The Houses of Vass
House Cordaire
House Mindolin
House Nomay
House Tomar
Great House Vass
- Dutchy of Vass
- Crest: The House Vass Crest is a white ship on a field of blue and green.
- Motto of House Arilan: “Lords of Blue and Green.”
No House has a larger military force at its command than House Vass. It administers three separate Marches, with each of the Marches having standing armies in place to defend against possible incursions. Unfortunately, the price of maintaining this large military force weighs heavily on the Dutchy, making it among the poorest of the realm.
The Dutchy’s Capital is in the March of Mindolin at Brokewater City, which is also the Capital of Mindolin and the seat of House Mindolin. Brokewater City is named for the nearby Brokewater Anchorage, the only safe place for vessels to lay anchor in the larger Broken Bay. House Vass has an age-old maritime tradition, but unlike the navies of other Houses which reach for the largest and most powerful ships, House Vass prefers small, nimble vessels that can navigate the difficult waters of Broken Bay.
Culture of House Vass
House Vass descends from an age-old tribe of shipbuilders and sailors, and they pride themselves for their maritime traditions. However, unlike other marine-centered Houses, they do not elevate their maritime pursuits higher than their ground-fighting ability. They do not believe a soldier is commendable unless he can hold a position on a field as well as on the deck of a boat. Versatility and Flexibility are keys to respect in House Vass. Their esteem is found not in perfecting a single skill, but in how many skills a man possesses. Their most honored Knights have demonstrated that they can sail a ship, write poetry, play an instrument, ride a horse, and fight in formation. The more competencies one can display, the better.
Martial Traditions
Like all Houses, House Vass’ warriors are trained in sword and lance. But they also favor the Forked Glaive, a polearm of two curved blades at the end of a crossbar, at the tip of a six to ten foot pole. Of swords, House Vass prefers a broad, short blade employed like a robust machete. These swords often have a spike protruding from their spine so they can also be used like a pick to penetrate heavy armor. These swords are known as Vass-blades.
Dark Secrets of House Vass
House Vass’ fast and nimble vessels do more than protect the realm from the pirates of the Howling Islands. They are also the primary smugglers of expensive luxury goods that seek to evade taxation, and even those items deemed illegal in the Kingdom. More darkly, they are the primary outlet for slave sales, often smuggling slaves for sale on behalf of House Madrona.