In a secluded pocket dimension of the Feywild lies the enchanted realm of Caelum Aestra, a land perpetually bathed in the gold and grey hues of autumn. This mystical domain is home to the Eladrin, a race of fey elves who embody the essence of the season. The Eladrin of Caelum Aestra are known for their beauty, grace, and a deep connection to the wilds, living as skilled hunters and guardians of their autumnal paradise. They are called the Tuatha'kel.

Caelum Aestra is a breathtaking landscape of amber forests, rolling hills carpeted in fallen leaves, and tranquil lakes reflecting the fiery colors of the season. The air is crisp, filled with the scent of wood-smoke and the earthy aroma of decaying leaves. Ancient trees with leaves of gold, red, and orange form dense canopies, their branches creaking in the gentle breeze. The wildlife of this realm, from majestic stags to cunning foxes, lives in harmony with the Tuatha'kel, who see themselves as the protectors of this eternal autumn.

The Eladrin of this realm are exceptional hunters, their skills honed through centuries of living in harmony with the forest. They are masters of stealth and archery, able to move through the woods without making a sound. Their senses are keen, and they have an almost supernatural ability to track their prey. Clad in loin cloths of animal hide and adorned with intricate tattoos that blend with the autumnal hues, the Tuatha'kel are a formidable presence in their domain. Their heads bear antlers, and their eyes reflect the various colors of fall, ranging from glistening white to a deep maroon.

However, this tranquil existence is overshadowed by a dark curse. On rare occasions, the Blood Moon rises over Caelum Aestra, casting its eerie crimson light across the land. During this time, the Eladrin undergo a terrifying transformation. The blood moon awakens a primal, bloodthirsty aspect within them, turning them into savage versions of themselves. Their eyes glow with an unsettling red light, their senses are heightened to an unbearable degree, and their hunger for the hunt becomes insatiable.

In this frenzied state, the Tuatha'kel become more beast than elf. They shed their usual grace for raw, predatory ferocity. Their laughter turns to snarls, and their songs to howls. The transformation brings out their latent strength and agility, but at the cost of their sanity and self-control. Driven by an uncontrollable urge to hunt and kill, they become a danger not only to the creatures of the forest but to each other as well. This period is known as the Sealg Fuil, and it is both feared and revered by the Eladrin.

To mitigate the effects of the Blood Moon, the Tuatha'kel have developed rituals and traditions over the centuries. Before the Blood Moon rises, they prepare by binding themselves with enchanted roots and seeking sanctuary in their hidden groves and caves. The strongest of their number, known as the Moonbound, undergo special rites to gain temporary control over their savage impulses, acting as guardians to protect the rest of their kin through the Mallachd a' mhadaidh (The curse of the wolf). These rituals are led by the Moonshadow Seers, wise Eladrin who possess deep knowledge of both magic and the curse of the Blood Moon.

Despite the terror of the Sealg Fuil, the Tuatha'kel understand that it is an integral part of their existence. They see it as a reflection of the cycle of life and death, growth and decay, that defines their eternal autumn. The Blood Moon, though feared, is also respected as a force of nature, and its influence serves as a reminder of the delicate balance they must maintain. The Tuatha'kel of Caelum Aestra are thus not only guardians of their realm but also custodians of this balance, living in harmony with the beauty and brutality of their world.

The Tuatha'kel of Caelum Aestra are a people of striking contrasts, embodying both the serene beauty of autumn and the savage ferocity of the Blood Moon. Their lives are a constant dance between harmony and chaos, a testament to the intricate and often perilous nature of the Feywild. In their perpetual autumn realm, Tuatha'kel hunters navigate the delicate line between guardian and predator, their existence shaped by the ever-present cycle of the seasons and the haunting influence of the Blood Moon.

Lolth-Worship

Lolth's follower base was varied. It mainly consisted of Drow, but also included aranea, chitine, draegloths and deep dragons. She gained a few elven followers, and tried to gain more worshipers by assuming the aspect of Moander, a deity of rot.

Lolth drove her worshipers into heavy infighting under the pretense of culling the weak, while her actual goals were to hold absolute control over the dark elves, prevent the rise of alternative faiths or ideas, and avoid complacency (even though she found amusement in the strife that plagued her followers' communities). However, in the long run, her influence proved to be an obstacle to the growth and success of her Drow followers, preventing them from unifying against common enemies or for a common cause.

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The Red Sisters of the Valsharess

The Red Sisters were an elite band of assassins that the Valsharess formed to help her with her plans for taking over the surface, starting with Waterdeep in the early 1370s DR. The Red Sisters assassinated hundreds of important people in Waterdeep who were seen as a threat to the Valsharess. In the end, Mephistopheles, the ruler of Cania, killed the last of the Red Sisters.

