The House of Merit

~ Bio ~

What began centuries ago as a brotherhood of master stonemasons has grown into a vast, respected guild that unites nearly every skilled trade in Waeldstone. Every major project begins and ends with prayers to the Sibling Gods. Guild members offer blessings to Earth Brother for stability, Sea Sister for safe passage, and Sky Twins for clear mind. But what makes the House of Merit truly exceptional is its radical philosophy: craftsmanship is not reserved for the wealthy or highborn. Any commoner who demonstrates talent and dedication may apply for apprenticeship. A farmer’s son can become a master mason. A baker’s daughter can rise to master shipwright. The House provides tools, training, lodging, and fair wages to its apprentices, creating a level of social mobility almost unheard of elsewhere on the coast, which in turn brings people from all over to its honored halls.

Hierarchy & Advancement

  • Apprentice: New members to the House of Merit begin as an Apprentice. They typically serve 4 to 7 years under a Master, living and working in the guild halls while performing labor and studying the fundamentals of their chosen craft. Apprentices earn 1 silver piece per day. To advance to Journeyman, they must complete a practical Journeyman’s Trial, which involves the creation of a high-quality piece of work that demonstrates both skill and care. Upon passing, judged by their Master and two additional Guild Masters, they are publicly named a Journeyman in a yearly ceremony and granted the right to work independently.

  • Journeyman: At this stage they gain the freedom to live and work in any guild chapter across the domain, continuing to refine their craft while taking on tasks and commissions assigned by various Masters. Journeymen earn 1D6 silver pieces per day depending on the quality and difficulty of their work. After 5 to 12 years of consistent excellence, a Journeyman may petition to become a Master. To qualify, they must complete several significant projects, aid in the education of apprentices, and create a true Masterpiece. This Masterpiece is presented before a council of at least five Masters. Upon approval, the new Master receives a silver guild badge, the formal right to take on their own apprentices and the respected title of “Master.”

  • Master: Masters gain the right to take apprentices, lead major projects, and sit on the Guild Council. While they don’t own land, they share a similar social status to Oathsworn and often own their own home or estate in the High Market of Moonwatch. In addition to income earned by their own projects, the guild helps fund a Master’s work and study with a per diem of 1D10 gold a week.

  • Grandmaster: Elected by the High Lord directly, the Grandmaster oversees the House of Merit, implements House Aetherian’s decrees, and serves on the High Lord’s direct council. They are expected to be knowledgeable in all crafts and a Master of two.

Life inside the House of Merit is disciplined but respected. Members work hard, often from sunrise to sunset, but are rewarded for their efforts with free room and board and additional payment to pursue their own interests. Older Masters are treated with great deference; and veterans of the Guild are often more respected in their communities than minor nobles from other Houses. Many commoners dream of their children being accepted into the House of Merit, seeing it as the surest path to a better life.

~ Founding And History ~

  • 237 years ago: The House of Merit is founded and constructed by House Aetherian. Scholars from Kilmarnock play a major role in establishing the regulations and advancement protocol.

  • 180 years ago: The Primary Guilds are founded within the House of Merit, welcoming numerous masters within their fields. A Grand Master is elected to oversee them, and serves on High Lord Aetherian’s council directly. The guilds are: Alchemist, Architect, Baker, Brewer, Butcher, Cartwright, Chandler, Cobbler, Cooper, Dyer. Engineer, Fletcher, Glassblower, Jeweler, Mason, Miller, Potter, Scribe, Shipwright, Smith, Tailor, Tanner, Weaver, and Woodwright.

  • 19 years ago: House Coggeshall implements major taxes on the House of Merit, claiming they have failed to serve House Aetherian with honesty and virtue. Though there is extreme push back, the Gold Warden is victorious, and House Aetherian’s coffers thrive.

~ Extra~

Famous For: Their impressive campus, numeorus guilds, welcoming of apprentices, and consistent pay.

Economy: Thriving. The House of Merit offers trade with all of Waeldstone and the rest of the coast.

Nearby Landscape: Lake Llyntarth, Goulcrest Hills, ample farm land fields of grassland and wildflowers.

~ Local Landmarks~

Guild Halls: Each guild within the House of Merit maintains their own private campus to train apprentices, produce their work, and house journeyman and masters. There is a competition of sorts that festers between them, always seeking to improve their yards, work spaces and dorms to appear like the strongest guild amongst the House of Merit.

Commoners

~ Notable Characters~

Nobles

Falk Royce: Master of Revels, Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Falk Royce of Fighollow, Master Woodwright.

Lartel Aetherian (Ashter): Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Sir Lartel Aetherian of Dreamrest, the Wealthy, Master Smith.

Killian Aetherian (Bartelot): Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Sir Killian Aetherian of Dreamrest, the Kind, Master Shipwright.

Airis Royce (Aetherian): Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Dame Airis Royce of Fighollow, the Skilled, Master Architect.

Jaslin Aetherian (Strockey): Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Jaslin Aetherian of Moonwatch, Master Alchemist, the Jovial.

Dovan Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Dovan Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Logical, Master Tanner.

Reese Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Reese Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Hammer, Master Engineer.

Victoria Coggeshall: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Victoria Coggeshall of Sylburn, the Ambitious, Master Mason.

Back to Top

Elites

Grand Master Stephas Lytton

Master Weaver Lovelace Knighton

Master Potter Ruben Vorwell

Master Tailor Tarik Curson

Master Miller Brandeth Barganon

Master Cooper Brendan Skipwith

Master Chandler Leah Goosen

Master Cartwright Seedenah Routhe

Master Fletcher Avice Kell

Master Cobbler Javar Rondel

Master Dyer Georgie Leveson

Master Butcher Aymee Bishell

Master Glassblower Thurston Rowe

Master Scribe Nathan Tedcastle

Master Baker Eleana Webb

Master Jeweler Nicola Papley

Iralaith Teague, Journeyman Alchemist

Docks: While rarely used, due to the fog and constant threat of the Bex, The House of Merit does keep a working dock to recieve and deliver shipments to Moonwatch.

Merit Manor: This impressive estate is surrounded by hall pallisade walls. The manor itself is built in a modern gothic style with vague omages to Waeldstone’s oldest temples, and serves as the personal home to the Grand Master of the organization. While it rivals the estates of other nobles, it is rarely used, except when the Master of the House of Merit have private meetings or seek to court the most reknowned of guests.