Lati
The Despots of Empire of Laran, the Lati rules over the Larani with an iron fist, indulging in their hedonistic tendencies and scrabbling for more and more power.
Mechanically, any class can be justified into being a Lati. That said, I don't recommend it as you would either have to justify a party member's extreme depowering in lore, the rest of the party's extreme power-up in lore, or if you're trying to keep it lore accurate, explain why this wizard can use 20d8 when they cast fireball. Its a mess, and they're much better used as flavour text or NPCs. If you're playing a high-level campaign, it could work. While Lati are by every means overpowered, they are nowhere near unkillable.
Due to Lati having complete right to take whatever they wish from a Larani, at least within the Empire, they have little use for physical money. Carrying coins is for peasants. Instead, when Lati need to do business, they use a variety of other currencies. The only people most Lati need to trade with, at least according to tradition, are other Lati, and other Lati have no use for money. Instead, Lati have a few different goods and currencies used in correspondence with one another, all used in the pursuit of power and legitimacy.
The most famous are titles. Titles could be the De Jure title to land or command over an organization, granting legitimacy to another's claim. Outright transfer of De Jure titles is rare, as they are so available that most will keep them in their family, house, or organization as long as possible. This is how a House on the western border of the Dead Ones Mesa can have legal control over some random temple in the middle of the Everlasting Jungle. Depending on the house, their army size, and the number of spare heirs, a Lati low in the succession rankings will take a contingent and attempt to establish a cadet House using some unused claim.
This would leave De Facto controllers of territory lacking De Jure rights at a major disadvantage in regard to legitimacy. Around the time Bia reformed Laran, the act of fabricating claims came into fashion, both to justify expansions and to assert control over held lands. It takes centuries for fabricated claims to be even considered legitimate--though that doest stop them from being used immediately--especially if the Lati in question was obvious about their actions. However, in the case of two rival legitimate claims, the De Facto controller has the legitimacy advantage.
De Jure titles, while the most important, are not the most commonly traded. Ceremonial titles pass hands the most, and their worth varies from little to being worth more than entire De Jure kingdom titles. It all depends on the power of the title/land they're attached to, their age, and who awarded them. Examples of titles are Shroud of Endless Night; Warden of Boqek; Hand of Kazador; Champion Slayer of Veran Hills.
Warden of Boqek is an extremely valuable title, being connected to the capital, being created and awarded by Mul-Zamain themself, and dating back close to a millennium. A Lati running a Mercenary company coming into possession of that title would instantly find themselves elevated into high politics. In contrast, Champion Slayer of Veran Hills is little more than an honorific, barely worth including in a formal entrance and title reading. It is recent, coming about at the end of the Long War, barely 30 years old, awarded by a Lati who died to an Akroni peasant in an ambush, and associated with a backwater province. Among low Barons in the eastern fringe of the Empire it may be worth trading around in exchange for an artefact, but it is barely worth a glance by any Lati of stature. Some titles are seen as curses, as they have been attached to so many bad ventures that being granted it is more a curse than anything else.
Ceremonial Titles often have their own rules attached. For example, the title Guardian of the Lands Beyond had multiple copies, so to speak, and can only be held by those controlling fortifications deemed the "ends of the empire". The most famous of these is Castelan Ward, currently a wreck of a castle, but it acts as a defacto border, along with the Aphes River. Having this title is basically a requirement to hold the Okosovai seat of External Diplomacy. Other titles have other odd rules, such as Saviour's Bane, a title unique to the Imperial Cult that is held by whoever has slain the most Shuqa. With such nebulous rules, this title is contested by multiple Lati. If one can imagine some arbitrary rule and title to go along with it, it probably exists and is in circulation.
Titles can be absolutely made up on the spot to reward Lati or act in trades. Most of the higher-ranking Lati have backups and titles "stockpiled", with the smarter ones spreading word of their existence beforehand to already start building up legitimacy. The way in which a Lati gains a title can also affect their relationship with another Lati. If they take it through the right of might, then the Lati or their family who was slighted will be expected to do something to take it back or face a loss of legitimacy. The loss from doing nothing si far greater than that of trying and failing.
