The Second House, House Archel

House Archel came to Velddrinnsshar a mere 300 years ago from the rival city of Dirach by order of Kiaransalee herself. The Matron of House Archel, JenIse, is the most powerful of the matrons and is the most wicked of all of the priestesses to Kiaransalee, having once sacrificed her three eldest daughters in order to please Kiaransalee. The noble daughters of Archel rank amongst the most favored of Kiaransalees high priestesses due to the Houses devotion to their deity. Vessa Archel, the eldest daughter, acts as the High Inquisitor of Velddrinnsshar. Quiness Archel serves as a Ritual Leader in Arach-Tlabbar. Nada Archel serves the Dark Shrine as the High Executioner and is rumored to have killed a matron in one on one combat. The other three daughters serve the House directly in various command roles.

JenIses patron, Bi, is a half-drow/half-human wizard capable of holding his own against most of the matrons of the noble Houses. He has a history of angering JenIse, but has always managed to regain her favor and save his life. Bi is Velddrinnsshars High Advisor to Skullport, and many believe he is a double agent using his knowledge of the surface and his humanlike appearance to his advantage.

The eldest son of JenIse, Dyrr, serves as the High Mage of Zaktifar. Dyrr hates JenIses patron but has no desire to antagonize his mother. He enjoys his title and powers too much to risk finding out who is the most powerful wizard in Velddrinnsshar. Dyrr has a Wizards Staff capable of a lightning attack more powerful than the combined spells of the Wizard Academy. The next eldest son, Juree, is the Houses weapons master and oversees the Houses fighter training facilities,the finest next to the Fighter Academy. The youngest son, YunTi, is one of the top academy wizards, and the other seven sons act as unit commanders and House liaisons.

Archels military numbers almost 1000 strong- 100 elite, 600 foot and 300 archers. The Houses odd location (the ceiling of the cavern) makes it almost impossible to attack by conventional means but also makes the retention of lizard mounts and slaves even more impossible.

Because Archel is an outsider House, it is almost constantly on guard from attack. Houses NedKosak and GimethDiran are believed to be plotting an attack on Archel with the informal backing of the Ruling House, Andar-ros.

The seventh house, Fan-Eltherin, is also a chief rival due to its proximity (also on the cavern ceiling) and Archel is rumored to desire the additional space. Archel has no open alliances but the eleventh and the fourteenth Houses are believed to be active in some sort of trade alliance with the great second House.