Dawn economic interests

Money is a frequent challenge in Dawn, especially for the noble houses. Few Dawnish find any glory in making money; a focus on money is seen as tawdry, something that is properly beneath those who have proven themselves so most nobility express a very public disdain for it. As a result merchants and those who handle money are normally yeoman.

Of course the bills must still be paid, so most houses employ at least one Castellan. Castellans are yeomen skilled with accounts and investments and appointed to handle a houses finances. The Castellan runs the house's affairs on behalf of the nobility, and is often be one of the most powerful individuals in the house.

Because of the disdain for fiscal matters, the use of a servant is more common in the Kingdom of Dawn than in most parts of the Empire. It is quite common for nobility and even Knights-errant to have a valet, a personal servant, who handles all their personal affairs for them. By necessity, there is usually a deep bond of trust between a noble and their valet and they are often close friends.

Most Dawn merchants are yeoman, but skilled craftsmen, particularly blacksmiths are just as likely to be members of the nobility. But yeoman or noble, Dawn blacksmiths often prefer to dedicate their time to making glorious weapons that can be wielded by great heroes, rather than producing a dozen breastplates for a unit of yeoman soldiers. Because of this most houses struggle to find ways to equip their soldiers.

As a result the nobility are forced to turn to the more prosperous nations such as the Brass Coast or the the League to equip their forces, a situation that their neighbours are never slow to point out whenever they want to irritate their Dawn neighbours.