When the Empire was young, medicine was sold. All medicines were derived from plants, and naturally to raise or find those plants, prepare them properly and distribute them was the work of Merchants, but this did not guarantee everyone balm or aid, so pharmacists, then, became Public Servants, supported by taxes and overseen by Nobles and Regals. However, the breeding of plants, the compounding of medicines and the research into matters medical remains a very expensive proposition. All Houses devoted to such things give away their medicines. Finally, all the Houses devoted to the breeding of plants and the research of medicines thereby were mingled with the blood of the nobility, and became Noble Houses.