House Barabas

House Barabas is fairly new to Athkatla, having been built during the last two generations, though is has come to power by merging with the older Coronado House. Little is know if the houses founder Owen Barabas, other than he came to Athkatla in his late twenties with a few scars and a lot of money. He purchased a ranch outside of Athkatla and began raising cattle and then later expanded his ranch to include farming various crops. He was successful as a rancher and farmer, but his greatest success was without a doubt his charm.

Owen was at home at the most formal of gatherings or the seediest of bars. It was this ability that allowed Owen to make contacts in both the highest and lowest of places. He used these contacts to make shipping and supply contracts for his produce and cattle, which made him a wealthy man, but it was the information that he dealt that began House Barabas. When anyone comes to power quickly there are always rumors, but it has been said that of all the guilds Owen made ties with his strongest were with the Shadow Thieves. What is known for certain is that many of the contracts that launched House Barabas were given out rather surprisingly, however Owen always delivered and when it comes to business that¹s what keeps the
contracts.

It was also his charm that won him the love of Gwen Coronado, and his contacts that convinced her father, a very successful gem merchant, to agree to the marriage of his only child. Gwen was one of the most beautiful and highly sought after ladies of the time, and a marriage to her would be both socially and financially rewarding. Gwen¹s father, Gerald Coronado, was a rich jewelry merchant with mines in the mountains North of Athkatla and a seat on the Jeweler¹s Guild. Upon his passing House Coronado¹s entire holding and Guild seat came under the control of House Barabas.

Though the politics of the House are still under the control of the aging Owen, the financial side has been turned over to Owen and Gwen¹s son, Gerald. Gerald greatly expanded the holdings, and power, of the House, by purchasing skilled craftsman who had been enslaved due to debt. Gerald would allow these craftsmen to work off their debt while he managed their
failed business. Once a debt had been repaid Gerald would continue to manage the business, but free the craftsman and allow him or her a larger share of the profits. This not only increased the holdings of House Barabas, but its¹ popularity as well. By doing this House Barabas helped many merchants who were skilled craftsmen, but poor businessmen, to work and stay in business. This also gave House Barabas an inlet to almost every guild and type of business in Athkatla.

Gerald had gotten the idea from his father, who openly objected to the way the Slaver¹s guild imported and exported slaves. Owen believed that slavery was to be used as a replacement for prisons, and that only people convicted of crimes should be enslaved. Acting on this belief Owen would purchase slaves that had been convicted of crimes in Athkatla, give them a sentence that fit their crime, and then put them to work in the House mines. Those who were enslaved due to debt were given jobs on the House farm where they and their families were given a place to live. All of the children on the farm were educated, all of the workers were provided with food, shelter and clothing along with medical care. All slaves debtor or criminal were freed when his or her debt was repaid or sentence was ended. Upon being freed each person was given the choice to continue their work and be paid, or to leave. None left the farm, and many of the criminals who worked the mines chose to stay on as foreman, guards or support staff at the mines.

Gerald has tried to pass along his father values and his business knowledge to his three children Danira, Owen, and Gwen. The two daughters, Danira, the oldest, and Gwen, the youngest, were sent to Cavelli¹s to learn music. Owen, who took after his grandfather in more than just name, was sent to the Mage¹s school, in the hope that the training would tame him a little.

There are a few houses that would like to see the fall of House Barabas, but because of its¹ popularity with the public, influence in many of the guilds, and the army of former slaves turned guards protecting the many holdings, any direct action would prove costly.