House of Illistim

One of seven original noble houses of elves, the House of Illistim was said to have valued knowledge above all else, its members having been known as great scholars. It was said that no other culture in Elanthia valued knowledge more than the Illistim did, and they were the creators of some of the most powerful elven artifacts due to their mastery of magic. The House Illistim seat of power was in the City-State of Ta'Illistim, often called "The Shining City." It was held by the Argent Mirror, who is presently Queen Myasara. The heraldic statement of House Illistim was: "Knowledge is the key to eternity."

"The Shining City" owes its title to a famous poem by Isildrich Greyvael Illistim. Ta'Illistim was founded by Linsandrych Illistim, who built Library Aies and Ta'Illistim Keep. The House began when she was joined by the Chronicle keepers in -49,107 Modern Era, who might be the Order of Lorekeepers society, which Linsandrych's grand-daughter Adonethwen was a member of after abdicating.

Illistim society was infamously egalitarian, and divided into a number of prestigious branches. Among these included the Loremasters, the Elemancers, the Artificers, the Arch Magi, the Sapphire Guard, the Council of Thrones, and royal representatives such as the Seneschal or liaisons to the court within all of the state branches. There was also mention of an Illistim Ministry of Scholars. However, there were many people who were less high profile, being little more than farmers or shopkeeps. It is important to note that these were all branches of the state, and that the funding was generous for the elite.

Prominent Groups

Families

There were a number of highly influential families among the Illistim elite, other than the old royal bloodline, whether historically or at the present time. The following are examples with what they were characteristically known for:

• Chesylrae (Healers, Rangers)
• Veythorne (Elemancers, Merchants in antiquity)
• Javilerre (Sapphire Guard, Construction; Vaalor ties)
• Avelleur (Sorcery)
• Nellereune (Artificers, Flow Magic)
• Greyvael (Fine Arts, Politics; Loenthra ties)

Orders

There were also a number of private social clubs of considerable influence, including:

• The Grey Obelisk (Archaeology, Divination; Jastev ties)
• The Watchers of the Eternal Eye (Subversive Scholarship, Dangerous Research; Fash'lo'nae ties)
• The Silver Rod (Mentalists)
• The Pallid Breath (Elemental Air Magic; Jaston and Celiel ties)
• The Swirling Tempest (Elemental Water Magic; antagonism with Charl)
• The Amber Flame (Elemental Fire Magic)
• The Rooted Earth (Elemental Earth Magic; Dwarf ties)
• The Unending Circle (Banning Dangerous Magic; Lumnis ties)

See Also

• "Protocol and Etiquette: Behavior Within the Court of the Illistimi Elves" - Hiraani Gael Illistim (5109 Modern Era)
• "Linsandrych's Legacy: A Detailed Examination of the Dynastic Argent Mirrors and Their Contributions to Illistimi Society With Notes On Selected Post-Lanenreat Figures" - Hiraani Gael Illistim (5110 Modern Era)
• Illistim Culture at Play.net - Haethera Illuvassas Illistim (5109 Modern Era)
• The Layman's Guide to Elven Heraldry at Play.net - Kielanathia Maraellynde Illistim (5103 Modern Era)
• Official Documentation on Elves at Play.net
• Elven Dogma and Theology at Play.net