House Skavis

House Skavis is one of the ruling noble houses of Trandrafia, ruling the Duchy of Draebia. The members of this house have proudly declared their bloodline to be connected to the Red Queen, but also to an ancient dragon said to once rule over the continent, and Seraph Gölgen. For much of the last thousand years that the nation of Trandrafia has stood, the house of Skavis has been well respected and feared among both allies and rivals.

However, in the last half-century, a number of unfortunate incidents have caused the leadership of House Skavis to come into question and its standing has fallen into decline. Beginning with the rise of the Vilebloods led by House Ticalos - one of their own trusted counts - the blame for the misfortune of the Duchy of Draebia has been leveled fully on the duke's house. The latest unfortunate circumstance has fully drawn into question the future leadership of House Skavis with the disappearance of Duke Nicusor's only son and heir, Alatar.

Structure

The family of Skavis is in steep decline. With the only heir missing, Duke Nicusor Skavis is the head and only member of the house still alive, save a few cousins that have decided to show themselves, currying favor with the Claret Covenant as the house has begun to crumble, hoping to be chosen to fill the perceived void in leadership.

However, without the express agreement of the Red Queen by way of the direct intercession of the Pontifex of the Claret Covenant, such a change is unlikely to happen unless more unfortunate circumstances were to fall upon the already ailing duke.

Culture

Skavis pride themselves on how much the fear their house name elicits, especially in criminals. They have a long history of using tactics in conflicts that prey on their foes fears, and their connection - real or fabricated - to the Seraph of Darkness lends to their intimidating stature among the greater houses of Trandrafia. Their tactics both on and off the battlefield have always been filled with misdirection and guile, and where those tactics fail, their other side is revealed - a renown for causing pain, physically and, most of all, mentally.

The house was the first to sponsor the creation of the Dread Knight chapter of knights in Draebia, now partially under the control of the Claret Covenant. Their ruthless and often painful methods of finding fugitives, making them talk, and giving them the justice they deserve is well known. Skavis has never been one to shy away from what others might believe to be uncivilized ways of information gathering, interrogation, or imprisonment. It is said that much like the Dread Crypt, House Skavis has chambers within their castle that are reserved for "special guests" where no light has touched in centuries, and the darkness is so thick it clogs the lungs of any who breathe within it.

Public Agenda

House Skavis' greatest and longest running goal can be described simply as the means of enforcing order by rooting out the hidden deceivers, liars, traitors, and spies that seek to usurp their and the Queen's will. However, in the last decade their agenda has changed drastically as the duke has grown more concerned about the fate of his only son and heir. This, what many within Draebia would describe as a sign of the utmost weakness, has led to a loss of respect within their duchy. Despite this, the duke has made it publicly known for the last few years that he will generously reward any who bring him news of his lost son, Alatar. A promise that some have used to attempt to gain favor for lies, but have only proven that, though weakened by disease and despair, Duke Skavis has lost none of his viciousness toward tricksters and charlatans.

Disappearance of Alatar Skavis

Duke Nicusor Skavis has, for the last 7 years, grown more desperate to find his son, Alatar, who left 25 years ago. He has gone so far as to offer lordships and more to anyone who returns with him. As his health has declined over the last decade, his rule has suffered from this obsession, and many claim that due to his weakness and his inability to stop the Vileblood incursion the blessing of their seraph is no longer with him.

Additionally, the House of Skavis has committed itself to the eradication of all Vilebloods which once originated from their lands. With the House of Ticalos fallen, they now use their significant military to hunt for remnant communities and even send off platoons of troops to other duchies to dispatch rumored communities of the fiends.

"Wisdom in Darkness"

Symbol: A black dragon with two tails flying upward to devour the sun.

Type

Geopolitical, Great house

Leader

Nicusor Skavis

Leader Title

Duke

Family Leader

Nicusor Skavis

Parent Organization

Draebia