Well… that was interesting: Dune RPG Collab Game 1 – Session 0.8 - Additional House Creation

We Are House Atreides. There Is No Call We Do Not Answer. There Is No Faith That We Betray. The Emperor Asks Us To Bring Peace To Arrakis. House Atreides Accepts!
Duke Leto Atreides

Session 0.8 – Additional House Creation

In this eighth part for our session 0, I’ll be defining the dominant house (House Solari) that rules over both House Maestoso and Houe Obsidian for my first Collaborative Game of of Dune: Adventures in the Imperium with the Space Cowboy. Additionally, we’ll create a basic sheet for House Vespertine as well. You’ll find out more about House Vespertine once we launch the game and give you some background.

You can read the other posts related to Session 0 by clicking the appropriate link below:

I’ve already detailed House Creation in Session 0.2, so we’ll move quickly to define this dominant house major.

As I sat down to delve into the House sheets and update the previous House Creation posts, I had an idea. Why not create a dedicated subpage for this game, similar to the one we made for the characters? While creating multiple houses isn’t part of the core rules, we decided to explore this avenue for our collaborative solo play. Both the Space Cowboy and I will be controlling separate houses, adding an intriguing dynamic to our storytelling. As I worked on the page detailing the houses and referencing information the Space Cowboy and I have been chatting about, House Solari and House Vespertine both play a role in our story. It became clear that we needed to create a house sheet for both of these houses. Simply for context between the Space Cowboy and myself as a valuable reference as we continue our game.

House Solari – House Type

House Solari is a House Major.

HOUSE MAJOR
The House is the ruling power of an entire planet. Several Minor Houses serve its interests and it is a serious contender in the politics of the Imperium. The House has several agents and soldiers at its command and is a leading force in at least one area of commerce. Unfortunately, this sort of power does not come without making enemies. Spies and assassins are everywhere and there are many rival Houses, Great and Minor, that covet the power and resources this House possesses.
Dune: Adventures in the Imperium – Chapter 3 – House Type – Page 86.

We are not going to be concerned with Threat as detailed on page 155 of the core rulebook. This house sheet will only be for reference purposes only and at this time will not play an active part as a group of players in a house might do.

House Solari – Domains

For a House Major, the house has 1 primary domain and 2 secondary domains.

Checking my records so far for House Solari, and its home planet Aurelia I don’t find any real specifics, so we’re going to make their domains all Military in nature.

Their Primary domain will be Military Machinery, followed by Military Understanding then Military Produce. Many great houses bless them with riches for the quality of their Machinery etc.

MILITARY
While war is rarer than assassination, no House wants another to see they have a weak military, as that may be considered an invitation. Military actions are costly and logistically difficult, often requiring expensive Guild payments to move troops to another planet. But if you want to take land or facilities from another House you need soldiers to claim and occupy it.
Machinery: Battlefield weapons, artillery, large-scale
shields, tanks
Produce: Ammunition, personal weapons, small arms
(rifles, pistols, etc.)
Expertise: Tacticians, officers, strategists
Workers: Soldiers, engineers, pilots, logistics personnel
Understanding: Military strategies and new tactics
Dune: Adventures in the Imperium – Chapter 3 – Areas of Expertise – Page 89.

I fed the following basic description of House Solari into ChatGPT:

House Solari, located on the planet Aurelia, is the ruling house over House Maestoso and House Obsidian. Their Primary domain will be Military Machinery, followed by Military Understanding then Military Produce. Many great houses bless them with riches for the quality of their Machinery etc. Give me a brief description of this house.

There were a couple of things it produced that I asked it to either eliminate or change and this is the result:

House Solari, the ruling house over House Maestoso and House Obsidian on the planet Aurelia, is renowned for its mastery of Military Machinery. With a primary domain focused on Military Machinery and secondary domains in Military Understanding and Military Produce, House Solari excels in the production, utilization, and understanding of advanced military technologies.

