House of Maidens

The House of Maidens is a deeply influential organization intricately tied to Concordia, the Goddess of Pacts. Composed exclusively of women known as Maidens, the house operates as a network of highly trained courtiers, confidantes, information brokers, and purveyors of secrets within the noble circles of Endros.

Maidens are renowned for their impeccable etiquette, intelligence, and the subtle art of information exchange. They are easily recognized by their distinctive and iconic lace chokers. Their dress code is one of elegance and seduction, but each Maiden is free to choose her own style, provided it reflects high quality and sophistication. Each Maiden is given the opportunity to commission a single outfit from Sutra, Goddess of the Weave. These outfits are known as Maiden Regalia.

While nobility may suspect that the Maidens serve as Concordia's eyes and ears, the value they bring tends to notably outweigh concern over their presence. To host a Maiden is to gain access to a wealth of knowledge and influence that can grant a significant advantage in matters of court and business. Their network of Maidens and registry of world events keeps them informed of relevant power plays and market dynamics, and their powers make them the optimal arbiters and lobbyists.

Importantly, the word of a Maiden is their bond. When a Maiden vows to keep a secret, it becomes a binding contract, enforceable by Concordia herself. This absolute trustworthiness makes them indispensable as messengers, advisors, information brokers, and intermediaries in sensitive matters.

Addressing Maidens

Maidens are addressed simply as "Maiden" until such a time as they formally offer their name. It is considered improper etiquette to use their name before it has been offered to you, even if their name is known, a nuance well understood among the nobility.

To distinguish a Maiden, one can speak the color of their Regalia as an identifier. For example, the "Purple Maiden" would identify the Maiden that wears purple Regalia within the city. When multiple Maidens are present in a city, they each wear different colored Regalia to ensure they have easy, separate identities. They also tend to coordinate very nuanced colors at a larger scale, limiting the use of specific shades. There may only be one "Turquoise" Maiden and one "Cerulean" Maiden across all of Endros.

Unique Colors

There are four unique Maiden colors with special meanings: Black, Purple, Cerulean, and Red Maidens.

Black Maidens are "Guild Liaisons" to the Adventurer's Guild. They are tasked with representing both the House of Maidens and the Adventurer's Guild, often as high-ranking Adventurers themselves. Authorized to handle the highest degrees of classified intelligence, they oversee critical missions; including internal affairs within noble courts.

Purple Maidens are "Arcane Envoys" that specialize in matters where magic, diplomacy, and commerce intersect. They prioritize work that involves arrangements with Sorcerers, Artificers, the Arcanum, Dryads, Aethertech firms, Enchanters, and other factions involved in arcane dealings.

Cerulean Maidens are "Merfolk Liaisons" that represent the interests of the Merfolk. They specialize in and prioritize matters of commerce and diplomacy between the Merfolk colonies and surface colonies. Cerulean Maidens are Tidewalker Merfolk, allowing them to act in both land and underwater environments.

Red Maidens are "Trade Arbiters" that specialize in matters where contracts, trade, and diplomacy intersect. They prioritize work that involves merchant houses, trade guilds, shipping firms, investors, noble estates, and other factions involved in major commercial dealings.

Hidden Objectives and Speculations

Behind the veil of their public roles lies a deeper purpose known only to the Maidens and Concordia. Speculation abounds regarding Concordia's ultimate goals and how the House of Maidens fits into them. Some believe they are gathering intelligence to subtly manipulate the balance of power, since they help shape policy and decisions at the highest levels. Others suggest they are collecting incriminating information, spying on other Gods, or safeguarding against a hidden threat known only to Concordia. Rumors also persist that they have black market contacts, operating a clandestine network that deals in contraband and rare artifacts.

It is also known that Concordia's alliance with Adonis, the God of Fate, granted her knowledge of certain Astralei secrets. Some believe much of the Maidens' mystery can be attributed to what Concordia knows about the Astralei, or what secrets she is obliged to protect.

The Maidens themselves are tight-lipped about their overarching mission. Even among their ranks, knowledge is compartmentalized, with only a select few privy to the full scope of their objectives. This secrecy fuels rumors and adds to the aura of mystery that surrounds Concordia's enigmatic plans.

Handmaidens

Handmaidens serve as subordinate agents of the House of Maidens, performing many of the same duties as Maidens without possessing their full authority or divine standing. They often handle matters that do not require direct Maiden intervention, including business with merchants, civic oversight, palace administration, and the routine maintenance of Concordia's interests across Endros. Handmaidens dress in a similar style to Maidens, though their attire is understood to mark them as aides rather than Anointed representatives. While they lack the weight of a Maiden's Sacrament and final pact, they remain trusted instruments of the House and carry out Concordia's objectives under Maiden direction.

Relationship with the Astralei

Many people speculate that the Maidens have a deeper knowledge of the Astralei than they are willing to share publicly. Concordia's alliance with Adonis, the God of Fate, was an extremely important historical milestone. When she was given control of Skywood's enchantments after the Astralei left, it was expected that she had forged many agreements intended to be mutually beneficial between herself and the Astralei. One of those was permission for the House of Maidens to have full use of the Portal Network.

