Noble House Positions
There are a number of positions in any Noble House that exist by tradition though only the matron mother's position is actually required by law (the ruling council enforces the existence of several of these positions for new Houses as noted above, however). Additionally, not having anyone in any of these positions is considered a sign of great weakness. Except in the case of a position only recently vacated, few Noble Houses would accept the embarrassment of not having someone to declare for any given position of those listed below.
Most Houses have more (in some cases, many more) positions than those listed but these are the ones other Houses care about and the holder of the position is a sign of strength and prestige or weakness to other Houses. Of course, one individual may hold more than one position. Being in one of these positions is considered to confer Noble status by every House in the city exactly as if the person had been adopted by the matron mother (in case the person holding the position is not already a Noble).
Matron Mother:
The matron mother of a House must be a priestess of Lloth of at least 9th level. If the current matron mother drops below 9th level due to energy draining she cannot be replaced by another priestess of Lloth who cannot cast at least 5th level spells (i.e., is 9th level). In the past this has occasionally led to some unusual situations with suddenly low-level priestesses as the matron mothers of Houses. Usually the House is quickly destroyed in this event, though if the matron dies and has no successor the House is dissolved by the Ruling Council (and its Noble members may choose to seek to join other Houses). Currently this is not believed to be the case with any House in the city.
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Patron:
The House Patron (usually singular, though occasionally a matron mother will choose to have multiple official Patrons) is a very odd position. It has none of the responsibility or power of the Head House Wizard or Weaponmaster but it is equally prestigious. House Patrons aren't seen as toys of their matron mothers (she can make a toy of any male she wants) but instead are seen as positions of great favour and trust.
A House Patron is presumed to be absolutely loyal to his matron mother as he cannot rely on her need for his martial or magical prowess to help him keep his position. He is recognized by all as another set of eyes and ears that report directly to her. No matron mother allows anyone else to interfere with their Patron as that defeats the entire purpose of the position.
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Head House Wizard:
The Head House Wizard is, theoretically, the most powerful magic-user in the House, a position usually held by a male. This position is never held by an alchemist or bard. Some matron mothers choose to fill this position with pliant, weaker magic-users, or personal favourites (currently one low-ranked House has the House Elderboy as its Head House Wizard, a skilled apprentice that recently graduated the Academy and is believed to be only 2nd level) while House Oblodra was rumored to fill the position with its most powerful psionic.
Traditionally, the Head House Wizard reports directly to the Matron Mother (wise matron mothers do not have him report to anyone else or allow any other to interfere with his work) and is in charge of coordinating the available spell rosters of all the House's Wizards (usually the Noble Wizards are excluded), assigning spell rosters among the guards (in coordination with the House Weaponmaster and any guard commanders), maintaining the House's library of spells and ensuring it's as complete as possible (traditionally meaning it includes a master copy of every spell any magic-user in the House has access to), and arranging the House's magical defenses, including House defense glyphs as well as any enchantments the House insignia born by all Noble members may possess. Because of these last two requirements, Houses find it impractical to have a Head House Wizard of less than 12th level so they will hire one as soon as possible if they lack this level of magical talent. Houses that cannot do so are considerably weakened by this fact (it has even been known to cause the Ruling Council to reduce their rank).
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Weaponmaster:
The House Weaponmaster is theoretically the most skilled fighter (either fighter or hunter) in the House but some Houses fill this position with a priestess, bandit, assassin, bounty hunter, or even thief instead. The House Weaponmaster is usually supposed to oversee the training of the House's troops, including weapons, tactics, formations, coordinating missiles, melee, and magic, and so on. The Weaponmaster is the one that develops the House's tactics and strategies for defense, organizes the House's forces according to the matron mother's desires (including what weapons will be used--most matron mothers don't worry about such details, however, instead leaving this purely to the discretion of the Weaponmaster), and coordinates with the priestesses and Head House Wizard on coordinating martial might and magic use.
The Weaponmaster also has the unpleasant (to a Drow) duty of seeing to the organization, training, and arming of the House's slave troops. Weaponmasters of successful Houses tend to oversee this carefully while more than one House whose Weaponmaster has ignored the training of its slave forces in formations and tactics has fallen in very near contests, the ineffectiveness of the slave troops being the telling blow to their defenses. House Weaponmasters also have the duty of testing the House's young Nobles for martial aptitude (just as the Head House Wizard tests for magical aptitude) and beginning their training before they are sent to the Academy. Possibly the most dangerous and onerous duty a House Weaponmaster has is to personally see to it that the House Nobles continue to be trained in weapons use. Continuing a matron mother's training in the martial arts is extremely hazardous!
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The Lesser Positions:
These positions are present in some Houses and not others. Though they may be filled by a Noble they are not considered to confer Noble status simply by holding them. As such some may even be held by non-drow. It is generally considered an insult for a Noble to hold one of these positions (thus no one holding any of the above positions will hold one of these, if the House isn't large enough to have separate people for the positions, obviously they aren't needed).
Duties:
The following duties are performed by a variety of members of the House. Some are dedicated positions in some Houses while most are simply special duties assigned that are in addition to the normal duties of certain members of the House (like guarding, crafting, training, etc.). Many of these duties fall on hired outsiders or even slaves (especially if the position reports to a non-drow).
There are a number of positions in any Noble House that exist by tradition though only the matron mother's position is actually required by law (the ruling council enforces the existence of several of these positions for new Houses as noted above, however). Additionally, not having anyone in any of these positions is considered a sign of great weakness. Except in the case of a position only recently vacated, few Noble Houses would accept the embarrassment of not having someone to declare for any given position of those listed below.
Most Houses have more (in some cases, many more) positions than those listed but these are the ones other Houses care about and the holder of the position is a sign of strength and prestige or weakness to other Houses. Of course, one individual may hold more than one position. Being in one of these positions is considered to confer Noble status by every House in the city exactly as if the person had been adopted by the matron mother (in case the person holding the position is not already a Noble).
Matron Mother:
The matron mother of a House must be a priestess of Lloth of at least 9th level. If the current matron mother drops below 9th level due to energy draining she cannot be replaced by another priestess of Lloth who cannot cast at least 5th level spells (i.e., is 9th level). In the past this has occasionally led to some unusual situations with suddenly low-level priestesses as the matron mothers of Houses. Usually the House is quickly destroyed in this event, though if the matron dies and has no successor the House is dissolved by the Ruling Council (and its Noble members may choose to seek to join other Houses). Currently this is not believed to be the case with any House in the city.
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Patron:
The House Patron (usually singular, though occasionally a matron mother will choose to have multiple official Patrons) is a very odd position. It has none of the responsibility or power of the Head House Wizard or Weaponmaster but it is equally prestigious. House Patrons aren't seen as toys of their matron mothers (she can make a toy of any male she wants) but instead are seen as positions of great favour and trust.
A House Patron is presumed to be absolutely loyal to his matron mother as he cannot rely on her need for his martial or magical prowess to help him keep his position. He is recognized by all as another set of eyes and ears that report directly to her. No matron mother allows anyone else to interfere with their Patron as that defeats the entire purpose of the position.
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Head House Wizard:
The Head House Wizard is, theoretically, the most powerful magic-user in the House, a position usually held by a male. This position is never held by an alchemist or bard. Some matron mothers choose to fill this position with pliant, weaker magic-users, or personal favourites (currently one low-ranked House has the House Elderboy as its Head House Wizard, a skilled apprentice that recently graduated the Academy and is believed to be only 2nd level) while House Oblodra was rumored to fill the position with its most powerful psionic.
Traditionally, the Head House Wizard reports directly to the Matron Mother (wise matron mothers do not have him report to anyone else or allow any other to interfere with his work) and is in charge of coordinating the available spell rosters of all the House's Wizards (usually the Noble Wizards are excluded), assigning spell rosters among the guards (in coordination with the House Weaponmaster and any guard commanders), maintaining the House's library of spells and ensuring it's as complete as possible (traditionally meaning it includes a master copy of every spell any magic-user in the House has access to), and arranging the House's magical defenses, including House defense glyphs as well as any enchantments the House insignia born by all Noble members may possess. Because of these last two requirements, Houses find it impractical to have a Head House Wizard of less than 12th level so they will hire one as soon as possible if they lack this level of magical talent. Houses that cannot do so are considerably weakened by this fact (it has even been known to cause the Ruling Council to reduce their rank).
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Weaponmaster:
The House Weaponmaster is theoretically the most skilled fighter (either fighter or hunter) in the House but some Houses fill this position with a priestess, bandit, assassin, bounty hunter, or even thief instead. The House Weaponmaster is usually supposed to oversee the training of the House's troops, including weapons, tactics, formations, coordinating missiles, melee, and magic, and so on. The Weaponmaster is the one that develops the House's tactics and strategies for defense, organizes the House's forces according to the matron mother's desires (including what weapons will be used--most matron mothers don't worry about such details, however, instead leaving this purely to the discretion of the Weaponmaster), and coordinates with the priestesses and Head House Wizard on coordinating martial might and magic use.
The Weaponmaster also has the unpleasant (to a Drow) duty of seeing to the organization, training, and arming of the House's slave troops. Weaponmasters of successful Houses tend to oversee this carefully while more than one House whose Weaponmaster has ignored the training of its slave forces in formations and tactics has fallen in very near contests, the ineffectiveness of the slave troops being the telling blow to their defenses. House Weaponmasters also have the duty of testing the House's young Nobles for martial aptitude (just as the Head House Wizard tests for magical aptitude) and beginning their training before they are sent to the Academy. Possibly the most dangerous and onerous duty a House Weaponmaster has is to personally see to it that the House Nobles continue to be trained in weapons use. Continuing a matron mother's training in the martial arts is extremely hazardous!
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The Lesser Positions:
These positions are present in some Houses and not others. Though they may be filled by a Noble they are not considered to confer Noble status simply by holding them. As such some may even be held by non-drow. It is generally considered an insult for a Noble to hold one of these positions (thus no one holding any of the above positions will hold one of these, if the House isn't large enough to have separate people for the positions, obviously they aren't needed).
- Captain of the Guard: Found in almost every House, the captain of the guard falls under the Weaponmaster and is in charge of the House's drow forces. Some Houses have only one while others will have one per guard shift or one per formation of drow troops. Captains of the guard are usually female and often priestesses (possibly multi-classed) unless they are divided by unit type, in which case gender will match the unit gender. If not a priestess, every House tries to put a multi-classed magic-user (multi-classed with fighter or hunter) in this position.
- Master of Assassins: Once a common position in most Houses and holding status equal to the House Weaponmaster and Head House Wizard, the Head House assassin, or master of assassins as the title has been changed to to reflect the drop in status, is now a rarely acknowledged position. Few Houses have skilled assassins or even bounty hunters (who occasionally also filled this position in older days) today and those that do do not have enough to make the establishment of such a position worthwhile. Houses that openly purport to have such a position are viewed with much less trust and are treated warily while those who hold the position, just as in days gone by, are usually the first target of assassination in the House (Houses with no other concern about the House will see to it the master of assassins is killed just to ensure he--for the position is usually held by a male--does not practice his skills against them). This position may even be held by a skilled non-drow in modern Menzoberranzan, the granting of the position itself being a way to help make the holder more loyal (as they feel more powerful) and cut down on harassment by other members of the House (especially drow).
- Master of Secrecy: Never a common position, especially in the powerful Houses, this position is today only found in a few minor, "traditionalist" Houses. The master of secrecy is the House's internal security Head. He (the position is typically given to a male, most often a magic-user) is to ensure no one in the House leaks any secrets as well as protecting the House from spies, saboteurs, and scrying. Since the last is most often performed by the Head House Wizard, the greatest reason to have such a dedicated individual is already filled (this is the prime reason this position never became popular). This position is almost invariably held by a multi-classed magic-user, multi-classed as either a bounty hunter or a thief.
- Master of Secrets (referred to by commoners as the Master of Spies or Spymaster): This position was also never a common one, though it is still maintained by several lesser Houses, especially ones that believe in returning to "traditional ways". This position was not neglected due to lack of need, however. Instead, few Houses see any reason to announce who their chief spy is. Additioally, most matron mothers prefer to run their own spies, rather than relying on others to do so for them. Given all the other demands on a matron mother, as well as her level of visibility, this rarely works out ideally, but drow paranoia is too great for most to overcome.
- Master of Slaves (in some Houses, Commander of the Slaves): The master of slaves is usually the person in charge of overseeing everything to do with the daily routine of the slaves. In addition, the person that holds this position is also the one that commands them in battle. When filled by a drow a magic-user one with spells like sleep, charm person, web, suggestion, and hold person for use in controlling the slaves is usually looked for while the most preferred non-drow to hold this position are ogre-magi for the same abilities. Some Houses with especially large slave forces will have multiple holders of this position but this is rare. Instead the master of slaves usually has assistants that oversee each slave race or formation. Many masters of slaves are slaves themselves. Of note, House Hunzrin does not employ anyone in this position as most of their Nobles and troops are involved in overseeing the slaves directly.
