Melphestaus Family [Roleplay Group]

[Minuvas 2879]

House Melphestaus

Current Family Scion:

Minuvas Melphestaus

(roleplay group)

 

 

“SERVUS SUMUS” ~ “I SHALL ALWAYS SERVE”

"I AM A MELPHESTAUS.
I WAS THERE AT THE COMING OF THE EXALTED GODFREY, AND I WELCOME THE AGE OF MEN.
WHEN MY KIN BETRAYED THEIR OATH, I WAS THERE IN DEFENSE OF EMPEROR PHILIP AND JOHANNESBERG.

I AM A MELPHESTAUS.
I WAS THERE ON THE WALLS OF HELENA AGAINST IBLEESE.
AND I AM HERE, TODAY.

 

I AM A MELPHESTAUS.

I HAVE SUFFERED; BUT I HAVE NEVER BETRAYED.
MY LOYALTY IS TESTED, BUT NEVER BROKEN.

I AM A MELPHESTAUS

MY LOYALTY IS TO EMPEROR, TO EMPIRE, TO SCION
GOD SAVE THE EMPEROR"
--FAMILY OATH--

 

FAMILY SUMMARY

 

The ancient family scion, Diamatus Melphestaus was a rarity amongst Elven kind. He had, having lived in an age where the sons of Malin had grown under the dominion of an emerging and growing age of man.

 

"The age of man is upon us, as is the slow decline of the Mali. This does not usher an age of mourning, but an age of peace - to age gracefully in the centuries of human ascendancy and to make it one of triumph" - Diamatus to his Children. 

 

Diamatus was there to witness the coming of Exalted Godfrey, and be impressed by the span of this man's capabilities and reach. Diamatus took the an unusual practice as a High Elf, and welcomed other Mali who were not Thill into his blood line- establishing new blood lines, and in many ways making up for the lack of natural birth children. Thus his family was larger than most Elves, as it included numerous adopted children.  He considered them all of 'his blood' , though notated some as 'De Melphestaus' to indicate they were not in the most literal sense procreated by him. He then  developed a system of 'Scions' which would serve to lead each of the blood lines of the family, and give them independence to pursue their own passions. This was the start of an unusual relationship the family had with the Elven Princedoms through the ages.  His child, Maelgar would further continue this tradition. In the time of the Dominion of Malin, the Melphestaus family served under the Princes of Malin as vassals to the Empire of Oren. The family scion, Maelgar Melphestaus and his wife Illana Melphestaus prided themselves on being able to intricately maintain their Elven culture yet immerse themselves with the Human Imperials of whom they were vassals.

 

When oaths were sworn to the Empire of Oren, the Melphestaus family was there to kneel with their leadership and give fealty to Imperials. Although the Melphestaus were Elves by birth, they recognized the nativity of the Imperials and the need for Mali wisdom to guide them. The Sons of Horen would inherit the world, Maelgar believed as his father did, and it was the duty of Mali kind to guide them, teach them, and help them usher in a new age. This idea that Elves were not, in fact, superior to Humans was perhaps the final nail, in addition to the conversion of Canonism, in their relationship to further Elven Princedoms. It was at this time that the Melphestaus line found itself no longer welcome amongst circles of Elven Purists.

 

Detached from ideas of racial purity, and seeing in the humans a society of merit - the Melphestaus family grew fond of the humans they had lived with for many decades. So close was their loyalty to human society and their obligation of service, the family moved to Johannesburg in 1580, under the reign of Emperor Philip I and worked as academics and lawyers, offering guidance and wisdom when requested to those who wanted it. In the year 1593, the betrayal of Elven society against Oren as Courland began its invasion did not shake their loyalty.

As Imperial loyalists, the Melphestaus family helped in some small part in developing the ‘thanium bomb’ on behalf of Emperor Philip I in the late 16th century. Fleeing the city, they would escape to continue living - never severing their loyalty to the inherited and acknowledged Emperor of the human realm. In times of racial hate against elves, the family Melphestaus served. The family has always distrusted Elven Princedoms for this reason, believing they will inevitably betray all political allegiances to humans - because of racial arrogance.

Yet the Humans were not always kind to the Melphestaus family, despite their desire to serve. They took the hate, cut their ears to appear human, and served. Decried for faith, they adopted Canonism, and served.  In times good and bad, they always served. After nearly two hundred years, Maelgar and Illana had their first child, Minuvas, in 1776 in Helena. They promised each other their children would learn languages, art, and culture - but they would never imply that he was Elven, only that he was an Imperial. Because the Elves were cursed with few children, adoption is a popular method for growing the family.

 

They would never take their children to the Silver State, to be polluted by ideas of purity before their children could learn of their own free will. A mali child being born is a gift, but one that could be free from the prejudices inflicted on them would come to love their Empire even more. They took up human practices and commissioned for themselves a human house coat of arms, kept privately, to impart on their children.