Maidens appear to be regularly involved in the Trials of Branching Paths, the Trials of Fate that have the most obvious impact within Endros. Though records are difficult to verify, it seems that their involvement is noticeably higher than any other institution. This could certainly be attributed to their diplomatic mastery, since the Trials of Fate call upon the highly talented, but it could also be a unique role. Some scholars believe that the Maidens have been sworn to assist the Astralei, making them ideal operatives for the Trials of Branching Paths.

Though it is not widely known, a rare few possess knowledge of Maidens that have accompanied Concordia to Nexus and returned. Such individuals may infer that the Maidens have more interaction with the Astralei than the public believes.

The Maiden's Pact

Entry into the House of Maidens requires a solemn pact with Concordia, known as the Maiden's Pact. This agreement binds the individual to the house's protocols and to Concordia's divine authority. The pact includes clauses that enforce discretion and unwavering loyalty, with severe consequences for breaches.

The Maiden Protocols include:

Loyalty: A Maiden's first loyalty is to Concordia and the House of Maidens, including other Maidens. Any privileged information within the House of Maidens must remain a secret.
Integrity: A Maiden must always uphold her agreements with clients, including oaths of privacy and secrecy, unless doing so is a threat to herself or Endros.
Discretion: A Maiden must maintain absolute discretion with her clients.
Etiquette: A Maiden must adhere to the highest standards of etiquette and decorum, serving as a model of grace and propriety in all social interactions.
Presentation: A Maiden must maintain an impeccable appearance, wearing Regalia of her choosing that reflects elegance and sophistication.
Value: A Maiden must make herself valuable to any social circle she belongs to.
Self-Reliance: A Maiden must be capable of operating independently for extended periods, fulfilling her duties without direct oversight.

A Maiden's Training

The House of Maidens is both an organization and a physical location — a secluded estate shrouded in mystery. Only Maidens, Concordia, or Maidens in training are permitted within its confines. The estate is guarded by an Astralei enchantment that was placed under Concordia's control, compelling others to leave the grounds if they do not have the necessary permission to enter.

Here, initiates undergo rigorous training in various disciplines: etiquette, seduction, information gathering, interpreting social cues, persuasion, negotiation, and self-defense. They are also educated in the subtle use of Aether, particularly Chi, to enhance their abilities in non-combative ways. Chameleon and cosmetic magic are common talents.

Becoming a full "Maiden" requires graduation from the House of Maidens, a program that takes many years of training. Training focuses on developing not just skills but also a mindset aligned with the house's objectives. The house often recruits orphaned girls, bringing them out of poverty at an early age when they are impressionable and eager to prove loyalty in exchange for the life of luxury and influence that awaits them.

A Maiden's Blessing

Every Maiden is Anointed, having received Concordia's Sacrament as part of their graduation and final pact with Concordia. They are blessed with charm and empathy, able to understand and influence others at a deeper level, similar to Concordia's powers. When they speak, it is easier to understand their perspective, gleaning some of their insight and clarity on the subject. They are also bound by Concordia's pacts in a way that only someone with her direct Sacrament can be. They are unable to break their agreements with her, and no amount of pressure would ever suffice. This also ensures that any secrets they have vowed to keep remain secret; a valuable service among the nobility.

Any other advantages granted by this Sacrament are not well understood by the public, as the Maidens tend to make up rumors that complicate any legitimate knowledge on the subject. Speculation ranges from being uniquely adept at detecting and understanding hidden motives, to certain advantages in manipulating Prana, to uncanny levels of guile, to social charm magic and calming effects, to having similar contractual skills as Concordia. Some even believe that Maidens are capable of truth detection, though most scholars dispute this.

Maiden's Permit

After graduating, Maidens are granted their Maiden's Permit after signing a final pact with Concordia - the details of which are not known to the public. The possession of a Maiden's Permit indicates they possess a divine Sacrament and are bound to the rules of the House of Maidens. This means clients can trust their vows of discretion with absolute confidence. Maidens are also explicitly under the protection of Concordia and fully immune to prosecution and enforcement.

Services Offered

Maidens offer a number of services, ranging widely from personal to political, including:

Parliament Oversight: Overseeing City Parliament to verify and report on legislation.
Networking: Providing introductions to influential figures and leveraging connections.
Brokers: Buy and sell intel, including market dynamics, costs of goods, power dynamics, legislation news, etc.
Confidante: Providing counsel on sensitive matters, leveraging private knowledge in decision-making.
Diplomatic Envoy: Acting as a representative or messenger in delicate negotiations.
Social Companion: Accompanying patrons to social events, enhancing status and facilitating conversation.
Information Gathering: Discreetly collecting intelligence or insights on political rivals or other matters of interest.
Secret Communication: Safely conveying confidential messages or documents that require discretion.
Mediation: Assisting in resolving disputes within their patron's domain to reach amicable solutions.
Etiquette Training: Coaching patrons or family members in proper etiquette, protocols, and social graces.
Cultural Advisor: Offering cultural, literary, musical, and artistic insights to enrich a patron's court.
Public Relations: Advising patrons in public image, including presentation, aesthetics, and more.