House of Baskerville
Escort-Courier unit: Hound
As singular units, there are none as effective or as violent as a Hound of Baskerville. A new house, they nevertheless rose under a backdrop of utter mercantile and violent viciousness. Enjoying powers and prestige rarely seen in Dolanese history, they nevertheless fell under the chicanery of the House of Corvinus. In retaliation, the last Hound of Baskerville, the sole survivor of the massacre that befell the Baskervilles, struck out and slaughtered the cocky Corvinus, who had gathered their entire family together to gloat over their ill-gotten victory. Poisoning them all and killing the rest, the last Hound (now calling himself Zedd One) took off on a journey that would take him to another world, seeking out the last known bearer of the Baskerville bloodline - the last chance for the Baskervilles to grasp victory out of utter defeat.Currently rebuilding under new leadership, yet graciously accepted and cheered by the people.
The lands of Baskerville are known for their scholarly endeavors, Alchemy, Blacksmithing, and the high level of martial arts. They're also known for information gathering, assassinations, and weapons escorts.
Of all the Houses of Dolan, the Baskerville's secret route was both a well guarded and well known secret route.
It is rumored that there is none. They just cut their way through the jungle itself, besting every obstacle that came their way.
Hightown
Poe Castle - surrounded by thick forest and dense jungle, one of the most dangerous locations known in Dolan.
Wright Tunnel - a once-secret underground tunnel that branches throughout Hightown and Lowtown alike, melding with the sewers as well as the docks.
Lowtown
A little further off of Hightown and almost it's own city, Baskerville Lowtown is an extensive, semi-ramshackle affair set several miles off of Hightown and connected by a main, well-guarded road. Some of the best training for the Hound escort-couriers go on here. Just about anything can be bought and sold, and the local Militia and Night Guard are usually enough to keep monstrosities at bay, not to mention the hard-working Hounds.
Some of the most powerful alchemical reagents can be procured through here, and are second only to those of the House of Kane.
House of Kane
Escort-Courier unit: Cerebrus Knight
Demons and devil-blooded, the utter madness of Hades lays within the confines of the blackened realm of the House of Kane. Surrounded by vicious magma and fiery elementals, the city-Kingdom of the House of Kane are some of the most inhospitable ones around. Freezing tundra and malignant lava are at constant, unexplanaible juxtaposition, and the denizens are all demons or devil-blooded. Only the Dragonkin of the House of Balance have ever found this place hospitable, as well as the Baskervilles.
Powerful artifacts of interdimensional origin are transferred by either Baskerville or Kane. Powerful magics and interdimensional reagents are also transported, and it's rumored that their secret route lays through one of the thirteen Hells.
Out of all the other Houses, Kane specializes in magical upgrades. Their ability to smuggle enchanted items are second to none, but there is always a chance for certain shipments to run afoul a Balor.
The House of Kane was once allied with the Baskervilles, which is how Zedd's old lover, Phillipe, had come to train with the Hounds.
Paradise
Anything can be bought and sold in Paradise, the Kane version of Hightown. A wondrous place where one can lose their soul quite easily
Bramt Castle - where the Mark of Kane (the high council of families that comprise the leadership of the Kane and Cerebrus) reside, as well as their entourage and combined research and training.
The Blight
Swampy, sulfurous, and utterly depraved, The Blight is a poisonous backdrop to the bright lights of Paradise. Only the most craven of creatures live here, eeking out a living amongst the poor and the squalor.
House of Belvedere
Escort-courier unit: Sparrow Knight
Beloved of the wind, the House of Belvedere is located atop the tallest, naturally-growing tree in all of Dolan. Filled with magnificent, fantastic creatures, the Dark Elves of Belvedere reign supreme. Valuing swordsmanship and speed above all things, it is rumored that their secret route takes them across the very treetops of the jungle itself. The House of Belvedere are mostly neutral, though they have been known to start fights with the House of Kane.
It is said that there is nothing faster than a Sparrow Knight in full movement.
It is believed that their favored merchandise is food stuffs and natural goods. Strangely enough the nature of their favored merchandise is a closely-guarded secret.
Upper Half
At the top of the Tree lays the court of the Belvederes. Some of the most luxurious items are said to come from their craftsmen and weavers. Beware treating with the Guild of Makers if you don't have a head for numbers.
Lower Half
At the bottom of the tree lay the land-bound types, those who cannot live in the tree or are supporters. A rather mixed lot of races have made their home at the base of the tree.
House of Balance
Escort-courier unit: Scaled Knight
Dragons, dragon-blooded, and dragonkin. Incredibly xenophobic and aggressive, a legion of Scaled Knights ploughing into battle is a fearsome sight. They hold exclusive rights to any and all materials made from dragons (scales, teeth, etcetera) and as such also are the only ones who can transport dragon-related items legally. Outside of Dolan, they hold the most renown temples and places of worship, and are counted as amongst the most pious of Dolan's citizens. Despite the name of both House and unit, only a third of their population follow Child, for reasons unknown.
Mt. Krev - there is neither a hightown nor lowtown equivilant but, rather, the caverns, tunnels, and aeries of Mt. Krev itself. It is rumored that they used advanced magical technology to teleport their shipments from Mt. Krev to either outskirts of the jungles. The common phrase is "As infested as Krev," a jab at how in the Dolanese dialect a gathering of dragons is called "an infestation."
House of Demeter
Escort-courier unit: Mantis Knight
The only house able to navigate the monster-strewn waters that lay on either side of Dolan, and only because of certain concessions made to them by certain gods. A Mantis Knight is one part monk, two parts martial artist, and a thousand parts sailor.
The highest levelled Knights of their ilk are able to take on the very essence of water itself, transmuting themselves into elementals.
Though they control the docks on either side of Dolan, they are unable to truly control the sea trade. There is no known set pattern to which of their routes are safe at any point in time, and this controls the flux of their transportation and what kind of goods they can get across.
Freebooter Isle - the High Town version of their city-kingdom, a floating island on the southern end of Dolan that is closest to the Rift.
Drudge City - the second floating island-kingdom on the northern side of Dolan, which is far more pirate-like than the cleaner Freebooter Isle.
House of Inverse
Escort-courier unit: Seeker Knight
Best known as the "House of Child," the House of Inverse keeps balance throughout The Game. Strangely silent during the Slaughter of the Baskervilles, it is well-known that the Seeker Knights (who act as both the word of Child as well as the ipso-facto internal military-police) were nowhere to be found as the mercenary warriors laid into Poe Castle.
Despite that, it's mostly mentioned that it takes one Seeker Knight to quell one riot. Though the House of Inverse doesn't inexatly make trade or perform escort-courier services, they do help bolster the other houses and are a force of to be reckoned with all across the board.
All four of the Chevalier are chosen solely from the House of Inverse, and Seeker Knights are amongst the most notable of riders as well as the most terrifying of opponents.
House of Nemesis
Escort-courier unit: Bloodhound Knight
Powerful psychics who have risen to prominence. Nemesis is an old, old House, one that was thrown down during the rise of the Baskervilles. When Corvinus and Baskerville fell, Nemesis arose to reclaim their position.
Now that the Baskervilles have returned, having survived this great round of The Game, Nemesis has openly declared their desire for vengeance against them.
It is well-known that some of the most mystical of items and reagents are either made or transported by Nemesis.
House of Corvinus (currently fallen and no longer valid)
Escort-courier unit: Crow
When one becomes an Escort-Courier in Dolan, one is of a level of Knighthood with other kingdoms. There are only two Houses who have ever denied such a title, and it is no coincidece. So great was the envy and hatred of Corvinus against the Baskervilles that they mockingly called their units "Crows," and openly hailed themselves with titles such as High Murder or Black Wings.
Specialists in assassination, poisons, and loathsome materials.