Greetings Carants!
It's time for another lore post! Today, we delve into the Merchant's Congregation. We're sure you recognise them from the first GreedFall game - they were the very faction your character was from.
Ready your feathery hats and get ready to dramatically open some doors. We've got a long one here for you.
A MERCHANT CITY
The Congregation of Merchants is a league of multiple relatively autonomous city-states. Their power has long been based on trade, the nation ruled by a merchant class via the Council of the Congregation. Remaining neutral despite the various conflicts breaking out over the rest of the continent, they continue selling goods and weapons to all who would buy.
Yet with their overexploitation of natural resources, the Malichor plague, and the increased battles for influence between city-states, their power and influence have slowly been declining for many years.
EXPLORATION IN NEW LANDS
The first nation taken to Teer Fradee by the Nauts over a century ago, they attempted to conquer the island to no avail: when trying to exploit the land, the natives retaliated and drove them out of the land. Ashamed of the defeat they suffered, they paid the Nauts to keep their failures along with the existence of the island a secret. Continuing to pillage the island, they’d often take natives captive.
One such native gave birth to a child aboard a ship during the voyage back. This baby was then taken and given to a continental woman who raised it as her own.
CONSEQUENCES AND RETURN
Taking the child would have its consequences, however; Naut tradition was infringed as those born at sea must join the Nauts as ‘sea given.’ This voided their contract, and though they didn’t disclose the Congregation’s previous exploits, they soon sold the location of the island to other factions who proceeded to colonise it.
This left the Congregation with no choice but to return. Lady Morange, a woman versed in diplomacy and passionate about foreign cultures became the first governor sent to the island. Creating a city, New Serene, she began establishing diplomatic relations with the other nations and natives living on the island.
Later, by order of the Prince d’Orsay, Constantin d’Orsay took over this role.
ON THE D’ORSAYS
There are two main subfactions within the Congregation: the d’Orsay and the de Vespe. The first hails from the city of Serene, one of the most important cities in the Congregation, with Lord Claude d’Orsay, Constantin’s Father, as its Prince Elect. Dominating Serene, they hold incredible influence over the Council of Congregation to the point where they’ve become synonymous with it.
On top of that, Prince Claude’s reign has seen his family become even more prominent since they spearheaded the foundation of a colony on Teer Fradee. That said, they are not without their rivals – due to the young Constantin’s follies, other factions have begun aspiring to leadership, leading them to be particularly vigilant.
ON THE DE VESPES
Lead by Prince Alexander, this house hails from the city of Peren, the former capital of an ancient empire. Powerful in Peren, their influence has been stifled by Seren’s and the house d’Orsay’s rise. They’ve long since held power on the council due to the seniority of their house, but since having to bend the knee to the d’Orsay, this has been lost along with any means of reclaiming their position. Unaverse to assassination, espionage, and blackmail to achieve their goals, the de Vespes have a rather sinister reputation within other Congregation cities.
While Prince Alexander mostly avoids direct violence, the ambition he instilled in his children has led them to resort to increasingly extreme means, leading many to succumb to family infighting. His only remaining son, Octave, outlived his brothers due to his penchant for both violence and terror, along with his tendency to destroy all opposition: the Misa, Peren’s River, is said to flow with the blood of his enemies.
THAT'S ALL, FOLKS
With this post, we’ve now talked about all the factions you can meet in the game! Thélème, Deutan, the Nauts, the Coin Guard, the Bridge Alliance, and finally, the Congregation of Merchants.
You’ll be able to meet all of them in GreedFall: The Dying World, and we look forward to seeing you discover more about them.
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