The Selkerian House

Born of War, Bringers of Peace

The Selkerian House is a noble house in Marisen that traditionally oversees the education system, especially in their home seat of Selkros, the largest city in Marisen.

History

The Selkerian House came about around the middle of the Mage Wars, when the magefolk were struggling the most. They formed an allegiance of the most powerful magefolk they could find, securing power and status. They urged the remaining magefolk in the Iksandi Empire to retreat into the Dragonback Mountains. After the war ended, many magefolk stayed in the mountains and created the city of Selkros at the command of the Selkerian Matriarch, Lady Elanora.
As the head of this new nation of scattered and war-torn people, they chose to create systems to help them. The Selkerian House is responsible for most of the traditional systems in Marisen, most importantly the education system. Lady Elanora ordered the creation of three schools of magic, and appointed those she trusted to lead. In total, there were 18 teachers that formed this first council: Three of each kind, so each school would be able to teach every student that walked through their doors.
After Lady Elanora's peaceful death, her son, Lord Moran took the throne, and with his reign came a time of artistic creativity. Poets, painters, and artists of all kinds found that their skills were uplifted and praised. Many of the most famous structures in Selkros were built in this time, including the Quartz Palace, the Nesira Academy, and the Hall of Councils.
The most recent monarch to take the title is Lady Aeona, mother of joy. She works tirelessly to improve the systems created by those before her, and has overseen the creation of the People's Council: 36 magicians, six of each kind, who come from all over Marisen. Her reign has been four cycles long, and she will likely live to see many more.

Role and Influence in Modern Marisen

The Selkerian House exerts a large ammount of control over Marisen, although many of it's ways are not seen by most. The most important job that the members of the Selkerian House have is maintaining the sacred border. Once every six years, often referred to as one cycle, the monarch and three others of their choosing travel the entire border, visiting border towns and repowering the barrier stones that keep Marisen safe from invaders.
As Marisen moves toward a more democratic government, the Selkerian House becomes more a figurehead and a symbol of the independence and power of the magefolk than an actual governing body. The monarch of the Selkerian House has power to introduce new laws to the council, grant titles and land, form treaties, and engage in diplomatic relations with other nations, but does not have the power to declare war, expand borders, pass laws, or create new enchantments over the land without a majority vote in the council.

Positions and Ranks in the Selkerian House

Monarch: Lady Aeona, mother of joy. The monarch, reffered to as Lady or Lord ___, is the head of the Selkerian house and the figurehead of Marisen. They are nearly always the most powerful mage in the family, as they are trained from a young age to harness their gifts and use them to their full potential.
Princet Heir: Prince Finn The princet heir, often called the heir or reffered to as Prince, Princess, or Princet ___, is the heir to the monarch of the Selkerian House. They are chosen from a young age out of the royal children for their magical prowess. They are trained by tutors of all kinds on how to best use their magic. If the monarch dies before they finish their training, a relative of the monarch's choice will rise to the throne until the Princet Heir is ready to take power.
Princets: The princets, reffered to as Prince, Princess, or Princet ___, are the other children of the monarch besides the Princet Heir. They often become diplomats, commanders, or other leaders as they age.

Opinions on the Selkerian House

Magefolk living in Marisen have mixed opinions on the Selkerian House. Some view it as tied to history and upholding tradition, others view it as restrictive and too powerful. Below are some opinions from other influential magefolk throughout marisen.
"The Selkerian House upholds tradition, honor, and justice as any leader should. The laws they pass are fair and just, and the country has seen a growth in prosperity and power since the day the Selkerian House rose to right the wrongs of the war."

Almura Devrick, "An annotated history of Marisen"

"Lady Aeona of the Selkerian House is the perfect example of a monarch with power using it well. She limits her own power by implementing a council, and puts rules in place for her own abilities. She truly deserves the title 'Mother of Joy'."

Halwin Jenso, "The Selkerian House: A rise to power"

"The Selkerian House takes power from the people and puts it in the hands of the few. In the mountains, everything is under their control. They refuse the valley life out of fear of being known by the outside. Why else would they only visit once a cycle? Urge the Selkerian House to leave their stiff mountain homes and return to the valley of their roots. Freedom outside of fear."

Unknown author, "Free People: to the valley" (Translated from Valley Mari)

Type

Geopolitical, Great house

Government System

Magocracy

Gazetteer

Central Marisen, The Southern Plains to the barrier runes.

Currency

Silver Sentis, Quartz Selts