## Overview The **Ebonclaw Conclave** is the central governing and spiritual body of elite vampires in the Kingdom of **[[Hexa Landing]]**. Founded by **Queen [[Callidora]] Von Constantine** only a century ago, following the deaths of her human parents in a civil war between vampire factions, the Conclave was established to bring structure to the newly ascendant vampire society in [[Hexa Landing]]. Once a mortal herself, [[Callidora]] narrowly survived an assassination attempt that marked her turning. Her rise signaled the end of chaos and the beginning of an era of calculated control and political intrigue. Though Queen [[Callidora]] reigns supreme, it is the **Ebonclaw Conclave** that enforces stability, manages internal power, and ensures [[Hexa Landing]] thrives amid chaos. Its **six elder masters**, selected from the Twelve Vampire Lords, wield both temporal and spiritual power, and their decisions shape the course of vampire-kind across Solare. --- ## Origins and Founding The Conclave was formed in **Year 10,023 A.P.**, after Queen [[Callidora]] ascended to power in the wake of a violent civil war among vampire factions. Her parents, rulers of [[Hexa Landing]] before her, were slain in a crossfire of betrayal and blood feuds. [[Callidora]] herself narrowly survived an assassination attempt during the chaos, an event that shaped her resolve and vision for a unified, disciplined vampire kingdom. Recognizing the instability around her, she proposed the formation of the Ebonclaw Conclave—a union of vampire elders capable of guiding their kind into a new era of structure and secrecy. She chose **six vampire lords** who exemplified restraint, ambition, and intelligence. These individuals became the first **Elder Masters** of the Conclave. Together, they codified vampiric law, created the Vein Accord (a pact of non-aggression and feeding regulation), and founded a seat of governance within the capital. --- ## Structure and Power - **Council of Six Elder Masters**: The highest decision-making body. Each elder oversees a sect or domain of vampiric focus—military, intelligence, diplomacy, arcane study, theology, and social order. - **The Twelve Vampire Lords**: Powerful rulers across [[Hexa Landing]]. Six serve on the Conclave, while six remain outside it, forming rival factions or waiting for opportunity. - **Night Guild**: Manages the day-to-day operations of [[Hexa Landing]]—trade, infrastructure, law, and espionage. - **Whispershades**: An elite covert force, rumored to be created by dissenters within the Conclave. Often associated with **[[Isolde]]** and her sub-faction. --- ## Current Elder Masters (as of 10,123 A.P.) - **[[Lucien Serpentis]]** – Voice of Diplomacy and Culture; loyal to the Queen - **[[Octavia Nightglad]]** – Strategic Envoy; advocate for vampiric preservation and coexistence - **[[Eldrion]] the Pale Flame** – High Inquisitor and Arcane Arbiter; enforces purity and law - **[[Isolde]] the Black Veil** – Keeper of Secrets and Internal Influence; potential coup leader - **Two Unnamed Elders** – One remains loyal but reclusive, the other balances neutrality and subversion --- ## Headquarters: The Black Spire Citadel Located at the heart of **[[Hexa Landing]]**, the **Black Spire Citadel** serves as the seat of the Ebonclaw Conclave. A towering obsidian fortress wrapped in eternal nightward enchantments, it houses the Council Chamber, war rooms, archives of undeath, and the Ritual Sanctum. The citadel is both political temple and military command post—a nexus of vampiric power where even Queen [[Callidora]]’s presence is treated with solemn reverence. --- ## Involvement Across Solare Though based in [[Hexa Landing]], the Conclave operates beneath the surface of wider Solare through a complex veil of shadow influence: - **Political Influence**: Manipulates mortal kingdoms through trade, whispers, or blood-compelled nobility - **Cultural Surveillance**: Tracks anti-vampire cults, divine incursions, and powerful relics - **Supernatural Concealment**: Assists in the masking of unnatural creatures—including