The Thautanet

For generations the house of Thautanet has protected Alamars border to Lamia. Renowned for their diligence and sense of duty the house of serpents was for many years highly respected and well liked among the houses and lodges of Alamar and there was a time when they were considered the most influential house, second only to the house of Wynn. Until three generations ago when events transpired that would nearly cause the house to be completely destroyed and all of the influence and respect that they once commanded the to disappear entirely.

A little over a century ago an exhausted messenger from House Thautanet charged into a military garrison and in a panicked voice told the commander that an undead horde comprised of the armies of several vampires and liches was heading towards the border and that the house was desperate for aid since they stood no chance of stopping this force on their own. The commander quickly realized that there was no chance of reaching them in time and that the house likely knew this, so he gathered every battle worthy soldier he had the sent messengers to nearby forces, informing them of what was happening and giving instructions to join him en route.

As they started to get closer the border fort that was the main seat of the house they were expecting to have to engage the undead but the area was eerily quiet. Nearby villages were untouched but many of the homes were abandoned and those villagers that had remained spoke of "fell things" being felt, seen or heard from the fort. When they finally reached the for the reason for the villagers' fear became apparent.

As they entered the fort bore signs for a terrible battle. The far wall had been broken through on several points. An entire wing of the main castle was a smoldering ruin. Bodies of Thautenets own troops and the corpses of the undead were still being carried away. Blood and undead ichor covered nearly everything. Most worryingly of all, the clerics and mages that had joined the force said that the air stank of demons. When they entered the grand hall of the castle they realized the horrific cause of this foul stench.

Seated at the the main table, in the high seat, was the current ruler of the house Aurelius Thautanet. But when they saw who occupied the other seats around the table they cried out in horror.There sat the children of all the main families of the house. Deathly pale and dark veins visible under their skin. The once pale blue eyes that had been a mark of their lineage now orbs of solid green that glowed the profane magics.

"Gather the Houses. Necessity and desperation has caused us to commit a horror. We will await our judgement here"