The Raethalen Family

The **Raethalen Family** is an influential noble family based in Silverspire. The current head of the family is Saeramis Raethalen.

## Background

The Raethalens can trace their line back several milennia, though it is only for the past four generations that they have been focussed on researching the arcane crystals found across Cato Vilo. Whilst members of the scholarly family had studied the crystals of the world on occasion, it was Daithel Raethalen that was the first in the family to become solely focused on them to a point bordering on obsession. Together with his brother Kassius, Daithel made many discoveries and cemented the study of magical crystals as the family's area of expertise. Since then it has been tradition that the firstborn or most talented child of each generation becomes the next family head. To this day the goals of the Raethalen family are still the same that Daithel had over a millennia ago: discover how the magical crystals are formed and a method to create them. The family maintains good relations with the Academia Magica and the Roseworth Institute of Research, along with other prominent academies and scholars, working with them on several projects. Recently some of these relations have become strained with the Raethalens being accused of withholding some of their findings and methods from other scholars, though Saeramis maintains that this is not true.

The Raethalens own a mansion in the Grand City of Silverspire that is both their home and place of work, and they live a comfortable lifestyle. The mansion is large enough to house the family and contains several rooms dedicated to research, experimentation and even has a personal library initially created by Daithel before being greatly expanded by Karlina, Kassius' daughter. Books covering a wide variety of subjects can be found there but the more private collection consists of books focused entirely on magical crystals and the origins of magic.

The Raethalen family and those that learn from them tend to specialise in Abjuration and Transmutation spells and frequently fall into those schools or become Scribe Wizards, but those that frequently travel or engage in field work often learn a wide array of spells for utility and self defence.

Members

The “founding” generation:

* Daithel Raethalen (M) - The Founder of the Raethalen traditions, went unmarried. Deceased, born 1364 years ago.
* Kassius Raethalen (M) - married Enneral Holirelel. Had two children; Carithius and Karlina. Deceased, born 1315 years ago.

The successor generation:

* Carithius Raethalen (M) - Chosen as the second family head following the passing of Daithel. Married Jarsali Selevarun and had one child, Kaelaran. Deceased, born 988 years ago.

* Karlina Raethalen (F) - Karlina chose to take up more administrative tasks for the family, including maintaining the Raethalen’s personal library and managing external relations in order to allow Carithius more time to conduct his research. Married Eladnar Ostorin. Had two children; Aelar and Saeramis. Deceased, born 900 years ago.

The third generation:

* Kaelaran Raethalen (M) - 635 years old. He was the third family head for several decades. Out of a desire to learn more about the origins of magic he created and then performed a complex and dangerous magical ritual despite the warnings of his family and colleagues. Whether the ritual failed or succeeded is unknown but Kaelaran was driven truly mad and so far nothing has been able to cure his condition. Following this incident Kaelaran was removed from his official positions and has been in the family’s care ever since. The details of how to carry out the ritual have been sealed away by the Raethalens, and only they and those working with him at the time know the truth of what happened to Kaelaran. Kaelaran is married to Sariel Rotherun and they have a son named Dayeril.

* Saeramis Raethalen (F) - 587 years old. Saeramis is the fourth and current head of the Raethalen family and the older sister of Arlan. She is a cheery, friendly and calm person who is able to switch to cold and calculating at the drop of a hat. Saeramis is gifted with an extremely keen mind and diplomatic skill combined with a serious drive to achieve her family’s goals. She currently engages in some research as well as keeping busy managing administrative affairs and external relations for the family with the help of her husband Therivol Iathaniir. Saeramis rarely leaves Silverspire due to her responsibilities as head of the family.

* Aelar Raethalen (M) - 562 years old. Aelar and his wife are currently the main scholars for the Raethalen family working on and taking part in a variety of projects, studies and experiments on magic crystals. Whilst most members of the Raethalen family find the crystals to be fascinating Aelar’s interest in them borders on obsession. With his children now more independent he has thrown himself back into his research and believes he is on the verge of a breakthrough. He is married to Arara.

The current generation:

* Daitheoir Raethalen (M) - 213 years old. PC
* Innil Raethalen (F) - 197 years old. She has started to go by Ilanis as she approaches adulthood. She is a dedicated researcher and can often be found deep in the Raethalen’s library deep in concentration studying or working alongside Saeramis who is currently mentoring Ilanis. She is aiming to become the next family head which has led to a one sided rivalry with Daitheoir who she sees as her biggest competition. Personality wise Ilanis is competitive as well as blunt and abrasive but is far from unkind.

* Naeris Raethalen (F) - 174 years old. Naeris currently studies at the Academia Magica. She is the most easy going of her siblings, believing that her parents don’t expect as much from her as they do from her siblings. Whilst Daitheoir is diplomatic and Ilanis is blunt, Naeris is charming and will flatter, compliment and try to manipulate people to get what she wants.
* Dayeril Raethalen (M) - 243 years old. The son of Kaelaran and Sariel, Dayeril is the oldest of the current Raethalen generation. Despite this, Dayeril refuses to be considered for the next family head or engage in the family’s crystal research and has dedicated himself to finding a cure for his fathers condition instead.

* Aelar Raethalen (father)
* Arara Raethalen (mother)
* Innil Raethalen (younger sister)
* Naeris Raethalen (younger sister)
* Kaelaran Raethalen (uncle)
* Sariel Raethalen (aunt)
* Dayeril Raethalen (older cousin)
* Saeramis Raethalen (aunt)
* Therivol Iathaniir (uncle)