Vaes Septus

***Vaes Septus*** is the sovereign dynasty and royal family ruling over the Nirvas Imperium as well as the only *vaes* of *suprema* caste. Their standard is a red dragon flying over an eclipse. Their current *prima* is Arishol Septus III, the ruling Imperator. Known for their bright red skin, amber eyes, and sable black hair, the Septus' are generally a proud family with a rich but bloody history.

Vaes Septus has ruled the Imperium for the past four millennia, ever since the event known as the "Shattering" - a civil war that sparked across the entire empire and saw Vaes Septus overtake the Crimson Throne from the previous ruling family, Vaes Azran.

House Septus rules through a mixture of fear mongering, coercion, favoritism, and manipulation, pitting the noble families and orders against one another for their favor. By always maintaining an image of unmatched strength and authority, they have maintained their position and thoroughly quelled any attempt at rebellion. Their affinities are fire, steel, blood, lightning, and dragons.

## Culture

Vaes Septus is a culture in and of itself, with their lifestyles being elevated and extravagant even by Nirvaan standards. Most true-born Septus' are born and raised in one of the principle palaces of the family, most notably on Narvala. Thanks to their royal blood, most Septus' enjoy advanced training and study, admission to the best schools and academies, and elevated positions in the military or government.

### Traits and Characteristics

Septus' are recognizable for their trademark crimson red skin, amber eyes, and sable black hair. They are generally considered to be attractive by most conventional Nirvaan standards, typically bearing jewelry and piercings denoting their wealth and status.

Typically robed in the best clothes and adorning the most expensive and resilient armors in the Imperium, the Septus' are considered the apex of the Nirvaan nobility. Their lives are prioritized on the battlefield, as they are considered to have supernatural ties to the *Vokari* - the dragon gods. The Septus' are said to have "dragon's blood" within them and are the agents of the gods in their world.

Passion is the driving point of all Nirvaan, but this is accentuated precisely with Vaes Septus, with Devastation Magick being a principle art within the family.

## Military

The *Feros* of Vaes Septus are known as the Ordo Praetoria, clad in dark purple armor plating and bearing the draconic crest of the family. A large standing legion of varying sizes, comprised of Nirvaan elite troops, were trained and garrisoned at each Septurian palace and holdouts. The Sovereign Guard, the chosen martial warriors that directly protected the Imperator, his wives and concubines, and chosen family members, Consuls, and other important figures were generally housed within the royal palace itself. They are trained on a special academy that doubles as a base of operations for the Guard - Kurn Dracaros on Wren-ra.

## History

### Formation

The members of Vaes Septus trace their lineage back to the Age of Dawn when the Scion Lord, Xhenon Septurias the Red-Winged, traveled with the rest of the fledgling Imperium to Narvala. Xhenon was said to be a cruel but crafty sorcerer lord, building pyramids and monuments larger and grander than most of the other Houses to intimidate rivals and proclaim dominance during the early years of the Magistrate. As the years went by and power-plays and rivalries fostered destructive feuds between the various families, a single Nirvaan seized power by aligning himself with powerful Magisters, namely Xhenon. This Nirvaan was Kyzar Azaron the Opulant, a charismatic and influential Magus who cowed many of the other Houses into line. In gratitude for the military support, Dominus Azran named Xhenon his first Praetor and commander of the unified armies of the Imperium. Xhenon did not live long enough to enjoy his new position, dying of poisoning a year after his appointment.

The position - and leadership of the family - was passed to his meticulous son, Xhaevor the First, who began a grand militarization and outreach program to help prepare the Imperium for the threats it would face in its new territory of space. Beginning by establishing a military presence on neighboring worlds and mining them heavily, Xhaevor spared no expense in the amassing of central military might for the Imperium, putting the best scientific and technological minds at the time to work to build the new war machine for the realm.

### Amassing Power

Vaes Septus grew throughout the years, establishing alliances and rivalries with other Houses through marriage negotiations and trade. They battled heavily with Vaes Kyl'vorr over the seat of Praetorship of the Imperium, with each Imperator currying favor with either House by selecting one from the other for their purposes. Traditionally it is held that Vaes Septus had a more aggressive and expansionist doctrine than Kyl'vorr, with the latter favoring consolatory efforts focused on strengthening defenses and internal structure.

### Usurping the Throne

By the time of *ir Proflagon* {Nir. "the Shattering"), Vaes Septus was lead by Xython the Illustrious, the Praetor serving under the unpopular Imperator Dominus Erroth. While campaigning against the Happara, Xython found support for his efforts dwindling and, by the time of the conquest's end, returned to Narvala to find the planet in chaos. Five Magisters and two Consuls vied for the throne in a fiery *Kagora* that had left deep swaths of the former capital city, Narzhir Khai, burning or in ruins. Rallying the Justiciar of the time, Andros Orosa I, to his aid, he slew the various contenders for the throne but found the Imperator himself offworld, attending a feast at his private manse on Drateth. Dismayed by the dysfunctional rule of the Imperator, Xython resolved to seize the throne himself with the aid of political allies and the Imperium's legions.

Gathering his advisors and legates on Ahmra, Xython crowned himself "Dominus Augus".

## Current Members

* **Arishol Septus III**
	+ **Nephara Septus I**
		- **Xim'ara Septus IV**
		- **Aeros Septus I**
		- **Arathros Septus II**
		- **Andros IV**
		- **Xhalia Septus I**
	+ **Xhira Septus**
		- **Xelethon Septus III**
		- **Xhatira Septus III**
	+ **Khaleph Septus**
		- **Aragral Septus I**
		- **Aesiro Septus I**
		- **Arivora Septus III**
		- **Xhakran Septus II**
* **Xhaevor Septus V**
	+ **Xhathain Septus I**
	+ **Amiri Septus I**
	+ **Akiri Septus I**
* **Xython Septus IV**
	+ **Xhyrian Bloodscorn**
* **Mau Septus I**