House Ailil

*By the scales of the silver dragon, by the light of the fourfold stars, by the blanket of darkest night, I deliver my body, heart and will into the keeping of House Ailil. May its aims guide my vision, its hopes direct my aspirations, and its purpose inspire my actions. Let all my ambitions crumble in the dust should I betray the words I have spoken this night. Dragon beside me, stars above me, night behind me, witness my oath.*

**Pronounced:** Ay-LEEL

**Court:** Unseelie

**Nicknames:** Dragons, Liars (vulgar)

While other houses use politics to push their agendas, House Ailil views politics as a perfect end unto itself. Gifted leaders, strategists, and manipulators even among the sidhe, the Dragons demonstrate a mastery of political maneuvering that makes other houses wary of entering alliances, but even more afraid of crossing them. When you’re dealing with the Ailil, you had best think three steps ahead — that way you’re probably only two steps behind.

House Ailil sees itself as the head of the Unseelie Court, just as House Gwydion heads the Seelie, and justifies many of its actions as necessary for restoring the balance between Seelie and Unseelie. While the common belief that every member of House Ailil is involved in the Shadow Court certainly isn’t true, the Dragons are heavily invested in the Shadow Court’s activities, and even if an Ailil isn’t a member herself, it’s a safe bet she knows someone who is.

Although the Dragons are regarded with suspicion by their rival houses, in fairness, their reputation for dishonesty is not completely deserved. Ailil place great stock in oaths and the house boasts some of the greatest oathcrafters among the fae, and members freely enter into oaths when required. (Though those swearing with them are advised to check the language of the oath carefully, just in case.) The Dragons are well aware of the power of genuine honesty, especially in politics, and use it like any other tool at their disposal; the fact that it keeps their rivals guessing is just a lovely added benefit.

Life within House Ailil is intensely competitive, with constant jockeying for position and games of one-upmanship both grand and petty. Every member is keenly aware of their standing, and alert for any chance to climb the ladder — and keep those below them from doing the same. Even before their Chrysalis, future Dragons are often drawn to professions where their superiority can be demonstrably measured, such as politics, investigative journalism, law, high-level athletics, or corporate leadership. Despite their winner-take-all reputation, Ailil are quite content to take on advisory roles when it suits them; being able to shape policies and organizations without incurring the added risk of a higher profile has its own appeal to them.

Seelie members of House Ailil are rare, but not unheard of, and tend to focus more on oaths and loyalties than their fellow Dragons. However, even demonstrably Seelie Ailil must fight an uphill battle to gain acceptance, not just because of the house’s reputation, but also because Seelie members have turned out to be agents of their Unseelie kin. Still, having an Ailil advisor or strategist is a fearsome enough advantage that many Seelie courts will hazard the risk…but the Dragon can be sure she’s being watched carefully by her “friends.”

## House Boon

Even the noblest members of House Ailil still have a way with words, and their politicians and deceivers never seem to be caught out like others of their kind. Dragons subtract 1 from the difficulty of all Manipulation rolls, and can never botch a Subterfuge or Politics roll.

## House Flaw

Ailil believe that they are the smartest ones in the room. A Dragon must make a Willpower roll, difficulty 8, to directly admit being wrong or let someone else have the last word in a heated situation. If an Ailil admits he is wrong, loses a contest of wits or skill, or backs down from a heated confrontation, he cannot regain Willpower points and suffers a +1 penalty on the difficulty of all Social rolls until he restores face somehow. This can mean getting revenge on his opponent or simply (unfairly) berating his lessers until he feels better

## Exile

It’s widely claimed by the other houses that the Dragons were exiled after getting caught orchestrating some massive political crisis in Arcadia, resulting in their summary banishment. Surprisingly, House Ailil does not deny these rumors — in part because some of their own memories seem to confirm them — but insists that the crisis was the result of the Dragons moving against Arcadian leadership for not recognizing the need to prepare for the coming Long Winter. Some of the Ailil even hint that the house’s founder and namesake has been operating on Earth this entire time, waiting for his family to join him.

## Factions and Societies

* The Guardians of the Silver Dragon, disciplined warriors and bodyguards who protect Unseelie nobles and their domains.

* Les Amoureux, hedonists and sensualists who love mixing business with pleasure.

* The Disinherited, nobles who have broken oaths and sworn to regain their honor through battle or great accomplishment.

* The Lock-Keepers, a society of mysticallyinclined Ailil who monitor forbidden places and cursed items.

## Notable Members

High Lord Erdath, consummate politician and the driving force of the Unseelie Court in the Parliament of Dreams, Count Declan, warrior, military genius and leader of the Guardians of the Silver Dragon, Count Clou Argent, real estate power broker in charge of freehold acquisitions across Concordia, Baron Richard September, Seelie “freelance diplomat” and half of a famed Thallain hunting duo, Princess Jessamy, child prodigy and rumored heir apparent to the leadership of the Shadow Court, Squires Sal and Torg, the house’s go-to team for quick and dirty weaponsmithing, mayhem, and sabotage, and Lady Sláine, protégé of High Lord Erdath and frequently his proxy at court, often considered to be the true mover behind House Ailil.