House T'orgh

The T'orgh House holds a significant number of nobles (around 35), and more than 110 drow swear allegiance to it. The T'orgh nobles have about 600 orcs and goblins to use as cannon fodder, if need be.

The T'orgh House used to be much more powerful, but in the war against the humans, many of it's most powerful nobles died at the hands of the humans. Especially Venar lost a lot, including more than 6 high priest sons and several brothers. The T'orgh House has just not been the same since then.

But they are slowly getting there. With Venars almost surreal ability to produce sons (he has had more than 21 sons and no daughters over the years) it is but a question of time before House T'orgh makes a bid for a higher position in the Council. Unless someone manages to stop them, of course.

High Priest Venar - Your father and the head of House T'orgh. Old beyond measure, even for dark elves, Venar is a devoted cleric, a high priest of Asmodeus. Always dressed in the high priest robes, the one-eyed patriarch looks almost fragile, with his bony hands and thining hair. But he is still the leader, and no one has dared challenge him for supremacy of the House for hundreds of years.

Brother Hu'ar - The eldest living son of Venar, and your eldest brother. Hu'ar is 252 years old, a cleric of Asmodeus, soon to be High Priest, if he passes the test. Hu'ar is calm and merciless, and thought to be a fitting crown prince of the House, even though his rise through the ranks of Asmodeus in way no has been spectacular. He is not afraid to speak his mind, but never goes against the wishes of High Priest Venar.

Brother Ty'var - The secondboy, second eldest son of Venar. Ty'var is 227 years old, a priest of Asmodeus. While considered a great talent when he was young, Ty'var has never achieved the heights that were expected of him, and is thus no where near becoming a high priest. Ty'var is youthful and energetic, and even though he is certainly no saint, he always manages to act friendly. The only of your brothers that have ever had time for you. Whispers in the kitchens say that Ty'var is afraid of power, that he can not hack it.

Brother Re'var - Third in line to take over the mantle of Venar, most agree it would be the end of House T'orgh as a House on the Council if disaster struck and left him in charge. Barely approaching 200 years, Re'var has always been split between the divine call of Asmodeus and the arcane studies. While he is certainly knowledgable, Re'var clearly prefers the company of books over that of other dark elves and the scheming that comes along with being a noble of House T'orgh. Re'var spends much more time with We'kar than with his father, High Priest Venar.

Ze'kar - The youngest of the eldest, Ze'kar is something of a nutbolt. Considered amongst the most promising of his generation, he is 128 years old, still fresh out of the Temple, but is already making a bit of a name for himself. Then again, the fact that he removed his own eye, just to be more like Venar does say a lot about it. He is utterly fanatic about Asmodeus and his teachings, even to a point where few other priests and High Priests not always follow. He is said to know all of Asmodeus' sayings by heart, all 666. He should soon become a Brother of Asmodeus, according to gossip.

Aside from those, there are 6 more children, named Tagar, Nalfein, Taluzik, Raheem, Ukerin and ??. These boys are fresh out from the academies, and although they show great potential, they are still too weak to spend time on describing ;)

Master Wizard We'kar - Youngest but only living brother of High Priest Venar, We'kar is the unchallenged Master Wizard of House T'orgh and has been for a number of years. A bit more than 450 years old, he oversees all wizards and all things magical. He rarely leaves his chambers and even more rarely speaks, at least outside of the arcane wing of the T'orgh palace. Many consider him to be a parrot, always agreeing and doing the bidding of High Priest Venar, but no one in the house can match him when it comes to arcane power.

Brother Hsi'ra - At 354 years, he is the eldest of Master We'kar sons, Hsi'ra still some time away from becoming High Priest, although he is significantly older than all of Venars living sons, a fact that plagues him to no end. The very short dark elf with the red-dyed hair feels he should be next in line for the position as head of House T'orgh.

Brother Zamal - 321 years old, the second son of We'kar is also older than all the sons of Venar, but he has never shown the same want for power as Hsi'ra. In fact, he rarely if ever shows any emotions. Completely dispassionated, he does as he is told, without ever showing how he feels - about anything.

Brother Tooraj - Almost 300 years old, Tooraj once was a rabid follower of Asmodeus, but he had radical ideas, preaching co-existance with the drow, allying with them against the humans. Rumor has it that Asmodeus foresook him, left him with no magical powers. That turned Tooraj around, and for 101 years, he fasted and prayed in solitary to regain the trust of his one and only love. At last, Asmodeus relented, and Tooraj could once again call himself a cleric of Asmodeus. But the 101 years had taken it toll on the dark elf, and he was never quite the same afterwards.

Ra'jyk - Still considered a young dark elf at 200 years old, Ra'jyk is the public shame of Master We'kar. A son that failed the initiation as cleric, and opted to become a fighter instead. Regarded as dumb, Ra'jyk has none the less showed some aptitude for fighting. Unfortunately, for House T'orgh, he is constantly getting into trouble, as he often hangs out down in Scumtown, with cheap whores and questionable characters, not fit for the company of a noble dark elf.

Sister Ya'lira - The eldest daughter of We'kar, Ya'lira is the twin of Ra'jyk. But where Ra'jyk is almost considered a failure, no one denies the skills of Ya'lira. If she had been a male, she would soon be a High Priest of Asmodeus. Unfortunately for her, she isn't so she will be stuck as Priestess Ya'lira until the day she dies. Which could be soon, as many of the males of House T'orgh are jealous of her magical power.

Vanae - Second daughter of We'kar, Vanae is 180 years old and already an accomplished fighter. In fact, she is so good that she is second in charge of the fighters of House T'orgh. Along with Weaponmaster Ghi'raz, she oversee the training of all dark elves, along with the protection of the T'orgh Palace, overseeing both the dark elves and the orcs and goblins.

Mistress Quira - Third daughter of We'kar, Quira is 156 years old, and a very skilled mage. She is also a sadistic bitch, who enjoys torturing anyone. Whether it be with magic or physical utensils, Mistress Quira will get info out of a prisoner, if there is any information to be had.

Master Wizard We'kar is blessed with a lot of children, and aside from those mentioned above, there is also (in descending order of age) Viz'kar (wizard), Ra'mok (wizard), Zi'na (fighter, female), T'kar (cleric), D'zar (priest), Ri'quol (cleric), Vis'quar (cleric) and Quy'gg (cleric). While not fresh out of the Academies, these nephews and nieces of High Priest Venar are not powerful enough to approach getting a title. There are also 9 grandchildren (6 males, 3 female), but they are currently still at the academies or just out of it, and do not warrant mention at the time.

A little information about the titles.

Cleric/priest: At 7th level, you can earn the title of Brother (or Sister). This is not an automatic thing, you need pass the test set by the Temple and are found worthy by Asmodeus. Using the title without having earned it, is ground for immediate death, no matter whom you are lying to. At 14th level, you can become a high priest of Asmodeus. Once again, there is a test. Females may never become high priestesses.

Wizard/mage: At 7th level, you automatically earn the title of Master (Mistress) if you can prove your skill to the Tower and the Tower Master. At 14th level, you become Master Wizard (if you are male).

Figher (and other martial characters): There is no officiall rank, aside from the one held by the Weaponmaster. Fighters who are also noble are usually called Lord or Lady, the same title you use to adress a noble you do not know the real title off. Not using the correct title when known, is a griveous insult. High Priests wear special robes, as do Brothers of Asmodeus. Wizards are a little harder to know on sight.

 