Their military machinery is unparalleled, crafted with precision and innovative design, earning them a reputation for excellence and reliability. The House’s engineers, artisans, and technicians possess unrivaled skills in creating cutting-edge weaponry, armor, vehicles, and other military assets. Their advanced understanding of military strategies and tactics allows House Solari to effectively employ their machinery in battle, gaining a strategic advantage over their adversaries.

House Solari’s military prowess is not only recognized by their vassal houses but also by other great houses within the Imperium. Their reputation for delivering high-quality military machinery and equipment has earned them the favor and patronage of influential factions seeking to bolster their own forces. Many great houses eagerly trade their riches for the exceptional craftsmanship and technological advancements provided by House Solari.

As the ruling house over House Maestoso and House Obsidian, House Solari wields significant political and military influence. Their military machinery serves as the backbone of their power, enabling them to maintain control and defend their interests on Aurelia and beyond. The House’s position of authority and their formidable military capabilities have solidified their status as a dominant force in the Imperium.

With their primary domain in Military Machinery, House Solari continues to innovate and push the boundaries of military technology. Their dedication to preserving tradition and their commitment to excellence make them a formidable force to be reckoned with. As the story unfolds, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of House Solari’s military might and witness the impact of their advanced machinery on the events that shape the destiny of Aurelia and its ruling factions.

I used Midjourney to come up with a visual for Aurelia.

I fed it this prompt:

/imagine A lush green and blue planet as seen from space. Ultra Realistic --aspect 2:1

And got the following result:

Once again, I used Midjourney to come up with a visual for House Solari’s coat of arms and banner.

I used the following two prompts:

/imagine <https://s.mj.run/U2RLoLA1oDA> a house banner using the crest in the image. --aspect 2:1
/imagine <https://s.mj.run/J6ZX0GRtTP8> a flag flying high using the crest in the image above a large regal city . --aspect 2:1 --iw 2

You can see the results of the hoes banner and flag, along with some cityscapes created for Aurelia in the following results:

House Solari – Traits

Like we did for House Threats, we are going to do for House Traits as well for House Solari and not be concerned about those right now, as I don’t believe at this time it will be important.

House Solari – Roles

And finally for Roles, I use ChatGPT like I did in Session 0.2, to come up with names and 1-2 traits for each role and listed below is the output it gave me. However, the Space Cowboy and I already have some names for specific roles, so those were fed into ChatGPT as well.

Here are the results:

Ruler: Arch Duke Lucius Solari
Traits: Resolute, Visionary
Description: As the paragon of aristocracy, Arch Duke Lucius Solari commands respect and admiration. His resolute nature ensures that he upholds House Solari’s legacy with unwavering dedication. With a visionary outlook, he fosters prosperity and stability on Aurelia, valuing the preservation of tradition, loyalty, and honor above all else.

Consort: Lady Seraphina Solari
Traits: Graceful, Charismatic
Description: Lady Seraphina Solari is the elegant and charismatic consort of Arch Duke Lucius. Her gracefulness adds a touch of sophistication to the house’s social interactions, and her natural charisma allows her to navigate diplomatic circles with finesse and charm.

Advisor: Lord Maximilian Talon
Traits: Wise, Discerning
Description: Lord Maximilian Talon is a trusted advisor to Arch Duke Lucius, known for his wisdom and discerning insights. With his depth of knowledge and keen intellect, he provides valuable counsel to the ruler, helping shape the house’s strategies and decisions.

Chief Physician: Dr. Aurelia Vega
Traits: Skilled Healer, Compassionate
Description: Dr. Aurelia Vega is the esteemed chief physician of House Solari. With her exceptional healing skills, she tends to the health and well-being of the house’s members. Her compassionate nature ensures that she provides not only medical expertise but also care and support to those in need.

Councilor: Lady Isabella D’Amore
Traits: Diplomatic, Persuasive
Description: Lady Isabella D’Amore serves as a councilor, representing the interests of House Solari. Her diplomatic finesse and persuasive abilities make her a valuable asset in negotiating alliances and navigating political intricacies. She is adept at finding common ground and fostering cooperation among different factions.

