House Phiarlan
During the Last War, House Phiarlan offered its services of spying and intelligence to all nations, refusing to side with anyone. Due to House Phiarlan's secrecy and the fact that they took contracts from all sides, eventually House Phiarlan agents found themselves contracted against each other, which led to conflicting loyalties.
In 1810, a conflict between two of the Phiarlan families tore apart House Phiarlan in an event known as the Shadow Schism. The Thuranni line of House Phiarlan assassinated every member of the Paelion line they could find, claiming that the Paelion family was planning a coup of Khorvaire that would involve assassinating every major ruler and the other Phiarlan families. As punishment, House Phiarlan excoriated the entire Thuranni line, leading them to form the rival house of House Thuranni and taking over Phiarlan's operations in Karrnath and the Lhazaar Principalities.
In 1810, a conflict between two of the Phiarlan families tore apart House Phiarlan in an event known as the Shadow Schism. The Thuranni line of House Phiarlan assassinated every member of the Paelion line they could find, claiming that the Paelion family was planning a coup of Khorvaire that would involve assassinating every major ruler and the other Phiarlan families. As punishment, House Phiarlan excoriated the entire Thuranni line, leading them to form the rival house of House Thuranni and taking over Phiarlan's operations in Karrnath and the Lhazaar Principalities.
Structure
All members of House Phiarlan are elves, but not all elves are welcome into the house. Most members of House Phiarlan belong to one of four family lines, Phiarlan, Tialaen, Shol, or Elorrenthi.
While House Phiarlan is normally very restrictive about elves being able to marry into the House, the events of the Shadow Schism greatly reduced its membership and bloodline's diversity. In recent years the House has been more open to membership of elves outside the house with exceptional skills in the arts or espionage.
Members of House Phiarlan are often entertainers, like bards or spellcasters specializing in illusions. Some special members are Phiarlan phantasmists or shadow hunters.
Culture
House Phiarlan uses two symbols: the heraldic mark of the hydra and the mask of shadows. The mark of the hydra is the house's primary symbol and features a five-headed hydra with a blade resting below it. Four of the heads appear aggressive whilst the other is calm. The symbol represents the artistic divisions within the house and its resilience. The less-popular symbol, the mask of shadows, is usually worn by members as either literal full-sized masks or more subtle badges or jewelry. The mask of shadows is silver in color and has a stylized design.
The members of Phiarlan have held strongly to their traditions. They believe that the greatest treasures of the house are the works of ancient artists. The great works that the house has can normally only be performed by a single person. These heirlooms are handed down by the person who possesses the heirloom, giving it to another worthy individual.
The members of Phiarlan have held strongly to their traditions. They believe that the greatest treasures of the house are the works of ancient artists. The great works that the house has can normally only be performed by a single person. These heirlooms are handed down by the person who possesses the heirloom, giving it to another worthy individual.
Assets
Instead of having a single headquarters, House Phiarlan has five enclaves known as demesnes that each focus on one of five disciplines of entertainment.
Memory
The Demesne of Memory deals with the written word. Phiarlan novelists, playwrights, and poets all study at it. The Phiarlan have a good amount of money thanks to their books, songs, and plays because they have a powerful effect on public opinion. An individual can pay for a Phiarlan author to portray them in a good light or vilify an enemy. Phiarlans are also used as speech writers and many politicians have hired them to improve their image.
Motion
As its name suggests, the Demesne of Motion has to do with the art of the body. The art forms studied here are dance, gymnastics, wrestling, mime, contortion, massage, and many more. Phiarlans have mastered many different forms and styles of dance and they are known for their grace and power. Acrobats of the Carnival of Shadows train in this demesne before starting in the Carnival. The Serpentine Table normally take some of the most gifted students of motion for their group. Phiarlan escorts study the arts of motion and shadow. These elves are used for people that need companionship or to make an impression and the Phiarlan can change their appearance through their magic to appear as anyone the client needs or wants.
