House Orien

I specialize in fast, efficient delivery. I don't want or need to be told what I'm carrying- the fact that you've paid is all I need to know.

— Rikard d'Orien, Couriers Guild

The House of Passage manages land transportation. The lightning rail is the house’s most dramatic tool, but Orien runs caravans and coaches across the length of Khorvaire. The Courier’s Guild of House Orien delivers mail and packages and has a branch that handles more covert and dangerous deliveries. Orien has dominated transportation for centuries, but now the house is facing challenges. The Mournland is a dramatic obstacle for ground transportation, and the expanding role of House Lyrandar's airships threatens Orien’s business. Long distance teleportation is a service only the strongest Orien heirs can provide.

Mark of Passage

House Orien possesses the Mark of Passage. This mark grants various magical benefits that allow its bearers to control travel and in powerful cases, teleportation.

History

The Mark of Passage first appeared in Aundair around 1,900 years ago. Most of the humans who developed the mark were experienced travellers and teamsters who soon formed a group when learning of their common bond. During these early years, the marked humans competed against each other however, they soon united when they realised what they could accomplish together. The newly established House Orien immediately began putting their efforts into the caravan business, delivering goods across Khorvaire. During these times the roads were quite dangerous so Orien set out to secure safe passage for their vehicles by exercising their diplomatic powers and pure magical ability. As the house prospered, Orien invested in the development of new roads and upgrading the old ones. In the days before the Sivis speaking stone network, House Orien ran a post system that was used across the Five Nations.
In 811 YK the first lightning rail was constructed in collaboration with House Cannith and the elemental binders of Zilargo. This technology revolutionized House Orien’s business, and soon the Trailblazers were laying conductor stones across Khorvaire.

The Last War

The war was difficult for House Orien as bridges and rail tracks were often destroyed in order to slow down enemy advancements. To make matters worse, House Lyrandar began running the airship business toward the end of the war. House Orien's dominance over the field of transportation has never been so unsure, in an effort to regain control the house has begun to focus on its teleportation business though this is still in its infancy.

Type

Consortium, Business

Leader

Kwanti d’Orien

Parent Organization

The Twelve

Location

Passage

Dragonmark
Mark of Passage
Race
Human
Trade
Transportation (mostly land based), teleportation & smuggling.