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Message: <blockquote data-quote="RichGreen" data-source="post: 6342263" data-attributes="member: 2039">Hi, Here’s the tenth installment in a series of <a href="http://parsantium.wordpress.com/tag/icons/" target="_blank">13th Age icons </a>for Parsantium. This one is another organization – the formidable Water Lords who rule the city of Loranto. Thanks to Steve Dempsey for naming them!THE WATER LORDSThe twelve Water Lords govern the Most Serene City of Loranto, a powerful canal city of merchants situated across the Corsairs’ Sea to the west of Parsantium. QUOTE“If you would be so kind as to sign the agreement here. And here. Oh, and here. I wouldn’t worry about the fine script at the bottom – that’s just there to keep the clerks happy. Excellent…” USUAL LOCATIONIn the Grand Council chamber of the Duke’s Palace in the heart of LorantoCOMMON KNOWLEDGEThe Water Lords are the elected rulers of Loranto, chosen by members of the city’s thirty six wealthiest noble families in a convoluted voting process involving coloured stones, enchanted bowls fashioned from exquisite blue glass, and the recital of a lengthy hymn to Amphetia, Queen of the Sea and patron goddess of Loranto. Each Water Lord governs for life; typically, the Lords are elderly Bathuran men, although there are three women among the current line up, one of whom is a half-elf. The Water Lords squabble, scheme and plot against each other, sometimes hiring assassins to eliminate a rival, at other times using blackmail, bribery or intimidation in pursuit of their own individual goals. Despite their scheming, however, all of them have the best interests of Loranto at heart and share the common aim of making the Most Serene City the dominant maritime trade power in the Corsairs’ Sea. The twelve Water Lords elect a Duke from amongst their number to lead them, also a lifetime role. The Duke is usually considered to be the wisest of the Lords and is referred to by the honorific “Most Sagacious”. Upon his (or her) election, the Duke “marries” the Queen of the Sea in a ceremony held in her island basilica and attended by the thirty six noble families. The wily septuagenarian Peregrinus Galvano has been clinging on to the position of Duke for the past three years, despite barely being able to stand unaided, let alone walk to his throne. Galvano has seen off several assassination attempts by his rivals and refuses to give credence to the warmongers among the Water Lords.ADVENTURERS & THE ICONThe Water Lords make frequent use of mercenaries and other disposable “hired help” to achieve their aims, and often recruit adventurers to carry out missions either on their personal behalf or that of the whole Grand Council. These tasks might be directed against pirates or evil humanoids threatening Loranto’s trade interests, but are just as likely to involve more dubious deeds such as spying, theft or violence against seemingly innocent enemies of the individual Lord. Capable PCs in Parsantium who are affiliated with the Water Lords might be charged with stealing the formula for Parsantine Fire, or assassinating a troublesome politician or bureaucrat. ALLIESDespite their ambitions for Loranto to eclipse Parsantium’s wealth and power, the Water Lords maintain good relations with the Basileus and enjoy favourable trading arrangements, while the Archbishop seeks the Water Lords’ continued endorsement as supreme leader of Helion’s church. Because both groups are determined to wipe out the pirates plaguing shipping on the Corsairs’ Sea, the Water Lords sometimes ally themselves with the Platinum Knights, who have a chapter house in Loranto. ENEMIESThe Caliph of Aqhran resents the lower rates of duty paid by the Water Lords, and is fearful of Loranto’s growing power. HISTORYLoranto remained part of the western Bathuran Empire until the fall of Rezana to the orcs in 1122. After successfully repelling a series of orcish attacks on the city, the Lorantines appointed Lord Admiral Valentinus Piramo as Duke, and declared themselves a free city. Loranto relied on trade – particularly in salt but also glassware, pottery and silver – so it signed a vital trading agreement with Parsantium to safeguard important trade routes to the east. This treaty acknowledged the Basileus as ruler of the Bathuran Empire while preserving Loranto’s newly won independent status. Three hundred years later, when Parsantium fell to the hobgoblin armies of Kalgroth Ironheart, the Water Lords bankrolled Corandias the Stubborn’s Great Crusade to retake the city. In return for their financial support, the previous trading agreement was renegotiated: Loranto’s merchants now enjoy a “favoured partner” status and pay only 7% duty (rather than 10%) on trade goods entering and leaving Parsantium. The references to the Basileus as ruler of the Empire were quietly dropped from the revised document. THE TRUE DANGERWhile Peregrinus Galvano remains as Duke, Loranto will remain at peace with Parsantium and the Caliphate.CheersRich</blockquote>

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