Vaar’tuls

A Vaar’tul is an officially recognized bloodline that has earned status, influence, and legitimacy through trade, service, craftsmanship, or contribution to society. Vaar’tuls serve as the great institutions of Shetno, overseeing businesses, protecting the populace, aiding infrastructure, and helping ensure fairness for all.

They exist in two ranks: High and Minor Vaar’tul. High Vaar’tuls represent the most prestigious bloodlines, having proven decades of contribution, wealth, and strength to the world. Minor Vaar’tuls are newer rising families and institutions who have earned recognition, coming from already established companies. Everything that occurs within Shetno, from new fortifications, expansions, businesses, wars, matters of protection, and civil unrest, will be openly discussed by councillors from each Vaar’tul. These discussions may be attended by the public, who are free to listen and observe. However, only those seated upon the council may speak within the chamber, cast votes and determine the course that Shetno will take. There can only be one councillor per Vaar’tul, which is that of the highest rank currently in play within it.

A list of current Vaar’tuls can be found here: https://apocalypsemud.org/current-vaartuls/

Upon the birth of the Council of Vaar’tuls

  • All those that were previously known as Merchant Houses were raised to High Vaar’tul.
  • All those that were previously permanent companies were raised to Minor Vaar’tul.

Vaar’tul Tiers

Vaar’tuls are split into two tiers: High and Minor.

Minor Vaar’tul status is gained by years of dedicated work upon a company, the detailed pathway of which can be found at the following:

A Vaar’tul may only attain High status through longevity, and exceptional, credible work that benefits the world and over all economy.

To qualify, they must also meet the following requirements:

  • Have held the rank of Minor Vaar’tul for at least 10 IG years.
  • Have at least 75 unique items in rotation within their area of expertise.
  • Have fully completed all requirements available to Minor Vaar’tuls.

Elevation to High rank also requires the approval and vote of all current High Vaar’tuls.

Secondary Specialities

Upon attaining Minor rank, a Vaar’tul may take a secondary lesser niche, provided it logically aligns with their clan and primary expertise.

For example:

  • A clan built around jewelry making could take stoneworking to create statues and similar works.
  • A clan focused on clothing could take weaving to create tapestries and related goods.

Secondary lesser niches may also be shared across multiple Vaar’tuls.

Upon attaining High rank, a Vaar’tul may take a secondary full niche, provided it aligns with their clan’s identity and expertise.

For example:

  • Shaw, renowned as premier armorers, also possess knowledge of weaponry.
  • Kranah, founded by mages and possessing a strong magical tradition, produce basic magical items to accompany their survival gear.
  • Mida, masters of wood-crafted furniture and breeders of exotic animals through tracked bloodlines, also gained the ability to create bows.

Marriages

Marriage contracts serve both bloodline preservation and business transactions, strengthening ties between Vaar’tuls. Contracts are established for set periods ranging between 5–10 years, though they may be renewed upon mutual agreement by both parties. Marriage may only occur between members of either a High or Minor Vaar’tul, and all contracts must be written and approved by a Councillor from a High Vaar’tul. (with staff approval).

There are two types of marriages:

  • Requested: A voluntary union between two individuals whose intention is solely to produce children. In these contracts, any child born of the union will always belong to the mother’s bloodline. (Example: A pair from Vaar’tul A and B contract for 5 years; if the mother belongs to Vaar’tul A, the child will be born into Vaar’tul A.)
  • Arranged: A willing union between members of Vaar’tuls formed for business, alliance, or bloodline purposes. The contract is negotiated by both parties, with all terms determined upon writing, including the bloodline of any children, favors granted, and any political or business agreements tied to the arrangement. (Example: Vaar’tul A seeks to introduce new blood into their line, while Vaar’tul B requires 10,000 lengths of fabric. The contract states that Vaar’tul A will retain any children born of the union and, upon the birth of the first child, will provide Vaar’tul B with the agreed quantity of fabric.)

All contracts are monogamous. Should any act, sign, or evidence of infidelity occur during the contract period, the contract is immediately dissolved. Any children born under the contract will no longer be recognized as part of the family line. If the contract was established as part of a business arrangement, damages or fines may also be levied against the offending party as determined by the contract terms.

Note: Due to their exclusivity in their bloodline, High Vaar’tul Mida, only marries with their Vaar’tul, and will never produce legitimate children outside of it.

Expanding

High Vaar’tals can build their reach further with the following:

  • Upgrading their current rooms to be bigger/better, as long as you put in the work needed, you are able to expand as you wish (within reason).
  • Add additional rooms/npcs if required.
  • Open trade routes to other settlements, such as making a deal with the clans within the other reachable outposts to set up a stall within the Elven Nation/Unrol/other.

All of the above need to be spoke about with staff.