The Thebrus
Structure
The Thebrus Family is a meticulously structured organization, with clear hierarchies that blend academic rigor with noble tradition. At the very top is the Archon, the head of the family and the ultimate authority in all matters of governance, wealth, and military strategy. The current Archon, Lord Aurelius Thebrus, is an elder statesman known for his vast knowledge of arcane magic and his unyielding commitment to the family’s legacy of intellectual and martial supremacy.
Directly beneath the Archon are the Curators, a council of seven individuals responsible for overseeing various aspects of the family’s vast operations. Each Curator holds jurisdiction over a different domain: Education, Trade, Military, Diplomacy, Arcane Research, Infrastructure, and Justice. These positions are usually held by the most experienced and capable members of the family, although occasionally, trusted retainers and allies can be granted a seat if they have proven their loyalty and competence.
The Mystwood Academy plays a pivotal role in the family’s structure. As the family’s crowning jewel, it serves as both a center of learning and a bastion of power. The Dean of Mystwood, a position that is traditionally held by a member of the Thebrus Family, answers directly to the Archon and serves as a link between the academy and the family’s broader interests. Professors and administrators at the academy, although not always blood-related, are considered extensions of the family’s will, ensuring that the family’s influence extends into the minds and hearts of every student who passes through its halls.
Culture
The Thebrus Family’s culture is rooted in the pursuit of knowledge, strength, and the belief that only through rigorous discipline can true greatness be achieved. Every member, from the youngest child to the eldest elder, is expected to dedicate themselves to a lifetime of learning, whether that be in the arcane arts, martial prowess, or the intricacies of statecraft. This ethos is reinforced by a system of rites and traditions that emphasize the importance of both academic excellence and personal fortitude.
Unlike many noble families, who view wealth and privilege as an entitlement, the Thebrus Family believes that their position is a result of their relentless dedication to mastering the world around them. As such, they are known to be one of the most disciplined and hardworking of the noble houses, with every member expected to contribute to the family’s prestige. Laziness and complacency are seen as unforgivable sins, and even the most talented are expected to continually prove their worth.
The family also places a strong emphasis on the concept of Merit over Blood. While blood ties are undeniably important, the Thebrus Family recognizes that talent, dedication, and intelligence are the true indicators of a person’s worth. It is not uncommon for talented scholars, warriors, or administrators who prove themselves loyal and capable to be adopted into the family or granted honorary status, allowing them to rise through the ranks.
The Thebrus Family’s commitment to knowledge extends beyond personal advancement. They believe that it is their duty to shepherd the development of knowledge for the benefit of society as a whole. This is why the Mystwood Academy, their greatest creation, serves as an institution that is open to all who have the talent and determination to earn their place. It is through the academy that the family exerts its most significant cultural influence, teaching thousands of students that true power comes from the mastery of knowledge.
Public Agenda
The Thebrus Family presents themselves as champions of education, enlightenment, and the responsible use of power. They advocate for a world where knowledge is not just the domain of the elite but is accessible to all who are willing to strive for it. The Mystwood Academy, their most significant public-facing institution, is the embodiment of this philosophy, and the family takes great pride in its reputation as a place of learning where even those from humble origins can ascend to greatness.
In the political sphere, the Thebrus Family acts as intermediaries and diplomats, often serving as arbiters in disputes between other noble families or factions. They leverage their vast wealth, influence, and the connections made through the academy to ensure that they are indispensable in matters of statecraft. This has allowed them to maintain a position of power without resorting to open conflict, and they are often seen as a stabilizing force in the turbulent politics of the region.
The Thebrus Family is also vocal about the dangers posed by rifts and the chaotic magic they unleash. As experts in arcane studies, they have taken it upon themselves to lead the efforts in researching and containing the rifts. They regularly organize expeditions to study these phenomena, and their scholars publish treatises on the dangers and potential applications of rift magic, positioning the family as both guardians and pioneers in this field of magic.
Economically, the Thebrus Family promotes the advancement of magical and mundane technologies. They fund research into new forms of arcane technology and agriculture, and they actively seek out and support promising inventors, scholars, and artisans. This has not only enriched their own coffers but has also allowed them to build a network of gratitude and obligation among the brightest minds in the land.
Assets
The most valuable asset of the Thebrus Family is, without a doubt, the Mystwood Academy. This renowned institution of learning is more than just a school; it is a bastion of knowledge, power, and influence that draws talented individuals from all corners of the realm. The academy is the source of many of the family’s connections, wealth, and political leverage, as the students who graduate often go on to hold positions of power and influence in other noble families, guilds, and governments.
Beyond the academy, the Thebrus Family owns extensive tracts of land in North Al Nazar, including fertile farmlands, dense forests, and mineral-rich mountains. These holdings provide a steady income through agriculture, lumber, mining, and trade, ensuring that the family remains one of the wealthiest in the region. Their estates are dotted with libraries, laboratories, and training grounds, all dedicated to the continuous pursuit of knowledge and excellence.
The family also has an extensive network of trade agreements and investments. They own a controlling interest in numerous mercantile ventures, alchemical labs, and arcane workshops. This network not only generates substantial wealth but also ensures that the Thebrus Family has access to rare resources, artifacts, and knowledge that other families can only dream of acquiring.
History
The history of the Thebrus Family begins over a thousand years ago, with Valen Thebrus, a humble scholar who rose to prominence during the Age of Chaos. Valen was a master of the arcane arts and an accomplished warrior, but it was his gift for teaching that set him apart. He traveled across the land, gathering knowledge from ancient ruins, wise hermits, and forgotten tomes, before finally establishing a small school to pass on his wisdom to the next generation.
This school, which would later become the Mystwood Academy, quickly gained a reputation as a place where the brightest and most talented could learn the ways of magic, philosophy, and warfare. Valen’s teachings attracted students from all walks of life, and as his fame grew, so too did his influence. By the time of his death, the Thebrus Family was already well-established as a minor noble house, with the academy serving as the cornerstone of their power.
Over the centuries, the Thebrus Family expanded their influence by maintaining a strict adherence to their core values of knowledge, discipline, and meritocracy. They avoided the petty squabbles and power struggles that consumed many other noble families, choosing instead to focus on building alliances, accumulating knowledge, and strengthening their position. This long-term strategy paid off, and by the time of the Great Consolidation, the Thebrus Family had risen to the status of a major noble house.
The family faced a significant challenge during the Mage Wars, a period of intense conflict between rival arcane factions that threatened to tear the land apart. Many thought that the Thebrus Family would be destroyed, but they proved to be resilient and resourceful. By using their extensive knowledge of magic and their connections with other noble houses, they managed to broker a peace, earning the respect and gratitude of many and solidifying their place as one of the leading powers in the region.
In recent years, the Thebrus Family has focused on expanding the influence and reputation of the Mystwood Academy, transforming it into the preeminent institution of learning in the realm. They have invested heavily in infrastructure, research, and recruitment, and today, the academy stands as a testament to the family’s dedication to knowledge and power. However, with the rise of rift-related phenomena and the increasing instability in the world, the Thebrus Family finds itself at a crossroads, facing both great opportunity and immense danger.
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