Trading a title as part of a bargain is the most neutral interaction one can have, though Lati should still be careful, as giving another Lati a title that ties them to their territory is dangerous. Many smart Lati have inherited titles such as "Protector of Kirin Falls" and used it as an excuse to get more involved in local politics--see what happened to Kirin Falls, adding another element to the battlefield. The titles most often traded are more generic titles such as the Dignitary of the Mesa; Vengeance of Laran; and other titles lacking specific location ties.
Awarding a title is on the positive end of the title interaction spectrum. Awarding a title acts as an unofficial ceremonial binding of the holding Lati to the granter. It is often used to formally mark the start of a patron-client or master-apprentice relationship among the Lati. The latter of those two examples is so widespread that even biological House members take on apprentice titles to seal their pacts. Of course, in reality, the title does not mean much if the patron is facing a legitimacy crisis and the client would gain something from betraying them. But it's the thought that counts.
Moving on from titles, the next form of currency used by Lati are artefacts. Specifically, Lati-made artefacts. Magical artefacts from outside the empire are also in demand, though at a lower "value" than Lati-made magic artefacts. Between Lati-made non-magic and outside magic artefacts, it really depends on the individual Lati which they find more valuable. Especially among the more archaeologically inclined of the Lati, artefacts can be worth more than even kingdom-level De Jure titles.
Artefacts vary too much to add proper definitions of value to them, as some are purely ornamental and so worth barely as much as a low-tier cosmetic title except to one Lati who needs it to complete a collection for a ritual. Some are so exceedingly powerful that most would trade entire kingdoms to acquire it, except for that one cult that has an otherwise useless artefact that acts as its counter. It really depends on context. On average, however, age does not mean much to the Lati. If the maker is renowned, that can bring with it prestige and legitimacy, but otherwise, the maker does not particularly matter. Practicality is the driving factor of value in regards to artefacts.
One last thing to address is Lati's possession of regular currency. Lati themselves have no want or need of the iide, but every Larani does. No Lati in charge of an organization goes without a stockpile, because while stealing and demanding can get you some, it only carries you so far. TO properly deal with subordinate organizations, help with costs, and pay servants and soldiers, Lati need iide. It is just taboo to acknowledge that in public.
It is also worth mentioning that most Lati do deal with outsiders, paying them in iide or some other physical good or currency. Like having and needing iide however, it is not acknowledged. Be it traders, mercenaries, foreign guards, or whatever else, outsiders are a common--if reviled-sight in a Lati's court. However, they are to be hidden and unobtrusive. Being at the outskirts of the empire, where it gets physically impossible to hide the outsiders present, is itself a mark of shame, and a permanent prestige and legitimacy reduction. Its a good thing that there, everyone is on the same playing field.
Mechanically, any class can be justified into being a Lati. That said, I don't recommend it as you would either have to justify a party member's extreme depowering in lore, the rest of the party's extreme power-up in lore, or if you're trying to keep it lore accurate, explain why this wizard can use 20d8 when they cast fireball. Its a mess, and they're much better used as flavour text or NPCs. If you're playing a high-level campaign, it could work. While Lati are by every means overpowered, they are nowhere near unkillable.
Due to Lati having complete right to take whatever they wish from a Larani, at least within the Empire, they have little use for physical money. Carrying coins is for peasants. Instead, when Lati need to do business, they use a variety of other currencies. The only people most Lati need to trade with, at least according to tradition, are other Lati, and other Lati have no use for money. Instead, Lati have a few different goods and currencies used in correspondence with one another, all used in the pursuit of power and legitimacy.
The most famous are titles. Titles could be the De Jure title to land or command over an organization, granting legitimacy to another's claim. Outright transfer of De Jure titles is rare, as they are so available that most will keep them in their family, house, or organization as long as possible. This is how a House on the western border of the Dead Ones Mesa can have legal control over some random temple in the middle of the Everlasting Jungle. Depending on the house, their army size, and the number of spare heirs, a Lati low in the succession rankings will take a contingent and attempt to establish a cadet House using some unused claim.
