House Solthar

Ruling Title: Duchy of Caminus

House Solthar is one of the most vital and influential noble houses of the Holy Solarian Empire, responsible for the production of Solsteel, enchanted war machines, and divine relics. They are known as the Forge Lords, a dynasty of blacksmith-kings, war-engineers, and battle priests who believe that creation and destruction are two sides of the same coin.

While other noble houses wield swords and political power, House Solthar crafts the weapons that shape empires and break nations. Their foundries burn hotter than any sun, and their smith-priests see their craft as both a science and a sacred duty.

To the Empire’s rulers, House Solthar is a necessary pillar of strength, ensuring that the might of Solenara’s chosen warriors remains unchallenged. To the Church of the Radiant Flame, they are divinely blessed artisans, shaping steel as the gods shape destiny. To their rivals, however, they are hoarders of knowledge, greedy in their monopolization of Solsteel and the power it grants. They do not simply craft weapons—they forge the future of the Empire.

Seat of Power

Brightforge is one of the most crucial industrial and military centers in the Empire, a city of flame and steel where Solsteel—the blessed metal used for imperial weaponry and sacred armor—is forged. The city’s skyline is pierced by towering chimneys, the glow of forge-fires casting a perpetual reddish hue over its stone ramparts.

Its streets are loud with the clangor of hammers, arcane runes etched into furnaces, and the scent of oil and ash. Despite its industrial character, Brightforge is beautiful in its own austere, disciplined way, marked by grand statues of legendary smiths, brass-clad battlements, and solar mosaics.

Role in the Empire

House Solthar is not just a noble house—it is a pillar of the Empire’s military-industrial complex.

The Master Smiths of Solsteel

• House Solthar controls the only known sources of Solsteel ore, the rare and sacred metal used in holy weaponry, armour, and relics.
• Their family-owned forges produce the divine armaments wielded by the Solari Templars and the Inquisition.
• They also craft war machines, siege engines, and enchanted constructs used in battle.

A House of Warriors and Artisans

• Unlike most noble houses, House Solthar believes that a true leader must work the forge before they can lead armies.
• Their warriors fight not only with swords but also with mechanical ingenuity, using flame-throwing war gauntlets, Solsteel-enhanced armour, and rune-forged weaponry.
• Many Solari Templars are armed and trained by House Solthar’s elite smith-priests.

Religious Devotion to Solenara

• To House Solthar, forging is an act of worship—fire and steel are divine elements, and creation is sacred.
• Their smith-priests chant prayers while they hammer metal, believing they are shaping not just weapons, but fate itself.
• Their warriors believe that to wield a weapon without understanding its forging is blasphemy.

The Architects of War

• House Solthar constructs the Empire’s greatest citadels and fortifications.
• They design siege engines, massive city walls, and enchanted bridges that resist the tests of time and battle.
• Their engineers are sought after across the Empire, but no Solthar secrets ever leave their forges.

House Solthar stands as one of the Empire’s oldest and most prestigious noble families. Known for their martial prowess, strategic acumen, and control of some of the richest mineral resources within Imperial territory, they have long served as crucial allies of the throne and influential voices within the Sunfire Council.

Their lands, the rugged and resource-rich Auric Highlands, yield vast deposits of Solsteel, making them among the wealthiest and most strategically significant houses in the Empire.

Political Influence and Role in the Sunfire Council

House Solthar is counted among the Elector Houses, wielding significant political influence in Imperial affairs. Their considerable military strength, coupled with their indispensable economic contributions, makes their voice impossible to ignore.

• War and Diplomacy: Often allied with House Carathen, House Solthar traditionally supports expansionist policies, advocating for continued military campaigns against the Lunar Covenant. However, internal disagreements about the morality of such prolonged conflict have recently emerged within the house itself, causing tensions at the Council.
• Relationship with the Church: Though devout worshippers of Solenara, House Solthar frequently clashes with the Inquisition. The House champions martial honour and clear justice rather than secret tribunals or religious zealotry, occasionally placing them at odds with more fanatical elements.

Current Situation and Internal Tensions

Though historically unified, House Solthar currently faces internal challenges. Some support the ongoing crusade against the Covenant passionately, viewing it as a matter of honour and divine duty. Others, notably the younger generation such as Hadrian Solthar, are increasingly questioning the morality of endless conflict and the harsh tactics used by the Church and Inquisition.

This generational rift has created political vulnerabilities, exploited by rival Elector Houses eager to diminish Solthar’s influence in the Sunfire Council. However, despite these tensions, House Solthar remains powerful and deeply respected, their decisions capable of shifting the balance of power across the entire Empire.