House Spraekdra
The Spraekdras are the epitomal of the esoteric Velitali family. A convoluted origin, a noticeable eccentricity, deep ties to the esoteric groups like the Hkaerin-Proviiteru and Ekaens, and a retreat from public life. There are few finer examples, especially in a family so young compared to those typical of Velitali esoterica. All of this made perfect by their proximity to the Second Rank spirit Aekina.
House Spraekdra is one of the myriad of mythologised Velitali households. However, unlike most that typically date to the Kraetalm Period or before, House Spraekdra has an unclear origin in the early Disunity Period. Tracing the precise origin of House Spraekdra is awkward, with information sullied by years of mythology, the poor preservation of documentation from the early Disunity Period, and the inherent nature of Velitali society, distancing themselves both from observation and self-reporting. Similarly, Spraekdra is a ubiquitous surname, making it impossible to easily trace their movements - many contemporary cities would have had multiple families by the name of Spraekdra.
Historically, House Spraekdra is known for producing many uniquely female Ekaens and Northern Freaens in service of various factions as and when they held sway in the north of the Velitali Home Island. The family is unique in being one of the few dedicated to the worship of the spirit Aekina. At their peak during the 6th Unification War, House Spraekdra wielded significant wealth through their control of a range of alcohol breweries that enabled further expansion due to the expansive and reliable wealth generated by the industry in the period. However, while many of their breweries remain, unlike organisations like the Rettirman Yard and Haesibat Armoury, they did not pursue further economic ventures and as such remain a comparatively small unit among the powerful and wealthy Velitali Familial Holding Companies that rose to prominance during the latter half of the 800s and first half of the 900s.
The Family According to Mythology
The actors playing Spraekdra and the nameless bandit fought a stunningly choreographed duel before the bandit was slain by her hand. All the while the actress of Aekina watched in near-perfect stillness. The acts of this scene had clearly been extensively rehearsed, with every motion of battle intentional. The actress of Spraekdra then brought herself to what I perceive as the Ninth Forgotten Shine. Unlike previous performances I have observed before, here the acts of worship and performance of the Sukaen Cleansing Ritual were more diligent, and the offering of ribbons could not be made due to Spraekdra having none left.
According to mythology, the first instance of House Spraekdra was the settling of one Spraekdra in the nascent city of Skordaet in the north-west. Her forename is highly disputed by sources - typically Aekina, Yaeke, Aeka or often not mentioned at all. She had taken up arms for her family after the slaying of her mother and father - minor politically powerless Royal Court Nobles of the Kraetalm - but was led by a mysterious dark spirit - Aekina - to Skordaet, characterising one of the occasional appearances of Aekina as a spirit with control over human destinies.
The Spraekdras soon established themselves, as the first became an Ekaen in service of the Hkaerin-Proviiteru, and her daughters - believed to be conceived either with another Ekaen or a Proviiteru actor - took up the mantle. The family continued in such a manner until the time of Skerhe Spraekdra, born around 400BP created what would become the family business, and the line descendant from Skerhe were elevated to minor nobility, where they began to ingratiate themselves with the aristocracy of Skordaet and the wider Skaehyre provinces.
Around the 400s as well, Skerhe's sister, Miiyuka established herself in Orrikil, centre of the practice of silent theatre in all Velitalia and the broader Saesadrov. Miiyuka became closely involved in the rituals surrounding worship of Aekina and the other esoteric gods of Proviiteru silent theatre, both as an Ekaen and a trained priestess. This is where the moniker 'Lady of Aekina and her Followers' began to be applied, initially just to Miiyuka and then to Skerhe as well, as theirs became the pivotal branches of the family. It was widely upheld that the Spraekdras regularly interacted with the esoteric spirits, and funded and partook in the construction of many shrines, bringing them closer into the favour of the spirit.
The family existed in situ for quite some time as such. Multiple smaller legends emerged alongside them, for example, that of the Swords at Skae-Dmaei and the Hartzaen Hkaerin-Proviiteru Chronical. Many of these were bolstered by the families close relationship with the Hkaerin-Proviiteru, who play a key role in Velitali mythology and its transmission.
The Family in the Historical Record
The "First" Spraekdra
Waeilhe Spraekdra
The Family Post-Reunification
Enshrinement
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