This would leave De Facto controllers of territory lacking De Jure rights at a major disadvantage in regard to legitimacy. Around the time Bia reformed Laran, the act of fabricating claims came into fashion, both to justify expansions and to assert control over held lands. It takes centuries for fabricated claims to be even considered legitimate--though that doest stop them from being used immediately--especially if the Lati in question was obvious about their actions. However, in the case of two rival legitimate claims, the De Facto controller has the legitimacy advantage.
De Jure titles, while the most important, are not the most commonly traded. Ceremonial titles pass hands the most, and their worth varies from little to being worth more than entire De Jure kingdom titles. It all depends on the power of the title/land they're attached to, their age, and who awarded them. Examples of titles are Shroud of Endless Night; Warden of Boqek; Hand of Kazador; Champion Slayer of Veran Hills.
Warden of Boqek is an extremely valuable title, being connected to the capital, being created and awarded by Mul-Zamain themself, and dating back close to a millennium. A Lati running a Mercenary company coming into possession of that title would instantly find themselves elevated into high politics. In contrast, Champion Slayer of Veran Hills is little more than an honorific, barely worth including in a formal entrance and title reading. It is recent, coming about at the end of the Long War, barely 30 years old, awarded by a Lati who died to an Akroni peasant in an ambush, and associated with a backwater province. Among low Barons in the eastern fringe of the Empire it may be worth trading around in exchange for an artefact, but it is barely worth a glance by any Lati of stature. Some titles are seen as curses, as they have been attached to so many bad ventures that being granted it is more a curse than anything else.
Ceremonial Titles often have their own rules attached. For example, the title Guardian of the Lands Beyond had multiple copies, so to speak, and can only be held by those controlling fortifications deemed the "ends of the empire". The most famous of these is Castelan Ward, currently a wreck of a castle, but it acts as a defacto border, along with the Aphes River. Having this title is basically a requirement to hold the Okosovai seat of External Diplomacy. Other titles have other odd rules, such as Saviour's Bane, a title unique to the Imperial Cult that is held by whoever has slain the most Shuqa. With such nebulous rules, this title is contested by multiple Lati. If one can imagine some arbitrary rule and title to go along with it, it probably exists and is in circulation.
Titles can be absolutely made up on the spot to reward Lati or act in trades. Most of the higher-ranking Lati have backups and titles "stockpiled", with the smarter ones spreading word of their existence beforehand to already start building up legitimacy. The way in which a Lati gains a title can also affect their relationship with another Lati. If they take it through the right of might, then the Lati or their family who was slighted will be expected to do something to take it back or face a loss of legitimacy. The loss from doing nothing si far greater than that of trying and failing.
Trading a title as part of a bargain is the most neutral interaction one can have, though Lati should still be careful, as giving another Lati a title that ties them to their territory is dangerous. Many smart Lati have inherited titles such as "Protector of Kirin Falls" and used it as an excuse to get more involved in local politics--see what happened to Kirin Falls, adding another element to the battlefield. The titles most often traded are more generic titles such as the Dignitary of the Mesa; Vengeance of Laran; and other titles lacking specific location ties.
Awarding a title is on the positive end of the title interaction spectrum. Awarding a title acts as an unofficial ceremonial binding of the holding Lati to the granter. It is often used to formally mark the start of a patron-client or master-apprentice relationship among the Lati. The latter of those two examples is so widespread that even biological House members take on apprentice titles to seal their pacts. Of course, in reality, the title does not mean much if the patron is facing a legitimacy crisis and the client would gain something from betraying them. But it's the thought that counts.
Moving on from titles, the next form of currency used by Lati are artefacts. Specifically, Lati-made artefacts. Magical artefacts from outside the empire are also in demand, though at a lower "value" than Lati-made magic artefacts. Between Lati-made non-magic and outside magic artefacts, it really depends on the individual Lati which they find more valuable. Especially among the more archaeologically inclined of the Lati, artefacts can be worth more than even kingdom-level De Jure titles.
Artefacts vary too much to add proper definitions of value to them, as some are purely ornamental and so worth barely as much as a low-tier cosmetic title except to one Lati who needs it to complete a collection for a ritual. Some are so exceedingly powerful that most would trade entire kingdoms to acquire it, except for that one cult that has an otherwise useless artefact that acts as its counter. It really depends on context. On average, however, age does not mean much to the Lati. If the maker is renowned, that can bring with it prestige and legitimacy, but otherwise, the maker does not particularly matter. Practicality is the driving factor of value in regards to artefacts.
