Great Houses of Selidel

The Great Houses are the oligarchic rulers of the Nation of Selidel. There are five houses-- Nilveth, Hlennin, Ves, Rilail, and Ilaïo -- and each jealously controls different aspects of trade and drow culture. Each house is commanded by a matron mother who commands her progeny with centuries of experience.   Representatives of the Great Houses have ruled Selidel by council for centuries, since days long before the Flood. During the Flood, the Houses greedily raided and conquered the lands above, each house laying claim to vast swathes of land. Today, they remain as dominant as ever, and their power continues to grow. They face resistance on all fronts of expansion, but they hope to expand even further and grow their holdings to engulf the continent.   House Nilveth is the oldest of the houses, and claims religious dominance. Nilveth priestesses are trained from a young age to serve both Lloth and their house, navigating the political world with a degree of immunity thanks to their religious status. These priestesses can be found in courtrooms and chapels across Saras.   House Hlennin deals in secrets-- espionage, and more importantly, counterespionage. They pride themselves in being the very best at protecting secrets and important people. Their members work as spymasters and bodyguards for nobles and wealthy merchants, but many also moonlight as thieves and spies. House Hlennin's crest is a silver spider on a black field, representing silence, moving unseen, and an intricate web of informants.   House Ves is a militaristic house that values honor and loyalty. Their warriors are the most feared and well-trained combatants in Selidel, distinguishable by their plumed, visored helmets that are molded into frightening visages. These masked helms protect their wearers from sunlight, allowing Ves warriors to fight in any conditions. House Ves's crest is a rearing brass bull on a crimson field, symbolizing loyalty, tenacity, and ferocious strength.   House Rilail is a house with humble beginnings, originally herding deep rothé and striders in the Underdark. Following a sweeping disease that culled many herds across the Underdark, House Rilail rose to great wealth and power, as their livestock was practically untouched. Some suspect that the god Malyk aided House Rilail by keeping their stock safe from the blight, but the cost they paid is unknown. Today, House Rilail dominates the trade of beasts, exotic and domestic, across Selidel.   House Ilaïo