DREAMS
March 21st, 10199

The desert wind howled loudly as twilight finally settled, bringing the night sky of Arrakis to life. The sands seemed calm nearby, but on the horizon, a colossal shai-hulud moved across the surface before burrowing into the sand after devouring what appeared to be the wreckage of an merchant ship.

The powerful rumble and roar of the majestically terrifying creature echoed, causing a small family of muad'dibs to scamper around the couple. Leo seemed focused on his task of setting up the stilltent while Luiza finished roasting a small desert hare over a fire atop one of the desert cliffs, which offered the duo an arch-shaped shelter.

※ ORIGINS AND RISE

House Verbena, a prominent Minor House on the oceanic planet of Caladan, was founded centuries before the reign of Duke Leto Atreides, tracing its lineage to early settlers who thrived in the planet’s fertile coastal regions. Named after the resilient Sand Verbena flower (زهرة الرمل, Zahrat al-Raml in Arabic), which blooms vibrantly along Caladan’s shores, the House embodied adaptability and quiet strength. By the early 11th millennium, under the leadership of Count Ali'mar, House Verbena had grown into a significant political and commercial force within the Landsraad, despite its Minor House status.Count Ali'mar, a charismatic and astute noble, was married to Sister Amira bint Khalid (أميرة بنت خالد), a Bene Gesserit trained in the arts of diplomacy, Truthsaying, and Fertility Control. Their union, arranged as part of the Bene Gesserit Breeding Program, strengthened House Verbena’s influence, blending Ali'mar’s political acumen with Amira’s strategic foresight. Amira’s counsel ensured the House’s decisions aligned with long-term stability, while her Bene Gesserit connections provided discreet access to intelligence networks across the Imperium.

※ POLITICS AND LANDSRAAD

As a Minor House, Verbena’s voting power in the Landsraad was limited compared to Great Houses like Atreides or Corrino. However, Count Ali'mar emerged as a formidable advocate for Minor Houses, earning a reputation as their voice in the High Council. His friendship with Duke Leto Atreides, forged through mutual respect for loyalty and justice, elevated Verbena’s standing. Ali'mar’s speeches in the Landsraad emphasized equitable trade policies and protections for Minor Houses against exploitation by Great Houses or the Emperor. His diplomatic skill, amplified by Sister Amira’s subtle guidance, made House Verbena a trusted mediator in disputes among Minor Houses on Caladan and beyond.House Verbena’s loyalty to House Atreides was unwavering. They provided logistical support, managing supply chains for Atreides’ orchards and fisheries, and served as advisors in local governance. Their estate in Caladan, a fortified villa adorned with Sand Verbena motifs, was a hub for political gatherings, where Ali'mar hosted Minor House leaders to coordinate strategies within the Landsraad.

※ CULTURAL SIGNIGICANCE

House Verbena embraced Caladan’s oceanic culture, incorporating maritime traditions into their identity. Their coat-of-arms, a golden Sand Verbena flower encircled by waves, symbolized resilience and prosperity. They sponsored festivals celebrating Caladan’s fishing heritage, where Zahra Rice dishes were shared with local communities, reinforcing their bond with the planet’s people. Sister Amira, with her Bene Gesserit training, also patronized educational programs, fostering literacy and agricultural innovation among Caladan’s youth, including her daughter, Luiza, born in 10173.

Verbena house seal

※ ECONOMIC POWER: PUNDI RICE

Caladan’s economy thrived on agriculture, fishing, and trade, with pundi rice, fine wines, and seafood as major exports. House Verbena carved a niche in the pundi rice trade, specializing in a rare, high-quality strain known as Zahra Rice, a golden-hued, aromatic variety cultivated in the tidal flats near Cala City. This rice, prized for its flavor and nutritional value, became a luxury commodity across the Imperium, favored by Great Houses and even the Imperial Court.Through shrewd negotiations, Count Ali'mar secured a significant stake in the Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles (CHOAM), leveraging House Verbena’s agricultural expertise to gain a foothold in interplanetary commerce. While not a director, Ali'mar’s influence in CHOAM’s secondary markets, particularly in agricultural exports, yielded substantial wealth. The House established a network of trade routes, utilizing Caladan’s fishing trawlers and small spacecraft to transport Zahra Rice to key markets, often in partnership with the Spacing Guild. This venture ensured House Verbena’s fortune, with profits reinvested into Cala City and rural areas infrastructure, including advanced irrigation systems and trade depots, further solidifying their economic importance

PUNDI RICE

※ THE WAR OF ASSASSINS

The War of Assassins, reignited in 10187 between Houses Moritani, Harkonnen, Ecaz, Swordmasters, and Atreides, proved catastrophic for House Verbena. As loyal allies of House Atreides, they were targeted by House Harkonnen, who sought to cripple Atreides’ logistics network.During a coordinated assault on Caladan, House Verbena’s estate was razed, and Count Ali'mar, Sister Amira, and most of their household were killed defending against a Harkonnen raid. The attack aimed to disrupt Atreides’ supply lines, but it also served as a warning to other Minor Houses aligned with Leto.The massacre decimated House Verbena’s leadership and operations, scattering their wealth and influence. However, a significant portion of their CHOAM holdings, safeguarded in secure accounts, was preserved, intended for their sole surviving heir, Luiza, who was training on Wallach IX with the Bene Gesserit at the time. The Bene Gesserit, aware of the tragedy, withheld news of her family’s fate to manipulate Luiza’s path, intending to use her as a Truthsayer for House Harkonnen.

LANDSRAAD
OFFICIAL ARTWORK

※ Imperial Decree

By the Grace of His Imperial Majesty, Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, Sovereign of the Known Universe, Lord of House Corrino, and Guardian of the ImperiumTo All Noble Houses of the Landsraad and the Peoples of the ImperiumWHEREAS, House Verbena, a noble Minor House of Caladan, served with distinction under Count Ali'mar, whose loyalty to House Atreides and sacrifice in the War of Assassins of 10187 upheld the honor of the Imperium.WHEREAS, Luiza bint Ali'mar, sole heir of House Verbena, has demonstrated exceptional resilience, wisdom, and mastery of disciplines befitting her lineage, proving her worth as successor to her father’s title.WHEREAS, the stability of the Imperium, particularly on Arrakis, where Our Sardaukar ensure the flow of spice, demands the recognition of capable leaders to maintain order and loyalty within the Landsraad.NOW, THEREFORE, I, Shaddam Corrino IV, Padishah Emperor, by the supreme authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim and decree:Luiza bint Ali'mar is officially recognized as Countess Luiza of House Verbena, inheriting all rights, privileges, and holdings within the Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles (CHOAM), as well as the responsibilities of her House’s legacy.House Verbena is reaffirmed as a noble Minor House of the Imperium, with its estates and influence to be restored under Countess Luiza’s leadership, subject to the laws of the Landsraad and Our Imperial oversight.Let it be known that this decree ratifies Countess Luiza’s ascension, ensuring House Verbena’s place within the Faufreluches system, under Our vigilant watch, to serve the greater good of the Imperium.Signed and Sealed
Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV
Kaitain, Imperial Seat
In the Presence of Witnesses:
Count Hasimir Fenring, Imperial Advisor
Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, Bene Gesserit TruthsayerProclaimed in Kaitain, Year 10199

※ Mandate of Duke Leto Atreides

By the Grace of His Excellency, Duke Leto Atreides, Lord of Caladan, Siridar-Duke of the Imperium, and Protector of ArrakisTo All Minor Houses of the Landsraad and the Peoples of ArrakisWHEREAS, House Verbena, under the newly ratified Countess Luiza bint Ali'mar, has proven its enduring loyalty to House Atreides and the principles of justice, as demonstrated by the sacrifice of Count Ali'mar in the War of Assassins of 10187.WHEREAS, the Minor Houses of the Imperium, though vital to the economic and cultural fabric of our worlds, lack a unified platform to address their concerns amidst the conflicts of Great Houses and the Imperial Throne’s oversight on Arrakis.WHEREAS, House Atreides, committed to equity and stability, seeks to foster a neutral forum where all Minor Houses may convene, free from the divisions of Great House rivalries, to strengthen the Imperium’s balance.NOW, THEREFORE, I, Duke Leto Atreides, by the authority of my House and my station, decree:Mandate for a Neutral Landsraad: Countess Luiza of House Verbena is tasked with forming and leading a neutral Landsraad on Arrakis, open to all Minor Houses, regardless of allegiance, to convene in Arrakeen and deliberate on matters of common interest, including trade, security, and representation.This Landsraad shall serve as a platform for Minor Houses to formulate policies, forge alliances, and present a unified voice to the official Landsraad overseen by Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, ensuring their concerns are heard without prejudice.House Atreides pledges diplomatic, logistical, and protective resources to Countess Luiza to establish and sustain this neutral Landsraad, fostering an environment of fairness and cooperation.Let it be known that this mandate empowers Countess Luiza to unite the Minor Houses in a neutral Landsraad, honoring House Verbena’s legacy and advancing the cause of justice on Arrakis, under the watchful gaze of the Imperium.Signed and Sealed
Duke Leto Atreides
Lord of Caladan, Protector of Arrakis
In the Presence of Witnesses:
Warmaster Gurney Halleck
Swordmaster Duncan Idaho
Lady Jessica, Concubine of House AtreidesProclaimed in Arrakeen, Arrakis, Year 10199

OOC Name: Hex
Age: 30+
Pronouns: He/Him
Timezone: MST // UTC -7
Open to DMs: Yes

• #hexzn

OOC Name: Bimbas
Age: 30+
Pronouns: She/Him
Timezone: BR // GMT-3
Open to DMs: Yes

• #biribimbas

• Narissian

• Bimbas