House Handelsbinder Culture: Calderligan Founded: 102 AC Founder: Bartholomäus-Gottfried Handelsbinder von Niederzielenwald Current Head: Karsten-Ludger Handelsbinder von Niederzielenwald Family Trade: Mercantile Trade (Hanse), Ship Building. Family Colors: [WIP] Family Crest: [WIP] History: House Handelsbinder was founded in 102 AC by Bartholomäus-Gottfried Handelsbinder von Niederzielenwald who ran a lumber production guild for the New Regalian and Heartland Ceardian Regions. This was done partly due to the fact that Calderligan was often raided by Skaggers and that the lumber industry had not been capitalized by the houses of these regions and so Bartholomäus essentially created a lumber monopoly. With the wealth gained by this vast lumber guild network, Bartholomäus came into contact with another lumber based family, House Valeur. Rather than competing, Bartholomäus struck a deal with the Valeur, paying a large sum for the entire lumber company while allowing him control of the Guild, essentially hiring himself with a business he created. Over night, House Handelsbinder became vastly wealthier than many contemporaries, investing in other guilds, flat out absorbing them. Though most importantly, Bartholomäus would sway support of local noble houses with his funding of social projects in exchange for assistance in repelling the Skagger Hordes plaguing his home. With a combined New Regalian Army, he would make a final investment of hiring professional mercenaries from Genevaud to join in a campaign to rid Calderliga of the Skagger raids. By 150 AC, with the region now free of the Skagger Hordes, there was a slow and gradual shift to development and the formation of the Hanse system. While still making significant income as a Guildmaster located in Niederzielenwald, Bartholomäus decided to invest in a new trade, mercantile trading and ship production, accessing the Valeur held lumber market, Bartholomäus oversaw the public works of massive drydocks and ship production. These ships would be used for trade as well as to fulfill commissions from Heartland Ceardians and later the Empire. In the generations that followed, House Handelsbinder would establish close relations with the New Regalians and Heartland Ceardian cultures through public works and social projects the Hanse would fund on occasion. Much has remained the same to this day with House Handelsbinder holding investments in these regions based from it’s home in Calderliga, while often making use of Genevaud mercenaries, and Heartland Ceardian Naval escorts. The goal of the current iteration of House Handelsbinder under Karsten-Ludger Handelsbinder von Niederzielenwald is to unite the whole of Calderliga under their rule. Family Tree: [WIP/Not-needed-currently] Family Features: Dark or fair hair, blue or green eyes, though brown are possible, it is often rare. Recruitment: Sure. PM on Forums (Please do not comment on Thread)
