House Deneith

Protection is my purpose. I defend the innocent from those who would do them harm. For my siblings, this is a job; for me, it’s a calling.

— Harric d’Deneith, Shieldbearer

House Deneith is a human dragonmarked house whose members are highly-acclaimed mercenaries and bodyguards known for their efficiency and martial skill. Deneith are the muscle of the dragonmarked houses, providing raw power to a nation's army. While warriors with the Mark of Sentinel are among its most elite forces, House Deneith brokers the services of a wide range of soldiers, including Valenar warbands and the goblins of Droaam. Beyond the battlefield, the Defender’s Guild provides exceptional bodyguards for those who can afford their services.
The dragonmarked houses aren’t allowed to own land or hold noble titles. House Deneith has always abided by these edicts, maintaining absolute neutrality and selling its services to all sides of a conflict. However, there’s a faction that feels that Deneith should use its power for its own purposes, not just in the service of others. House Deneith is also caught in an escalating rivalry with House Tharashk, which is edging into the mercenary trade.

Mark of the Sentinel

House Deneith possesses the Mark of Sentinel. This mark has allowed Deneith to become a mercenary powerhouse as it grants martial abilities and helps protect others.

History

House Deneith were once just a militant noble family in the north eastern area of Khorvaire around the time the first humans began to manifest dragonmarks in -2600. With the Mark of Sentinel empowering their military might, Clan Deneith waged a campaign of conquest throughout the western region of what is now known as Karrnath. In the end, it was only famine that prevented them from creating an empire out of Karrnath. Though not a member of the house, Karrn the Conqueror was born in clan Deneith's homeland and so during his rise to power Deneith pledged fealty to him. When Galifar I united the five nations in 1 YK, he charged Deneith to protect his new unified empire.

The Last War

Despite having strong ties and the majority of its members being Karrnathi, Deneith refused to take sides during the Last War. Deneith earned its status as a mercenary house during the war by offering soldiers from its Blademarks guild to all nations. It carefully contracted its soldiers by selecting battles to ensure no Deneith forces would clash against each other.
House Deneith generally remains at arm’s length from political maneuvering among the other dragonmarked houses. But since the Last War, it has started to make cautious moves against House Cannith and House Tharashk. The reason is simple: In the latter days of the war, both made significant inroads against Deneith’s dominance in the soldiers-for-hire market. Deneith see House Cannith's warforged and House Tharashk's monstrous mercenaries as potential replacements of their soldiers for hire.

Founding Date

2,600 years ago

Type

Consortium, Business

Leader

Breven d’Deneith

Parent Organization

The Twelve

Notable Members

• Birne d’Deneith

Dragonmark
Mark of the Sentinel
Race
Human
Trade
Mercenaries and Bodyguards