Old Houses (Patreon)

The information below is more like worldbuilding trivia, similar to the earlier details about the System and magic. I wouldn’t really consider any of it spoilers, but read at your own risk.

There are six Old Houses, which together form one of the Great Factions, separate from House Wyndor. Although they often compete with one another, they have avoided open conflict ever since two Old Houses destroyed each other nearly two centuries ago.

They control a large part of Wyndor's politics and maintain influence beyond the kingdom as well. Their wealth and generations of magical experience attract many mages, offering them strong opportunities for progression in exchange for loyalty and obedience.

House Wyndor

Banner: Royal blue bordered in gold, bearing a white pegasus.

The Royal House of Wyndor has ruled the kingdom for generations. Unlike the Old Houses, it does not specialize in any single field, instead maintaining influence across war, trade, diplomacy, the Guilds, the Temples, and the kingdom's administration.

House Wyndor recruits broadly and is willing to support many different types of talent, though the material support it offers individual retainers is often more limited than that of the Old Houses.

House Voltorey

Banner: Green and burgundy, bearing a fox surrounded by hunting eagles.

An Old House known for intrigue, information networks, and carefully built political influence. The Voltoreys prefer leverage, contracts, and long-term planning over direct confrontation, often shaping events without appearing to be involved.

The House usually recruits people with strong foundations, then trains them in directions that best serve its long-term interests.

House Draemont

Banner: Black and bone-white, bearing a pale skeletal hand holding a violet flame.

Draemont is one of the more unsettling Old Houses, with traditions centered on Death Magic, necromancy, spirits, curses, and the study of what remains after life ends. Its scholars have contributed extensively to the understanding of undead creatures, lingering spirits, magical diseases, battlefield curses, and methods of containing or destroying them.

The House most often looks for people willing and able to take part in dangerous expeditions into the Lost Provinces.

House Arvennor

Banner: Crimson and steel-gray, bearing a silver gauntlet gripping a burning spear.

Among the Old Houses, Arvennor is perhaps the one most openly associated with warfare. Its traditions revolve around battle magic, military command, and destructive spellcraft. Generations of Arvennors have served as officers, battlefield specialists, and commanders during Wyndor's wars.

The House usually recruits people who can support its frontline mages, especially Trackers, Healers, Scouts, and specialists useful during military campaigns.

House Montferrat

Banner: Deep violet and ivory, bearing a golden astrolabe surrounding a white flame.

Old House most closely associated with alchemy and artifact creation. Much of Montferrat's wealth and influence comes from workshops, patents, and the production of magical devices.

Montferrat contracts are especially attractive to students interested in Artificing, alchemy, or enchantment.

House Ravenshade

Banner: Midnight blue and black, bearing a silver moth reflected in a dark mirror.

Ravenshade is an Old House associated with illusion, concealment, intelligence gathering, and more discreet forms of political conflict. Its mages specialize in manipulating perception, hiding information, and operating without drawing attention.

The House usually looks for people with unusual or highly specialized abilities, as well as Battle Mages who can compensate for Ravenshade's relative lack of direct combat strength.