineage.jpg

Best known for their scholarly pursuits and fine wines, Waterdhavians in the know like to say that the Melshimbers have combined those two interests to master the art of gossip and information-gathering. One of the older families in Waterdeep, few are such a fixture on the social scene as the Melshimbers. It is a simple fact that no social event can be said to truly occur in Waterdeep without at least a flurry of invitations being sent to the Melshimber Villa, and acceptance by at least one is required to accord such an event a success.

The Melshimbers never surrendered their nobility, unlike many others, though the dark times in Waterdeep hit them just as badly as others. Their old matriarch Edura was practically a slave to Open Lord Dagult Neverember, who used her information network as his personal spies, controlling her through a very addictive drug that he alone doled out to her. When she died of the caustic drug's effects, her eldest son Lord Harlond became head of house, and has sworn to never be beholden to such again.

Members of the Family

The Melshimbers are a rollicking large family, with a great many branches scattered all over. Not all Melshimbers are recognized as House Melshimber, in fact, due to various familial enmities and falling-outs, although Laeral's Reinvestment did bring quite a few of them home to roost (so to say).

Main Branch

15 Nobles
The main branch today traces its lineage back to Lord Khallos Melshimber, the son of Lady Hlanta.

Harlond-melshimber.jpg
Harlond Melshimber
Patriarch of the House (Rank 3) • 45 years
A man comfortable in his role as head-of-house, Lord Harlond is part of the backbone of Waterdeep's noble community. He makes the requisite appearances at public events, of course, but his forté are the parlor and study meetings, the conferences late in the night, which shape the futures of Waterdeep, insofar as the nobility have any sway over such. He is pleasant but his smiles never reach his eyes.
Andraethera-melshimber.jpg
Andraethra Melshimber
Consort (Rank 2) • 41 years
In contrast to her husband, it might almost be fairly said that there is no social set in Waterdeep without Andraethra. She sets a great deal of the nobility's standards of comportment and presentation, and a critical word from her has crushed reputations and futures within those circles before.
Tasheene-melshimber.jpg
Tasheene Melshimber
Heir, firstborn daughter (Rank 1) • 23 years
Young and ambitious, Tasheene seems to hold her parents' stodgy, traditionalist ways in contempt. She certainly is as power-hungry as they; she simply doesn't see any use in avoiding employing whatever contacts and resources come her way. Oddly enough, however, she has been quite sedate in the past half-year or so.
Kobrostos-melshimber.jpg
Kobrostos Melshimber
Secondborn son (Rank 2) • 21 years
Spoiled and focused mostly on his own pleasures, everyone seems glad that Kobrostos is not the heir...including Kobrostos. Kobrostos runs with a clique of young nobles who spend their time partying and gambling, and he puts their diversions above all else. His father despairs of the boy coming to any use whatsoever, though his mother insists that he simply has "a young man's humors, which need to be expressed!"
Gholsetha-melshimber.jpg
Gholsetha Melshimber
Patriarch's sister and Master of Pages (Rank 2) • 43 years
Secretive and elegant, Gholsetha delights in the social rounds. In many ways, most think of her as the very icon of the Melshimber secret-merchant: she always knows just the right gossip for your needs, so long as you can bring her something she didn't already know. If not, she's happy to direct you to discover some!
Elbymil-melshimber.jpg
Elbymil Melshimber
Gholsetha's consort (Rank 2) • 48 years
A scholarly man raised in Candlekeep, Elbymil assists his wife's work as Master of Pages. While she focuses on the informants and secret-mongering of her position, she leaves a great deal of the management of the House library and archives to Elbymil. He has a reputation for a certain dourness of outlook, and is quite quiet most of the time. Elbymil is one of the few people that Gholsetha seems to trust implicitly, however, and is without question one of the finest minds of the House currently living.
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Veluithan Melshimber
Gholsetha's firstborn son (Rank 2) • 22 years
Quiet as his father, Veluithan is his mother's right hand, acting as her eyes and ears in the salons of the younger generation of nobles. Not given to smiling or revelry much, Veluithan still manages to collect plenty of useful information for his mother's network. Indeed, he seems to have a somewhat sinister reputation among certain circles of his generation of nobles.
