The Rystall Council
House Velahr is governed by the Rystall Council, comprised of the heads of each of the six sects. Rystall Council members are not always or of necessity nobles, but it is rare when they are not the majority. The head of the Council is the Houses Elder. The Elder is the leader of the Household and thus the final word and authority on all subject matters.
A seat on the Rystall Council is a position of responsibilty, leadership and prestige. The positions are in most cases held for life, but all positions are attentively reserved in some fashion. Honorable combat is not only accepted, it is encouraged. When a House member defeats another in this duel of fates the victor may assume the position of the defeated Council chair. Nobles may only challenge nobles and those of the same sect are restricted to that seat. The House Elder's position is not questioned, as he is the voice of the House itself and thus can only be replaced by succession of a named heir upon death.
The Akh'Kerym - The Right Wing
All throughout history the Teir'Dal Nobles have enlisted men, women and beasts to do their bidding, but never have they been successful. The Akh'Kerym, not just simply the military might of House Velahr, but more importantly the hand that reaches out to grasp the final prize, victory. Thus service in the Ahk'Kerym is not given out to mere peasants or slaves, but the true Warriors of the Teir'Dal race.
We of the House Velahr have no use for beasts or fodder, Orcs and other mercenaries commonly employed by other Teir'Dal. That breeds a false sense of one's worth and grants a buffer or cushion to their Houses military. We will show no such weakness to our enemies or allies who would seek to betray us. Thus the Ahk'Kerym was established to accomplish these goals and its ranks are made up of fearless braves who would withstand any charge or defeat any magic's greatest heroes.
The Tribes of Glog - The Muscle
Rising from the Swamps of Innothule, the Glog Tribe at one time controlled a good portion of all outlying lands away from Grobb which included the now Orc occupied lands near the Southern deserts of Ro. They roamed as far as the Rathe Mountains lead by their greatest of chieftains, but upon the arrival of the nobles of Velahr they in essence helped them to survive and were rewarded greatly for it. They now live upon the swamplands that were warped and twisted in the changing of Duk Gaaroth.
The Glog's serve under the K`Gratah and provide much of the offensive onslaught of the Ahk`Kerym and House Velahr's military forces. Lead by their Chieftain they are a force to be reckoned with, along with their allies, the Hands of Velahr, they are an unstoppable force when properly used.
The Tubagu Tribe - The Mystics
Always akin to the Glog's, the Tubagu's were a roaming band of exceptionally strong Ogres in the Rathe Mountains. In the long history of House Velahr, they are a more recent addition to the armada of forces. At the behest of Motgrog Glog, then the Chieftain of the Glog's an alliance was formed between the two during their remaining years on Norrath until they too, the Tubagu's were granted lands upon the planes that Duk Gaaroth inhabits.
The Tubagu's are mystical and shamanistic thus lead by their High Shaman they grant their warriors the powers of nature and its "Mojo Magicks" to those they deem worthy of it. Coupled with the superior forces of the Ahk`kerym, the brute strength of the Glog's and the magical prowess of the Ahk`Vanarn, they are the final piece of the main Velahr forces operating on the face of Norrath.
The Ahk'Vanarn - The Left Wing
The Ahk'Keryms compliment, those of the Magical Arts are not a group of loosely allied schools of magic. The members of the Ahk'Vanarn are a body of Mages, Researchers, Scholars and Masters of their schools, but among all things they are the wielders of our Houses magical Arts, guarded and used only by those of our Household.
Shenestra - The Damned, those who still cling to the humble teachings of the Tower of the Spurned, who have not yet gained self-confidence and understanding. (Entry/apprentice level, learning the House, still a petitioner.)
Subeliast - The Contrite, those who begin to see their place, not as outcast or lesser, but simply a different approach to power than that which Tier'Dal traditionally revere. (Ordinary member of the House in good standing.)
Siolka - The Redeemed, those who have demonstrated great confidence and initiative, who have risen above their outcast beginnings to an honored place in the House. (Master, to get here requires above average contribution, organization of events, outstanding devotion to the House.)
The Ek'Jana, The Hidden Blades
The hand that cannot feel is equal to an army without eyes. The Ek'Jana or Hidden Blades are that which provides the information for the Ahk'Kerym to operate to its full efficiency. The men and women of the Ek'Jana, although not always acknowledged for their necessity, are vital to the Ahk'Kerym's combat and readiness. Members of the Ek'Jana are deployed for a myriad number of services to the Household including such things as Intelligence Work and Field Work. These can vary, but examples of Ek'Jana duties are Surveillance, News relays in time of battle which include reports, troop movement, etc., and tracking of individuals or groups and units. Field Work is often far more dangerous and is more difficult to complete, this includes Sabotage, Rescue missions if its useful to reclaim a person or in some cases things, theft of a certain artifact and of course assassinations when needed and if they serve the House.
Colb`Aguruk - Rogue Scouts, often used as information gatherers for various House responsibilities or activities. They are commonly specialized in various areas, which prevent them from being useful in other areas and minimally in combat.
Venorik`Stra - Saboteurs, Thieves and Combat-trained Rogues, they often are much more flexible and can serve in multiple capacities.