One last thing to address is Lati's possession of regular currency. Lati themselves have no want or need of the iide, but every Larani does. No Lati in charge of an organization goes without a stockpile, because while stealing and demanding can get you some, it only carries you so far. TO properly deal with subordinate organizations, help with costs, and pay servants and soldiers, Lati need iide. It is just taboo to acknowledge that in public.
It is also worth mentioning that most Lati do deal with outsiders, paying them in iide or some other physical good or currency. Like having and needing iide however, it is not acknowledged. Be it traders, mercenaries, foreign guards, or whatever else, outsiders are a common--if reviled-sight in a Lati's court. However, they are to be hidden and unobtrusive. Being at the outskirts of the empire, where it gets physically impossible to hide the outsiders present, is itself a mark of shame, and a permanent prestige and legitimacy reduction. Its a good thing that there, everyone is on the same playing field.
Career
Qualifications
Technically, the only qualification needed to be a Lati is having an organ known as a koh, however, in practice, ad education or sponsorship from someone with power or influence is also required to get anointed. Education refers to both common things such as basic arithmetic and some algebra, as well as literature, and training in how to use one's powers.
Lati who descend from houses or who have been prepared by orders, cults, or other political groups are thought to the standard required by the officials at Otanli. However, Lati who have been risen from the Larani or who were previously slaves have to be taught by a patron or beneficiary before they can be anointed as Lati. On occasion a prospective Lati from any class is pushed through without the "required" education, however, this is usually done with bribes and the Lati in question rarely lasts long. Lati without any sort of patron, be it an organization, house, or bored Lati, are basically never anointed, and usually assassinate shortly afterward, as no one wants a slighted and potentially powerful rival wandering around. However, outliers always exist.
Lati who descend from houses or who have been prepared by orders, cults, or other political groups are thought to the standard required by the officials at Otanli. However, Lati who have been risen from the Larani or who were previously slaves have to be taught by a patron or beneficiary before they can be anointed as Lati. On occasion a prospective Lati from any class is pushed through without the "required" education, however, this is usually done with bribes and the Lati in question rarely lasts long. Lati without any sort of patron, be it an organization, house, or bored Lati, are basically never anointed, and usually assassinate shortly afterward, as no one wants a slighted and potentially powerful rival wandering around. However, outliers always exist.
Career Progression
Lati progress via gaining both political power and mastery of their skills. Usually, they go hand in hand, as it is rare to find a Lati who has gained immense magical power and either didn't have a power base to support them or didn't use their magics to claim political power. And the inverse, a Lati with political power but near no magical power is basically impossible. Every one of their rivals would smell the weakness and use it to their advantage, gutting the poor fellow. The only possible case of this is a coddled heir, who is due to get torn apart as soon as they are placed in a position of actual responsibility.
Other Benefits
Lati, due to their position as aristocrats, gain many privileges. Theoretically, a Lati is able to do anything to any non-Lati as they see fit. This doesn't always wor in practice, however, as most people will ally themselves with a Lati or organization of some kind. The slighted party might not personally care for the dead in question, but an attack on their property, as most Lati consider the Larani, is an attack on them. One they must avenge.
Aside from that a Lati has permission to hold titles, both ceremonial and to land, they can lead armies, and they can start any organization or cult at their whims. Usually, in the Empire of Laran, permission from one's Lati lord is required to start anything from a merchants guild to an official mercenary gang. Many get around these restrictions by keeping it unofficial, but that also prevents them from being able to collect members' fees, organize/trade with other official organizations, and is, in general, a hassle. Lati don't need to bother with permission for anything of the sort, so many unlanded Lati are found making bank with their own merchant's guilds or fighting in mercenary bands of some kind.
Aside from that a Lati has permission to hold titles, both ceremonial and to land, they can lead armies, and they can start any organization or cult at their whims. Usually, in the Empire of Laran, permission from one's Lati lord is required to start anything from a merchants guild to an official mercenary gang. Many get around these restrictions by keeping it unofficial, but that also prevents them from being able to collect members' fees, organize/trade with other official organizations, and is, in general, a hassle. Lati don't need to bother with permission for anything of the sort, so many unlanded Lati are found making bank with their own merchant's guilds or fighting in mercenary bands of some kind.
Perception
Social Status
Lati are the noble caste of Laran. They are incredibly powerful mages, who established their social status in times unremembered through sheer force, and now uphold it through the institutions and traditions founded around them. Even the ones without their own specific cults are revered by the Larani populace.
It is also important to note how Lati social status and perception works with other Lati, seeing as they are the important players in Laran. For Lati, everything is about legitimacy. Lati politics are based on two dynamics: legitimacy and opportunity. A Lati's rule can only be maintained, in the formal political sense, by their legitimacy. This is discussed above, but largely involves actions like maintaining high prestige, keeping De Jure titles of land, being part of an influential organization, and possessing powerful artefacts. Successful military actions increase both legitimacy and prestige. Having "low" prestige means the second dynamic comes into play.
While every Lati has their own goal, the ultimate material want is power, power to help them achieve their actual ultimate want. Power is only acquired through seizing every opportunity possible, as every other Lati is trying to do the same. Complacency is the same as death, as while one Lati relaxes, resting on their laurels, at least three others are trying to burn what they have down and seize the ashes for themselves.
While tradition is not important enough to count as one of the major dynamics, it is still an important consideration. Even Lati who hate tradition, and want to burn down the status quo and rebuild it, follows its rules. It is tradition that keeps a coddled incompetent heir in power for a year rather than a day. It is what stays the blade of the would-be assassin until a blunder is made. Might makes right only goes as a mean, not a casus belli. Lat are aristocrats after all, and everything occurs behind some veil or another, be it a fabricated claim, an old law, or the last wish of a respected lord.
It is also important to note how Lati social status and perception works with other Lati, seeing as they are the important players in Laran. For Lati, everything is about legitimacy. Lati politics are based on two dynamics: legitimacy and opportunity. A Lati's rule can only be maintained, in the formal political sense, by their legitimacy. This is discussed above, but largely involves actions like maintaining high prestige, keeping De Jure titles of land, being part of an influential organization, and possessing powerful artefacts. Successful military actions increase both legitimacy and prestige. Having "low" prestige means the second dynamic comes into play.
While every Lati has their own goal, the ultimate material want is power, power to help them achieve their actual ultimate want. Power is only acquired through seizing every opportunity possible, as every other Lati is trying to do the same. Complacency is the same as death, as while one Lati relaxes, resting on their laurels, at least three others are trying to burn what they have down and seize the ashes for themselves.
While tradition is not important enough to count as one of the major dynamics, it is still an important consideration. Even Lati who hate tradition, and want to burn down the status quo and rebuild it, follows its rules. It is tradition that keeps a coddled incompetent heir in power for a year rather than a day. It is what stays the blade of the would-be assassin until a blunder is made. Might makes right only goes as a mean, not a casus belli. Lat are aristocrats after all, and everything occurs behind some veil or another, be it a fabricated claim, an old law, or the last wish of a respected lord.
Demographics
While accounting for things like this in a feudal society is difficult, the central tally in Boqek estimates that 10-15% of everyone residing in Empire of Laran is a Lati. Now, most aren't aristocrats in any meaningful sense. Only 20-30% of all Lati hold titles or are aligned with landed houses. The rest are all champions in a Lati's court, or wanderers, living the high life wherever they go. It is also worth noting that of the Lati population, only 10% reach the staggering heights of power described here. Most are powerful yes, but not inordinately so. Think level 4-6 in D&D 5e compared to a level one character.
History
Lati were originally a priest caste of the Makassi, whose duties slowly evolved as the Makassi's religions became more institutionalized. They gathered into houses and established the official academy to train Lati at Otanli. As Boqek became the Imperial center, Otanli became the home of the Lati as a religious institution. During the first major civil war period, Otanli began to accept not just nobles but anyone who showed the potential for Lati magicks.
