House Elthrai is a prominent Elvish Noble House of Waterdeep. The family claims it bloodline goes back to the ancient Elf kingdoms Illfarn. The family arrived in Waterdeep approximately 700 years ago, fleeing the declining Earlann in the High Forest. The family took up residence in the Sea Ward, the family villa overlooking the Sea of Swords. The family is financially sound, having built a reputation as traders and controlling a small but influential merchant fleet. House Elthrai is a strong supporter of Laeral Silverhand, hoping the support will one day lead to its elevation as a Hidden Lord. the family’s noble roots in other kingdoms allowed it to integrate quickly into the great political games of Waterdeep.
Once known for its prominent and gifted Sorcerers, the House fell on hard times approximately 2,500 years ago because of now unknown events. Tyrion Elthrai currently heads House Elthrai, although his sister Ichika is the current matriarch of the family.
FROM DM: 12/05/2017 IS THAT THE MOST RECENT PDF?
Great-Grandfather of Tyrion Elthrai
Known as the Sunflayer, Sariour was an uncanny prodigy of magic. Seeing his dragonblood as a sign he was superior to the lesser races, Sariour began a campaign to purge the world of the unworthy. To protect himself it is said that he imbued his sons, now adults, with a portion of his power to ensure he could never die. Two of his sons, Charoi and Cyanth, followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming generals in his crusade. Cython, his eldest son, however betrayed his father by killing his brothers and himself in an explosion, allowing a force led by Cython’s son the time needed to slay Sariour. As he bled out Sariour promised his grandson he would return and that the legend of the Sunflayer would inspire others to follow him.
For the DM:
Varatas' Father
In many ways the mirror of his son, the Current Patriarch of House Elthrai spent much of his youth ignoring the duties of a future head of the house. His greatest insult to the family came by marrying a commoner, stating that love was more important that bloodlines. Despite being ordered to break off a relationship Tyrion refused, bringing shame to the House in the noble circles.
Tyrion would have been expelled from the House if not for his younger brother’s rushing off on adventures, leaving Tyrion as the only possible heir apparent. As punishment for his decision, Tyrion’s wife was not named as the house’s matriarch, that honor being given to Tyrion’s sister Ichika. This has left a question over the next heir to the House, as Ichika believes her son is a far more deserving candidate than any of Tyrion’s children.
Tyrion has gone to great lengths and cost to expunge as many records as he can of Sariour Elthrai and his mad sons. He feared that knowledge of an ancestral “mad king” would damage his work to bring the family back to the highest standing. He has been successful in most of the region, but Silverymoon and Candlekeep care far more about the preservation of knowledge than a noble’s whims to hide history.
Tyrion’s recent focus his efforts on elevating the House. While House Elthrai is commonly in the whispers of being Hidden Lord of Waterdeep, it is sadly false. He ensured his sister and eldest daughter were strategically married in ways to benefit the family and raise its’ status. He already had plans to marry Aletheia and Varatas when they were adults.
Tyrion had Varatas sent to Silverymoon when he began to display magical prowess, fearful that his child might become mad with power. Varatas was sent to Silverymoon to be trained, although Tyrion’s orders were that Varatas’ power be sealed or contained.
To those who ask, he states Varatas is at a far away finishing school, lest the nobility fear the second coming of the Sunflayer.
For the DM:
Varatas’ Uncle
Spared the restraints of leading House Elthrai, Teclis spent his time focusing on martial development. When he was just a teenager by elf standards he left the family estate, vowing to protect the innocent and right the wrongs of the world. While he understands the importance of the family’s honor, Teclis has chosen to uphold it through valorous deeds and his code of honor.
Known to go missing for decades on end, it was Teclis who encouraged Tyrion to follow his heart just once and marry Hisana against the wishes of their father. He constantly frustrates Tyrion’s attempts to groom Vesti, Varatas, and Aletheia into the perfect heirs, but agreed to never share the family history with any of them, lest they follow him on some mad crusade.