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Jhaenureth Melshimber
Gholsetha's secondborn daughter (Rank 1) • 19 years
Bright where her brother is dark, and cheery where he is melancholy, Jhaenureth is often the foil to Veluithan's brooding sobriety. Since her Coming Out, she has gained quite the reputation as a reveler, befitting the Melshimber reputation for love of wine and song far better than dour Tasheene does. Jhaenureth and Tasheene have not gotten along since both were girls, and their contempt of one another is notorious in noble sets.
  • Elhorar Melshimber: Patriarch's brother (Rank 1) • 39 years. Elhorar has always escaped into his books. Fortunately, in House Melshimber, that is a viable option for one's vocation. Elhorar is a sage for the familial business, although he doesn't try to actually run any of the Melshimber sage business. He's simply a scholar, happy to help folk within his areas of expertise (jewelry and gemstones across Faerûnian cultures, as well as the religious traditions of the cultures off the Sword Coast, including the Moonshaes). Halrond wanted him to take on the Master of Wines title, but Elhorar couldn't be less interested in wines.
  • Alon Melshimber: Elhorar's consort (Rank 1) • 34 years. The handsome Alon is Elhorar's husband. Tall and muscled, Alon was a dancer that the bookish Melshimber met when a theater company hired him to advise them on the proper jewelry to use for a theater production. Elhorar attended every show, eschewing the noble boxes so he could sit as close to the stage as possible, his attention rapt on Alon. The two have been together for ten years or so now. Alon is very social, and still dances semi-professionally, and Elhorar still attends every performance faithfully.
  • Diemba Hunabar: Patriarch's sister (Rank –) • 37 years. The youngest of the four children of Lord Hasten, Diemba married into House Hunabar some fifteen years ago, and has several children by her husband Lhuellyn. She occasionally visits and seems very intent that her children should have relationships with their Melshimber cousins. She has three children, Narenda (age 14), Lyelle (age 10), and Xavin (age 4).
  • Ruldryn Melshimber: Patriarch's cousin (Rank 2) • 33 years. The son of Lord Hasten's younger sister, Ruldryn has always been a staunch supporter of the main branch of the family, particularly his cousin Harlond. Ruldryn is a trained fighter and oversees the Melshimber guards.
  • Mrinil Melshimber: Ruldryn's consort (Rank 0) • 33 years. The daughter of Karadaq Ampesarr, the former guildmaster of the Master Mariner's Guild, Mrinil was just as happy to meet Ruldryn and marry into a family that didn't expect her to engage in "maritime nonsense." She vastly prefers her feet on dry land, ideally propped up while listening to a handsome minstrel play something racy. Mrinil tends to be quiet at parties, but is quite sociable in smaller groups.
  • Ilomnar Melshimber: Ruldryn's firstborn son (Rank 0) • 14 years. Ilomnar has been learning the use of the sword since his father would let him, and has since enrolled in the Agundar's Grand Salle academy as part of his finishing years. He has spoken with his father about the possibility of enlisting with the Skybolts (an Agundar mercenary company) when he is of age.
  • Brylla Melshimber: Ruldyryn's secondborn daughter (Rank 0) • 11 years. Painfully shy and generally uninterested in the presence of other people around her, Brylla is quite clever. Though she has a hard time learning from a traditional tutor, her mother has noticed that she learns excellently from books, and so has focused her education in that direction as much as possible. Her refusal to make eye contact and general confusion or disdain for what others see as basic etiquette is a source of ongoing concern for her father and mother.
  • Shalyth Melshimber: Ruldryn's thirdborn daughter (Rank 0) • 8 years. Brylla's staunch defender, Shalyth is very well-spoken for a little one of her age. She makes friends easily and often, from the other nobles to the serving staff to the guards. In particular, she seems to currently adore a young woman in the Melshimber guard, one Meridee Talan, who seems embarrassed and unsure what to do when the little girl inevitably seeks her out so she can sit nearby and chatter with her all day.

The Scornubian Branch

12 Nobles
Only about half of the Scornubian branch of Melshimbers is actually in Scornubel. The rest of them are located in Waterdeep. While the matriarch of the Scornubian Melshimbers remains at the Helm-and-Eye Estate, her son and his family act as her representatives to the House in Waterdeep.

