House Silversaddle
Head of House
How did the family rise to nobility?
With sweat of Gehardial. I took this next part form his history. In short, tittle earned for service, proven with help of gold and old, yet real documents.
At the age of 37 Gehardial found out about a mine that the noble owned. Mine was filled with slaves who worked both day and night. The noble learned that Gehardial might know of this and sent Gehardial to Stormwind, from there he was supposed to create a small, efficient caravan grid that would bring profit from surrounding lands. Another Caravan Master was also promoted to keep Lordaeron caravans profitable. Both Caravan Masters were on good terms and with smaller fields had plenty of profit to be brought. Gehardial felt as if he was punished, since his wife and son were left under Nobel’s wing.
At the age of 38 Gehardial received a message stating that he and all of his personal, both military and not, must return to Dalaran, where they would meet up with the noble’s son. Message seemed to be sent by the noble, yet actions were nothing like the noble would do. Gehardial was skeptical and thus brought only ones that were truly loyal to Gehardial, not anyone else. With small force he met up with the noble’s son, of course, he was greeted and told he should have taken all of his troops, yet Gehardial stated that he will be able to accomplish what task would be thrown at him, no matter what. And so what seemed to be a minor job, became preparation of siege. Siege equipment was bought by money that Caravan Masters made, small mercenary army was also created. Gehardial and other Caravan master did not like this one bit, but had no other choice.
At the age of 39, Gehardial and The noble’s son finally moved towards Mansion where the noble and his garrison were waiting. To Gehardial’s surprise, the noble’s son wanted to kill his father for not giving him his own private army. Gehardial felt, he was tricked by that message, yet his excuses would serve no purpose, so he took action. He sabotaged Siege equipment, rallied almost all archers to his cause, took his trusty men, he arrived with in Dalaran and kept everything as the noble’s son ordered. He was to attack and flank army, if it would try to leave castle when “retreat” will happen. Gehardial waited patiently, when news from other Caravan Master reached him. He was killed by the noble’s son. That was it, Gehardial felt rage fill his veins, yet he did not let it fill his mind. He waited for just right moment when army was to attack castle, he gave a sign to those rallied under his name and completely destroyed army that was marching onto castle’s gate. Archers did not shoot at Castle, front lines would not walk towards the walls, and catapults would not fire a shot. The noble’s son knew someone betrayed him, so he called out for his “loyal” soldiers and tried to run.
At the castle wall, the noble received news that supposed siege was stalled. Garrison didn’t know what to do, to fire onto troops in front of them or to wait. The noble climbed up onto one of towers and saw what he could have called proof of loyalty. Gehardial, his Caravan Leaders and Elite Caravan Guards were bringing the noble’s son as a prisoner towards the gate. The noble waited an hour. Nothing changed; army that was meant to attack did not attack, Gehardial and others near gate waited patiently. Finally, the noble decided to test Gehardial and his loyalty, he ordered him to enter castle unarmed, yet bring the noble’s son with himself. And so Gehardial did, once again proving to the noble he is a trusty servant of his. Army, of mercenaries was scattered, equipment was claimed by the noble, Gehardial was declared a Vassal of Trade, or in other words, Gehardial claimed a noble title, thus becoming a small not very wealthy, Lord.
The noble was pleased with his new Vassal, but knew that even The nobles have to die one day. Since his only son is not to be trusted, he asked council of his Vassals, some suggested to adopt some child and let Vassals to keep an eye on him, some suggested to let Vassals split his wealth and upkeep his name, yet Gehardial was silent. The noble looked at new Vassal and asked “What do you think I should do, Vassal of Trade?” Gehardial looked at other Vassals and said: “You should stay loyal to Lordaeron, just like I stayed loyal to you and grant your lands to another the noble, who would up keep them and would rule just like you did.” The noble was about to speak, yet Gehardial continued. “But we will not serve other the noble, since we serve you and only you, just as we sworn to serve you till death, we will do.” The noble waited a moment, thinking. Then replied:”Very well Vassals, you shall do what you think you must, serve new the noble or not. I will grant you what belongs to you, some wealth, your thrust worthy troops and title of Lord. You will not own land, unless you buy it. You will not own me a favor, unless you ask for it. Be free and make your own choice.” Then the noble ate his last dinner.
Gehardial decided to return to Stormwind and kept quiet of his title. From there he continued to command his Caravans and bring wealth to himself, his family and those that served him.
At the age of 40 Gehardial began teaching his son, Helnim Silversaddle how to be a good merchant. With wealth being not a problem, Helnim quickly learned tricks of good trade.
At the age of 45 Gehardial had a financial crisis, but managed to climb out of it, yet with not much wealth left. But at that age, he was greeted by three men; he did not expect to see again. Two old Vassals and his father came with grave news, his mother was killed when traveling to Stormwind, bandits ambushed caravan and slaughtered ¾ of it. Helmin at this point was old enough to understand what happened, he was 13. Gehardial was also given documents that are proof of his Nobility; he hid them away, for safe keeping. With news and not so clear head, Gehardial made a shady deal with bandits in order to receive his mother’s body. He traded them top notch weapons and armor. It was one trade, yet it was not very noble. With body returned it was buried and Gehardial’s father lost himself to alcohol. Gehardial almost followed, yet two vassals were there with him and helped him to climb out of it. After Gehardial once more held reins of his life, vassals returned to Lordaeron.
At the age of 47 Gehardial received even more grave news, not only his caravan was raided but his father was found dead. Yet his father died because of to much alcohol. Once more Gehardial allowed his life slip away, yet this time Helnim, his son, helped him to stand back up and continue forward.
At the age of 50 Gehardial finished Helnim’s training and gave him a boost to start his own life.