Operations
Tools
Lati magic is by far the most powerful of any in Diyu. They are capable of telekinesis, strange Wych-like alchemy, telepathy elemental conjuration, illusions, sensory alteration, and many many more. While orders such as the Outcasts, Rune Knights, and many Wych covens have their own unique magicks and magical abilities, Lati magic can mimic much of the more general aspects of their arcane secrets. As demonstrated by Mul-Zamain, the most powerful Lati can even break reality. Most Lati choose to specialize, as such oracles, alchemists, combat specialists, and many many more can be found, as well as multiple orders for each. Nature has decided that Lati must be given more time to practice and master their abilities, as Lati tend to live about one century more than their racial standard.
These powers come at a price, as fate has seen that the scales must remain balanced. In return for being born with the potential for these powers, Lati must, quite literally, eat and absorb the emotions of others to survive. This isn't done in a vampiric way, instead, most Lati can see two layers of reality at once. Most magic operates on sublayers, and like peeling off layers of clothing, one must delve deep to see it in action. This requires training. Yet Lati gain intrinsic access to a layer rarely seen by even the most skilled non-Lati mages. They can see the emotions of others like a mist against the whites, blacks, and greys of unfeeling forms. The experience is different for each Lati, but simply existing within these mists feeds this need*, one that is rarely sated. This is why even the kindest and most rational Lati will often make sadistic or stupid decisions, and why they are so emotionally driven. The stronger the feeling, the more they are fed, and quite simply, it is far easier to evoke extreme pain or passion than it is extreme happiness or melancholy. Lati are also far more susceptible to Ascendance, due to the strength of their magicks.
* The same emotions can not feed the same Lati, as a Lati feeds, it drains the emotional mist on that sublayer of reality into themself, denying any other their meal. This also helps fuel the extreme greed most Lati feel, at least on some level.
These powers come at a price, as fate has seen that the scales must remain balanced. In return for being born with the potential for these powers, Lati must, quite literally, eat and absorb the emotions of others to survive. This isn't done in a vampiric way, instead, most Lati can see two layers of reality at once. Most magic operates on sublayers, and like peeling off layers of clothing, one must delve deep to see it in action. This requires training. Yet Lati gain intrinsic access to a layer rarely seen by even the most skilled non-Lati mages. They can see the emotions of others like a mist against the whites, blacks, and greys of unfeeling forms. The experience is different for each Lati, but simply existing within these mists feeds this need*, one that is rarely sated. This is why even the kindest and most rational Lati will often make sadistic or stupid decisions, and why they are so emotionally driven. The stronger the feeling, the more they are fed, and quite simply, it is far easier to evoke extreme pain or passion than it is extreme happiness or melancholy. Lati are also far more susceptible to Ascendance, due to the strength of their magicks.
* The same emotions can not feed the same Lati, as a Lati feeds, it drains the emotional mist on that sublayer of reality into themself, denying any other their meal. This also helps fuel the extreme greed most Lati feel, at least on some level.
Dangers & Hazards
Most Lati are always at risk of being killed by another Lati for any reason. These can vary from a deep generational, century-long rivalry, to one who was bored and decided to smiet the other.
Orders
Lati, as well as being divided into houses, are divided into orders. These orders focus on teaching the Lati how to specialize and focus their abilities. The orders work as loose political entities, with their rivalries and alliances. A Lati will usually pay allegiance to both a house and an order, with many houses doubling as orders. The two worlds are very interconnected, and rivalries can extend across boundaries. House Yolilitzcoatl is famous for its healers, drawn from its special orders. Like nearly all orders, Yolilitzcoatl guards its secrets closely, though, unlike most orders, it has no rivals, due to having no competition. Orders tend to ally themselves with orders of different specialization, their main rivals being their competition within their focus of Lati magic.The Lu Mwk Lwbon is the most prominent of the martial orders. They specialize in a form of pseudo-soul magic, largely turned in on themselves, to extend their physical capabilities. Their "thinning" of the soul is seen as disquieting at best and outright blasphemy at worst. Yet, they are a forced to be reckoned with, so are left alone more often than not. Members are found as elite guards or leading crusades, rarely as landed nobles.
