House Cressan
House Cressan is an elven noble family known for their vast collection of knowledge and magical artifacts, which they have guarded for millennia from their fortress library, Candlekeep. Once open to scholars and the public, they became more secretive after the Stormclaw Conquest, hoarding ancient wisdom and using it to gain political influence. Their long lifespans have allowed them to accumulate and preserve a wealth of knowledge, making them one of the most intellectually formidable houses in the empire. While they adhere to the traditions of old Arnor, including devotion to the Triad, their hidden magical practices and elitist attitudes set them apart from other noble families. Today, House Cressan is both respected and feared, valued for their knowledge but distrusted for their secrecy.
Culture
House Sparrington is a noble halfling family known for their expertise in cattle herding and agriculture, ruling from Rancher’s Rest in the Dawnlands. They rose to power through their ranching skills in old Arnor and secured their position by siding with the Stormclaws during the conquest. Renowned for their strong community values and eccentric customs, such as consuming bull testicles and drinking more milk than water, they live by their motto, "Strength in the Herd." While not politically ambitious, they are vital to the empire’s economy, providing much of its meat and dairy supply. Though often underestimated, House Sparrington’s resilience, work ethic, and deep connection to the land have earned them respect and influence within the empire.
Assets
House Cressan commands a wealth of assets centered around their vast collection of knowledge and magical artifacts, stored within their ancestral seat, Candlekeep. This grand library fortress holds thousands of ancient tomes, scrolls, and relics, some dating back to old Arnor, making it one of the most formidable repositories of knowledge in the empire. The house's wealth comes not from land or trade but from the strategic value of the knowledge they possess, which they often barter or use to gain political leverage. Their mastery of old magic, while carefully concealed, gives them a hidden strength that many fear, even though most of their magical practices are no longer shared with the empire. Additionally, House Cressan controls the surrounding lands of Candlekeep, which provide a steady supply of resources to support their scholars and maintain the fortress. Though their military strength is limited, the secrets housed within Candlekeep make them a force to be reckoned with.
History
House Cressan traces its origins to the ancient days of old Arnor, when they were renowned for their stewardship of knowledge and their role as keepers of the largest libraries in the land. As elves with long lifespans, they have been able to accumulate vast wisdom over millennia, carefully curating their archives and preserving magical relics that would otherwise be lost to time. During the Great Migration, when the eight noble houses fled south, House Cressan made it their mission to rebuild their collection of knowledge, establishing Candlekeep as a center of learning open to all. For centuries, the library welcomed scholars from across the empire, but after the Stormclaw Conquest, House Cressan's priorities shifted. Fearful of losing their treasures to the growing power of the empire, they became more secretive, closing their doors to outsiders and hoarding the knowledge that had once been freely shared. Today, House Cressan stands as a house of scholars and hoarders, guarding Candlekeep’s ancient secrets and wielding knowledge as a tool of influence and power within the empire.
"Knowledge is power"
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Family Leader
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments