CHARACTER CREATION

To be in House Vaskaris, it is an honor. To be born into the House, it is rare, for every one child born gifted, there are nine others that share no talent in magic. As the generation of blood thins, so does the chance of being born as a full Vaskaris, leading the family to seek other magical blood lines. Due to this, it is well known that many within the House have married relatives to continue the potency of their bloodline. With each new generation, the strength of the blood has begun to dwindle to where it is a rare case to have one born within the House to actually have the gift of the blood. This makes the eldest of the family members coveted due to their stronger bloodline. For all the generations and centuries which House Vaskaris has seen to florish, there are only a little over a hundred different members within the fold.

Those within the House, though called ‘family’ find no tradition as others do with the term. Fondness, though it can be found, is rare when it is the obsession of magic and their dark knowledge which drives them instead of the relations of family. This is due when those with the gift of the blood are taken at the young age of six, removed by their parents’ side and placed into one of the various schools under the rule of the House. Nor are the schools easy when there have been many of times where a Vaskaris child has perished, unable to fulfill the requirement of the House’s expectations. This makes full members a rarity. Some die in attempt to fulfill these expectations while there are some that choose the dishonor of exile, turned away from the House like many of those born without the gift. Though it is known that those exiled, losing the name Vaskaris, can give birth to a child with the gift. This child, if seen worthy, can be brought into the schools and earn the House name and given their title.

Though it is known that, and many times than not, that one born into House Vaskaris holds no sway to the blood. There is simply no magic to them. Yet many can still be of use within the family where their children can hold a chance at continuing the bloodline where a parent could not or to serve within the House. For House Vaskaris is more than magic when it is also a great holder of history and lore. These character, unlike the superior status of members, are called vassals. These vassals can be of blood relation or even be a willing - or unwilling - servants of the House.

CREATING A MEMBER

No one in the House knows of their angelic blood. It does not give them angelic abilities, it merely gives a potency of magic in their blood.
Full members of House Vaskaris as given a title, which they are introduced as more than their own name. This title represents who and what they are to the rest of the House, many themed off their style of magic or the school of magic they mastered. These titles are unique, belonging solely to that member.
In House Vaskaris, age can be unknown. Some members are whispered to be centuries old while others nearly reaching one hundred, yet still look young. This is due to the magic in their blood and the more prominent it is, the older they can be without aging. Also many just finishing their schooling are generally over fifty years of age or older.
Nearly every member within House Vaskaris suffers from some manner of ailment, be it mental or physical. The newer generations, more so, due to the years of inbreeding within the family while those with parentage outside have a better chance of missing this small curse within the family. (This means that every member holds some form of a weakness.)
Each full member from House Vaskaris has mastered at least one art of magic. Some of an older age may have mastered more than one but this is rare, for it can take a century to simply finish the schooling required within the House.
House Vaskaris has a council. As to who is on it is nearly unknown, being many of the oldest in the House have unseen for nearly a century now. The council still works behind the shadows.
There are very few laws within the House but one is that a member is to never reveal the secrets of the family or the knowledge of their blood. Doing this is punishable by death.
The House is under the rule of the Deathstalker Empire, each member a royal subject to the Emperor. In agreement centuries ago, the House opened its doors to the Emperor’s mages in the means to keep their House and knowledge intact.
In House Vaskaris, no gender or mix of race is above another. It is only the strength of the blood that matters.

CREATING A VASSAL

Characters that are made as vassals, or become one, can hold magic like many members of Vaskaris. Being a vassals does not mean one is magic-less. This could be the very reason why a match between a member and a vassal is made. Being a vassal merely means they are not a Member of the House.
Loyal by oath, vow, or blood - it does not matter. All vassals are considered lower than every member, new or old, of the House.
No vassal can hold position within the Council of the House.
A vassal can be many things. It can be an enchanted pet to a Member, a servant created by the magic of the House, a family member, one's spouse, or even someone that has been stripped of their role as Member of the House.
Each vassal holds a ward on them, be it flesh or soul, that activates if one is considered a danger to the House. Thid ward, depending on its purpose, can paralyze, cripple, or even kill the vassal if it deemed to do so.
Vassals can marry into the House for polical gain or a means to strength the bloodline. This is not an easy position when many are expected to breed to further the bloodline. There could be consequences for a vassal if nothing is gained in such a match.
Vassals of the House can hold positions in the various schools, maybe even teach, when knowledge needs no magic. This can fall into a knowledge of history, lore, or even physical combat when vassals can also be used as guards for Members of the House.
Just as Members of House Vaskaris cannot share secrets or knowledge of their House, the same goes to any Vassal. The consequences of doing such is far worse for a vassal, as well. Many a time, there isn't even a trial. There is only the execution.
Though any Member of House Vaskaris is a loyal subject, or at least acts as one, to the Deathstalker Empire, vassals priority is to the House. Loyalty to House Vaskaris comes first. It is the Members responsibility to represent their House.
In House Vaskaris, no gender or mix of race is above another. It is only the strength of the blood that matters. The same holds for any vassal as well.

CONTACT WARYK OR CARRICK

IF INTERESTED IN A CHARACTER

HOUSE VASKARIS