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Noble Houses of Menzo

House Argith - The first House of Menzo, now and probably forever. Ruled with an iron fist by High Priest  Da'kar, who has been around longer than any other living dark elf. That he isn't dead is the will of Asmodeus, another sign that House Argith is first amongst Houses. House Argith is just more powerful and older than any other House, except House T'orgh, which is the only other House that can trace it's ancestry all the way back the originals. More than 200 dark elves serve House Argith, with around 40 of them being Nobles. House Argith has about 2000 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Hume - The second House of Menzo, House Hume holds it's position due to a crafty leadership. While High Priest Q'lor might not be the most powerful of priests, he makes up with leadership and tactical skills beyond the norm. Although nasty tongues in taverns claim it is in fact
his former concubine Kiera that pulls all the strings. For generations, House Hume has also produced some of the finest dark elf fighters and rangers and not only are they skilled one on one, but they operate at a fearsome level when in groups, commanded by the many Hume captains, all coached by Q'lor and their Weapons Master G'lor. Around 150 dark elves serve House Hume, with the nobles making up about 25 of them. House Hume has about 1600 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Khalazza - The third house of Menzo is perhaps the smallest House, but in some ways, it is also the scariest. Where normally 1/10 noble dark elves show aptitude for magic, every noble born of the Khalazza House show a significant degree of aptitude for the dark arts. Fully half of their sons and daughters are wizards. High Priest F'er is both the one of the most powerful priests and wizards in Menzo. Only around 50 dark elves serve House Khalazza, with almost 20 of them being nobles. House Khalazza has about 450 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Naerth - Where House Khalazza has a tendency to produce wizards, House Naerth, fourth House of Menzo has a tendency to produce priests. It might not have the most powerful priest in Menzo, that honor falls to House Argith, but it certainly has one of the greatest numbers of
powerful priests, especially compared to the size of the House. But House Naerth is very different. Normally the rule of women is not allowed, but for some reason, Asmodeus has never reacted to High Priestess Binael taking power from her former husband that she (allegedly) killed with a dagger through his skull while making love to him. So for now, she rules. A little more than 70 dark elves serve House Naerth, and 25 of them are of noble blood. House Naerth has about 650 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Vrinn - Being the fifth House of Menzo is a relatively new thing to House Vrinn. They are one of two newer up-and-coming Houses that have made their way onto the council, where the 11 most powerful Houses are represented. It's rise to power has been quasi-meteoric, and a lot of
jealous eyes follow High Priest Jarl, who runs House Vrinn. While some are jealous of House Vrinns success, most despice them for the same. House Vrinn has enjoyed an enormous boost due doing what no one has done before. Trading on a large scale with humans. While not forbidden, it is certainly commonly frowned upon, and for some, it is still a sin. House Vrinn also has access to a lot of mercenaries and often employs other races for certain jobs. They also facilitate if other Houses need mercenary contacts. Almost 110 dark elves serve this dark elf House, and close to 15 of them are nobles of the family. House Vrinn has about 1450 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Xiltyn - Another of the very old Houses, House Xiltyn is one of those Houses that seem content, that do not make too many waves, usually siding with the majority (and House Argith). The sixth House of Menzo has a long history of making exceptional magical items and hording lore. What is less known, is that House Xiltyn, under the guidance of its young High Priest Re'qor recently has begun to consort both with drows, to acquire knowledge and certain minerals from the Deep Below,
but also with humans, in order to acquire even more lore from other races. Around 80 dark elves follow House Xiltyn, and 15 of them are nobles. House Xiltyn has about 800 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Dhalmass - By all rights, House Dhalmass, the seventh House of Menzo is way too small to hold the position it holds. But, High Priest E'toe is extremely well connected, and seems to know everything that goes on, both in Menzo and beyond. Thus, armed with that knowledge, he has
an uncanny ability to always chose the winning side in any given dispute or conflict. Failing that, he has at his beck and call some of the best assassins within thousands of miles, his sons, grandsons and
great-grandsons. Only 30 dark elves serve the House of Dhalmass, but 25 of them are nobles. House Dhalmass has about 250 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Jhalavar - House Jhalavar, eigth House of Menzo does not have many live members. In fact, it's mostly just the nobles, everyone else is pretty much undead. Actually, quite a few of the nobles are said to be undead as well, having used foul magics to prolong their lives. High Priest M'zor isn't one of them, at least not yet. Yet he rules and runs House Jhalavar with an iron fist. The House is said to cultivate close connections with a human group of necromancers called the Cult of Bones, that worship dead dragons. Only 25 dark elves serve this house, and 24 of them are nobles. Only one living dark elf serves the House of Jhalavar. House Jhalavar has no orcs and goblins serving them, but instead an army of undead. How many is unknown.

House Mizzrym - Another of the new Houses on the Council, House Mizzrym has also enjoyed a rapid rise to the top of Menzo. While Vrinn rose due to dealings and planning, House Mizzrym owes it rise solely to the brute strength of their minds. Seemingly all master psions, High Priest
J'luk and his family has annihilated no less than seven other families in their quest for power. Allegedly of course. When will they stop, is the question every noble above them ask themselves. Others hate them, such as High Priest Venar of House T'orgh, who took it as a personal
slight, when House Argith and the Council let House Mizzrym jump ahead of House T'orgh in the ladder of power of Menzo. Mizzrym has more than 110 dark elves serving the House, and 25 of them are nobles. House Mizzryn has more than 1200 orcs and goblins serving them.

House T'orgh - The tenth House is one of original six houses in the Silent Forest. It can trace it's lineage all the way back to the original dark elves, sometimes calling themselves the Sons of Asmodeus. Very proud, but no longer very powerful. Ruled by High Priest Venar, one of the oldest of
Menzo. House T'orgh used to be much more influencial, in fact, it was third House of Menzo at some point, but some bad choices over the last couple of hundred years has seen House T'orgh slip down the ranks, and is now close to losing it's seat on the Council. Yet if Venar has proven one thing over the 700 year he has ruled his House, it is that he never gives up. More than 110 dark elves still serve House T'orgh, although the numbers have been dropping over the years. House T'orgh is a vast family, and has more than 35 nobles. House T'orgh has about 600 orcs and goblins serving them.

House Tuin - The last House on the Council, the eleventh House in Menzo, House Tuin owe their power to their trade agreements with other dark elf cities and settlements in the Silent Forest, as well as trade agreements with other dark elf cities around Era. High Priest Ty'rin runs the show, but his position is extremely weak and the assassination attempts have been numerous lately. Many speculate that it is just a matter of time, before he is replaced by his eldest son. House Tuin has around 70 dark elves serving it, with 20 of them being noble dark elves. House Tuin has about 750 orcs and goblins serving them.