Harkonnen Noble

House Privilege

You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. The Harkonnens control an empire, and their wealth knows no bounds. They are immensely wealthy, and are unafraid to flaunt your wealth, as Harkonnens are known for their almost grotesque abundance. Their capital was Giedi Prime, a heavily industrialised planet with a low photosynthetic potential, the dark forested worlds, interspersed with volcanic rock, and (most likely) you were born there.

House Harkonnen had built its power on maximising production output, and minimising production expenses by ignoring economically ethical behaviour. Indeed, Harkonnen governing was based upon a simple foundation of fear and terror. They were used in governance, in the day-to-day running of the Harkonnen household, and in controlling the Harkonnen armies. With a social order based on treachery and punishment, soldiers rose through the ranks through deceit, trickery and, if necessary, assassination. House Harkonnen was most famous for its underhanded and sinister political tactics, and for an ancient feud it maintained with another Great House, House Atreides. 

Feud with House Atreides

The feud with House Atreides ignited 10,000 years before when an Atreides had a Harkonnen banished for cowardice after the Butlerian Jihad. Since then, the Harkonnen empire has grown and flourished throughout the Empire. After the initial feud, the Harkonnens were able to make their wealth creating and selling the commodity Whale Fur. 

Fremen Enslavement:

The Harkonnen's control of the planet Arrakis allowed for them to have key control over the spice melange, and in order to both pay back the tithe awarded by the Emperor and to grow their own wealth, the Harkonnen's enslaved many of the native people of Arrakis (known as the Fremen). Because of this, the Fremen hold an almost eternal grudge against the Harkonnen family, and while they are unable to actively attack the house they will align against them when possible. 

Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion

Tool Proficiencies: You are proficient in driving orinthopiters. 

 

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A noble title comes with a plethora of bonds—responsibilities to family, to other nobles (including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to the family’s care, or even to the title itself. But this responsibility is often a good way to undermine a noble.

d8	Personality Trait
1	My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world.
2	The common folk love me for my kindness and generosity.
3	No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses.
4	I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions.
5	I don’t like to get my hands dirty, and I won’t be caught dead in unsuitable accommodations.
6	Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood.
7	My favor, once lost, is lost forever.
8	If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields.

d6	Ideal
1	Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good)
2	Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful)
3	Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic)
4	Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil)
5	Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any)
6	Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good)

d6	Bond
1	I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family.
2	My house’s alliance with another noble family must be sustained at all costs.
3	Nothing is more important than the other members of my family.
4	I am in love with the heir of a family that my family despises.
5	My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering.
6	The common folk must see me as a hero of the people.

d6	Flaw
1	I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me.
2	I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever.
3	I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger.
4	I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures.
5	In fact, the world does revolve around me.
6	By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family.