- Head House Merchant: Despite the name, this position is usually an advisory one. This position is relatively new in Menzoberranzan's Houses, having come into vogue as trade has increased and Houses have risen and fallen based on their trading income. The Head House merchant usually surveys traveling merchants and other visitors to the city as well as observing prices and how well what sells in the bazaar while knowing what the House has to sell or could get into based on resources. This information is taken to the matron mother (or an assigned priestess as most matron mothers still refuse to accept the full importance of trade and dirty their hands with it directly--which is why this is not yet a Noble position in any House, or even one filled by a Noble) and recommendations are made on how to best sell the House's goods, what to invest in, how much to produce, and so on. As most Houses have little mercantile experience they usually have to hire a drow or duergar from the common population to fill this position. In fact, it is for this reason that the position has been created at all, as offering hired outsiders a position in the House not only binds them to it, but gives them prestige, increases loyalty, and reduces harassment and interference from others in the House and outside it. The few Houses that have brought in Menzoberriaur have not placed them in this position but may have them report to the person in this position (this is never done with clergy, however).
- Mistress of Ceremonies: The mistress of ceremonies of a House is usually the highest ranking priestess that is not one of the matron mother's daughters. In any event, she must be a high priestess by tradition. Simply, the mistress of ceremonies's duties are to oversee the House chapel and to conduct the common ceremonies and services. Ceremonies of great importance are performed by the matron mother herself. The mistress of ceremonies is usually also in charge of the lesser clergy of the House, including overseeing their continued training and deployment in battle.
Duties:
The following duties are performed by a variety of members of the House. Some are dedicated positions in some Houses while most are simply special duties assigned that are in addition to the normal duties of certain members of the House (like guarding, crafting, training, etc.). Many of these duties fall on hired outsiders or even slaves (especially if the position reports to a non-drow).
- Chapel Maintenance: Acolytes and priestesses-in-training perform most of the work of maintaining the House chapel, though the Mistress of Ceremonies is often in charge of the chapel itself or has a lesser priestess (typically around 5th level) with this assigned function. A well-maintained chapel, always ready for presentation to any higher ranking Noble matron (or even just the House's own matron!) is an absolute requirement in any House. The Spider Queen is far too unpredictable to risk her disfavor over something as simple as melted candles or dust (webs are allowed as long as they are used, cobwebs--uninhabited webs just gathering dust--are cleared away as well).
- Component Preparation: This duty is ideally overseen by a magic-user of 3rd or 4th level, though in most Houses, mages of 1st or 2nd level perform this duty. 0th level mages-in-training are often assigned to help along with priestly acolytes. This duty is simply the preparation and preservation of material spell components. Even something as common as bat guano must be collected and stored, lest the House come under attack and not be able to utilize its most effective magics. The wrap cantrip and preserve spell are the most important magics used in this process but more important is that low level spellcasters learn the various material components, their handling, and the methods of their storage and preservation. Cantrips (not just wrap, but also ones like gather) are particularly useful in this process and acolytes are too important to waste on such tedium. This thankless duty can actually have quite a bit of power were the performers of it to be bribed but most of the time it is a thankless job that requires careful record keeping, an eye to detail, and long hours. Most Houses try to avoid spending money on material components whenever possible so producing or acquiring their own is also an important task and the person in charge of managing the stores of components must know which are considered the most critical by his seniors. Cantrips and spells can provide some minor components but few Houses waste 5th level mages that can hurl fireballs and lightning bolts on this position so the highly useful material spell is less frequently used in this process than might be expected. A few magically powerful Houses, such as Xorlarrin, are known to do so, however.
- Head Cook: Most often a slave, the Head cook of a House actually has much more responsibility than just seeing to it that the food is not poisoned and is flavored to the matron mother's taste. The main duty is to see to it that sufficient stores are on hand at all times and that they are well preserved. Many face increasing battles with vermin, particularly insects, rats, and mice, that try to consume their stores. The Head Cook usually reports to the Head House Merchant.
- High Maid: The High Maid is a very coveted and prestigious position that surprisingly is rarely given to priestesses. Most High Maids are descended from a line that has served the House for generations. They are the primary servants of the Matron Mother, attending to her every need and whim. Each also wields incredible authority as they have de facto rule over the House's other servants. Even House troops can be taught subtle lessons if they overstep themselves with the High Maid of a House. Most High Maids are thieves or assassins and many have at least a little magical talent as well. They are always female drow but never members of the family or Noble. A High Maid is in many ways the overlooked, secret hand of their mistresses. They spy for the matron mother, are privy to many of her secrets, and perform a variety of secretive but low risk tasks for the matron mother. The High Maid's loyalty is to the matron mother personally and none other and even the dimmest matron mothers treat their High Maids extremely well, though not always publicly (many put on false displays of anger or suffering endurance with their High Maids and few ever reward their High Maids openly, though such rewards are always given by matron mothers that wish to survive long). Given their closeness to the old matron mother, it is no wonder than succeeding matron mothers almost invariably keep them on, regardless of what other changes or purges may occur in the House.
- Master of Crafts: The Master of Crafts is an important position in any House that produces any of its own equipment or makes items for sale. This position always reports to the Head House Merchant and is rarely held by anyone other than a drow or duergar. In some Houses, those with varied industry, there is one for each area (such as smithing and forging, leatherwork and textiles, gems and jewelry, and so on). The Master of Crafts wields a lot of low level power in the House, as he or she determines which craftsmen are rewarded, which do the best work, which ones are junior and senior (particularly the distinctions between master, apprentice, and joureyman levels), and so on. As well, they are responsible for evaluating any new craftsman to be recruited into the House. Finally, they are in charge of insuring the House maintains enough supplies, whether pots and pans or arrows and bolts, and that those they do have are kept in prime condition (especially weapons and armor). This is a duty they work closely with the House Weaponmaster on. Masters of Crafts who do well are often in line to become Head House Merchants and may be rewarded with favors or money if they increase the House's profits.
- Master of Farms: The Master of Farms is a full-time position in Houses that have heavy farming interests. Most drow Masters of the Farm are low level Wizards (sprout, precipitate, cloudburst, gust of wind, zephyr, material, and similar magics are very useful to them) but usually report to the Master of Slaves, since most farming is actually done by slaves. In addition to overseeing food crops, the Master of Farms also oversees the growth of fungi, lichens, molds, and plants for spell components and defense (shriekers are most common). Of all the additional positions/duites listed here, this one is the least prestigious. It is taken seriously, however, for it can weaken a House's magic and defenses as well as hurting income (depending on the House). Good Masters of Farms do their job without thanks or being noticed by their superiors while poor ones become fertilizer if they can't demonstrate more usefulness to the House in some other position (it doesn't do to waste magic-users if they are actually combat-capable). Every Noble of House Hunzrin is a Master of Farms.
- Master of Herds (aka, Master of Stables or Master of Animals): Most Houses maintain a stable of riding lizard mounts as well as other animals for defense (particularly trained pedipalps), food (rothe herds are most common), and use (such as pack lizards). The Master of Herds is a full time job for those in larger Houses or that rely heavily on herding, though even there drow Masters of Herds must be trained warriors (many multi-class as Wizards and this is one of the few acceptable occupations for the rare male priests of Lolth). Masters of the Herd have thankless jobs that can mean the difference between life and death for their Houses (if the House relies on herding and a large portion of the herd is lost to raiders, disease, or the like) and the superiors therein (such as if a Noble takes an injured mount on patrol). Drow society being what it is, this means poor Masters of the Herd usually end up as feed for their own charges while good ones are allowed to maintain their positions and the slight prestige (and heavy responsibility) that comes with them. Since most of the actual caring for the animals is performed by slaves, many Masters of the Herd are either Master of Slaves for their House or and underling thereof. The term Master of Mounts is considered a deadly insult to Masters of the Herd, though no one recalls why. Every one of House Hunzrin's Nobles is considered a Master of Herds.
- Master of Maintenance: Masters of Maintenance are in charge of ensuring new construction is properly conducted (though mining is generally overseen by a Master of the Mine for each mine the House has, the Master of the Mine is also the foreman and reports to either the Master of Maintenance or the Master of Slaves), that structural integrity of existing constructions is maintained, and that future construction projects are foreseen and planned for. Typically the Master of Maintenance reports to the House Weaponmaster as the House's defense falls into his realm. Despite this, more Masters of Maintenance are magic-users than fighters (mainly because most Masters of Maintenance are proficient in engineering and magic-users more often learn this skill than fighters). Masters of Maintenance have a thankless job but are rarely forgotten by good matron mothers and Weaponmasters the way Masters of Farms and Herds are as the defense of the House is important. The incentive to excel in this position can even be high and several Houses have spells for construction and defense developed by enterprising Masters of Maintenance looking for favor. All Masters of Maintenance are drow. With the possible exception of House Baenre, no House has enough buildings and construction that it requires a full-time Master of Maintenance.