  • Nethlaw Melshimber: Patriarch's cousin (Rank 2) • 42 years. Grasping and jealous, Nethlaw sees everything as an insult from the "main branch" of the family. He is sure Harlond is out to deny his family their due, despite all the hard work they have put in maintaining prosperity in Scornubel.
  • Serielle Melshimber: Nethlaw's consort (rank 1) • 38 years. Serielle is exhausted with her husband's constant whinging, and utterly delighted to be out from under the thumb of his mother in Scornubel. She has taken to Waterdeep's many delights and diversions with aplomb, so much so that she utterly dreads leaving it in winter.
  • Rilnissa Melshimber: Nethlaw's firstborn daughter (rank 0) • 18 years. Friendly almost to a fault, if Rilnissa were less meek she could be a very good mediator. Unfortunately, she is often browbeaten for her "soft, useless opinions" by her father, and her mother does nothing to protect her from his temper. Rilnissa has found a friendship in an unusual spot: Kymeera, the mother of the two Melshimber tieflings, whom Rilnissa adores.
  • Vhirar Melshimber: Nethlaw's secondborn son (rank 0) • 14 years. Taken out of the home he's always known and plopped down into a confusing, antagonistic, strange situation, it is no wonder that Vhirar is something of a trouble-maker. He frequently sneaks out of the Melshimber villa – growing up, he had the run of the Scornubian estates, and he misses the freedom of the countryside. He has fallen in with some less-than-savory boys his own age, the sons of non-nobles who do not know of his nobility.
  • Dleathe Melshimber: Nethlaw's thirdborn daughter (rank 0) • 9 years. As much as Rilnissa loves the tieflings Psalm and Hosannah, it was probably inevitable that Dleathe should react with jealousy. She and Hosannah often play, but their play frequently turns to squabbling.

The Silverymoon Branch

4 Nobles
Descended from Ciro Melshimber and his husband Naerond Aerasume, the Silverymoon Melshimbers tend to be tall and fair of hair and demeanor. Though half-elven Naerond is still alive, he has never considered himself a Melshimber. Despite this, he is basically the patriarch of the family. The Silverymoon Melshimbers seem to have inherited no small measure of wizardly skill, likely from their mother, a renowned half-elven wizardess who is part of the clergy of Lurue in Silverymoon. Only two of the family are in Waterdeep: the cousins Evannos and Ymetta.

  • Evannos Melshimber: Patriarch's cousin, Ymetta's brother (rank 1) • 24 years. It is no surprise that Evannos is kindly regarded by Harlond and Andraethra both: he is young, handsome, polite, and a Knight in Silver. With his dark hair and bright blue eyes, Evannos has set hearts aflutter in Waterdeep's social set. He is happy to flirt and more, but has not taken anyone in Waterdeep as a lover – which of course only heightens the pull he exerts on his admirers. Though everyone who meets him expects him to be protective of his sister, he has every faith in her ability to take care of herself.
  • Ymetta Melshimber: Patriarch's cousin, Evannos's sister (rank 1) • 22 years. A young wizardess as lovely as her brother is handsome, Ymetta is the more serious of the two. She was trained in the Art by her

The Baldur's Gate Branch

5 Nobles
Descended from Ymayra Melshimber after she fled Waterdeep in grief, the Baldur's Gate branch was found through the efforts of Laeral and Falconfree. Her descendants inherited Ymayra's skill for wizardry. They are rarely seen in Waterdeep, focused as they are on the management of Melshimber lands around Baldur's Gate and throughout the Western Heartlands.

The New Kin

3 Nobles

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Kymeera Melshimber
Matriarch's Cousin (Renown 4) • 44 years
A distant cousin, Kymeera showed up in 1471 DR, when things were looking very bad for House Melshimber. The infusion of coin she brought with her prompted Lady Edura to overlook the stain on her name: her tiefling children Psalm and Hosanna.
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Psalm Melshimber
Kymeera's firstborn son (Renown 1) • 21 years
xxx
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Hosanna Melshimber
Kymeera's secondborn daughter (Renown 0) • 8 years
Sweet dispositioned and gregarious to a fault (although with a slight impulse control problem), Hosanna loves making friends. Unfortunately, she's realized that a good many folk don't wish to make friends with someone who looks like her. Though her relationship with her cousins her age is still fraught, she has taken solace from the welcome she has gotten from some of her aunts and uncles.

Retainers

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Erathus Talsker
Patriarch's Valet (Rank 2) • 44 years
The patriarch's valet is his right-hand man. Though his formal duties deal with grooming and dressing Lord Melshimber, like so many valets, Erathus's responsibilities include any other tasks the patriarch puts to him. Everyone in the House knows that when Erathus speaks, he does so with the backing of the House patriarch, and those who seek to stymie or deny him risk the lord's wrath. Still, Erathus himself isn't cruel or petty – he is simply deadly efficient and loyal to a frightening degree. He is also known to be a deadly hand with a hidden blade, a fact that has saved Lord Melshimber's life one at least one occasion.