At the age of 52 Gehardial, his wife and Helnim flee to Lordaeron, leaving ruined city of Stormwind behind. Most loyal of Gehardial’s men stay with him. Gehardial takes documents that could prove he is of the noble nature.
At the age of 53 Gehardial receives news that Helnim joined army as a supplier. Gehardial and his wife do not like the idea of loosing their son but Gehardial instead of trying to stop Helnim, keeps him company by joining army as well. For first time he proves to Lords and The noblemen of Lordaeron that he is also of the noble nature and raises quickly in military ranks, getting a chance to safeguard Helnim. Not to long, Helnim is assigned as Gehardial’s advisor thus avoid front lines, yet assisting war effort.
How does the family sustain its wealth?
House is basically a guild of loyal merchants and loyal mercenaries.
What sort of assets and personnel does the family have?
The House has reserve of gold, that in case of house starting to get into minus, would be drained. Currently whole house, if trade stopped completely, could stay same, with same amount of items, ships, etc... for 3 months, before reserve would be drained fully. House does not own any lands, yet it sort of does. One could say it has land that it bought with gold. Personnel summary - Stationed troops: 53; Troops on sea: 141; Troops on road: 142.
Trade Headquarters
Main point for house caravans. Here they count their profits or losses, decide on next actions, stay longest, get assigned new tasks or get rearmed. Headquarters are also main storage spot, for cheap, yet most likely soon to be not so cheap item holding.
- Stormwind: Trade Headquarters for Naval Trade. 4 Place to keep an eye out is large.
- Ironforge: Trade Headquarters for Land Trade. 4 Place to keep an eye out is large.
Trade station
Mostly a single shop or few shops and a storage house, where a caravan can go and receive some rest, refill on essentials and sell its goods, if need be. They serve purpose for gathering reports about bandit activity on surrounding areas, guidance for Caravan Leaders what path to take best and provide small amount of profit as a bonus. They are basically outposts in a way.
- Darnassus: Trade station. 2 Night elves are racist, but keep place well in check. Many opportunities to expand, guards to keep customers from going at each others throats due to night elf mood towards humans.
- Exodar: Trade station. 2 Draenei keep the place safe and sound, lucky bastards don't have anything to do, other then sit and enjoy what they see, possible other links.
- Darkshire: Trade station. 5 A trade squire went missing, something is on the loose, link between Sentinel Hill and Darkshire needs to be established soon.
- Goldshire: Trade station. 3 Lazy guard spot, few murlocks here and there, Ligerat has made it his office, extra guard sent by request of Kepper, Trade Lord's personal Squire.
- Lakeshire: Trade station. 6 Gnolls on the rise, extra guards to support effort in getting rid of gnoll threat and keep trade station from getting raided.
- Sentinel Hill: Trade station. 6 Situation is rather extreme, local folk need all help they can get, expecting a lot of crime in near future.
- Nethergrade Keep: Trade station. 5 Extra guards just in case, caravans have hard time getting to location, more links need to be established.
- Thelsamar: Trade station. 4 Dwarves keep drinking with guards, one non-drinking guard sent to keep a watchful eye.
- Menethil Harbor: Trade station. 4 Far away from other stations, more links need to be established, threat from the swamps and horde in the area.
- Hearthglen: Trade station. 3 Holiday resort, nothing to do other then sit and enjoy sound of Crusaders training, away from other stations, more links need to be established, many locations that could be used to expand, forsaken/scourge threat.
- Booty Bay: Trade station. 6 Goblins can't be trusted.
Owned ships
House currently has 4 combat oriented (Mainly for sea combat.) ships, 4 multi purpose (Can be used to fight or transport goods/troops.) ships, 1 Manor (Sole purpose is to transport Gehardial and/or Ligerat, it is home on the sea. It is slightly more “pimped” out version of Multipurpose ship. ) ships and 1 trading (Mainly used to transport good/troops, very little fighting capabilities.) vessel. House has supplied and is still keeping supply of large amount of quality rifles, swords (One handed and two handed.), spears, armor both in plate and mail form and survival gear. If all house would gather to one spot and stop doing what it is doing, it would be a powerful, small, well equipped army and fleet.
4 Combat oriented ships.
- 1 For Escort of Manor Ship. 19
- 3 For other tasks. 14 each.
4 Multi purpose ships.
- 4 For Trade and other tasks. 13 each.
1 Manor Ship.
- 1 For Transport of important people. 16
1 Trade Vessel/Cargo Ship.
- 1 For Trade and other cargo/transport tasks. (Always has some sort of escort.) 12
Caravans
One man up front, watching front for ambushes, alert (Weapons drawn.)[1]; one man on either flank, near caravan or just off road watching the flanks of the caravan, alert (Weapons drawn.)[2]; one at the back, providing over watch and making sure caravan isn’t attacked from the back, alert (Weapons Drawn.)[1]; leader of caravan, alert(depends on his decision, if rest of caravan gets their weapons ready.)[1]; one drover for each mule. They usually are focused on the mule they are assigned to, keeping it calm and moving with it(Weapons usually not drawn, unless caravan leader says otherwise.)[Number depends on amount of mules. Minimum number for mules: 2]. There may be situations when extra mule guards are assigned, so numbers change depending on the cargo and area that caravan travels through.
What is the family known for?
Family is known for its trade, “Quality over Quantity” vision and for its supporting hand towards artisans and supporting Argent Crusade in retaking Lordaeron.
How old is the family?
It has been around for 29 years.
Is the family open for members to join?
Well… if players wish to join, message someone called Osvaldas on forums or poke one of his characters in-game. Not really feeling confident on recruiting other people as… I have little trust for them. Might change over time.