Envoy: Ambassador Valerius Blackthorn
Traits: Astute Negotiator, Eloquent Speaker
Description: Ambassador Valerius Blackthorn is the skilled envoy of House Solari, entrusted with diplomatic missions. As an astute negotiator, he navigates complex political landscapes with finesse. His eloquent speaking abilities allow him to represent House Solari’s interests effectively on the international stage.

Heir: Prince Augustus Solari
Traits: Ambitious, Intelligent
Description: Prince Augustus Solari, the heir to House Solari, is driven by ambition and possesses a keen intellect. He aspires to further the legacy of his house and is constantly seeking ways to expand its influence and power. His intelligence and strategic thinking make him a promising leader for the future.

Marshal: General Victor Ironfist
Traits: Strategist, Fearless Leader
Description: General Victor Ironfist is the renowned marshal of House Solari’s military forces. As a brilliant strategist, he plans and executes military campaigns with precision. His fearless leadership inspires troops and ensures that House Solari’s military strength remains unmatched.

Scholar: Professor Helena Evergreen
Traits: Knowledgeable, Analytical
Description: Professor Helena Evergreen is a highly knowledgeable scholar within House Solari. Her expertise spans various fields of study, and her analytical mind allows her to delve deep into complex subjects. She is a valuable resource for acquiring information and unraveling the mysteries of the Imperium.

Spymaster: Lord Sebastian Shadowcloak
Traits: Cunning, Master of Intrigue
Description: Lord Sebastian Shadowcloak is the elusive spymaster of House Solari. With his cunning nature, he operates in the shadows, gathering intelligence and manipulating events behind the scenes. His mastery of intrigue and espionage ensures that House Solari remains well-informed and one step ahead of its rivals.

Swordmaster: Sir Roland Stormblade
Traits: Skilled Swordsman, Disciplined
Description: Sir Roland Stormblade is the esteemed swordmaster of House Solari. With his exceptional swordsmanship skills, he represents the epitome of discipline and martial prowess. As a mentor and trainer, he hones the combat abilities of House Solari’s warriors, ensuring they are formidable on the battlefield.

Treasurer: Countess Celestia Goldheart
Traits: Meticulous, Financial Savvy
Description: Countess Celestia Goldheart manages the financial affairs of House Solari with meticulous precision. Her financial savvy ensures that the house’s resources are effectively allocated and managed. She oversees the treasury, ensuring the prosperity and stability of House Solari’s economic ventures.

Warmaster: General Magnus Steelthorn
Traits: Battle-Hardened, Inspirational
Description: General Magnus Steelthorn is the battle-hardened warmaster of House Solari. With his extensive combat experience, he leads House Solari’s forces into battle, instilling confidence and inspiration in his troops. His strategic brilliance and unwavering resolve make him a formidable force on the battlefield.

House Vespertine

There is not much known about House Vespertine at this time. All that is known is that its ruler is Baron Vespertine who was once rumored to be a distant cousin of Arch Duke Solari, he has emerged as a shadowy figure and an agent of disruption in the power dynamics of Aurelia. The whispers surrounding his relation to the ruling family add a chilling undertone to the unfolding events. Some even suggest a long-held grudge or hidden rivalry between House Vespertine and House Solari, fueling the tension between the two factions.

Bookkeeping

Taking this information we’ve generated here, we’ll once again jot this down on a House Sheet, and print off a couple of pages with the house/home world description and a page detailing the NPCs for the roles we have defined.

I created a House Page for House Salari and placed all of this information, along with its initial House Sheet, which can be found by clicking here. I did the same for House Vespertine, and that can be found by clicking here.

In the next post, we’ll start to design our characters.

Till next time!

Resources Used

Dune: Adventures in the Imperium Core Rulebook.
Mythic Game Master Emulator Second Edition (MGME2E)
ChatGPT for generating a description of various elements as noted.
Midjourney for creating imagery the enemy homeworld, banner etc.

Well… that was interesting: Dune RPG Collab Game 1 – Session 0.8 – Additional House Creation