Since we are running with the merchant houses idea, what will each of the five merchant houses be focused on? Will we all start out associated with one house and then go where we will from there?
As of right now, I am shooting for a half-elven or human cleric of a church closely tied to the houses. The church would be technologically oriented and would fund innovators (so long as they worked for the houses of course). As a priest of the church, one of my main duties would be to preach the virtues of hard work and obedience to the peasant/factory workers who work for the merchants. I can see my self initially fighting any threats to the church's or the merchant's power, although over time I might begin to see the corruption partially inherent in both. My father was an inventor or artisan working for a house who was one of the few who enjoyed a high standard of living. He was instrumental in making sure I was among the ranks of the priviledged in the church. Due to my father's profession, I am fairly knowledgeable about technology. I feel justified in telling the peasants to simply slave for the merchants because I think others who work for the merchants enjoy the same standard of living my family did.
I am tenative to post any stats until I see gnomework's material, but fluffwise does this sound good? If it works, the interaction between me and Mac Feegle's assassin (who I assume might secretly be employed by the houses) will be interesting.
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