The Lu Mwk Lavbi Pabela is a small yet prominent order. The mandatory worship of The Headless One turns many off, as well as its clear discrimination against any who aren't Makassi. Even extremely sadistic Lati are turned off from the extreme amount of blood used by their oracles, and the philosophy of torture as anything more than a method to feed is extremely unpopular. Nevertheless, they are extremely influential, allying with major houses and the Senpadida Siobkun. It is said that a Bloodmage Oracle can be found in every Olash's court, affording them even more influence.
The Lu Mwk Bolea Ream are evidence of Laran's creeping influence. Not only do these alchemists sell their warped monstrosities to Lati and Larani generals, outposts outside of the empire have become wealthy by selling to Drow and Human kingdoms, increasing the order's influence within Laran.
Houses
While the Orders fight and individual Lati squabble, all of this is set in the framework of the Lati House. Lati within a house are generally aligned with one another, though this acts less as a bond of friendship and more as an agreement that only they are allowed to kill one another, and any outside threats that present themself need to be dealt with as a unified front. Houses are generally united by ties of family and marriage, and a not rare occurrence is multiple smaller houses combining to form a larger house. Houses collapse and disintegrate every year, so despite many's best efforts, a monopoly on power in Laran is nowhere near close to existing, and likely never will.House Yolilitzcoatl is famous for its healers, making the house extremely wealthy and influential when they provide one to every major nobles court. They have few rivals to contend with, as only an idiot would annoy their doctor and physician. They guard their secrets closely, and any defectors are quickly hunted down. Even among Lati, Yolilitzcoatl is infamous for its infighting.
House Farun, despite its power, is often regarded as a house of weaklings, as they tend to avoid internal squabbling, either within the house or with other Lati. This focus on internal development and external conquest has made them incredibly wealthy, as well as popular amongst the non-Lati mages in Laran . They grant protection to many Wyches and Wizards, as well as the persecuted species in Laran, such as Drow and Dawasi. Despite this, they are still extremely xenophobic, just xenophobic towards any that don't assimilate into their version of Larani culture.
House Pakiob is evidence of how quickly power changes hands between Laran's Houses. House Kairnmaker, which had been declining for centuries at that point, erupted in civil war. The remnants reforged themselves into their own houses, and Pakob is taking the lead in rebuilding Kairnmakers lost power. In the span of half a century, they went from rebel cell to minor House to rising star, with the house head himself holding several Olash titles.
Alternative Names
Nobles of Laran
Type
Political
Famous in the Field
Related Locations
Used By
Ranks & Titles
Killing A Lati
Lati have gained reputations as the most powerful mages in all known Diyu, and with it, a reputation for being unkillable. It is largely unearned, as Lati die easily if one knows how to kill or incapacitate them. The most effective way to neuter a Lati is to use an inhibitor collar. It is a collar, developed by a Wych Cult based in the Soteran under the Dead One's Mesa. It renders a Lati's power completely unusable so long as they wear it, without inhibiting other mental functions. More crude methods involve breaking a Lati's concentration through any manner from complex chemicals to a strike to the head. Non-universal methods include gagging and binding them. The most skilled Lati require nothing but concentration to use their magic, but most need some verbal component, and more require a somatic component. These help the Lati in question focus, however it acts as a weak point. Rituals act as exceptions, as most rituals require preparation via rune inscription, other material components, and the two outlined above.Those looking for ways to kill the Lati should be aware of the physical and reaction augments most have subconsciously. Some of it is due to the sheer presence of magic in them, and most actively augment this, leading to famous instances of Lati dodging arquebus shots from close range. Poison is also ineffective unless cleverly utilized, as most can flush it from their system as soon as it is detected. A common yet consistently effective tactic is to use two different poisons, both deadly, but one far more noticeable. As such, the poisoned Lati will be able to cure themselves of the obvious toxin, and now confident they have thwarted the assassination, be felled by the second, hidden poison. The last thing to know of is the Lati's Healing Factor. They can recover from most injuries, and while things such as regrowing limbs is off the table without extensive rituals, large cuts heal supernaturally fast, and most can stay on their feet long after a normal being would have collapsed. Their healing doesn't count for scars, and most even seem to last longer than they otherwise would have, making martial Lati covered with scars a common occurrence.
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