The High Courts
The Nine Courts of Safal, as they stand in the modern day.
Vraemoth:
The House specializes in combat, and in the Court they use their superior skill to intimidate their opponents. The centuries of border skirmishes and wars with Aethevora have hardened the skill of the Vraemoths. The only way to get the Vraemoth’s respect is to best them in combat, especially their high-ranking individuals. Vraemoth’s lineage boasts a long tradition of dueling, and as such their members exemplify their niche of one-on-one combatants.
Garidge:
The Garidge Court is the oldest, enjoying their history even before the founding of Safal. They stood as staunch defenders of the region, and protectors guarding the people from the dangerous creatures of the Branch’s tip. Their solemn duty is the care of the Briar Wall, and thus their specialty is that of Warding and Defensive magics. As the oldest house, they represent that status through their diligent keeping of records. They’ve earned a reputation for tracking and making good on all favors… and grudges.
Lakburg:
The Lakburgs have become enriched by their interactions and trade with Redonia, becoming a powerhouse even amongst the other Courts. The Family is adept at Illusions and Performative magic, and they will use it often to accentuate their points and mock their verbal adversary. They host an annual Festival of Lights above the Cerulean River. Many of those in the family are of Bardic Traditions and are fervent patrons of the Arts, partaking in many Redonian influences.
Luxi:
The House of Light and Darkness, Court Luxi, specializes in Radiant and Shadow magic. The youngest of the modern Courts, they have had a little over 100 years to cement their status. Most of their attention comes from their attempts to seize Arcanthal, as they have put great effort to establish a foothold in the Sovereign City. Luxi’s other claim to fame is their capitalization on incoming trade to Safal, as they own almost half the land encompassing Safal’s eastern border.
Balvyre:
The second Court to border Aethevora, Balvyre has clawed their way through the ranks of the previous Court, Doronar, to become the newest combat-focused powerhouse in Safal. Like their northern neighbor, the Vraemoths, the Balvyre family specializes in the magic of battle. While the Vraemoth family duels, the Balvyre family wreaks mass havoc across battlefields. Less precision, higher intensity is the way of their battlemages, and this holds true for their Courtly interactions as well.
Xyvarn:
Tucked away in the far northwestern corner of Safal is Xyvarn’s Court. An elusive group, all members of the family are powerful practitioners of Divination magic. In function of (or perhaps influenced by) their specialization, the diviners are shrouded in mystery. Some of the most soft-spoken of all the Courts, they do not use words lightly, for every barb they let loose cuts beyond most of what their adversary is even aware of. But even the most hermitic of mages are keen to display their prowess; the Xyvarn family will give out tokens of merit to outsiders, each of which can be traded to them for a single limitless divination attempt. These Tokens are coveted by many, even across the entire Mother tree, and are considered almost priceless.
Theril:
The oft-forgotten Court Theril finds itself at the base of the Surcle Hills, and spreads itself throughout its forests. The family specializes in Druidic magics, and in the production of magic materials. The magic phenomena of the Wilden Plains occasionally leaks through the Briar Wall, and it has suffused with the environment on this side, creating the perfect arcanoecosystem for rare and profound materials. Theril maintains its relevance by trading these materials, and subsequently is the largest exporter of materials rather than labor among the Courts.
Oripeiros:
The “facilitator” of the Safali Courts, House Oripeiros hold the largest swath of central land in the country, and thus has taken up the role of mediator. A majority of the trade between Courts, and roads between them, are handled through Oripeiros as an intermediary, a trusted estate and name that has grown to become an economic powerhouse in the nation. Their magic specialty is that of Teleportation and Mentalism. Much of the formal communication between Safal and other countries is conducted by Oripeiros, as their abilities include lossless and variable-frequency telecommunication.
Comments