Holdings

  • Resources Limit: If necessary, House Melshimber could probably generate about 50,000 gp in liquid coin and valuables within a month.

Wine's Wisdom Hall

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Sea Ward of Waterdeep, Waterdeep
The estate villa of House Melshimber consists of a trio of buildings, with extensively landscaped gardens between them. The whole is surrounded by a fine white-washed wall, decorated with carved interwoven grape vines around quills across the top of it. The buildings themselves are likewise a mist-grey (almost white) stone, and they are fond of decorative stained glass windows - even the regular windows often have a frame of stained glass across their tops and bottoms, usually depicting grape leaves and clusters, books, scrolls, writing utensils and the like.

  • Wine's Wisdom Hall: A five-story structure, Wine's Wisdom's best-known feature is the Tasting Room, a large rounded room that sticks out into the gardens. It is four stories in height, and its garden-facing walls are all fine glass windows. It is a fine party chamber that is the envy of many nobles, and rightly so - many of the finest social events in Waterdhavian histories have taken place there. The rest of the building is made up of private living spaces, for the most part: the ground floor features sumptuous chambers for entertaining guests, including a massive banquet hall with a stage on one end that is sometimes used to host theatrical events or musical performances. The upper floors are all wings of private suites for household members. Lady Gholsetha's immediate family maintain rooms here.
  • The Vintage House: This five-story house has extensive rooms, including two floors of guesting housing for friends of the family visiting Waterdeep. The street-front face of the building features a massive set of oaken double-doors all entwined with grape vines and closed books in the center of the doors emblazoned with the Melshimber heraldry. There is also a small gate in the wall directly north of the house, allowing delivery wagons access to the house's extensive wine cellars. The cellars themselves are the size of the whole of the building, and entirely made up of row-after-row of ceiling-height wineracks. Half the servants of the Vintage House are directly under the Master Sommelier Denaren Izira, and employed to keep the wines in fine shape and inventoried properly. These servants also deliver wines to the houses of the estate and see to its proper service.
  • The House of Parchments: Before the House maintained separate offices for such, the Parchments House provided them with a base for their sages to do their work from. Now friends of the family (and other Waterdhavian nobles) still occasionally visit for that purpose. The ground floor is made up of a handful of reading rooms and parlors which line the outer walls of the building. The southern edge of the building juts out in the gardens - this is the House library, a massive four-story construction, with literal walls of books. The upper second through fourth floors of the northern portion of the building is divided into a variety of suites.
  • The Great Cellars: Beneath the villa grounds is an extensive warren of cellars. These cellars can be accessed from the cellars of any of the houses, although only a few heads of house (generally those of Rank 7+) have keys to them. The family maintains a massive wine cellar down here somewhere, in which they store ancient and extremely valuable vintages, including some wines magically restored or preserved garnered from ancient historical sites (a neat cross of the House's interests). It is also said that the House's vaults are down here somewhere, hidden away behind traps and locked doors. Family rumor maintains that one passage also extends out into the sewers.
  • The Garden Chapel: A small private family chapel, situated in the northwest corner of the gardens, shrouded by trees.

Waterdhavian Properties

  • Melshimber Offices: Castle Ward. House Melshimber maintains a small office, with ample library (all copies of the House's own tomes) for the use of its members who maintain public presences as sages, with a set of apartments above.
  • The Quill Hall: Trade Ward. House Melshimber also maintains a rooming house, which they rent out to only writers, sages and the like. The top floor of the house they keep empty, for the exclusive use of those writers they patronize to produce written works for them.

Other Land

House Melshimber maintains extensive vineyards around the North and Heartlands, which produce their variety of fine vintages.

  • The Helm-and-Eye Estates: A collection of rich vineyards just outside of Scornubel, with an opulent manor in the center of the lands, the Helm-and-Eye (named for the Melshimber heraldry) is home to xxx. They are masters of over a dozen individual vineyards and two small villages where the harvests are brought in and made into wines at the estate proper.
  • Greenfields Vineyards: Though they own only a few of the vineyards to be found in these lands just north of Amn, House Melshimber invests in quite a few others here, and usually benefit from a pick of the harvest. They also own most of the best wineries in the area.
  • Heartlands Estates: The Melshimbers also own a handful of vineyards and wineries across the Western Heartlands, including in Bereghost, the lands around Baldur's Gate, Triel, Scoubar and Elturel.

