House Valcrest

House Valcrest is one of the four "great houses" of Scholomance participating in the infamous feud of four. Symbolically represented by the patron animal of a Valraven, the house largely knows of their patrons tangible existence, although encounters with them are uncommon at best.

House Valcrest is associated with the alchemical elements of Mercury and Silver. The house crest is characterized by dark blue, set upon a silver segmented shield and over laid by a chimeric image of black wings and an avian wolf. Representative of the endless skies, students of House Valcrest are required to display the magnificent color upon their uniforms and outfits to represent their house anytime they are outside of their dormitory.

The dormitories of House Valcrest are located within the first level of the dungeons, accessed by a flight of stairs within that raise to a hidden floor. The chambers are calmly warmed by regal hearths and illuminated by strange narrow windows and skylights which seemingly gaze into an unnatural sky which fades by night into the endless starry expanses of space.

## Dormitories

The Valcrest dormitories, known as the Veiled Chambers is a hidden space somewhere within the labyrinthian halls of the black stone academy. Speculated to be located somewhere within the middle of the castle proper little else is known about the dormitory by non-house members. Sharing in similarity to the Abyssilyn, there is no visible traces of a dedicated space for the dormitories. Popular theories hold that the Veiled Chambers are either in The Dungeons as well, or accessed through a secret door within the library.

## Culture

### Reputation

Often viewed by their peers as studious and upright individuals, some even go so far as to consider House Valcrest the exemplar student and the true image of a mage. Valcrest are often more involved in their studies, and seek to simply out perform the other houses when engaging in the Feud of Four. Similarly to House Abyssilyn, a fair number come from families with arcane connections and histories, yet, many more are simply dutiful in their study of the arcane, eager to take in all they can. House Valcrest is also considered the most militant of the houses, with the House Dignitaries often being the strictest, earning them the occasional nickname of the "knight's house"; this nickname is as well a nod towards the house patron to those who know of Gwyndolin. Yet, students of Valcrest who hold a slightly more rebellious nature, or enjoy slipping out past curfew despite or even in spite of the dignitaries will often instead spell the nickname as, the "night's house".

### Traits

* Deliberate
* Curious
* Observant
* Thoughtful

Debatably the crowned trait of House Valcrest, students are often **deliberate** in action and thought. Impulsive and rash responses are said to be far and few among the students, and in turn they often hold one another to a higher standard to foster the growth of critical considerations. With such a focus being on intentional actions, members of the knight's house can even be a bit reflective of their sister house, becoming set in their ways.

Often thought to be the source of most the rebels and rulebreakers who do immerge within the otherwise pristine House Valcrest, **curiosity** has lead many students out past curfew and into dangerous places, absent permission. Yet it is curiosity that drives the ambition of the night's house, pushing them to study harder and more dutifully then many of their peers. Driving them to experiment with rituals and foci in their spare time, forming internal clubs and groups to advance their independent pursuits.

In tandem with their deliberate and curious natures, many members of House Valcrest are **observant** and meticulous, natural seekers of information known for taking copious amounts of notes and preferring to listen rather then speak when entering into unfamiliar topics. For some members of the knight's house this trait can lead to them being seen as shy, or even more gentle-natured individuals finding their way into the house. Yet, just as well, this trait can result in the students of Valcrest being seen as more mature and serious natured.

Lastly, House Valcrest is also renown for it's students

### Demographics

Goths, Bookworms, Straight-Laced, and Proper. House Valcrest has a fairly limited scope of subcultures within it's halls.

##### Gender Ratio

On average House Valcrest has a more highly skewed female to male ratio, averaging 3:7 male to female induction. This is supposedly due to the near universal social pressures in the nations of origins of Scholomance students for women to be soft spoken, while paradoxically being expected to engage in more social learning and independent self-education.

## Relationships

### House Abyssilyn

Charmingly acknowledged as their sister house, both are meticulous and cunning.

### House Wyrmhart

A bit boarish, but they can be humorous and inventive in their own cacophonous way.