For the DM:
http://mistressainley.deviantart.com/art/Paladin-159894315 Credit to MistressAinley
Varatas’ Mother
Born as a commoner Hisana was destined to the role of a maid for a local lord until a chance encounter with Tyrion Elthrai changed her fate. Despite the objections of her soon to be father in law Hisana married into the family, quickly earning the ire of her sister-in-law.
Those who do not know her heritage would have trouble-mistaking Hisana for a commoner. It has been said she moves like the gentle breeze and has an insight of someone who grew up a noble. Her counsel has aided Tyrion’s efforts to restore House Elthrai more than once, and many nobles seek her counsel on sensitive matters, although few in Waterdeep’s nobility games would admit they sought the advice of a commoner. She supports her husband’s attempt to restore his family’s place, allowing her husband’s strict upbringing of their children to atone for her role in damaging the family.
She secretly hopes that each of her children will find a meaning outside of their family name. She encourages Aletheia’s writing and drives Vesti to find happiness outside fulfilling her father’s wishes. Hisana knows Varatas’ destiny is far more than being the head of House Elthrai, and but still hopes he comes home one day.
http://raikoart.deviantart.com/art/Sketch-Commission-Shol-ashys-600381266 Credit to raikoart
Varatas’ Older Sister
The oldest child of Tyrion and Hisana, Vesti inherited the grace of her mother and her father’s sense of family and honor. Wholly dedicated to preserve and restore the family, Vesti engages in an almost unhealthy obsession with following equitette and what is expected of an Elvish Noble. She sees her role as guardian of the family’s honor and will do whatever is necessary to protect it.
She is betrothed to another Elf Noble, a strategic marriage for each family. The idea of love is secondary to Vesti, the gain for her family being the primary reason she agreed to it.
For the DM:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4c/bc/23/4cbc2367bce935c93d5b1f748c5470ba.jpg
Varatas’ Twin Sister
Born shortly after Varatas, Aletheia was spared most of the strict upbringing of her siblings. Relentlessly cheerful but observant, she has spent most of her life at the family estate dreaming about one day following her uncle Teclis on an adventure in a far away land. Of course her parents would never let her do such a thing.
Aletheia was dismayed the Varatas would follow through on his goal to leave and not take his twin sister with him. Their older sister Vesti has taken the task of educating her younger sister in what is expected of her, although Aletheia would rather read and write poetry than study the proper way to hold a fork and curtsey.
Tyrion’s greatest fear is that Aletheia shares the same affinity for magic as Varatas.
For the DM:
http://zolaida.deviantart.com/art/Snow-489418439 Credit to Zolaida on DeviantArt
AKA people too lazy to do more bios on.
Ichika Elthrai, Matriarch of House Elthrai
Varatas’ Aunt
For the DM: • Scheming to have her son made head of household, • HATES Hisana • Thinks Tyrion is an idiot for marrying Hisana • Would have Varatas, Vesti, and Aletheia humiliated to see her son made head of household • Archetype: Evil Stepmother from Cinderella
Ichika’s Son
Varatas’ cousin Scheming A-hole who Varatas prolly disliked and ignored as much as possible. Most likely was built up by his mother that the family is his and that Varatas and Aletheia squander their birthright.
Descendents of Charoi and Cyanth
The two children of Sariour who followed him in his mad crusade were stricken from the records. Any children they had likely harbor a grudge against the family that betrayed them and cost them their destiny and birthright. And one of the children is out adventuring by himself.
Or perhaps worse, perhaps the piece of Charoi and Cyanth used to anchor their father still exist in some plane as well.
Varatas’ Fiancé
Knowing his father, Varatas was likely entered into an arranged marriage before he was 50. I would expect this young lady was told how Varatas was hers and upon hearing he had left, prolly went on her own crusade to force her to marry him. Varatas likely doesn’t know she exists, and if he did, likely did not think much of her (not out of any spite or dislike, but because he had better things to do).
For the DM:
