“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”

• George R. R. Martin

Background - A Creed Upheld

While not a house of noble background per say, nor a family of renown; the house of Mal’arn stands as an old name, a whispered name amongst commoners. Before the Great Collapse, perhaps more well known in those times, those of the Mal’arn name were recognized for their bravery and actions to uphold the peace. Known as defenders of Faith, of the weak; and hunters of the wicked and monstrous, the dual function of the house served to protect the realm of mortals either at the forefront, or front the shadows. Rarely were their actions so noteworthy to earn them lands or noble titles, or so prestigious to earn them a place at council; and yet the Mal’arns served faithfully and without hesitance.

Such is the way of the Mal’arns, such is their creed. 

Fury is thy craft, so that others may go without.

The First/Second Generations - A Stagnation

There is little of note to be put to writing regarding the earlier generations, just after the Great Collapse. What is known and shared to those of the newest generation of Mal’arns is simple: The house served to defend Sanctuary, and all other bastions of mortals. Whether in success or failure, the Mal’arns served where needed. To rebuild, to recollect, and to emerge victorious over this cataclysm, nothing else mattered in the eyes of the house and its members. Still, their numbers had dwindled and fallen, leaving only a scarce few to carry on the name.

Current Age - An Emergence

In the current age, with the dedication towards rebuilding a functioning society and grander explorations being a goal, the family of Mal’arn had all but grown silent. Yet stirrings within the world may very well break this silence, and recall an ancestral creed once sworn.

A Family History - The bloodline of Mal'arn

Within the grander context of the Mal'arn house, there was a distinct split within the house's structure: Those of the Mal'arn bloodline, tasked with the leadership of their ancestral house and the upkeep of their creed and goals to face against those creatures that lurk in the dark; or seek to assist those that are incapable of defending themselves. Alongside those of the Mal'arn bloodline, there were those that had joined with the house of Mal'arn, whether through service or having simply allied themselves to the ideals.

This separation between Bloodline members, and those in service to Mal'arn, only truly mattered when it came to the direct leadership of the house. Those in service were held in no lower regard, and often times found themselves as more trusted advisors than even those that would carry the blood of a Mal'arn in their veins. Thus was the Mal'arn way; to work together and strive to achieve collective goals, rather than bicker and focus on the traditional notions of "nobility". This perhaps meant that members of Mal'arn would be considered bizarre in comparison to traditional, more well-known noble lineages and house, though the notion never seemed to bother the house's goals.

While the individuals who dedicated themselves to the service of house Mal'arn were varied, the few remaining bloodline members of the house are scarce. The head of house as a title had only recently shifted, leaving Azura Mal'arn as the Lord of House Mal'arn. Whilst she now maintains as the head at the age of 25, her younger brother Aldren Mal'arn, had given up his seat at the table for the sake of his faith, so to speak. A new era present, with new opportunities presented; many would be called on to return back to service, as the goals of House Mal'arn once more were sought to be fulfilled.

Those of wicked or beastial nature, that would prey on the weak, would not be suffered to thrive.

In Service of the Realm - The Roles of House Mal'arn

The roles within the house are varied, with no simple structure enforced in a traditional sense. Nobles and knights, servants or squires; while these roles existed, they were not of Mal'arn's own making. At a grand scale, House Mal'arn did its best work in the shadows- not necessarily with stealth in mind, but discretion. No armies would march to meet foes unless absolutely necessary, small groups instead would be sent like wraiths into towns or cities, to do their work and leave as if never truly a part of the social infrastructure said cities had built. Roles could still be broken down, however into a specific system:

• Lord/Head of House - Currently maintained by Azura Mal'arn, this role functions as the center piece of the leadership of Mal'arn. Dictating the house's goals and methods, the leadership methods vary from generation to generation, though maintained similar mentalities between. The Lord of Mal'arn would never rule as an absentee leader; they would work and function just as many other members would, completing contract work or serving the realm in their own ways.
• The Hounds - Comprised of both members of House Mal'arn, and bloodline members not found in positions of leadership, the Hounds served as individuals of great importance and duty. Leaders in their own methods and rights, these were individuals that would operate out of contracts or other duties of their own accord; often time leading their own 'packs' within the Mal'arn's ranks, generally consisting of about 2-4 individuals. What little history exists and had been spread of House Mal'arn outside of its ranks, often was about those of the Hounds; the wraiths of House Mal'arn, drifting from town to town with the intention to offer their services, and move on to the next venture before many had realized their real intention.

While only the position of the Head of House, and those of the Hounds are specified; many were in service to Mal'arn through a multitude of different ventures and backgrounds. Often employed were those of medical background, research and magical nature, knights and squires, or even those of simple servitude intentions. To be of House Mal'arn was to be in service to the realm, and be a part of something that ran deeper than political ties. It was not unheard of for members of the house to be completely unknown; shadowy agents that reported only to their Lord, whilst maintaining an otherwise ordinary life abroad.