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Lord Lazard and his household brought a caravan through the Shining South, bound for Assur, to escape the disillusioned nouveau riche and war profiteers of their homeland in Tethyr, which is still rebuilding itself after decades of internecine warfare fostered by a corrupt aristocracy. Recognizing the potential of Freehold and its need for early investors, the Lazards elected to settle in Freehold rather than continuing to Assur, after allowing a trial period of three months, during which they reserved most of the Homely Hearth Inn and Stables.

A skilled public speaker and both a lawyer and an investment banker by trade, Lord Lazard employed both local and Durpari workers to construct his self-designed manor, Sterlingview House, Freehold's first stone building. In addition to making generous donations to the village treasury to fund the first annual Harvest Festival, he and his wife, Lady Elesine, hire a rotation of part-time help from among the settlers to assist with the growing population of livestock their caravan imported to Freehold, including breeding populations of high-grade cattle, chickens, swine, and horses.

Along with his guardsmen, Kaled and Garrick, Lazard personally assisted in the defense of Freehold during the Ghauwffhwar siege, while his butler, Gray, and other attendants kept watch over the manor, Elesine, and their son Lyrum.

The family's coat-of-arms, recognized by the High Heralds, is a black sword thrust upright through a black crown on a silver field, set against a red shield. Their motto is Acta est Fabula, while that of their business dealings is Ab urbe Condita.

Lord Lazard masterminded the first caravan to Assur, and traveled with it to attend his own affairs in the city. Along the way, the unflappable nobleman demonstrated his marksmanship by dispatching a number of Tlincalli assailants and others who attacked the wagon train. The Durpari marketplaces were his element, and he arranged not only lucrative business deals, but also various entertainments for his fellow Freeholders throughout their stay, his name and influence granting them access to a number of exclusive venues. While there, it came to light the Lord owned not just a spacious residence in Assur, but also a bank, an arcane outlet, and docks along the Golden Water. It was also Lazard who negotiated the employment of Trollslayer mercenaries like Marten Noin to guard the caravan on its return trip.

After arriving home in Freehold, the industrious attorney showed his civic interest by proposing massive construction projects for the village, including the First Freehold Accounts and Securities municipal credit union, First Freehold Coachline, Freehold Manor apartment complex, and the Kingshand Municipal Hospital, all of which were met with approval from the community and the First Freehold Council.

Services
Lord Aram Lazard offers the following services for actual hard currency only; exceptions must be negotiated.
Legal Counsel
Advice on law and legal practice, drafting and affirmation of legal documents, formal write-up of legacies, claims, proofs, charges, contracts, deeds, and so forth are all available. Lord Lazard can also act as a representative for a paying party to the relevant government office(s) or official(s), in trial or otherwise.
Personal Legal Advisory: 1gp minimum initial retainer (non-refundable) plus 1sp/hour (in office) or 1gp/hour (on site)

Mercantile Legal Advisory: 1pp minimum initial retainer (non-refundable) plus 1gp/hour (in office) or 1pp/hour (on site)

Legal Documentation: 1gp/hour, 1gp minimum fee

Notarization: Lord Lazard will advise the relevant government office(s) or official(s) of the paying party's documentation and see it approved and properly filed for a flat 1gp.

Official Witness: Lord Lazard will place his personal seal on a properly legal document as a respectable witness for a flat 1gp.

Personal Representation: 10gp minimum initial retainer (non-refundable)* plus 1gp/hour in trial and 1sp/hour outside trial, plus 15% of any goods or monies awarded

Mercantile Representation: 10pp minimum initial retainer (non-refundable)* plus 1pp/hour in trial and 1gp/hour outside trial, plus 20% of any goods or monies awarded

*Representation retainers are in addition to the basic advisory retainer.
Dispute Mediation
Lord Lazard is willing to arbitrate claims and disputes between Freehold residents that have not yet escalated to legal plaints, for a small fee.

Personal Claims: 1sp/hour (in office), 1sp minimum fee; or, 1gp/hour (on site), 1gp minimum fee

Mercantile Claims: 1gp/hour (in office), 1gp minimum fee; or, 1pp/hour (on site), 1pp minimum fee