 

Family Scions & Paths
 

Scions

So that each member may be kept productive and best maximize their talents, it was Maelgar who introduced a system of Scions that was unique from Imperial household titles. Each branch would have its own Scion, determining how best pursue the talents of its immediate kin, expand the family, and make decisions within it's family tree without consulting the Family Scion. The Family Scion was head of family, who would now serve in a more advisory position to ensure that no branch was deviating too far from the family goals and to keep them focused on larger family ambitions. The Family Scion was not always choose from among the other Scions. Though every member technically has 1 vote, the weight of each vote was often measured by the merit of the individual voting.

 

Paths. 

Paths are an assigned 'goal' from the Scions on how the Mali may best pursue their life interests. They are encouraged to be voluntary, so that they match the interests of the Mali. A family member is expected to have chosen a path by the age of 30 years old. Specific paths are encouraged, but not required, by bloodline. The paths are numerous, though they tend to fall into the following categories. Specific bloodlines are encouraged to follow certain paths, except wood elves who are encouraged to pursue many paths. Family members may also pursue multiple paths and this list is not exhaustive.

**High Elf
**Dark Elf
**Half-Elf

The Path of the Arcane: Study of magic in all its forms, this path is a life-long investment.
The Path of Academia: Science, mathematics, scholarship in all its forms. Family members are encourage to write, read, and learn about the world around them.
The Path of Politics: Government excellence, leadership and elections.
The Path of the Blade: The crafting of weapons, and the use of weapons - whether that is the assassins knife, or the Soldiers sword.
The Path of Business/Finance: The sale of goods, owning of business, running of franchises and handling of money.

The Path of the Faith: All family members are encouraged to join the Church, if they devote themselves as Priests, knights, or nuns - it is a great honor for the family.
The Path of Science and Technology: Half-Elves lack the full gifts of magic within the family, and often take up trades in technology and gadgetry.

 

 

 

 

High Elf Bloodline

"Melphestaus"

Spoiler

Current Scion of the Mali'Thill,

Thucydides Melphestaus. 

 

Lore: As the original family line, the base summary is the lore for this family. They do not, by nature of being Thill, view themselves as superior to their cousins. 'We are all Melphestaus' , Diamatus would tell his children. 

 

 

 

Dark Elf Bloodline

"Livarai De Melphestaus".

 

Spoiler

Current Scion of the Mali'Ker, Dark Elf Blood Line: Hieran Livarai De Melphestaus

 

The First Livarai De Melphestaus whereabouts are unknown, though there is rumor they are in some kind of trouble. Regardless, they had an aptitude of skill with weapons of all kinds, and a knack for financial acumen. Recognizing this in them, Diamatus brought them into the family to protect the families assets, and grow them in time. Thus the Livarai De Melphestaus' have always had a knack for skill at arms, and a penchant for martial pursuits.

 

Unique Personality Strengths:

 

Strategists: Livarai De Melphestaus use their natural Ker Witt and cunning to pursue martial and business ventures. They are encouraged from a young age to seek military leadership or to run the family business aspects. Their ability to view long term goals makes them natural fits for these paths in the family.

 

Unique Personality Weaknesses:

 

In-Control: The Strategic thinking that lends to their success, also makes Livarai De Melphestaus' feel inadequate without something they can control and influence in the family. They often pursue a path younger than their cousins, and may have dissatisfaction in their life if they can't find something to be responsible for.

 

Wood Elf Bloodline

"Daemyar De Melphestaus".

Spoiler

Current Scion of the Mali'Ame, Wood Elf Blood Line: Father Tarathiel Daemyar De Melphestaus

 

The Daemyar De Melphestaus wood elves have had the carefree spirit so normal to their other kin; but what has drawn them to the family was what Diamatus promised, protection from the old ways - the princes, the old blood lines of the Ame. In the Empire one could flourish under their own merit, but in return - these Wood Elves have had to adapt to cities, roads, walls, and all the organization that comes with the Empire. Herein lays their struggle. 

 

Unique Personality Strengths:

 

Free Spirit: Of all those in the Melphestaus family, the Daemyars were left with the most choice of their paths. Often choosing later than their cousins, and among the most diverse of skill sets"

 

Unique Personality Weaknesses: 

Carefree: The nature of the Wood Elves means they often chafe at the rigidity of the family structure, and they may find themselves taking a path too late, or not completely in line with the will of the Family Scion. The Scion of the Mali'Ame does their best to reconcile the wild spirit of the Ame with the Imperial structure.

Half-Elf Bloodline

"D'Argyll De Melphestaus"

Spoiler

Current Scion of the TaliValah: TBD D'Argyll De Melphestaus


Unique Personality Strengths:

Technologists: Being Half-Elf may have deprived the D'Argyll line of Arcane talents, but it has given them the curiosity to pursue the hard sciences and technology. D'Argyll De Melphestaus' are encouraged and promoted to pursue paths in these areas, wanting to work with gadgets, technology, and even simple or complex mechanisms.


Unique Personality Weakness:

Magic Depressed: The Half-Elf bloodline of D'Argyll has diluted Elven blood, and it makes them the least proficient arcanists in the family. They are discouraged from pursue magic paths, and have little support from the family if they choose to do so. This also causes tremendous jealousy of magic in general.

