Houses of Elysenas

There are 4 Elvish houses. House Áre, House Dae, House Silme, and House Thalin. Each house has a member sitting on the high council, which is presided over by the High King or Queen. Given the average Elvish lifespan is around 700-800 years old, there have been far fewer Elvish kings (or queens) than their human counterparts. These houses are the noble families - the eldest of the Elvish peoples. There are also wood elves, and sea elves, and frost elves who come under the dominion of the High King, but as clans and independent societies who fight under the banner of the Elvish Kingdom. The High Kingship is rotated between the 4 major houses. Currently Lord Thonlias Nathylion of House Thalin sits on the throne, and his council is Lady Calthria of House Silme, Lord Elondir of House Are, Lady Lyathia of House Dae, and Lord Thonlias’ son, Lord Sedlinas of House Thalin. When Lord Thonlias’ time has come, the throne will pass to Lady Calthria, and from her to Lord Elondir, to Lady Lyathia, and then finally back to House Thalin, with Lord Sedlinas.

**House Thalin**

Ancestral Home: Numeia

Current Leader: High King Lord Thonlias Nathylion, and his son, Lord Sedlinas Nathylion

Known as the 'Dauntless' these are by far the most disciplined and ordered forces, known for their military precision and battle minds. They are grave, but just, dangerous, yet fair, and seek to promote justice. They often serve as enforcers of justice across the realm, and they can often be found in the front lines, as paladins, fighters, and rangers, fighting for their realm and for the gods they serve.

**House Silme**

Ancestral Home: Haldirian

Current Leader: Lady Calthria

Known as the "Starlight" These elves are far more reclusive then their brethren, often seeking the woods or the libraries for solitude and rest. They have no love of battle or gaiety, but are the seekers of knowledge and practitioners of magic arts and healing spells. They are charged with guarding and maintaining the great archives and academies of the realm, although they are perhaps some of the most devastating forces to fight for the kingdom, with sorcerers, wizards, and druids amongst the many skilled fighters on the front lines of battle.

**House Dae**

Ancestral Home: Calthiel

Current Leader: Lady Lyathia

Known as the "Shadow" These elves are often viewed with some concern by their fellow houses, but as they themselves would say, there is no light without shadow, and while their brethren write songs, plan strategies, or study the archives, they train themselves to serve their kingdom in other ways, disciplining the mind, the body, and the soul to balance the strengths of the other houses, just like a shadow balances out the light. Although seen by some as a lesser house, many recognize their unsung bravery and quiet heroism, along with their willingness to sacrifice themselves to protect the realm at whatever cost. You can find in their ranks assassins, spies, monks trained in the martial arts, warlocks who have bargained with the higher powers, blood hunters and even barbarians.

**House Áre**

Ancestral Home: Lithoniel

Current Leader: Lord Elondir

Known as the "Sunlight" these elves love mirth and merriment, and their laughter can often be heard ringing throughout the trees. They are the musicians and artists, the culture and the society of every elvish gathering, and the realm benefits from their kind-heartedness and pursuit of all that is beautiful and good. They are not above teasing and trickery, though innocent enough, and are often frowned upon by other houses for not taking the threat to their homeland as seriously as they should. But their ease and vivacity should not be mistaken for softness. Some of the greatest minstrels and clerics to ever fight on a battlefield are from House Áre.