Dark Elf Society

[cyren]

The dark elves of Gulanadur have a very complicated social structure, it's society is mainly Matriarchal and devided into 'Houses'. Commonly the 'House' is led by a matriarch, who rules the house with iron hand. In merchant houses, the power is mostly wielded by a patriarch, since the nobles consider trade a lower stature. Not uncommon is the fact, that these merchant houses are often led by a dark elven mage or with mages in their council.

There are a few different types of 'houses', of which the noble houses have the most influence, followed by the merchants houses. Despite the constant struggle for power, the two together form the basis of Dark elf society. The houses generally are in constant strife with eachother, contesting for a higher social order or more power. However this is usually not done openly, for that would be inappropriate.

Note: In Gulanadur slaves are a commodity, which are considered merchandise or are just simply used untill they are discarded (aka worked to death or killed).

Gulanadur is the only underground dark elf City in the empire of the seven isles. It has roughly 35,000 inhabitants. The highest level is for the deities, aka the temples of the various gods. In the middle level are the noble houses and the merchant's houses, as well as the bazaar. Masonry in Gulanadur is unequalled in the above world.


Noble houses:
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Scha`mur, once the ruling house of Gulanadur. This house lived in prosperity untill the Temple of Anasati was destroyed.
With the destruction of the Temple, the family lost it's standing in the upturn afterwards. House Scha`mur deals on the bazaar, with medicine,drugs and poisons as their main wares.


Ach-Lunaar, one of the oldest houses in Gulanadur and main competitor of house Scha`mur. The Matron of this house is said to be the oldest citizen in the City. Their specialty is hallucinating drugs and medicine. Tho respected in all of Gulanadur, their religion of moonlady is frowned upon.


DeVir, the reigning house of Gulanadur, after the upturn over the demise of Anasati's temple. The eldest son of the family,
Marckarious, has been replaced by adopted son Erwin von zu Dort Billigh. No love is lost between these two, hatred and desire for revenge is what Marckarious has in mind. Matron DeVir has a tight grip on her house, that is prosperous due to it's trading contacts with Dort. The house worships Molten.

Merchant houses
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D`Altamooriana, one of the leading houses in the merchants quarter. Rising again after the fire that claimed part of the family, of which some say it was started by a competitor.
This family trades in magical items, slaves, scented oils and exotic weapons. The house worships Moonlady, their patron is Ghaundan.


Maerret, the foremost competitor of house D`Altamooriana.
The Matron of this house is a priestess of Molten, their deity of worship. The house trades in weapons, alchemy and has the best masons in the City. Their power is based on their social status and their dealings with House DeVir.


Elamshin, the most ruthless of the merchants houses.
This family provides training for assassins and deals with those of shady reputation. The patron of this house is Jabbuk Velg`Larn, which is more a title than a name. The house worships Anasati.