House Mystraleth was a powerful high elven noble house in the Elvish Empire. It was known as the largest high elven house, and for its sizeable army.

Military

The high elven house put an accent on military might, and accordingly had a careful military structure.

History

House Mystraleth was founded when the Matrons Theanne Taufyen and Gaenna Gaenyeth formed a personal union, and Matron Taufeyn's daughter Leain of a Gaenyeth father was named Matron Heiress. Officially, this union of two of the largest houses in the Empire originated from the love of their matrons, but the union had a strong political motivation as well. The united House Mystraleth now controlled vast expanses of land and several cities in southern Litchy, on the Continent, and even in the Silurite forests. Additionally, Gaenyeth had a capable and experienced military force on the Continent, which Mystraleth expanded until it owned the largest coherent army in the empire. It was a gamble to capitalize on military force rather than more profitable means of power like industries, arts or politics.

Thanks to her house's power, Matron Leain Mystraleth garnered herself a seat in the ruling council, replacing a sun elven house. She, and her successor matrons, carefully maneuvered Mystraleth into an ever stronger position, allying or subjugating smaller high and sun elven houses. By 5'000 b. OW, Matron Mystraleth was recognized as the most powerful high elf, and nearly all high elven houses had either been incorporated in or sworn loyalty to Mystraleth. To the befuddlement of all, Mystraleth continued to spend valuable resources on its army, raising most of the Elvish forces fighting Bromalnor on the continent by itself, and building several smaller bases on its territories all over Oshmondu. Whenever a house needed armed support, an escort, or a critical mission, Mystraleth's troops were often the nearest available.

When the Elvish Wars broke out, Mystraleth was by far the largest coherent army available to the light elves, and thus de facto took command of the imperial armed forces. Mystraleth armies fought the Black Spider all over Oshmondu. There were some critiques of Mystraleth operations during the war, including unnecessary mass enslavement, burning down forests, systematic genocide of all dark-skinned elves, and other war crimes. Nevertheless, Mystraleth was in a position of power, and retained the support of the light elven houses until the empire had almost totally collapsed and the last surviving houses fell back to Silur, where a new ruling council was formed.

Even though Mystraleth had fought most of the Wars for the other houses, the house was generally unpopular and the council excluded Matron Mystraleth from its first meeting. There was talk of condemning the house for its improper behavior during the civil war. Angered by its rejection, Mystraleth attempted to take over the other houses by force. Mystraleth troops turned against their brethren, and assassins were sent to kill all other house leaders. But the Silurite Alliance stood strong and Mystraleth was defeated in 3'922. The matron and her entourage were killed, and the huge house fractured. Portions of it were incorporated into other houses, and minor nobles decided to start their own line.

The last vestiges of Mystraleth prowess and glory would form the criminal organization House Mystraleth, some years later.