House Maddern
House Maddern has been the reigning house of the Free City of Capcora since its inception in 989 AF. Records of the house are in extreme disarray, thanks to the events of the Warp of Seven. Although a handful of copies of the records exist in the Imperial City, the time before the warp is hazy and conflicted, with numerous contradicting reports and witness accounts. Today House Maddern is barely maintaining its grip upon the governance of Capcora, with its legitimacy severely reduced, and using mercenary regiments to maintain order.
Public Agenda
House Maddern stands solidly for the continuation of prosperity and free and open trade. They believe that commerce should not be restricted by burdensome taxes or tariffs. They also express that the people of Capcora should be independent and able to work towards prosperity, stating that wealth can come to anyone with hard work and willing to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.
Assets
The wealth and abilities of House Maddern have been greatly reduced since the Warp of Seven. Nearly half of the assets of the family were lost to the anomaly that took place, simply disappearing into time. Ample wealth still exists in the vaults of the Ruby Citadel, but they are little compared to the loss of loyal workers, mercenaries, and captains. The house used to have access to their own trading fleet, but only three ships remain at sea. They still collect taxes from within Capcora itself, and have been working to rebuild the wealth they once possessed, but financing the operations of the city have taken a heavy toll.
History
The patriarchs of House Maddern have been close with the Jaksons and the Jakonian Empire for as long as history records. According to legend, it was a leader of House Maddern that invited the Jakonians to march south and conquer the young town during their rise to power. Some claim that the walls were betrayed by this individual, allowing the Jakonians to slip in and gain control. This has always been denied by the house as slander.
During the time of Jakonian rule, House Maddern used their connections to the imperial throne to cement their rule over the trading city and gained great wealth. They offered nearly unconditional support for the imperial government, and provided their funds and trading fleets to prop up the empire and support it. As their trade began to suffer with the decline of the empire over the centuries, it became clear that the support was costing more politically than it was rewarding the family. Therefore, House Maddern mustered a substantial amount of their own personal wealth and purchased the city's independence from the Jakonian Empire in 989 AF.
After gaining independence, the few rules and laws that had been applied to the Madderns were no more and the family ran roughshod over the rest of the city. It was said that members of the house could and did kill people in the streets and suffer no consequences. With no laws applying to them, a citizen of Capcora stood up and took vengeance of its own. The so-called "Cutter of Capcora" reigned terror in the streets from 1003 to 1004, slaughtering Madderns and their henchmen left and right until only a handful remained. He was never caught, but the killings stopped suddenly and it was always assumed the agents of the Madderns had caught up with him.
The house carried forward, even with many of their members killed, and retained their prosperity. Unfortunately, the Warp of Seven caused immense financial and political disruption for the family, as the city's economic system collapsed. Today, they continue to barely struggle on, but all in Capcora are aware that the mounting plots and factions likely demonstrate that the time of the house is drawing to a close.
From the Glittering Sea
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Family Leader
Parent Organization
Location
Notable Members
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