House Darkden

**House Darkden** is a lesser house with great dreams, wishing to rule the Salahan Empire. They are a cadet house of House Orelion-Vellens.

## House Darkden

### Titles:

Lord Commander of the Nighthawke BandHawkesworn Knights

Lords of Darkden (Formerly)

## Origins:

House Darkden had their beginings with Sir Argos Darkden, warrior and bastard son of Agon Orelion. He was a great warrior and knight of the Imperial Reach, famuse for clearing the Darkden in those lands, a terrible place full of demons and warped monsters. When his father Agon died due to his life of excess, his will dictated that all of his sons be raised to nobility.

Argos was given the lands near the Darkden he famously cleared and took it as his name.

He would serve Agon’s heir loyally, fathering a son Haegon named for his grandfather Haegon "The Black Dragon" Orelion who would grow up to be firey and rebellious.

However, Haegon saw the Orelions as tyrants and sought to overthrow them and place his House upon the throne. Gathering the other Orelion branches that were started by Agon’s other bastards, save for House Valarsarn who remained loyal to the current Emperor Ezryen, he started preparing for his war.

Though he had nothing to do with the war, Argos was put to death for his son’s treachery, starting the Bastard’s Rebellion as Haegon gained the support of the Nighthawkes Band and fought a fierce war against his uncle.

## Notable Rulers:

Argos Darkden "the Shadow Stalker":

Bastard son of Emperor Agon Orelion-Vellens who was raised to nobility after his father's death. He was a great adventurer, who cleared the Darkden in the Imperial Reach and would become its lord.

He would serve faithfully as lord of that realm and as High Admiral of the West until he was executed due to his son’s rebellion.

Haegon "the Rebel":

Son of Argos, Lord of Darkden. He was rebellious since youth and believed that he should be the Emperor and that Orelions were tyrants. He would gather the other cadet houses that spawned from Agon's bastards and rebelled against his half-uncle.

He would gain the support of the Nighthawkes mercenary band and invaded the Empire; though in the end he lost he never gave up his cause, taking control of the Nighthawkes fighting against the Orelion-Vellens until his death years later, succumbing to an infected wound.

Maekar "the General":

Son of Haegon "the Rebel" born in exile. His father’s final wish was for his son to succeed him as lord commander of the Nighthawkes. He was too young to lead but his father’s successor Agorn Blackberry took him as his protégé, training him for command. Upon Agorn's death, his father's wish was granted and he was made lord commander, leading his forces against the empire.

## Other Members of Note:

Daelys "the Lustful":

A young warrior known for his skill with the blade and his love of beautiful women and occasionally men.

He was known for being an adventurer and sellsword of the east.

## Artifacts:

Darahar: Formerly Arti'Azajar, blade of House Gryzlar recovered from the Darkden. It was recovered from the Darkden by Argos and reforged into Darahar, blade of House Darkden.

## Diplomacy:

### Allies:

House Naypatus:

Traditional allies due to their aid in supporting his attempts for the throne.

House Vellens of Ordon:

Allies due to marriage ties and mutual animosity to House Orelion.

### Rivals:

House Orelion-Vellens:

Blood feud due to House Darkden's attempt to take the Ruby Throne.

House Valarsarn:

Blood feud due to Robert Valarsarn's loyalty to House Orelion during Darkden's rebellion.

## Trivia:

* Somewhat inspired by House Blackfyre from ASoIaF.