Among the High Elves there is a group of noble houses who make major decisions as a council. Ever since
The Fall, the need for constant meetings has faded and it is often more than a century between gatherings. With a few great dragons still wishing to follow up on Malsheril's destructive attack, the gathering is called for only when it is deemed necessary. The location is never the same, nor is it advertised to any but the representatives called for the meeting. The most recent time the Dawn Court gathered to discuss matters was very recently, as party to a minor crisis. There were survivors of the Dissenters discovered, and they had created their own culture built on a foundation of vengeance and spite. After being crushed once more, there was the question of what to do about the surviving "Fayderi". A final decision is still pending, though the vote is currently to do nothing but observe.
Houses of the Dawn Court
In the past the number of houses taking part in the Dawn court was higher, but in the present day there are only five.
House Amerastacia
"The Dawn Star"
The oldest and most respected family of elves, also has only one surviving member. Elven history isn't clear on what happened, but during a time of civil unrest among the elves the family was all but exteriminated. The sole survivor, Lady Amerastacia, is reclusive and not prone to welcoming visitors. The symbol of House Amerastacia has been forgotten, supplanted by the personal signet of Lady Amerastacia, which is a sun (with five beams) on the horizon.
House Naïlo
"The Night Breeze"
The second most influential family among the Dawn Court, they are also one who has entered the most into dealings with humans. It was House Naïlo who put the Treaty together with the backing of the other families, and thus they are sometimes seen as the most important family by humans who study elven history. The symbol of House Naïlo is a gust of wind curling around a crescent moon. The current head of the house is Lord Tharivol Naïlo, and his wife Lady Raidel Naïlo. They maintain a visible presence in the Sanguine Province of Rhyliss, within the Bethera Woods.
House Xilocient
"The Gold Petals"
House Xilocient are one of the few among the Dawn Court families who are responsible for crafts using metal. They have mastered the fine crafting of metal into shapes and forms which appear flimsy and fragile, yet are indeed quite strong. They are the only ones entrusted with the creation of the fabled "elven chain mail" which is coveted by many for its rarity. The symbol of House Xiloscient is a flower in bloom, the flower itself unknown to humans but prized by elves. It is called the "dawn rose", and the Dawn Court very carefully keeps non-elven folk from acquiring seeds. The current head of the house is Lord Sian Xiloscient, and his wife Lady Treya is in ill health of late.
House Holimion
"The Diamond Dew"
Unique among the Dawn Court, House Holimion dedicates itself to the art of combat and dueling. For the longest time, they have been the undisputed masters of armed and unarmed combat, among the people of Erisdaire. They do not teach their perfected art to outsiders, and train exclusively within their own house. It is worth noting, however, they supported a human known as Ardent in perfecting his own style similar to their own. The symbol of House Holimion is a diamond shaped like a drop of water. The master of the house is Lord Pel Holimion, a man almost as old as Lady Amerastacia. He developed the design of elven chain mail with a member of House Xiloscient, but also is said to have designed and had made a heavier style of armor in the past.
House Nodellia
"The Silver Moon"
The least (and youngest) of the five "Great Houses", House Nodellia dedicated their attention to the stars and heavens. They climbed to where they are in the loose hierarchy by the talent of their mystic artists. These "artists" have developed effective divination spells, and an enchantment which allows travel over great distances in a fraction of the time. The symbol of House Nodellia is a crescent moon with three stars set inside it. They symbolize the past, present, and future. The head of the family is Lady Siira Nodellia, the creator of several of their divination spells and enchantments. Appropriate, as she is blind.
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