Homebrew Dragon Council Species Details

The Dragon Council is the most influential advisory body in Valheim. They wield power in the name of their King, sit in meetings to decide the fate of the realm, and act as the primary advisors to the King of Valheim The Council is made up of members who are nobles from the many Houses of Valheim, both Great and Lesser. These nobles are brought together not only to provide the King with guidance and counsel on matters that affect the realm and its people, but also to give a voice to the Lords governed by the Dragon Kings.

The Dragon Council was established by King Maelor Valaryn and his human brother Rhaegor the Dragonsword. They established the Council as a means of ensuring that Valheim would be well-governed and prosperous, as well as to ensure the loyalty of many of Valheim’s nobles. The belief was that, by bringing together the wisest and most skilled members of the nobility, the king would have access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise that could be applied to the many challenges facing the realm.

Structure of the Council

The Council has five primary members, each holding a specific role of great importance to the realm. The Lord of Coin serves as the head of the royal treasury, responsible for managing spending and controlling taxes throughout the realm. The Lord of Laws advises the King on matters of law, manages the realm's dungeons, and dispenses the King's justice. The Lord of Ships advises the King on all matters related to Valheim's maritime affairs and maintains the royal fleet. The Lord of War acts as supreme commander of the realm's armies and advises the King on matters of war, strategy, and defense. Finally, the Lord of Shadows serves as the King’s spymaster, responsible for gathering information and intelligence on potential threats to the realm.

In addition to these five primary members, there are several other key positions within the Council. The High Mage is a representative from the Academy of the Arcane, who advises the king on matters of magical importance. The Scholar is a representative from the Archallow Conclave, who advises on matters of history and science. Finally, the Dragonsword serves as the right hand of the king and head of the Dragon Knights, acting as the chief advisor to the king in all matters.

Each member of the Dragon Council is chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and loyalty to the kingdom. They are expected to put the needs of Valheim above their own interests and to work together to ensure the prosperity and safety of the realm. While the history of the Dragon Council has not been without its internal rivalries and conflicts, its members have mostly recognized the importance of their role and have been committed to serving the King and the people of Valheim to the best of their abilities.

The Current Council

Of course, the days of a unified and entirely loyal Dragon Council are a memory of the past. Following the Valaryn Civil War and the ascent of King Aenor II, the Dragon Council was filled as a way of bringing peace to the realm. Members of the Houses on both sides of the war were chosen to advise the young king. This led to a Council filled with conflict.

From Faira Westmark, the daughter of Darren Westmark, to Horace Celtgar, the uncle of Lucan Celtigar, the Dragon Council’s members seem to be more interested in the furthering of their own houses instead of the prosperity of the realm. There has never been a more unstable Dragon Council than the one under the rule of Aenor II.

Goals

The purpose of the Dragon Council is to advise the King and help alleviate the stresses of ruling Valheim. The Lords of the Dragon Council should be loyal to the realm and to the King above all else.

However, in recent years, the goals of many of the Council’s members have shifted. Faira Westmark, the Lord of Gold, is more interested in making her father proud and extending the influence of House Westmark than finding common ground with fellow council members to better rule the realm. And Alyn Rayne, the Lord of Ships, is far too fond of disappearing on voyages across the Shadow Sea to seek glory and adventure.

In fact, it seems as though few of these Lords truly wish to give sound advice to the young King Aenor II. Instead they attempt to use their influence over the boy to gain power, wealth and honor.

Relationships

The Dragon Council holds some level of association with all of Valheim’s factions. Alongside their King, the Dragon Council rules over the Great Houses, Lesser Houses, and smallfolk. They create the laws, enforce the King’s peace, and lead the realm through the ever changing world. The five kingdoms of Valheim are each represented on the council by one of their nobles, creating strong bonds between Valheim’s King and its many lords.

Some factions, such as the Alliance of All Free Folk and the Cult of Shadows, exist adversarially to the Council. Though the Alliance is not viewed as much of a threat, the Cult of Shadows is a force taken very seriously by the Council members. Vast amounts of gold have been spent to track down and destroy the Cult, but as each assassin is captured and executed, it seems that two more appear in their place.

But not all organizations work against the Dragon Council. The Academy of the Arcane and the Archallow Conclave even have representatives on the Council. The Council often looks to these two factions when dealing with unknown magic, enemies, or situations. The vast knowledge of these orders is essential to the function of the realm.

Of all the relationships the Dragon Council has with Valheim’s factions. None is as mysterious as the alliance between the Council and the Order of Bahamut. The Order has a vast history with House Valaryn, having come to Valheim with the Dragonriders nearly 200 years ago. But the depths of the Order’s involvement with the ruling of Valheim is mostly unknown. However, it should be noted that a member of that order is often seen attending the meetings of the Dragon Council.

Figures of Interest

Though the Dragon Council is mostly recognized to be made of the five lord advisors to the King, there are several other members of the Council that warrant notation. In addition, it would be remiss to discuss the Dragon Council without describing their King.

