House Aurellis

Ruling Title: Principality of Solinthar

House Aurellis is the beating heart of the Holy Solarian Empire. As custodians of the Imperial Throne, their word becomes decree, and their lineage traces back to the first High Emperor crowned by the Church. They represent the balance between divine will and worldly governance, walking the line between the spiritual fervor of the Church and the pragmatic concerns of the noble houses.

Regarded as paragons of diplomacy, grace, and central authority, House Aurellis is often viewed with both reverence and suspicion—reverence for their wisdom and prestige, and suspicion for their deep entanglements with both Church and nobility. Their palace glitters with ceremonial splendor, but their court is a crucible of cunning, compromise, and quiet coercion.

Seat of Power: Solinthar

• Solinthar is the Empire’s majestic capital, a radiant city of white and gold stone rising along the banks of the Solaris River.
• It is home to the Grand Solar Basilica, the most sacred cathedral in the Empire, where Emperors are crowned beneath the Dome of Dawn.
• The Radiant Spire serves as the seat of both the Emperor and the High Cleric, symbolizing the fusion of temporal and spiritual power.

The Fields of Dawn surround the capital—fertile farmlands dotted with shrines, sun-temples, and training grounds for imperial knights.

Lineage and Bloodlines

• House Aurellis maintains strict bloodline purity, often marrying within high nobility or even among distant branches of their own house.
• Their bloodline is said to carry the “Light of Aureth”, a divine spark granted by Saint Aureth himself—making their right to rule ordained by Solenara.

Custodians of the Imperial Throne

House Aurellis holds a unique and exalted position within the Holy Solarian Empire. Though the Emperor is elected by the Sunfire Council and not born into a hereditary monarchy, House Aurellis serves as the imperial stewards — guardians of the throne, the capital, and the continuity of rule. This role entails several key responsibilities, both symbolic and practical:

Guardians of Continuity

House Aurellis maintains stability during interregnums — the periods between emperors. When an emperor dies or abdicates, House Aurellis governs the capital and oversees daily affairs of state until a new Emperor is elected and anointed. This ensures a smooth transition of power and prevents opportunistic chaos.

Hosts of Coronation and Anointing

The coronation ceremonies and religious anointing rituals are always held in Solinthar, under the watch of House Aurellis. The High Cleric presides spiritually, but the Aurellian Prince oversees the worldly arrangements. Their role in these rites strengthens their sacred association with the Imperial office.

Keepers of the Imperial Regalia

House Aurellis safeguards the Crown of Dawn, the Sunfire Scepter, and the Mantle of Radiance — the sacred relics of imperial rule. These items are only released during coronation, symbolizing that no individual holds the Empire’s authority without the consent and support of Aurellis.

Voice of the Capital

As rulers of Solinthar, the imperial capital, they serve as the primary liaison between the Emperor and the great institutions of the Empire: the Church, the Free Cities, the noble houses, and the military orders. Even when not holding the throne, Aurellis wields significant influence over policy and diplomacy.

Imperial Advisors and Regents

In times of imperial crisis, minority rule (when a young Emperor is elected), or absence (such as war or pilgrimage), the head of House Aurellis may be named Imperial Regent. This is not automatic but is customarily proposed and approved by the Sunfire Council, who trust Aurellis’s neutrality and administrative skill.

Political Significance

This position does not give House Aurellis legal supremacy over the other Elector Houses, but it does give them a moral and symbolic primacy — the idea that the Empire itself is safe in their hands. They are seen as defenders of continuity, of lawful succession, and of the Empire’s ideals, rather than mere power-seekers.

This role also means House Aurellis rarely puts forward a candidate for Emperor from within their own bloodline, preferring instead to act as impartial custodians. This self-restraint enhances their reputation for fairness and piety — and subtly reinforces their indispensability.