Makharet

Look behind the masks of Makharet

Geography & Key Locations

✧ Makharet:

A state located in the southeast of Mirlaey, on the Neivir peninsula. Capital: Taunhaat. Ruled by a council, typically composed of members of the Great Houses. Makharet is a small state. It is divided in the middle by the low Sahur mountains, which separate the country into northeastern and southwestern parts. Makharet is surrounded by seas and bays on three sides. It only borders other states of the Neivir peninsula to the south. Makharet is the state closest to Brongard.

Keywords: Makharet, state, Neivir peninsula, Taunhaat, geography

✧ Taunhaat:

The capital of Makharet, located in the northeast of the country on the coast of the Golden Sea. Surrounded by small mountains on three sides. A vibrant city that never sleeps. Bustling ports, festivals, noisy markets, and a constant stream of merchants. This wealthy city is the largest trading hub connecting Mirlaey, Fatlair, Aard, and Brongard. On the streets of Taunhaat, you can find everything: from goods on the stalls to secret underground markets. It is a city where all its vices and shadow deals are hidden behind external glitter.

Keywords: Taunhaat, capital, Golden Sea, Makharet

✧ Fimena:

A small city located in Makharet, the city of memory. It houses the largest library with a hundred closed sections. The city was erected by the legendary hero Ralkar, who wished to preserve all the deeds of the past.

Keywords: Fimena, library, largest library, Ralkar, history

Population

✧ Peoples of Makharet:

Makharet is a melting pot of many cultures. Here, one can meet representatives of the most diverse races and cultures, as well as bearers of different schools of magic and powers.

Keywords: peoples, population, Makharet, races

Great Houses

✧ House Rabbaggis (Politics):

Judicial system and legislation. They control the courts, interpret laws, and write new ones. One of the most powerful houses. One of the patrons of the Order of Vaar-Halkur.

Keywords: House Rabbaggis, politics

✧ House Vashar (Politics):

Administration and treasury. They manage the state apparatus, tax collection, and the budget. Without their approval, not a single coin is allocated for city needs or military campaigns.

Keywords: House Vashar, administration

✧ House Kaspir (Ports and Sea Trade):

Ports and logistics. They own piers and warehouses. Alongside this, they engage in smuggling "under cover." Using control over the legal flow of goods, they organize a parallel, unaccounted-for one.

Keywords: House Kaspir, ports, sea trade

✧ House Zur (Maritime Trade and Diplomacy):

Merchant fleet, navigation, and diplomacy. They have the largest and best-equipped fleet. They determine routes, delivery prices, and have exclusive contracts with distant countries (such as far-off Katarhat or remote Paigura). Have connections among the pirates of Vaddar (from Brongard).

Keywords: House Zur, maritime trade, pirates

✧ House Varker (Markets and Guilds):

Trade. Closely linked with House Kaspir. Control markets, influence pricing. Establish new overland trade routes throughout Mirlaey.

Keywords: House Varker, trade, markets, guilds

✧ House Metteki (Magical Artifacts):

Production and sale of magical artifacts. They issue licenses for wearing and trading, inspect items for dangerous enchantments and curses.

Keywords: House Metteki, magical artifacts, enchantments, curses

✧ House Ammari (Politics and Black Markets):

Control legal but dubious enterprises: such as brothels, mercenaries, sell weapons. But their influence is also strong in genuine black markets. They trade stolen relics, rare creatures, slaves (whom they redirect to Aard), and poisons.

Keywords: House Ammari, black markets, politics

✧ House Maken (Religion and Organization of Cultural Events):

Manage temples in Makharet, interpret the will of deities, keep chronicles, organize fortune-telling and predictions. Train priests.

Keywords: House Makeny religion, temples, cultural events

✧ House Ul'kasur (Education, Medicine, and Science):

Have the best pharmacies, doctors, as well as schools and the University of Fimena. The Great Library in Fimena is under their patronage.

Keywords: House Ul'kasur, education, medicine, science, Fimena, library, university

✧ House Yassaar (Agriculture):

Own the best lands on the other side of the Sahur mountains, vineyards, and livestock farms. Wines from House Yassaar are in great demand.

Keywords: House Yassaar, agriculture, lands, vineyards, wine

Religion & Order

✧ Religion in Makharet:

In Makharet, they worship three gods: Arankar (god of fate), Yanukan (god of crafts), and Halkur-Mar (god of death).

Keywords: religion, gods, Arankar, Yanukan, Halkur-Mar

✧ Order of Vaar-Halkur:

An order of assassins located in the shadows of Taunhaat's streets in Makharet. Its members serve the god of death, Halkur-Mar. Every contract, every spilled drop of blood is an offering to the god. Not everyone is accepted into the Order; typically, they take children (orphans, street urchins), whom senior mentors train in the craft and code until they come of age, after which they are initiated into the ranks and receive real assignments. Every servant in the Order has two names: one real, and the second - the one under which they serve in the Order. Along with the new name, the initiate chooses their mask, which they wear when delivering death to their target. The mask and the new name serve to separate the person from their activities.

Keywords: Order of Vaar-Halkur, assassins, order, Halkur-Mar, Taunhaat

✧ The Code of Vaar-Halkur:

1. Close relationships are forbidden - affections must not interfere with completing an assignment or making a decision that would not compromise the Order;

2. One does not leave the Order - if a servant can no longer go on assignments, they remain inside the order, performing internal duties or becoming a mentor for the next generation;

3. The Order's reputation is above all - each member of the Order is allowed only one mistake. After one mistake, a "Watchful Eye" is assigned (someone who oversees the progress of the assignment of the offender, so that in case of another failure, they can rid the Order of the burden and complete the task themselves).

Keywords: Vaar-Halkur, rules, reputation, assassins, order

✧ Hierarchy in Vaar-Halkur:

Amasu (The five heads), Vuars (Assistants in the Order), Cliir-Khan (assassins), Saai-Ru (The Disgraced), Minkai (Students).

Keywords: Vaar-Halkur, hierarchy, assassins, order

✧ Amasu:

The five heads of the Order. They accept contracts and distribute them. No one knows what they look like. They do not go on assignments.

Keywords: Amasu, Vaar-Halkur, hierarchy, assassins, order

✧ Vuars:

Assistants in the Order (usually those who have sustained serious injuries or for other reasons can no longer perform assignments independently. They become Vuars and now serve the Order from within. This can range from simple supply of provisions to training new members).

Keywords: Vuars, Vaar-Halkur, hierarchy, assassins, order

✧ Cliir-Khan (Sword-Wielder):

Those who have received their mask and have the right to perform assignments independently. These are fully trained members of the Order. Any Cliir-Khan can become a Watchful Eye and oversee Saai-Ru.

Keywords: Cliir-Khan, Vaar-Halkur, hierarchy, assassins, order

✧ Saai-Ru (The Disgraced):

Those who have once failed an assignment and are now under the supervision of a Watchful Eye. They have only one attempt to rectify their situation, or their end is predetermined. In any case, those who have failed an assignment once will never receive a serious contract again.

Keywords: Saai-Ru, Vaar-Halkur, hierarchy, assassins, order

✧ Minkai:

Students still undergoing training under Vuar. Cannot take on assignments.

Keywords: Minkai, Vaar-Halkur, hierarchy, assassins, order