Music
The Demesne of Music teaches the arts of sound, song, and instruments, with different styles from all over Eberron. Most Phiarlan learn at this demesne and it is second in popularity only to the Demesne of Shadow.
Shape
The Demesne of Shape teaches the different ways of making costumes, sets, props, and instruments. Aesthetic artists, sculptors, painters, and potters also learn at this demesne. The Phiarlans use the skill that they obtained at Aerenal to create many things. The first Demesne of Shape was located in the city of Atur in Karrnath, but it was taken over by the newly founded House Thuranni.
Shadow
The Demesne of Shadow covers the art of deception. The illusions used in the house's various artforms and plays are learned here. This also serves as the center for verbal arts of deception and coercion, feigned emotion, and role assumption.
Memory
The Demesne of Memory deals with the written word. Phiarlan novelists, playwrights, and poets all study at it. The Phiarlan have a good amount of money thanks to their books, songs, and plays because they have a powerful effect on public opinion. An individual can pay for a Phiarlan author to portray them in a good light or vilify an enemy. Phiarlans are also used as speech writers and many politicians have hired them to improve their image.
Motion
As its name suggests, the Demesne of Motion has to do with the art of the body. The art forms studied here are dance, gymnastics, wrestling, mime, contortion, massage, and many more. Phiarlans have mastered many different forms and styles of dance and they are known for their grace and power. Acrobats of the Carnival of Shadows train in this demesne before starting in the Carnival. The Serpentine Table normally take some of the most gifted students of motion for their group. Phiarlan escorts study the arts of motion and shadow. These elves are used for people that need companionship or to make an impression and the Phiarlan can change their appearance through their magic to appear as anyone the client needs or wants.
Music
The Demesne of Music teaches the arts of sound, song, and instruments, with different styles from all over Eberron. Most Phiarlan learn at this demesne and it is second in popularity only to the Demesne of Shadow.
Shape
The Demesne of Shape teaches the different ways of making costumes, sets, props, and instruments. Aesthetic artists, sculptors, painters, and potters also learn at this demesne. The Phiarlans use the skill that they obtained at Aerenal to create many things. The first Demesne of Shape was located in the city of Atur in Karrnath, but it was taken over by the newly founded House Thuranni.
Shadow
The Demesne of Shadow covers the art of deception. The illusions used in the house's various artforms and plays are learned here. This also serves as the center for verbal arts of deception and coercion, feigned emotion, and role assumption.
History
House Phiarlan was one of the first houses to form within the Shadowfell and it can trace its origins back to when the elves rebelled against their giant captors during the Age of Giants. The first members of House Phiarlan were scouts and bards who raised morale and brought news and information to the scattered elven tribes. When the elves first discovered the island nation of Aerenal, the Phiarlans traveled between settlements as troubadours and mediators. Over time, the Phiarlans mastered the art of trading information and made sure to use the information they had to their advantage. The Undying Court made its first appearance in Aerenal and out of fear, the Phiarlans were given the task of serving the Sibling Kings as spies in an effort to help maintain order in the land.
The Dragonsong War's impact was great across the multiverse. During this time the dragons were already at war with the elves and the elves garnered the suspicion of the dragons. When it was revealed that House Vol was in an alliance with dragons, the Sibling Kings and the dragons united in an attempt to exterminate the House. The elves of Aerenal fled to Khorvaire in an effort to avoid the same fate as House Vol. Upon arriving in the continent, they banded together to form House Phiarlan. The House's artistic skills earned them a place within the Five Nations and in time the Serpentine Table offered its expertise to those in power there.
We are the shadow—the border between light and darkness. We are not simply spies or assassins. We are agents of balance, and through our dance, we shape the future ” — Kaleth Shol d'Phiarlan, ghost of the Serpentine Table
Founding Date
-3200
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Alternative Names
Entertainers and Artisans Guild of the Shadowfell
Demonym
"Phiarlan" is an Elven word that translates roughly to spirit keepers.
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Family Leader
Parent Organization
Location
Related Traditions
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
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