House of the 2nd Meridian
Eclectic pragmatists inducting hypercompetitive members on merit
Founded by Quinnay Fredding, 2nd House is unique in that its membership (and succession) are not a matter of blood, but competence and honor. These traditions have proved to be a double-edged sword for the house as its members tend to be competent, confident, and extremely ready to sabotage their rivals—both without and more commonly within their house even by the standards of the notoriously intrigue-prone Meridian Houses. Rank is generally determined by the amount of value one has added to 2nd House (which is usually but not always measured in gold) and proudly worn as medals by its members (counting down from 10; 1st Rank is Binder-Lord). As a secondary effect of this practice the house is incredibly diverse and current gnomish Binder-Lord Hatarang Indleprompt-Fredding presides over annual house entrance exams (summed up in the challenge “Impress Us”) to admit new members with entrants that include the recently matured children of current members.
2ND HOUSE MANOR-TOWER DISTRICT
This area of the city is an eclectic assortment of styles and clashing visions, as each Binder-Lord or aristo-crat demanded their section be built to their specifications. Somehow, it all works together
NOTABLE MEMBERS OF 2ND HOUSE
Current Binder-Lord: Hatarang Indleprompt-Fredding is a devilishly clever gnome who enjoys prospecting and developing talent while ensuring the ambitions of his underlings ultimately thwart each other.
Founding Binder-Lord (Deceased): Quinnay Fredding was a half-elf known for his exceptional shrewd-ness and disdain for those he felt had not earned their position.
2nd House Sergeant-at-Arms: The tiefling wizard Kindine Drade (formerly a lesser, lesser cousin of 11th House) won her position in 2nd House through a show of magical competence and has been steadily climbing the ranks, striving to find some way to advance from Sergeant-at-Arms to named 2nd House heir.