A5 Haxx Manor

A Bastion of Power and Strategy in Verbobonc

Haxx Manor is not merely a noble residence; it is the nerve-center of House Haxx, the power base of Lord Marakios Willem Haxx—Lord Mayor, royal tax collector, and one of the most ambitious men in Verbobonc. Strategically positioned in the High Quarter directly across from Castle Greyfist and the Verbobonc Mint, the compound allows Haxx to keep a close eye on both military authority and the city’s wealth.

The manor houses Lord Haxx’s household, the headquarters of Haxx’s Hardheads, and a small shrine to Joramy, patron of righteous wrath and burning resolve. Politics, soldiery, and coin all flow through these courtyards.

Use this location whenever you need:

• A hard-edged political patron or rival.
• Aggressive tax enforcement and “lawful” intimidation.
• A fortified urban stronghold that PCs might need to enter, impress, or infiltrate.

The Manor Compound

Castle-Like Residence – The main house and its attached wings form an inward-facing rectangle around a paved inner yard. The structure is more fortress than townhouse: thick stone walls, narrow elven-style windows on the upper floors, and a squat central keep-tower with commanding views over the High Quarter and up to Castle Greyfist.

Fortified Curtain & Towers – A 20-foot wall encloses roughly half the grounds, punctuated by two corner towers with signal-lamps and crossbow slits. At least a half-dozen Hardheads are visible at almost any hour: drilling, patrolling the parapet, or watching the neighboring streets.

Inner Ward & Support Buildings – Within the walls stand:

• Barracks for Haxx’s senior officers and household guards.
• A stable block and smithy supporting the Hardheads’ horses and arms.
• A compact armory containing mail, shields, and crossbows issued for tax raids and “emergency levies.”

Rumors persist of underground training rooms and hidden cells beneath the compound where Haxx tests recruits, holds “off-book” prisoners, and trains political agents.

House Haxx & the Hardheads

Lord Marakios Willem Haxx – Tall, heavyset, impeccably dressed, Haxx presents himself as the very picture of urbane nobility: courteous in public, precise in speech, and relentlessly polite even with commoners. Behind that polished manner lies a razor-sharp, power-hungry mind that treats law as a weapon and trade as a battlefield. He rose from a pious fighting-monk of St. Cuthbert to shipping magnate, then to noble and Lord Mayor, chiefly through his control of the merchant fleet The Gentle Tradewinds and mastery of city tariffs.

Haxx is also the Viscounty’s official tax collector, empowered to send his Hardheads anywhere in the viscounty to enforce levies. PCs may first meet him—or his men—over questions of unpaid tolls, “misdeclared cargo,” or suspicious coin.

Haxx’s Hardheads – Nearly 500 veteran warriors call this manor their home and headquarters. Many are Greyhawk Wars survivors who have willingly sworn themselves to House Haxx as a volunteer, semi-professional force. They serve without pay, instead receiving room, board, kit, and the promise of future preferment.

Typical Hardhead:

• Well-equipped (chain or scale, shield, crossbow or halberd).
• Fiercely loyal to Haxx and proud of their role as “guardians of order.”
• Perfectly willing to crack skulls, seize contraband, or cordon off streets in the name of “lawful collection.”

Their reputation on the streets is summed up by a favored shout from one of Haxx’s proclamations:

“Throw down your arms and submit to a search and lawful tax collection… or face the wrath of House Haxx!”

Shrine of Joramy

Tucked into a corner of the inner ward is a small stone chapel bearing the flame-and-fist sigil of Joramy, goddess of righteous anger, fire, and just vengeance. Two resident clerics minister to the Hardheads, preaching that zeal, discipline, and firm justice are sacred virtues. Before raids or politically charged operations, Hardheads gather here for brief blessings and to swear oaths of “order through strength.”

This shrine gives you an easy religious angle:

• PCs may seek blessings for dangerous missions.
• Joramy’s clergy might quietly question whether Haxx’s “order” still serves true justice.

The Manor Compound

Architectural Grandeur

• Castle-like Structure: Lord Haxx's manor, expansive and fortified, resembles a small castle with its own barracks, stables, smithy, armory, and living quarters for the Haxx family and their retinue.
• Defensive Fortifications: The compound is protected by a 20-foot high wall surrounding half of the inner area, with two towers overseeing the estate, ensuring security and privacy.
• Center of Activities
• Haxx's Hardheads: Home to almost 500 men, the manor's occupants include Lord Haxx's private army, known as Haxx's Hardheads," veterans of the Greyhawk Wars and staunch supporters of their lord's ambitions.

Notable Residents and Services

Lord Marakios Willem Haxx

• Political Challenger: A formidable figure in Verbobonc's political landscape, Lord Haxx has been a vocal critic of previous administrations and intends to challenge for the position of Lord Mayor, advocating for strategic and military vigilance.

The Hardheads

• Volunteer Force: The Hardheads, serving without pay, form a volunteer force dedicated to Lord Haxx's cause, requiring battle experience and commitment to duty.
• Training and Recruitment: The manor offers training facilities for warriors, with rumors of secret training grounds for political spies and assassins beneath the compound.

The Shrine of Joramy

• Spiritual Support: Within the manor, a small shrine to Joramy, serviced by two clerics, caters to the spiritual needs of the Hardheads, reinforcing the martial and fervent nature of the compound.

Influence on Verbobonc

Economic and Military Influence

Situated strategically across V1-3 Castle Greyfist, Citadel of the Viscount and the Verbobonc Mint, Lord Haxx Manor plays a pivotal role in the city's economic and military affairs, with its occupants frequently engaged in official business and the safeguarding of the city's wealth.

A Political Powerhouse

As a former Lord Mayor and a key figure in Verbobonc's political scene, Lord Haxx's influence extends beyond the walls of his manor, shaping policies and the city's stance on regional conflicts.

Conclusion

Lord Haxx Manor stands as a testament to the strength, ambition, and strategic acumen of one of Verbobonc's most influential figures. Its presence in the High Quarter, coupled with the activities of the Hardheads and the political ambitions of Lord Haxx, ensures that the manor remains at the heart of the city's political, military, and economic dynamics. As Lord Haxx prepares to re-enter the political arena, his manor continues to symbolize his readiness to lead and defend the interests of Verbobonc.