vampires—within [[Hexa Landing]], where only a portion of the mortal population is aware of the truth - **Necromantic Oversight**: Carefully monitors necromantic practices to prevent uncontrolled growth, especially those tied to [[Anam]], whose goals the Conclave openly rejects. They recognize that [[Anam]]’s apocalyptic ambitions would bring ruin to all—including vampires. --- ## Connection to [[Raphael]] & the [[Crimson Sigil]] While [[Raphael]] is not a member of the Conclave, his actions threaten their control. The **[[Crimson Sigil]]**, his vampiric cult operating outside Conclave law, is seen as heretical and dangerous. Some believe [[Isolde]] sympathizes with the Sigil’s ambitions, while [[Eldrion]] seeks to exterminate them. Tensions have risen after the appearance of **[[Rarvas]] Mev** in South Angoria and the rise of undead activity near [[Talonalton]]—events the Conclave fears could provoke divine retaliation. --- ## Queen [[Callidora]]’s Rule Though a visionary and unifier, Queen [[Callidora]] permits slavery within the Kingdom of [[Hexa Landing]]. While not as publicly brutal as the [[Askaria]] Empire’s model, slavery remains embedded in certain noble traditions and domestic systems: - Slaves in [[Hexa Landing]] range from war captives to debt-bound mortals. - Many are kept nude as a display of dominance, while those of higher value or trusted status may wear decorative sashes or partial coverings. - The Conclave rarely interferes in the Queen’s internal domestic laws unless unrest threatens vampiric secrecy or dominance. [[Callidora]] also commands the **largest navy in [[North Angoria|North Angoria]]**, surpassing even the naval forces of the [[Askaria]] Empire and Free Kingdoms. The [[Hexa Landing]] fleet, based out of coastal citadels cloaked in mist and enchantment, protects the region’s trade, isolates rebellious provinces, and projects influence into distant waters. --- ## What the Conclave Has Done for [[Hexa Landing]] - **Unified Vampiric Law**: Ended centuries of clan war - **Established Night Guild Rule**: Allowed cities to grow in peace (in shadow) - **Codified Feeding Rights**: Reduced unnecessary mortal loss - **Divine Deflection**: Wards and treaties shield [[Hexa Landing]] from holy crusades --- ## Cultural Role The Conclave is revered as the preserver of **vampiric identity**, wisdom, and survival. Within vampire society, its rituals and decisions are treated with near-religious reverence. Outsiders fear it, mortal nobles dread it—and rebellious vampires plot against it. --- ## Views on the [[Askaria|Askaria Empire]] and the Emperor The Ebonclaw Conclave views the **[[Askaria|Askaria Empire]]** with caution and strategic disdain. While [[Askaria]]'s obsession with domination and conquest mirrors some vampiric tendencies, the Conclave finds the Empire’s **blunt militarism** and **enslavement-based economy** both distasteful and destabilizing. - **The Emperor of [[Askaria]]** is seen as a volatile figure—unpredictable, mortal, and fueled by ego. Though powerful, his reach is considered short-sighted in the eyes of the Conclave’s long game. - The Conclave avoids direct conflict with [[Askaria]], instead using subtle influence, trade manipulation, and shadow diplomacy to limit the Empire’s expansion toward [[Hexa Landing]]. - [[Isolde]] and certain dissenters within the Conclave have discussed using the Askarians as pawns in broader schemes, though such ideas remain speculative. - [[Eldrion]] considers the Empire a divine liability—any war with [[Askaria]] would risk drawing the attention of holy forces to both realms. Despite their secrecy, the Conclave is fully aware that a strong [[Askaria]] unchecked could threaten the balance of Solare. Thus, they prepare contingencies should the Empire grow too bold. ## Quotes About the Conclave - _“A blade in shadow, a crown unseen.”_ – Vampiric proverb - _“Without the Conclave, we would be animals clawing at the gates of fire.”_ – [[Lucien Serpentis]] - _“Let them believe we are divided. That’s when we drink deepest.”_ – [[Isolde]]