While House Do'illykur was not a prominent house during this time, having been established in 1484 DR, Myz'ii (now matron mother of House illykur) was the head of the Red Sisters during the violent takeover of Menzoberranzan. Wielding two flaming scimitars imbued with dark energy, and equipped with full-plated mail with a red dragon-scale overcoat -the armor of a high-inquisitor- My'zii was a venerated soldier and priestess.
When the Valsharess was slain by the dwarven hero Glinus Gesten , Myz'ii went into exile with her sons Xor'tlar & Khyraen and her daughter Maevi. Her other children were slain during the in-battles of Menzoberranzan. Myz'ii later began to gather followers to build up what is now seen as the Great Drow House Do'illykur in a successful attempt at redeeming herself in the eyes of Lolth and the other Great Houses.

Myz'ii is later slain by her children, and Maevi ascends to the position of Matron Mother.

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Lolth worship in House Do'illykur

As House Do’Illykur lies within the western front of Menzoberranzan, the presence of Lolth worship is highly relevant and influential. However, unlike the other Drow houses, sadistic rituals and ceremonies are never acted upon within the walls of Illykur. Rather, the guidance and wisdom of the sage council are seen as utterly divine. The members of the house formed 2 pseudo-cults around the sages for the pursuit of education and knowledge of the beyond. One of these cults is referred to as the “L'T'puuli Chath” or “The Silver Fire”, which is taught by sage Xor’tlar. This is the way of mechanics, arcane prowess, and education. The other is referred to as “L'Zhuantur I'dol” or “The Elder Order”, which is taught by sage Khyraen. This is the way of meditation, martial combat, channeling the powers of Illykur, and knowledge of the beyond.

(Drow of House Do’Illykur are Lawful Evil and claim the sage council sects as their deities instead of Lolth)


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The Ascent to Godhood

As the house officially rose to power in 1484 DR, so too did the powers of those within. A ritual site was uncovered from excavations into an ancient shrine to a forgotten god in the far reaches of the Northdark. Within the ruined shrine were writings detailing the keys to immortality… And how to slay a god.
Through a series of rituals drawing on the grim powers of the daemonweb, matron mother My'zii had long sought after godhood to replace Lolth in the abyssal drow pantheon of worship. During this time, the tribunal had not come to fruition, as their power had not yet been bestowed. Obtaining objects of power from near and far, Xor'tlar was able to study and eventually unlock the secrets of the weave of magic through the forgotten texts. Harnessing the energies that these items possessed, he crafted a spell with the combined power of 5 artifacts of immense capability.


The Sword of The Hero of Faerun, Glinus Gesten | The Silver Sword of Vlaakith

The Cursed Whip of The Undead Pirate Lord, Khelt Nordfro | Thorn

The Mummified Hand of The Ancient Sorcerer, Aramil | Black Hand

The Darkwood Longbow of Wood-Elven King, Ulsken Min'do | Faerie Needle

The Chainmail of The Long-Forgotten Gnomish Emperor, Lockwood | Starsteel

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Those attending the ritual ceremony included Khyraen, Xor’tlar, and Khor’iiye. All bound to sacrifice themselves to feed the ritual, each of them focused their powers on a goblet containing Myz’ii’s blood. One-by-one, the artifacts dematerialized and phased through the cup, causing her blood to glow bright luminescent pink. She drank.
However, the ritual did not work as intended. While My'zii was able to successfully ascend to a form of demi-godhood, achieving ultimate immortality and powers unthinkable... The Silver Sword was not destroyed. It was instead converted into a weapon of pure malice, with newfound sentience from Illykur himself. The Fellblade.
Khyraen picked up the sword as the ritual was reaching its end, and upon touching the hilt, offered him greater powers than that of My'zii. The sword transferred a mere fraction of its stored energy, granting him living godhood. As the final steps of the ritual were near completion, Khyraen took his mother by the head and slashed her throat six times from behind. Her newly divine blood flooded into the cup as she slumped onto the ground, tumbling off the ritual altar. Xor’tlar and Khoriiye both drank from the cup. And in doing so, they were imbued with the powers of Illykur. Thus the first iteration of the sage council had come to pass. Rivaling the power of the entirety of the Underdark, the sages now work toward another ritual. A ritual to wage a mythic war against the gods themselves.


Fae'ala Elu

The legendary divine sword of the house was imbued with the power to instantly banish extraplanar foes and phase through impenetrable armor. An unearthly black glow surrounds the twisted blade, pulsating as though ready to lash out in an explosive display of abusive, untapped power. Disembodied whispering taints the aura of the blade, as the air surrounding it appears to bend and twist to its will.

Fae'ala Elu is Illykur incarnate in weapon form.