Non-Blood Children: Half-Elves are forbidden from (publicly) having children according to canon law, so the D'Argyll family line may only grow via adoption of other Half-Elves.

Overall Family Traits 

Common to all members

 

The Melphestaus family has served the Empire for centuries, quiet, obedient, with their ambitions kept close to the family heart. They are Imperials first, but have embraced the gifts of their Elven heritage in pursuing the improvement of their family and Empire. They prefer to embrace human-like clothing, naming conventions, and stylization - though each family member falls on various ranges of this scale. With some fully embracing their Elven features, some shunning them completely, and others trying to balance the identities.

Acceptable Races into the Family:
All Mali (To include Dark, Snow, High and Wood Elves)

 

Half-Elves (of any of the above)

 

 

 

Family Values

 

Loyalty

The Melphestaus family has never broken its oath of fealty to the Empire since the time of the Dominion of Malin, and they shall quarrel amongst each other before they turn from the Empire. There is no greater achievement for a Melphestaus than to serve the Imperial Government. They judge other Elves harshly for betraying the Empire over 300 years ago, and look suspiciously at Mali'Thill of Haelun'Or.

 

Merit

The family follows the concept of merit in all things. The family scion is set first by human inheritance laws, but the family decides internally who among them is most deserving to lead them based on accomplishment. Thus the family ‘heir’ is voted upon by the living descendants of the current Family Scion.

 

To Serve and Guide

Serve and Mentor Humans. As Mali or those of Mali mixed blood, the Melphestaus family is likely to outlive its human counterparts and friends. It is therefore the Houses Duty to preserve, through academia and archiving, the history of humankind - and to advise its leaders in the coming age. They will take on a leadership role, if required, but they ultimately will return authority to the Humans when appropriate. A Melphestaus is most comfortable as an advisor to a powerful human family or individual. Humans can never be adopted into the family, as this decries this very value. However, they will employ human mercenaries, guards, or employees as a part of any estate and often welcome them into their inner circle of friendship.

 

Faith

The family is devout Canonists, taking to heart the teaching of the Holy Scrolls. As such they will not allow inter-marriage with humans into the family. They will, however, adopt Adunians and Half-Elves into the family as they believe they do not share in the sin of their parents. They will not allow their children adopted or natural to participate mix-race marriage in accordance with the teachings of the Church of Canon. Though mixing between Elves has no limitation. The family has adopted the studies of Blessed Pius of Sutica, the High Elven Canonist priest as fundamental to their understanding of Elves and Canonism.
 

Mild-Mannered

A Melphestaus rarely raises his voice in anger, and dresses appropriately for the occasion. Well made Elven robes or Imperial Attire is the preferred dress. They believe that one should never strike when in a position of weakness, and family members rarely choose to show their hand publicly about their true beliefs on any given topic unless they believe it will have influence.

 

Family Strengths

 

Educated

Children of the Melphestaus family are offered a wonderful education by the family, and they take it upon themselves to ensure each of them is fluent in multiple human dialects and has a strong grasp of Imperial history, culture, peerages and Knighthoods.

Magically Gifted

The family pursues arcane studies, privately, and shares them with the family. It is only in extreme circumstances that a Melphestaus would display their magical ability to others, feeling it is the secret ‘line of defense’ they have against their enemies.

Human Bonds

The family is comfortable around humans, feeling relaxed when making friends and engaging in small conversation. They are unburdened by the Elven social constructs or judgments of humans. They do, however, look at humans as if they were a young hero of the story - naive, in need of guidance and training, but will one day rise to greatness.

 

Family Weaknesses

 

Distant

The Melphestaus family can be judgmental, especially of its own family. Bonds of affection are built slowly and over decades. 

 

 

Impure

Mali of the Melphestaus family are generally considered impure by the Elves of Haelun’Or. Other Elven pure communities are also highly judgmental of the family, decrying their existence as Imperials.Therefore, the family has strictly forbidden their family from returning to Haelun'Or lands for fear of death, execution, or other judgment by their kin. The adoption of Canonism is required and service to humans only further entrenches their distance from the Silver State. 

 

Faux Humans

Although they are Elves and of Elven descent, they have a nagging desire to appear more human and Imperial. A Melphestaus will struggle their entire life about whether they should be trying to fit in with human society, adopting their clothing, dress, and language or whether they should fully embrace being a Mali.

 

Temptations of Power

The family desires recognition, and must resist the temptation to use their long life and gifted intelligence to place themselves above humans. They do not think it is wrong to be in charge, to be enobled, or to lead humans - but they must always be wary from subverting true authority from the sons of Horen.

 

Family Events and Other Lore Posts:
The Scepter of the Blessed Emperor, Fealty to Emperor Philip II
The Ravenmour Estate

Family Tree

Language/Culture:
The Family is an "Imperial Elf" type culture, with our language dialect found here.


Family Discord:

https://discord.gg/GxbPrrxkKN 

Please hop on in if you would like to join this roleplay group and create a lasting Imperial Elf RP group.

[Fie 2520]

v cute!

[valecu 2017]

coolio!

[Josef_Rippelberg 0]

another wig family