Other Investments

  • Printers Through the North: House Melshimber also owns an extensive printery out of Silverymoon from when they print a great many books that find their way into libraries in the North.
  • Patronage of Authors & Sages: The Melshimbers also make a point of acting as patrons for many writers of topics they consider of interest or importance, providing funding and even room and board (in the Quill Hall, above) for promising writers.
  • Contributions: House Melshimber contributes heavily to a great many institutions, mostly libraries and temples to Oghma. Every major urban library and temple to Oghma in the North receives an annual stipend. They also contribute heavily to Candlekeep's coffers.

Faction

Best known for their scholarly pursuits and fine wines, Waterdhavians in the know like to say that the Melshimbers have combined those two interests to master the art of gossip and information-gathering.

Overview

House Melshimber is a House of scholars and carousers. They are usually quite well-regarded for their winning charms, their love of (and access to) the finest wines, and as patrons of the arts. Once, the Melshimbers were regarded as intrigue-loving dilettantes and party-goers, but their reputation evolved a somewhat sharper edge for knowing everyone's secrets. To this day, everyone knows: the Melshimbers know.

Goals and Philosophy

Where once the Melshimber investment in intrigues was simply a harmless game to engage in between parties and events, now they are nearly a stock in trade. The Melshimbers continue their oldest vocations - that of wine merchants, vineyard owners, and patrons of the arts - but all of those can be and have been turned to the increase of power for Hlanta's House.

Activities

By and large, Melshimber scions are involved in sagecraft, wine (either the making or selling of it), and the patronage of the arts in any number of capacities. In many ways, the House as a whole is involved with Hlanta's search for interesting secrets, which she rewards her family and household well for.

Quests undertaken by agents of House Melshimber might include the following:

  • Deal with anything disrupting the lines of wine flowing from any Melshimber property to Waterdeep.
  • Seek out by any number of unsavory means the secrets of other Houses...and even those beyond the nobles' Game.

Perks

Scions and agents of House Melshimber in good standing might receive the following benefits:

  • Living Quarters: Renown 1+. Those in good standing with the House are given quarters within the House's Waterdhavian villa appropriate to their role in the House.
  • Living Expenses/Salaries: Renown 1+. Those in good standing with the House also receive a stipend of 1gp plus 5sp per day per point of Rank. This is not actual cash, but simply familial credit towards payment of Lifestyle costs. This stacks with the same kind of familial credit received from the Waterdhavian Noble Background (see Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide).
  • Business Opportunities: Renown 3+. Lynchpins to House Melshimber's operations receive access to a variety of business opportunities within the House's money-making endeavors. This is handled as "Running a Business" in downtime months. This does not incur a business expense, but if the character rolls results that end in a loss of money, he can and will find access to his House funds reduced until the loss has been made up for.
  • Heir or Consort (Title): Renown 3+. The holder of one of the legal titles Heir of House and Consort of House, as recorded with the city of Waterdeep, is entitled to an additional 2gp per day in familial credit, per the "Living Expenses/Salaries" entry above. The heir is also accorded certain privileges within the legal system of Waterdeep, including the ability to speak on behalf of his House in some legal proceedings and the like.
  • Vault of Secrets: Renown 5+. Upper-tier House members gain access to the House's "Vault of Secrets," a metaphor for the body of knowledge the matriarch and the upper echelons of the House have accrued about other nobles and other important individuals in Waterdeep. Those with access to that Vault may seek out information from the House's sources, taking up a day of discussion with family members and records. If the individual or organization in question have any secrets known to the House, that scion gains access to them at the end of that day...although the asking may draw the interest of Gholsetha or any of the other important House members.
  • Master of Pages: Renown 7+. A family title, the Master of Pages is the head of the house's sagely business, considered the direct employer of the family's many sages and librarians, as well as its network of informants and information-brokers. This title comes with a monthly stipend in addition to familial credit in Waterdeep and mastery of the House of Parchments, including unrestricted access to the House's fine library therein.
  • Master of Wines: Renown 7+. A family title, the Master of Wines is the head of the house's wine business, considered the direct employer of the family's many sommeliers, wine merchants, and vineyards. The title comes with a monthly stipend in addition to familial credit in Waterdeep, as well as the right to take residence either in one of the House's many vineyards or in the Vintage House in the Waterdeep villa compound.
  • Wealth of the House: Renown 10. The matriarch of the House is in total control of the House's finances and various holdings, established by the laws of Waterdeep.