House Raxides

(pronounced RAX-i-deez)

The Raxides estate is unique in that there are two manor houses, virtually identical in appearance, though their inhabitants are quite different. Both houses are made of smooth white stone and fluted columns. The lands are located fifteen miles southwest of Balic. A low growing bramble wall surrounds lush sadi wheat fields that rustle as the wind blows off the Estuary. The sadi wheat is the primary source of wealth for the Raxides family, and the storage silos are well guarded by Raxides soldiers, as are the caravans to Balic where the wheat is sold there, or shipped to other city states in the Tablelands.

There are actually two manors on the estate, a unique feature in the region. Both are virtually identical in appearance, though their inhabitants are quite different.

The Raxides family is split into two branches that occupy the same estate. The leading branch is headed by Innos (LN hm Psi9). Innos is the younger brother of the head of the Cerebran, Iphigenea. Innos� son Ielephen (LN hm Psi10) stands ready to head the family when the time is right. The Raxides are thought of as good, upstanding people, and that is largely due to Innos� strong leadership.

The other branch, lead by Innos� cousin Naglames (NE hm Wiz11-defiler), is an entirely different story. They are mainly parasitic socialites, and were in the favor of Andropinis before the sorcerer kings demise. Naglames has jealously watched Innos head the Raxides house for too many years, and wishes to lead the house to even greater heights. He is supported and assisted by his sister Shandri (NE hf Psi8), who is as scheming as her brother. Were it not for Innos� brother Iphigenea, Naglames would have moved against the family leader long ago.

Innos is well aware of his cousins desires to rule and takes measures to ensure he does not fall victim to the plots against him. At the same time, Innos cannot bring himself to elimate a member of his own family, and thus has tolerated Naglames� presence. Ielephen, however, is not so forgiving. He has made it clear to his father (against the elder Raxides� protests) that if his father were not there, Naglames, Shandri, and the other scheming members would be, at best, ousted from the estates.

A common saying about this family is "They�re decent folk, but there are strange people living in those houses." Even the commoners of Balic know of the family conflicts of House Raxides, though they prudently keep this knowledge from the Raxides themselves.