House Drakonis

Ruling Title: Margraviate of Ashenhold

House Drakonis is a powerful and influential Elector House of the Holy Solarian Empire, controlling the harsh, resource-rich volcanic lands known as the Pyrelands. Masters of warfare, intrigue, and resource extraction, they have forged a legacy of resilience, ruthlessness, and ambition. Known for their intimidating presence, the Drakonis have a reputation for decisiveness, cruelty, and a relentless pursuit of power.

History

House Drakonis traces its lineage to the War of Illumination, where their ancestor, Lord Cyran Drakonis, led fierce campaigns against those who resisted Saint Aureth’s unification. For his ruthless efficiency in battle, Cyran was granted lordship over the Pyrelands, an unforgiving territory of volcanic mountains, ash-covered plains, and obsidian-rich hills.

In the centuries that followed, the house adapted to their harsh territory, turning its volcanic soil into a resource rather than a curse. They constructed formidable fortresses from obsidian, basalt, and dark iron, and quickly monopolized trade in rare minerals and volcanic glass. House Drakonis became wealthy, their power growing alongside their fierce pride and desire for political influence.

Territory (The Pyrelands)
The Pyrelands are defined by their harsh volcanic landscape—marked by scorched plains, rivers of molten rock, and active volcanic peaks. Beneath these dangerous lands lie vast deposits of obsidian, volcanic iron, sulphur, and rare minerals, making the Drakonis immensely wealthy.

Major Cities and Fortresses:

• Emberhold: The Drakonis ancestral seat, an imposing fortress of black basalt and obsidian towers built atop volcanic cliffs, commanding views over rivers of lava and expansive volcanic plains.
• Ashen Gate: A strategic fortress-city guarding the pass between the Pyrelands and the heartlands of the Empire, it also houses notorious prisons used by the Inquisition.
• Redspire: A wealthy mining city built on trade, known for crafting superior weapons, armour, and enchanted items from volcanic materials.

House Culture and Values
Drakonis culture revolves around strength, endurance, and ruthless pragmatism. Children are trained from an early age in martial prowess, strategic cunning, and resourcefulness. Honour, loyalty, and discipline are expected within the house, yet tempered by a willingness to use fear and intimidation as tools of control. This duality ensures the Drakonis maintain their authority both within their territory and on the wider political stage.

Notable Traits:

• A militaristic society where martial skill is paramount.
• Renowned smiths and artificers who craft weapons and artifacts from volcanic materials, known as Embersteel and obsidian blades.
• Cunning politicians and diplomats who maintain a close alliance with the Church and Inquisition.

Relations and Alliances
House Drakonis maintains strong relations with the Inquisition and House Carathen, sharing mutual interests in enforcing strict religious orthodoxy and rooting out heresy. However, their relationship with Houses Valenhurst and Solthar remains uneasy, as these houses often see Drakonis methods as overly brutal or manipulative. Despite these tensions, their considerable military strength and resource wealth make Drakonis indispensable in Imperial politics.

Military Strength
The armies of House Drakonis are feared across the Empire for their ruthless efficiency and brutal tactics. Soldiers from the Pyrelands, known as Ember Legionaries, wear distinctive dark armour forged from Embersteel, capable of enduring extreme heat. The house also commands a renowned cavalry unit, the Ashdrakes, elite knights who ride specially bred drake-like creatures adapted to volcanic terrains.