Malaghar-Houses
Keywords:
MALAGHAR-HOUSES, UNDERDARK-HOUSES
Because of the constant warring among the drow and the encouragement for competition, Houses are permited to build in a district of their choosing with the permission of the Major House that oversees it. Travelers are not permitted to stay overnight, and must stay within a house who then assumes responsibility for whatever actions that person does or causes within the city. Their crimes becoming that of the house who is given opportunities to 'make things right' before the Queen is forced to step in. Those who are guests of the Queen stay in the palace.
The reigning god of the Malaghar Underdark is Death. Each house may worship a god of their own choosing, though no other temples may be put into place outside their home per the agreement made between Kasim and Queen Erawynn countless years ago.
(OOC: While players are welcome to play their character as being a member of an existing major house in Malaghar, they are not able to 'take it over' without a huge amount of actual RP and the approval and aid of the Immortal in charge of the area. There are NPC's and others RP to consider, and only the Immortal in charge will be aware of it. We prefer that a player build a minor house within the a district and do the work to turn it into a major one. There is more freedom for the player with less limits placed in regard to staying within the concept and current RP of an existing house. Just because you don't see the RP, or are not aware that it has occured, -does not- mean the house is not active and has no RP attached to it. Please keep in mind that the information below is IC knowledge known to the DROW in Malaghar only, unless actively sought through RP and NOT common Knowledge to the realm.)
Nabori - Head House over all other houses.
Houses gain alliance/protection from House Nabori. Those in good standing can request permission (or bribe) to enable their attempt to overthrow another House. They have the favor of the God of Death. They also have the favor of the Sisterhood. All other houses answer to Nabori's matron Erawynn, who rules the Malaghar with a fair, but iron hand. Those few who have attempted to rise against her, are impaled alive with their guards and left to die in front of their House or simply disappear. House Nabori's alliances with the Major Houses in Malaghar do not just extend to the reach of her realm, but to those on the surface as well, controlling majority of the trade that occurs in and out of Malaghar. Both major and minor houses seeking to make a name for themselves actively seek to gain and maintain an alliance with House Nabori.
Teken'ett - House of Magic and Deception
The eighth house in the Underdark, they have gained both the respect and favor of the House Nabori who is one of their strongest allies as well as Hunndar, Arabund, Despana, and Tormtor. Worshipers of Death, Deception, and the Arcane, producing powerful clerics, assassins, and mages as well as runes, wards, potions, scrolls, and poisons. (There are pc members of this house.)
Hunndar - House of Herbalists and Knowledge
A house with major finacial backing, while they do not have the warriors, mages, and clerics that other houses produce, they have what the other houses need and can buy what muscle is needed to protect them. What they lack in brawn, they make up for in brain, usually holding the secrets of the other houses close to the vest. They worship Nature, Death as well as the Spider Queen, who grants them knowledge and the ability to grow rare, special herbs that can not be found anywhere else in the realm. These herbs can be used to create powerful potions and poison that can both aid, or destroy another.
Arabund - House of Theives and Assassins
If you want someone dead without notice, this is the house to go to. Producing thieves and assassins with a skill unmatched by any other house within the Malaghar Underdark. Taught the secrets of their ways from the time of infancy, they are able to slip in and out of places unseen. What is there one moment, is gone the next, and the person beside that was speaking only a moment ago, is now apparently, dead. Their skills are highly sought after by the other houses and many are employed by the queen herself as her personal protectors and executioners. They worship Death, War, Shadows and Pestilence. (There are pc members of this house.)
Despana - House of Gems, Ore, Mining
Their knowledge and skills are highly sought after by the House Nabori, and all other houses. This house is also responsible for the layout and design of the tunnels within the Underdark, and the creation of the city itself, studying the underlying ground to determine the strongest, most viable routes to follow for passage, as well as mining. What they mine from the tunnels is given to the city, save for a percentage that is kept for themselves and sold to other houses for both magical needs, as well as smithing. They worship Nature, Luck, Protection, and Bravery.
Tormtor - House of Slaves and Spies
While drow are well known for the slavery trade, House Tormtor is known to produce the most elite, regal, high quality slaves in all of the Malaghar Underdark. Many of their slaves are so well trained and well cared for that they are loyal and obedient to the point of being willing to give their own life in the protection of the houses secrets. As such, they are known to be used as spies in the world of light, being sold into homes and palaces where all that is known or spoken is reported back. This makes their house highly useful to that of House Nabori, who seeks their slaves to place into the realm herself. They worship Deception, Death, Fear, Desire, Dreams and Fate. They are also highly favored by the Sisterhood.
Lloyxth - House of Assassins, Thieves, Spies
Rumored to be a House favored by the Queen, House Lloyxth is the only house in Malaghar's Underdark to be ruled by a male. The seventh most powerful house among the Major Houses, they have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with. While the other Matrons/Ilharessen's do not like the idea of having to bow to a male, they do so, at least publically. When the Queen needs information or a situation delt with, this is House that she is mostly likely to turn to. If there is a secret to be found, House Lloyxth is the one to find it. One of the few houses whose members might be seen wandering the surface. (There are PC members of this house.)
Baenrae - House of Warriors and Metal Works
The most war like of all the houses in the Malaghar Underdark, House Baenrae is known to produce one of the most elite fighting forces among the Drow. They are also known to produce the majority of the highly sought after arms and armor that are traded to other houses, as well as the outside realm. Their fighting skills, and skill in smithing make them highly regarded with the House Nabori, who uses them to create and make the armor for those of the city guards. They worship Death, Destruction, Chaos, Bravery, Luck, Strength, Revenge, War, and Fate.
Eilsurden - Torment and Torture
House Eilsurden is the ninth ranked house in Malaghar, known for their effective measure in torture and torment and the tools and implements they have designed for that purpose. Other Houses sek out their skills when they believe they have a spy in their midst, or one who is not loyal to their Matron. Surrounded by mystery and suspicion, many tread lightly around them.
Do'tlar - Trade, Knowledge, Secrets
House Do'tlar is the ninth ranked House in Malaghar, producing somewhat high quality spidersilk cloth that is traded throughout the realm. A house that has risen through the ranks of others due to their influx of trade into the city, rising through means of coin rather than outright squashing other houses. Many drow believe them to be the weaker of the rest due to their lack of desire to get involved in the squabbles of others. They worship Shadows and Death. (There are PC Members of this House)