House of Doros [Exiles] - NPC

‘’There had been times when all men knew of the Nazur Kingdom, its steep Pyramids overflowing with the bounty of its spice, silk and slaves. We lived as Emperors in the Sands, the very sun dared not to turn away from out majesty. Yet - all that is gone now.’’

                     Shahzdeh Xim Xorim Doros, Prince-In-Exile



With the unification of the Boterim Tribes and Kingdoms, there was a great outflux of refugees, lesser Noble Houses who had sought to resist the incoming onslaught the new Empire would bring. Many of them fell by the wayside, lacking the resources to make effective their escape - the greater Houses being the only ones who could make rapid their exit without total collapse.

House Doros was one such House, formerly standing as rulers of one of the Kingdoms of the Boteri, it was renowned for its wealth and the power of its navies; the two working to complement one another in harmony. Through it’s fleets it brought in a wealth of imported goods and slaves, and through its trade caravans, silks and spices from across the continent.

For a great while it was said that the very roads of their capital literally shone with bounty of Gold brought in, and layered on the walls and frames of buildings. All that came to a tragic end however, thanks to their defiance in the face of unification.


History

Scholars have recorded that the House of Doros ‘filled their cup with mirth, such was the greatness of their revelry’ when they found themselves commanded to submit to the future leader of the Unified Boteri Nations. Quite simply, the did not take the threats or promises of the man seriously, seeing that their walls and wealth would keep the safe - unaware of what was to come.

It was the House of Doros, in the midst of a great celebration following the agreement of a new trade deal some six months later, that found themselves cast out of their pyramidic palace by the invading army of Boteri, allowed to sweep into their City thanks to traitors from within the population of Nazar itself. Flying into a fit of rage, the Shahzadeh and his Council ordered the food stores to be burned, and the ships to take flight - taking what wealth they could with them.

As would be expected, it was a total disaster, with the Nobles of other Houses seeking to take what they could for themselves and flee. The Shahzadeh was killed by an angry mob, and his eldest son, Xim Xorim Doros, merely watched from the comfort of his ship - sailing off for foreign shore without ever looking back. Taking the Star of Nazur, the flagship of the House Doros, Xim Xorim Doros and his retainers headed for Trevast.


Retainers

Due to their status as a House-In-Exile, the House of Doros cannot call upon a vast array of armies and men. Instead it has at its disposal, the limited amount of ‘Retainers’ the House managed to bring with them. These Retainers range from mere servants to exceptionally talented bodyguards, and fall into several broad categories.

Bodyguards

Numbering at twenty men only, these elite Guards are the private household protectors of the Shahzadeh himself. Heralding from the 'Vipers of Doros’, the elite Kingsguard Regiment of Silent Killers that protected the rulers of Doros', the Bodyguards are all that is left of a once feared force. Made up of former slaves, trained from birth into the service of their Shahzadeh, they fight with ornate pole axe weapons and daggers, their chain mail armoured forms covered in ornate silken robes.

Only ten of these elites managed to escape with their master, and as such are rarely out of his proximity, such is their dedication to their task.

Spies & Assassins

Formed up of those men and women that served the crown as silent agents and blades of the Shahs. Far beyond their former reach, they now form a small cadre of enforcers - working around the operations of the Exiled House to gather information and kill people off. Indeed, much of their work is done through hired thugs, little more than street gangs brought in to take care of one off issues. In total there are around twenty of these operatives. Many of them take the form of hangers on and lesser sworn nobles to the Doros'.

Agents & Operatives

The remaining seventy or so people can be loosely defined as operatives and agents of the house. Their direct duties and titles vary considerably depending on what they as individuals are up to on behalf of their leaders, such as: The managers/owners of operations, smugglers, court doctors and alchemists and more besides.



Star of Nazur

The main ‘asset’ of the House of Doros since their exile has been the Ship, the ‘Star of Nazur’ upon which they fled their homelands. Formerly the flagship commanded by Xim Xorim Doros himself, it now serves as the base of operations for the family and their operatives; a floating palace, marketplace and pleasure barge to boot. It is a stout vessel, decorated in the traditional design of the shipwrights of Nazur, with private apartments for the Shahzadeh and a separate room for his harem and other agents.

Armament wise, the vessel boasts a considerable repertoire of siege weapons on its fore and aft, with crossbow stations on either side - able to produce vast amounts of firepower when needed. It mostly makes use of sail power when under mast.


Operations in Trevast

Since the collapse of their noble house, the men and women of Doros' had little more than the contents of their ship to flee with. When arriving in Trevast, they thus had little choice but to see what they could forge for themselves in this new land. Under the direction of Xim himself, the Doros' purchased a series of Brothels in the main cities of Trevast, with one in each Capital City, catering to the elites of noble and merchant society.

This enables them to secure not only income, but also the ear of many an important leader or trader in the land. It is of note that they do not hold operations of this nature on Alendron, due to the extreme nature of government regulations in this realm.

Alongside this they have a considerable interest in smuggling, which they do via a network of small sail boats run by friendly traders, and travelling caravans across the mainland - normally accompanied by exotic performers to hide their secret smuggling ways.