Elguth - Masters, Assassins. The Elguth are commonly the most-skilled among the Ek`Jana, serving as both trainers and instruction masters as well as capable of handling all of the lesser positions duties and services to the House in greater capacities.
The Mez'Vuth-The Black Bards
The Mez'Vuth, perhaps the most slandered of the Household sects, was originally established by the Va`Braddach to handle similar duties that the Ek'Jana serve, but often in some variance. Being that Mez'Vuth are never Teir'Dal they are always viewed suspiciously and under the close eye of the Rystall Council as well as the members of the other sects, but they serve a purpose and that purpose is normally magical in nature. The Va'Braddach seeing that the Ek'Jana were not always suited for reclamation of precious artifacts and their proper transportation. This has erupted in much turmoil over the years between the Ahk'Kerym and Ahk'Vanarn, but more importantly the rivalry between the Ek'Jana and Mez'Vuth, from time to time members of the Mez'Vuth do not return or disappear suddenly, little questions are ever raised as to their fate, as it does not matter much. The Mez'Vuth have many unknown duties, but are often used in finding research components and materials, the theft of other Houses and Libraries magical Arts and in some cases when in use by the Ahk'Kerym disposing or neutralizing enemy magic-users and other duties beneficial to the House.
Dothoril - Interpreters of the Way
One of the most secretive and closely guarded sects within the Household, the Dothoril are rarely seen in large numbers or even among the House proper, maintaining a strict code of religious retrospective and of course, selfishness, is a contributing factor to this, but also the intense concentration and devotion required to be blessed by not only being able to read from The Way yet also in hoping you will be granted a vision, which when interpreted properly, actually adds to the inscriptions within the book itself.
These techniques have always of course lead to great scrutiny and the notion that forgery and deception are possible, specially considering the Teir`Dal's notoriety in such matters.
The Velektrah - The Plague of Marr
These Dark Knights are charged with perhaps the most honorable position among the House Velahr, for they are the Unholy Guardians of the House itself and more importantly of its nobles. As the Ahk'Kerym and Akh'Vanarn are the arms that reach out to the rest of Norrath, the Velektrah are the armor that protects its heart.
At the head of these Unholy Warriors is the K`Vaktrah, The Houses High Guardian. The K`Vaktrah's commands are final law and unquestioningly obeyed. The K`Vaktrah assumes the position of role model among His Knights and in some cases judge and executioner, failure and disobedience is not tolerated.
The Vision - The Vision is the ultimate goal of the House itself and its Guardians, simply put the complete dominance of all of Norrath. Each Knight receives a separate vision and Test, from Our Father Innoruk upon their time of awakening. After a Velektrah has served within the Ahk'Kerym and attained the abilities necessary they are given the Test of Hate. They must perform this Test then after 3 days of fasting and prayer to Innoruk's glory and if he deems them worthy to carry the bond of Hate each Knight receives the Vision of what his service is to be to his House and to Our Father.
The Test - The Test is often different for each Velektrah and upon attaining, 9th level or greater, the status necessary to join the Velektrah they receive their test from the Taskmaster or one of the Nobles of the House through Innoruk's favor.
The Blood Oath - This is simply the complete allegiance to the House Velahr in common it means "Submit or Die." When joining, the Knight dedicates his entire body and soul to the cause of the House. All thoughts are submerged and subliminated, but this does not mean they are mindless for The Way was established to be their voice and the Houses itself.
Olath Kyorl - Often referred to as the Outer Guard, those Knights who commonly continue some service as military officers within the Ahk`Kerym, yet have begun more advanced training, but have yet to realize the full potential of The Vision.
Sargh Kyorl - Those Knights who have begun to master the ways of necromancy and The Vision of the Velektrah, commonly used as elite combatants in military expansions as Squad Commanders or to protect the Kenutrah. They are commonly called Valor Guardians.
Orthae Kyorl - Lord Knights, those who have mastered most of The Vision and can serve as keepers of Duk Gaaroth, the Sacred Guards.
The Kenutrah - The Purgers
Of those of House Velahr, the members of the Kenutrah are often the most elusive and sinister, taking on much of Entaru's very own demeanor since they have, at one time or another, all served as his apprentices. Each is attuned to their Lord and Elder thus they are some of the most dangerous, deceptive and vile.
The Teir'Dal believe in purity first and foremost, thus Necromancy believed to be one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon them by their Father Innoruuk is guarded closely. The elves of Neriak allowed this Art to be stolen and now the imposters, Gnomes, Erudites and even Humans vainly attempt to learn Our ways. These blasphemers cannot hope to learn the true and complete powers of necromancy and thus in this knowledge the name of Purgers was bestowed upon the Kenutrah, for their goals are to increase their powers and by doing so slay those who do not rightfully adhere to its calling. Thus the Witchhunters exist, to purge those of false powers and thieves among those races.
Aside from this purging most of the Kenutrah rarely leave the main Household complex, along with the Velektrah, the Kenutrah make up the final line of defenders at the Household itself, that of Duk Gaaroth. This allows them a great deal of time in study and advancement of their dark arts in the form of manipulation, animation and all that which is necromantic, the dark love of the undead and its essence, which is reviled by those of the light races and that which we revel in.
