House Aelius

House Aelius is an Ancient House tracing ancestry back to the very beginnings of modern Aodh and New Valore - a point of pride across generations. With the ascension of Aleksei to the throne of Aodh, Aelius is now the Royal House, displacing House Vela. 
They are historically known mainly for their wealth, and their tendency to usually follow in line with a Soleil King's opinions and behaviors. The House have traditionally been some of the biggest supporters of the Soleil Monarchs - and in this capacity, they have served a variety of roles, from generals to investors, and Consorts to Advisers.
House Aelius have been predominantly pegasi, with some unicorns and common horses. There are no known hippocampi in the main lineage.
== History ==
House tradition dictates that the very first Aelius was one of the pegasi free of Alya’s corrupting influence, and an ally and general to King Iniga. She was said to have piercing blue eyes and a coat the color of freshly polished gold. After the War ended, she remained in Eithne to help King Iniga found Aodh, and would later become her lover, at which time she was given nobility. Aelius’ attest that they are a daughter-house of Soleil’s, and use it as basis for their centuries-lasting loyalty to the reign.
In actuality, the very first Aelius was not a warrior of God’s War, but the second daughter of Iniga and her lifelong partner. This partner did indeed have a golden coat and blue eyes, and so did her daughter, known as Aelle (but later morphed into Aelius). It seems that history has merged the lives of mother and daughter into one - and the name of the mother of Ea and Aelius has been lost to history.
The very first true Aelius - that is, baby Aelle, born in 705 - received an upbringing suitable for a warrior and a governor, and became an important figure in the politics and military at the times. She was close with her sister, and their relationship was passed down to countless future generations in the sense of fielty the Aelius House felt towards the Kings of Aodh. Aelle’s descendants would continue to be influential figures in Aodhian society, and would gain a reputation as unforgiving, efficient and deeply monarchist nobles.
While the first generations of Aelius were military-minded, as Eithne slowly grew more peaceful the need for military generals became less, and the House adapted to the needs of Aodh - and more importantly, the King. Swords became lawbooks and investment funds. The House’s financial empire grew from landownership and royal favor - favor which was often invested right back into Royal projects in a self-feeding circle. Although the House likes to take some credit for many great marvels of New Valore - such as The Crucible, Fernos Sanctum or the new Hearthstone Palace - this is only in the capacity of monetary support. The House has never been known for its artistic or design merit.
In recent year, House Aelius diminished in numbers due to latent health issues, and a family tree that was pruned a little too tight. It was one of the Houses that suffered the most from New Years Ball, as although only one member of the House died, it wiped out half of the House’s population - as Lucillius, the Head, and his teenage son, Aleksei, were the only living members before the Ball.
Currently, House Aelius is larger than it has been in years; and even still it only consists of the Head, Aleksei, his spouses, and his young children.
Being small in number has not diminished the House’s wealth - quite opposite, in fact. The marriage between Lucilllius and late King Solaris granted the House great amounts of royal support and favor, making the House one of the wealthiest in all of Aodh.
== House ==
Being an Ancient House, the Aelius’ have been through every change, good or bad, in New Valore’s history - and have the adaptability to show for it. Unlike some Houses, who stand fast to traditional professions or mindsets, Aelius have a tendency to conform with the current monarch. This makes their nature and interests ever changing. As supporters of even the cruelest Kings, some Aelius have been quite notorious.
=== Home ===
Cinder Hall is a luxurious manor house in the heart of Sol District, a short walk from the Hearthstone Palace. A grand building of classical style, it has a small front garden, but a large inner courtyard, which also houses effigies of Ignacio and Kaia and former heads of House and Kings - with the ones directly linked to their own house being given center stage, of course. The manor is built in three stories, with a large open entry hall - a gigantic room with great stairs going up to the two upper floors, the walkways of which can be viewed from the hall. The hall is lined with portraits, with a large portrait of Aleksei, Alduin, Solaris and Lucillius currently reigning over the room from its spot atop the stairs.
The entry level floor additionally has servant’s rooms, large kitchens, and an entrance to the massive inner courtyard that is home to the family garden. The second floor is home to the entertaining rooms - a large library, a ballroom, various sunrooms and other spaces to entertain visitors. Left side of the wing has some private quarters. The third and final floor is where most of the private quarters are located.
The oldest parts of Cinder Hall date back to the 9th century, but the building has been expanded several times, with the newest parts being from the 14th century. Until recently, large parts of the building were kept on minimum maintenance only, and otherwise abandoned. However, since taking in refugees as servants in 1701, the entire Cinder Hall is once again lively and well kept.
There are also rumors of hidden passages and wings hidden within the walls, but if they are true, only the Aelius’ know of them.
=== Wealth ===
The wealth of House Aelius comes traditionally from land ownership, including fertile farmland, and owning various apartments in the cities. This forms the basis and the steady income they have built the rest of their empire on - sensible investments and sales have made sure that their fortune has only grown as the population has boomed.
They also own three restaurants and two bars in New Valore - most famous establishment being the Cloven Cauldron bar in a prime spot within the Artisan District. The bar has stood in the same spot since 1400, although it has received several expansions. The Cloven Cauldron is known as one of the best places in New Valore to scour for new talent or see the works of established artists, as well as one of the best spots for said artists to potentially woo a wealthy patron for their future works.
A more recent addition to the arsenal are shares in several large merchant ships, sailing mostly to other parts of Eithne, but also the War Forged and until lately, Talori.
Generally speaking the Aelius focus on owning things, not running them. They’re financiers, not active entrepreneurs. 
Aelius’ are not particularly generous and not exactly known as philanthropists, but especially Aleksei has taken an interest in funding art and research projects. Even before his time, the Aelius’ have occasionally handed out stipends to promising young artists to help jump start their careers, often for the bragging rights of “finding” them, or for the pleasure of getting exclusive rights to host their first works. Any other humanitarian efforts have often been at the whimsy of the head of the House, or simply a matter of matching whatever the King at the time was up to.
=== Looks & Traits ===
House Aelius consists mostly of pegasi heritage, with a decent number of unicorns and some common horses. Due to only breeding with other Great Houses for generations, they have a fairly shallow gene pool. Latent inbreeding, mainly from cousin marrying further down the line, has caused some of the Aelius have been susceptible to health issues, including infertility (especially, it seems, in the female sex) - which, although more or less a non-problem with shapeshifting necklaces, has regardless been a nuisance. More serious health issues have included general frailty and weak immune systems.
In terms of coloration, Aelius’ have come in all shades, but golden coats, whether pale or more deep orange, have been the favored look, often dotted with white markings. Their builds tend to conform to Aodhian beauty standards due to only breeding with other old noble stock. As long as anyone can remember, all Aelius’ have had striking blue eyes.
In terms of temper, some say Aelius’ tend to be stormy, quick to anger and slow to calm, responsible with money but otherwise unpredictable. This reputation stems partially from their days as military leaders, rather than politicians and investors. Aelius’ who lived under more gentle or artistic Kings tended to mirror that tendency, while those living under harsh regimes were themselves harsh.
Most Aelius have been elitist, looking especially unkindly at any perceived “new money”, this being mostly Lesser Nobility. Traditionally Aelius’ have not accepted anything less than Ancient Houses as matches or sometimes even lovers.
=== Values & Beliefs ===
The Aelius’ are and have always been fierce supporters of the rule of House Soleil, regardless of how good or bad the King happened to be. They have been accused of being sycophants, and perhaps not unfairly so. The Heads of House Aelius have always placed their personal likes, morals and beliefs second, and the needs of their King first - whatever their private opinions may have been, they were not discussed. Aelius considers itself a daughter House to the Soleil House, and has always been subservient to the Crown, and the Crown alone.
Traditional to the core, Aelius’ traditionally supported slavery, and owned a large number of slaves on their various properties, as labor was necessary to keep their large farms running. Modern generation, mostly due to King Solaris, is willing to support slave rights, and generally oppose unnecessary violence. The Head of House has even expressed a desire a to change Aodh’s current system over time.
The House is big on classism and elitism, and has had a tendency to look down upon Lesser Houses to varying extent - and the newer the House, the worse. They have historically been cordial with Houses that give them their due respect, and very much not with the ones who are seen as upstarts. They share close bonds with many old Great Houses besides the Soleils - especially the ones who have been similarly loyal to the monarchy.
The House is traditionally one devoted to Ignacio, especially after the reign of Mishal. During Lucillius’ time he built a shrine to Kaia in the courtyard, implying a slight change in devotions. His son, Aleksei, is devoted solely to Kaia.
== Current Members ==
King Aleksei Aelius - Head of the House, born 1679. Father to Altan and Izabel, husband to Elham and Faiza
Eminent Elham Aelius (born Gamliel) - First spouse, born 1678. Mother to Altan. Cousin to Adviser Ember.
Eminent Faiza Aelius (born commoner) - Second wife, born 1674. Mother to Izabel. Acting Chevalier.
Eminent Altan Aelius - Firstborn and heir apparent, born 1701. Daughter of Aleksei and Elham.
Eminent Izabel Aelius - Second born, born 1701. Daughter of Aleksei and Faiza.
Laius of Aelius - The bastard son of Aleksei’s aunt, Laelia Aelius; born 1680. Considered a part of the household.
Category:Aodh
Category:Lore