House Caerwyn traces its lineage back to the Eagle Lords, pre-imperial warlords who ruled the highlands. Fiercely independent, they believed that authority belonged not to priests or sorcerers—but to those strong enough to defend their people. According to Caerwyn tradition, their ancestor Edric the Skybound ascended the Cloudspire Peaks and returned bearing a white-feathered cloak gifted by the ancient Storm Eagles, colossal creatures revered as omens of sovereignty.
From this myth came the Caerwyn credo:
Leadership is earned through might.
Nobility is proven on the battlefield.
Cowardice is the greatest sin.
Unlike House Valmyr’s divine stewardship, House Caerwyn embraces a more primal legitimacy - that leadership belongs to the shapest of lances, strongest of shields, and the greatest of warriors. Even in the prime days of the Solar Throne, the Empire relied on House Caerwyn's military forces and minds, with many of the Empire's top commanders or military figures being from this house.
For Caerwyn, the collapse of the Empire is proof that softer Houses failed in their duties. They now intend to “restore order” as only military rulers can. While they were not the Emperor’s closest relatives, they insist that the Solar Throne belongs to them through an ancient cousin-branch intermarriage nearly three centuries ago—long forgotten by most scholars, but fiercely asserted in Caerwyn records. regardless of records, House Caerwyn also wields a practical reality of the biggest conventional fighting force amongst the Houses; supporters argue this force is a peacekeeping force, while critics and skeptics consider it a symbol of Caerwyn aggression.
House Caerwyn seeks a restored monarchy in which a new kingdom would be led by themselves.
A return to the old martial rules of nobility.
Expansion of military rights and obligations.
Control over the Imperial Legions, which they claim are leaderless and drifting.
They believe the Empire’s golden age was built not by magic or divine right—but by discipline, unity, and iron.
Strength Above All — Only the capable should rule.
Order Through Discipline — Chaos is the enemy.
Unity Through Authority — A firm ruler prevents bloodshed.
Honor in Duty — A noble’s worth is measured by service.
These ideals win them huge loyalty from soldiers, mercenary captains, and traditionalist nobles—though commonfolk often fear their severity.
House Caerwyn rules from Spearhead Fortress, perched atop the massive cliffs overlooking the Stormsea in Caerwyn's Hold. The region is defined by Wind-swept mountain fortresses and former battlefields (both historically significant and used practically for training new Phalanxes). These Caerwyn ancestral lands are disciplined, highly organized, and culturally militaristic. Even farmers and Shepards train in spear drills.
Military Soliders– The Caerwyn Phalanx and cavalry units are unmatched in discipline, and are considered the strongest conventional fighting force on the Virelyan continent.
Honor-Bound Nobility – Even their rivals admit Caerwyn knights are honorable—if prideful. Their honor does give them much credibility amongst the upper echelons of society.
Command over Caerwyn Highlands – The house's dominance over their region is considered the strongest hold any house has over any region. As such, the highlands are one of the safest regions.... for supporters of House Caerwyn.
War Reputation – Other Houses fear to provoke them.
Due to the House's displeasure of magic their forces lack magical prowess, but compensate with iron will and battlefield brilliance.Leader: Duke Alric Caerwyn
Born into the noble House Caerwyn, Alric was raised on the principles of duty and honor. He served as a commander in the Imperial army, earning a reputation as a battle‑hardened tactician who could turn the tide of war with careful planning. When Emperor Aethan Valmyr fell, Alric swore to restore the empire under his family's rule, believing that a strong, lawful hand is the only thing that can hold the fractured realm together. The weight of his decisions—often requiring morally gray compromises—haunts him, but his conviction never wavers. He admires House Valmyr’s idealism but sees them as dangerously naïve. Alric’s greatest flaw is the belief that only he can prevent the Empire’s spiral into ruin.
House Caerwyn ultimately is a military-oriented meritocracy, and as such do not differ much in terms of the vision for a Caerwyn Monarchy. The key differences amongst their branches is the scale of how big the Monarcy should be. This differences has materialized into two schools of thought in House Caerywn: The Traditionalists believe Caerwyn should conquer the Solar Throne outright, and rule from the Heartlands. They believe that their Monarchy should rule over the entirety of the former Empire. While militaristic, they recognize that rule over all of Virelya would require some sort of diplomatic efforts in addition to conventional warfare. In contrast, the Isolationists hold the other regions in contempt, and believe that the Caerwyn Monarchy should only be over their ancestral lands, the Caerwyn Highlands. They believe that the only reason House Caerwyn should roam outside the highlands is to raid resources from the other regions and/or march against specific threats. Alric struggles to keep the more zealous elements of his forces from provoking open conflict.
House Caerwyn would consider the following houses Rivals:
House Nymeral – Caerwyn distrusts their magocracy ambitions and considers all magic dishonorable. Even the elvish populations in House Caerwyn do not associate themselves with Elven populations in the Nymeral Wilds.
House Durnheim – The dwarves accuse Caerwyn of being power-hungry tyrants, and the bluntness of their language on this idea has soured House Caerwyn's opinion of these dwarves. House Caerwyn considers the Durnheim dwarves as rebels to the old Empire.
House Thistledown – Ideological enemies; democracy is anathema to Caerwyn tradition. Thistledown's preferences of diplomacy and clandestine operations are dishonorable in their eyes.
House Caerwyn has a nuanced and complex relationship with House Valmyr – Caerwyn respects them deeply, even admires them—but sees them as too gentle to truly lead. Many Caerwyn knights believe Valmyr should serve as advisors, not rulers.
House Caerwyn considers The Ember Cult as mortal enemies. Caerwyn military doctrine views them as a plague on Virelya that needs to be exterminated. House Caerwyn has been most aggressive against any perceived ambitions of the Cult. Alric personally blames Emperor's Aethan's mysterious death on the Ember Cult.