Search the Community

CLAN VARALAS “Luer ilyanh adrisae” History Whispers and tales of Varalas’ origins are scarce and far between. The few who have looked into it have found nothing but spare records that have been left to rot in archives often forgotten, ranging from implications that the blood of Varalas has existed prior to the establishment of the first Laurelin, and others who would simply acclaim that the entire society is an arbitrary falsification meant as a bid for legitimacy for a conglomerate of ambitious soldiers, priests and merchants. The truth, while it may be out there, is most certainly not evident in any regard. Every theory has grounds, though there is no definitive answer to the pressing question of ‘who are they?’ The defenders of the family point back in time towards the middle-ages of Aegis and early Asulon, to a few significant paramilitary entities that conjoined under the yoke of the dwarves, forming a small if notable coalition of mali’ker that made claims to being the de jure guardians of their ilk. Yet, the purported origins have petered away with time, collapsing shortly after the wholesale collapse of Aegis and its submerging into the abyss; the mentions of ‘Varalas’ as an entity were almost nonexistent in their official documents and registrars of the Dwarven Empire under Thorik. Regardless, Clan Varalas hold this as a prideful example of what they (as a family) have achieved. In modern history, a series of inter-marriages between other significant entities has been made to attempt to foster further legitimacy. None have been of particular note or significance, though they have netted them several profitable deals with other established societies and once-reputable mali’ker. With such little ground to stand on, the only claims the family have made are dismissive at best and defer to their highly acclaimed ancestors; the few that are so purportedly dear and representative of their family’s history and classical values they propagate as the correct way to live as a member of the mali’ker. Ethos and culture Above all, Clan Varalas values the traits of integrity, valor, reason, diligence, gravity and obedience. These virtues are regarded as being the requisite attributes of the ideal soldier - an individual unit which the Clan’s teachings believe considers the backbone of any functioning society. The Clan teaches an emphasis on collectivism as opposed to individualism. The identity of the person who holds a position is regarded as thoroughly unimportant when compared to the function of the position itself. Individuals must allow themselves to be subsumed entirely into their function, and this role is unquestioningly best performed by employing the six quintessential virtues. Respect for tradition and conservatism is an additional quality valued by the Clan. Integrity is the first trait prized by the Clan. Honesty and transparency, as well as the keeping of oaths, are attributes that are regarded as essential for any mali’ker to hold to live a worthwhile life. Dishonesty, unprincipledness and moral hedonism is regarded as entirely unfavourable to the healthy function of any entity and indeed the entire race. In order to operate in any way which befits a true mali’ker, one must be morally principled and stalwart in those convictions. Placing one’s Clan and people first before individual wants and needs is an example of Varalas integrity. Valor is the second trait of import. Great bravery and courage in the face of danger is deemed the ideal quality of an exemplary soldier, the most celebrated role in a civilisation according to the teachings of Clan Varalas. Members of the clan are expected to be courageous in their actions yet nevertheless disciplined and controlled, shunning cowardice and other craven behaviours. Yet these first two idealistic traits are expected to be tempered with the third trait, reason and pragmatism. The process of a mind to think, understand and form judgements by a careful process of logic, reason and realistic concerns as opposed to emotional concerns, is deemed integral in the eyes of Clan Varalas. Integrity and valor must never be compromised, however they must be balanced with rationality and care. Losing one’s temper is judged as being foolhardy by the Clan, and actually acting rashly more so. Everything must be carefully considered and planned. This principle accounts for the Clan’s isolationist stance when regarding the mali’ker’s relations with the other peoples of the world. Diligence is the fourth attribute expected to be exhibited by the mali’ker, in line with the Clan’s doctrines. Prosperity and glory may only be achieved through industry and hard-work, with every member of the Clan, great or small, able or disabled, expected to do their part towards the collective interest as a form of civic duty. Gravity is the fifth of the Clan’s preached values. Life may often be difficult, and so events and actions must be judged and evaluated with care and delicacy. The Clan’s ethos shuns a careless and hedonistic life free of responsibility or restrictions, believing that boundaries and austerity are the correct recipe for a successful life. The final value is perhaps the most important, and is that of obedience. Superiors are expected to be obeyed unquestioningly. Orders are taken extremely seriously to the point of being considered miniature vows which members of the Clan have implicitly sworn to see carried out. Obedience to one’s superiors is judged as being the paramount virtue of any mali’ker, as the idea of any superior having anything other than the collective good of the people as their chief-most agenda is an anathema to the Clan’s values. The Clan teaches that death via the carrying out of orders ought to be considered preferable to disgrace via being insubordinate. Obedience is the pinnacle of a dark elf’s civic duty, for without it, the entire tapestry of civilisation would come undone. Hierarchy Patriarch The mali’ker who bears the title of Patriarch is the overall, active leader of Clan Varalas. With them, they carry the most senior level of deferred respect and authority. Syndic The title of Syndic is bestowed to the individual the Patriarch wishes to stand for him in administrative duties as a second-in-command. In effect, there is no individual more important to the structure of the Clan than he. Councilman Councilmen serve as a type of ‘advisory board’ of individuals who have plied their trade for a long span of time. Normally, this is reserved for talented family members, but occasions spring up where merit adoptives into the Clan will take on this level of service to Varalas. Kinsman Kinsman serves as a blanket term for the noble-born children of Clan Varalas, and their responsibilities are few and far between. Most are expected to uphold tradition and to supply a child, but any further involvement in official activities relies on their individual ambition. Individuals born outside of the Clan when having undertaken exemplary service are often adopted into the family’s hierarchy and designated ‘merit adoptives’, on paper equal in rank to born kinsmen. Retainer Retainers serve as soldiers, chefs, butlers, attendants, and any role the house needs; each generally has a specific purpose they were taken into the employ of Varalas to perform. Retainers also refers to any in general who have offered their fealty, service and affiliation to the Clan. Many competent and successful retainers will be rewarded through designation as merit adoptives within the Clan, elevated to the station of kinsman as a result. Application