Avylyss Trade Families. The Avylyss Trade Families, despite their names, actually holds territory all over Arcydea, and has been working for centuries to maintain a tight grip on commerce around the world. It is common knowledge that the true members of the Families are all vampires ('made men', so to speak). There are five recognized Families:

Mertons. The Mertons are frequent handlers of large amounts of coin and currency, and in fact have their own currency - Merton's Marks, notarized promissory notes that are considered to bear a value of 1/100 ounce of gold per Mark. (Counterfeits are known as black marks, and usually result in unfortunate tidings for the owner...) The Mertons are most commonly found selling equipment to adventurers at discount prices, particularly weapons and larceny tools. They are considered the most professional Family.

Grants. The Grants are heavily involved in publication and advertising; although they haven't gotten a foothold on crystal broadcasting, they're starting to look into it. Rumor has it they're also involved in blackmail and extortion schemes, with files on people to rival most manipulative governments.

Alivantes. The Alivantes are weapons and armor purveyors of dubious legality (selling chainmail in places where leather armor is rare, for instance), at only slightly exorbitant prices. They tend to sell evenly to all sides of a conflict, though they value money above everything else.

Crosts. The Crosts managed to maintain an exclusive monopoly on bloodmelons and bloodwyne production for three centuries before a meddling adventurer managed to visit the 'Fields of Lifeblood' and acquire some of their precious melons for greenhouse growing elsewhere. Ever since, the Crosts have been aggressively attempting to clear their rivals out of the market, although their largest competitor, G&G Bloodmelon Growers, is located square in the heart of Grenadine and thus has a large number of supporters among the locals. However, the Crosts are very experienced in handling the competition...

Perons. The Perons are the shippers and movers of the Families, and their mastery over ships at sea is unparalleled. They are believed to be responsible for one of the largest piracy rings in Arcydea, as well, but as such no real evidence has been gathered on the subject.

The Families work together to keep their operations running smoothly, and any internal struggles are kept secret from the public.