Faira Westmark, Lord of Gold

Lawful neutral, female half-elf

The youngest daughter of Lord Darren Westmark of Highmeadow, Faira Westmark is an ambitious woman. Faira was born to Lord Darren’s second wife, an elven woman named Siora. As the only half-elf member of House Westmark, Faira always felt she had to prove herself to her father. And so she set to work. Faira learned to use her mind as well as her beauty to control those around her. She quickly became as cold and calculating as her father, though there is a kindness in her heart that Darren Westmark does not share. At the end of the Valaryn Civil War, her father used his position to gain a seat on the Dragon Council for House Westmark. A seat which was filled by Faira.

Alyn Rayne, Lord of Ships

Chaotic good, male human

Though he has more than a bastard could ever dream, Alyn Rayne is restless. Born the illegitamate son of Lord Jorah Rayne, Alyn was entitled nothing in life. It was said to be from kindness to Alyn’s mother that Lord Jorah took the boy in after she died. Alyn was raised alongside the legitimate heirs to the Storm, but was never one of them. So, at the age of 18, Alyn set off to make something of himself. He became a sailor and adventurer, traveling the world. It was a life that he loved. But the Valaryn Civil War brought the bastard back to Valheim. Alyn commanded Vaerys Valaryn’s fleet during the war and won many battles. But by the end of the war, all of House Rayne was dead except for a bastard and his half-brother Karne. When the time came to choose a member for his house to represent the Storm on the Dragon Council, Karne legitimized his brother as a Rayne and Alyn became the Lord of Ships,

Horace Celtigar, Lord of Law

Neutral evil, male human

Horace Celtigar is a man as conniving as his nephew, Lucan Celtigar of Frostport. Horace's position on the Dragon Council is entirely due to the manipulation of Lord Hugar Darklyn by his nephew and himself. Horace has spent his years on the Council attempting to sway the young King to the notion of replacing House Darklyn with House Celtigar as the Lords of the Bay. Of course, many other members of the Council are against this plot, but Horace spins his webs of manipulation even so.

Ivar Ashwood, Lord of Shadows

Chaotic neutral, male human

It is said that Ivar Ashwood knows what you eat for supper before you even think of it. Even before he was the Lord of Shadows, Ivar was the Lord of his home, Mythhaven. It was there that he gained a close connection with magic through the Academy of the Arcane. While he was never a student, The Mage advisor to his family often brought young Ivar to the Academy and taught him a little of the secrets of magic. As a boy, Ivar was said to be energetic and excitable. But after leaving Mythhaven to explore the world, Ivar Ashwood was changed. Rumor says that he met an ancient being that granted him untold power at the cost of his humanity. Regardless, since his return, Lord Ivar has had the keen ability to gather secrets and collect priceless knowledge. An ability that has made him invaluable to the Dragon Council.

Kira Torrik, Lord of War

Lawful neutral, female human

Of all those who sit upon the Dragon Council, none is as fierce as Kira Torrik, save perhaps Baelon Valaryn. Kira is the younger sister of Lord Cregan Torrik, niece to Celia Torrik and the late King Vaerys Valaryn, and cousin to King Aenor II. From birth, her father instilled the importance of loyalty and maintaining oaths. When the Valaryn Civil War began, Kira was torn by her loyalties. She had made oaths to Aemon I as her King and oaths to Vaerys as her uncle. House Torrik was nearly split until Lord Cregan convinced his sister that Vaerys was not only the rightful heir, but the only one strong enough to sit the throne in Dragonspire. So by the war’s end, Kira Torrik had grown quickly. She became a warrior and strategist, winning many major battles across the face of Valheim. When the choice came for Lord of War, there was no questioning who would join the Dragon Council.

Baelon Valaryn, The Dragonsword

Chaotic Good, male human

As one of the last surviving members of House Valaryn, Baelon has a legacy to protect. The firstborn son of King Vaerys Valaryn, Baelon’s destiny should have been that of a King. But fate would not allow it to be so. Instead, a younger brother was born Saerylan. The Boy King, Aenor II. By all accounts, Baelon should have felt cheated that he was passed over for the crown. His father was a human King, why couldn’t he be? But instead, Baelon chose to move forward with a plan to secure the realm, much like Rhaegor Valaryn did for his brother Maelor a hundred and fifty years before. Baelon ensured that his brother Aenor II was crowned and became his Dragonsword, swearing that he would protect the King with his life. From that day, Baelon has kept that promise, leading the Dragon Knights against the threats of darkness, advising the King, and even providing some level of fatherhood towards his younger brother.

Kiyara, High Mage

True neutral, female tiefling

Kiyara is a figure of great mystery to the rest of the Dragon Council. Acting as a representative of the Academy of the Arcane, little is known of her past. At the Academy, Kiyara studied many areas of magic, but focused on Enchantment. Her magic gave Kiyara the ability to mediate conflict and bring about peace. When the time came to choose a High Mage for the Dragon Council, the Arch-Mage of the Academy looked at Kiyara’s abilities and decided that what the Council needed most was a mediator.

Galmer Evermight, The Scholar

Lawful good, male dwarf

Galmer Evermight came to the Archallow Conclave later in life. He had spent his early years as an adventurer and explorer, led by his desire to unearth secrets. That desire led him to become a Seeker of the Conclave. But it would not last. A trap was triggered while recovering an ancient relic that left Galmer crippled. But he would not give up on himself. Rather than leave the Conclave, he changed focus to become a Curator and gained more knowledge. Eventually that path led through the ranks of the Conclave and into the Dragon Council as the Scholar.