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Var-Nokkt

A dwarven merchant family that runs itself like a guild. Tendrils in everyone's pockets. Castel hanging off a Cynwäll pillar, only reachable by airship.

Vibe: Architecture and urban planning are pure Ægis Mountains — wide streets rarely winding, imposing buildings that look squat. Less educated than Drakaër, less precious than the Ducal Enclave. The fief supports talent and money-making. Many shop signs help visitors track their location. By night, inhabitants lock themselves up fearing burglary; the fief takes on a sinister cast. Night-birds are not welcome. Dominant Attitude: Sleight.

Canon Facts

  • Peer: Torguir IV Var-Nokkt — descendant of Duke Koliandre. The family is dwarven, ~20 strong, run like a guild with a Council of Elders.
  • Founder: Rækar Nokkt — one of Vanius's lieutenants. The family has been prosperous since founding, partly by shamelessly exploiting Tir-Nâ-Bor dwarf refugees — whom the Var-Nokkts consider "frustrated barbarians born under the Ægis and destined to live under the upper city."

The Var-Nokkt Family

The family is run like a guild. Torguir IV is the Peer; he and his closest advisors form the Council of Elders.

  • Torguir IV Var-Nokkt — Peer; overall direction
  • Hildra — Torguir's wife; supervises judiciary activities of the fief
  • Arkan — Torguir's brother; was in charge of family treasure; mysteriously disappeared after a scandal linking his name to a network of corruption
  • Torguir V — heir; internal affairs, relations with the duchy, guilds, and leagues
  • Lyfha — daughter; relations with the embassies
  • Ryankha — daughter; married to the first son of the Senex (dwarf king of the Ægis); guarantees relations with Tir-Nâ-Bor. Mother of Ardhun, the young dwarf sent from Tir-Nâ-Bor to learn about the city
  • Krondnir — Arkan's son; leads the family's troops under Torguir V's authority

Districts

  • [[The Dressmakers District]] — Cadwë dressmakers across several tower floors; Daïkinee insects and Syhar mutagenic science feed their originality; the Green Terrace (vegetal-garment garden tended by orc gardeners, notably Arkabast); the Belvedere (Dressmakers' guild seat); the Glistenning (delight house and Guild of Favorites' discreet seat); Castel Var-Nokkt clinging to a Cynwäll pillar, accessible only by air via family balloons and the airship Senex III
  • Ka-Ân-Vor — the Great Market, the merchant heart of the upper city; the Rækar Gate connecting to Trophy; closed craft streets (Smithy, Jewelry, Alchemy, Goldsmith, Lapidary); the temple of Uren (dwarven god); the Var-Nokkt-run barracks
  • The Shades — flood-prone district below the dressmakers; the Grand Canal of Shû-Az; the Sewer Workers' HQ; the Circle of Explorers' HQ; underground-vestige access points; private cellar concessions (rented out for digs)
  • The Bridges — wealthy mansions on suspended bridges along the Cynwäll spire; gardens irrigated by a dwarven pipe system; the old Tir-Nâ-Bor embassy (currently maintained by Senex emissaries pending a new ambassador); temple of Caradoc (dwarven patron of honest craftsmen); the Orrkrk villa

Power & Politics

  • The family runs interweaving relations within the guilds (notably the Goldsmiths) through a skillful retribution system — they permanently support the guilds' councils financially.
  • Ryankha's marriage gives them strong Tir-Nâ-Bor connections, often used to broker transactions between the Ægis and the Architects or Alchemists.
  • The family irritates everyone else. Drakaër is openly critical; only Orrkrk mediation has prevented incidents.
  • A local Goldsmith chapter master, Ôdril Haarken, has been publicly questioning the Var-Nokkts' grip — and wondering aloud what secrets the Usurers know about Var-Nokkt practices that keep the Usurers compliant.

Arkan's disappearance

The brother in charge of the treasure vanishes after a corruption scandal. Mysteriously. His son still leads the family troops. Where is Arkan now, who has him (or is he hiding), and what did he take with him?

The Usurer leverage

Master Ôdril publicly asked what the Usurers know that keeps them compliant with Var-Nokkt. Whoever answers first earns either a Goldsmith ally or a Usurer enemy.

Castel Var-Nokkt by air only

The seat of family power hangs off a Cynwäll pillar with no ground access. The only way in is by Var-Nokkt aircraft. A free league hired to enter it has to do so on the family's terms — unless they have other airship friends.