Mercier/Reflection
< Mercier
Contents
Family Background
- If you closely examine the men of the quill
- And search for goods stolen with sharp piercing eyes,
- Taking these from the pages their volumes which fill,
- Huge quartos would shrink to a very small size.
- Bard Erwin Othmar, 820 AR
The first Mercier on written record - and presumably its founder - was a peasant named Zadkiel, a known thrall when House Thrax took the throne at the behest of Prince William Thrax, starting the Crownbreaker Wars. Some time during the The Bleeding Realm period he had paid his debt and left Arx to establish a farm and the beginnings of the family business. He would return many years later, wealthier and far more influential, to establish his foothold within the Upper Boroughs - where it has remained ever since.
(More to be added later.)
Clemenstone Vale and the Estate
The Mercier home away from home: the true source of their power, located roughly 35 miles southwest of Arx.
Initially a small homestead built in 760 AR, it has grown into sprawling 105 acre farmlands and a large estate as the Mercier fortunes multiplied. It rests along a tributary of the Gray River, in the foothill woodland zone between Arx and Ashford Keep. Its manorial residence is a rectangular "maison forte" (strong house) flanked by four cylindrical towers with 'pepper-pot' roofs, surrounded by water-filled moats, with a park, stables, two pavilions, a vineyard and winery. The region it resides in is generally known as the Clemenstone Vale (or simply 'the Vale').
There are many farmsteads and hamlets dotting the area (always around its numerous river and creek valleys), but there are no cities or large settlements. Many of the creeks are ephemeral. The valley has a number of small dams that serve local storage needs. The vale contains fertile black soils, and there are chalk downlands in the east of the region which the family has cultivated into agricultural limestone - also known as “aglime” - which is utilized in their fertilizer to reduce soil acidity and make it even more versatile for farming. It also possesses a notable supply of good and cheap coal.
The woodlands are varied and rich in plant life. The ecoregion contains areas of grass, chaparral shrublands, oak woodlands, serpentine soil communities, wetland, marsh, and riverside forest.
Over seventy species of mammals dwell in the rich ecoregion. The endemic mammals include three species of kangaroo rat. Some hundred species of birds occur in Clemenstone Vale and naturally the house sigil, the mockingbird, is native to the area.
The climate features dry summers and rainy winters, and is prone to flooding in times of extreme weather events as it borders Clemenstone Brook. In 960 AR, the vale experienced some of the worst flooding in its recorded history with farmers experiencing total crop failure. Many bridges were either completely or partially destroyed and House Mercier contributed significantly to their reconstruction.
The Family Business
The Merciers primarily deal in the wine trade - particularly in white and sparkling wines - but have dabbled in the tea and flower trade in recent years. Their business does particularly well in the "wedding season" (spring and summer) due to their wines being exceptional in quality but also affordable to the more well-to-do commoner caste.
They grow many of the ingredients they use on their own land, cutting import costs and exporting crops to nearby regions to spread their influence.
They ship most of their products via boats down the Gray River and through merchant caravans.
Known Arx Ventures
- Mercier Woodworks: Carpentry shop, operated by Silas Mercier
- Mercier Tea Shop: Tea and curio shop, operated by Bethany Mercier, joint-owned by House Valardin/Mercier
- Mercier Shelter: City shelter, operated by Mercier servants
- Mercier Warehouse: General storehouse, joint-owned by House Thrax/Mercier
- Mercier Garden/Lab: Research center
- Mercier Glass and Labeling: Glass and labeling company, joint-owned by House Velenosa/Mercier
Mercier Traits
Fealty: Grayson, Velenosa (far less common)
Social Rank: 7
Religion: Gild; Pantheon
Eye Color: Blue, Green/Hazel
Hair Color: Blonde, Brown
Skin Tone: Fair tones
Height: Male = 5'8" - 6'0", Female = 5'4" - 5"8"
Home Region: Clemenstone Vale, Arx, Ashford, Bastion, Pride Hall, Old Oak, Nilanza, Caith
Mercier Relationships
The Boroughs
Arterius: Positive. The Merciers view the Arterius family has a lower class version of themselves - they have talent, ambition, and the drive to be successful; they simply haven't had the time or opportunities to expand their influence like they have. They overwhelmingly supported Mistress Joscelin's ascension to Guildmistress of the Crafters Guild, though it might have helped that she promoted Master Lazarus Mercier as one of her second-in-commands.
Culler: Begrudging respect. The Merciers are well aware of the Culler association with banditry, extortion, gambling - things they openly disdain as adherents of Gild - but they have worked together on projects for the Lower Boroughs and they are friendly with some of the more upstanding members. It's a mixed bag.
Grayhope: Indifferent/Negative. They come from entirely different worlds and their personalities often clash. And the Merciers see no merit in trying to mend relations.
Ulbran: Disdain. Every city has its rats, they suppose.
The Nobility
Grayson: Positive. Their liege lords and have been for centuries. None Greater Than Grayson... but House Mercier is close!
Deepwood: Positive. The current main branch has close ties to Marquessa Samantha Deepwood, in part because their mother used to be the late Marquessa's trusted lady's maid.
Thrax: Positive. House Thrax has permitted them to build a warehouse in their ward in recent events.
Valardin: Positive. House Mercier gels well with members of House Valardin and have opened a Tea Shop in their ward.
Velenosa: Positive. Bethany Mercier was Grand Duchess Esera's protege before her untimely demise at the hands of the Dominus. House Mercier figures if they weren't Grayson, they would be Lycene, though they are their foremost competition when it comes to wine sales.
