Codexes of House Xun'viir
A book bound in black-leather.
Near the top of the front cover, and on the spine, is the title "Codexes of House Xun'viir" in gilded ink.
Below the title engraved is a shadow dragon, its wings spread in an imposing form... Or it would be were it not for the lines of webs surrounding it.
Red lines create a barbed web ensnaring the dragon. Restricting what would be a pose of unbound glory.
The edges of the paper have been painted in various tones of gold. When the book is closed, it creates an illustration of dragon fire.
Codex Xun'viir, I
The Codex Xun'viir: Traditions, Laws, and Precepts
Recorded and scribed by Matron Talyrrae Xun'viir from traditions and rules transmitted orally over generations, AR (???)
Preamble: The Foundation in Blood
We are the children of the Web and the Wyrm. Our strength is our blood, our unity is our web, and our vengeance is our fire. Unlike the scattered, divided spiders of other cities, we are woven into a single, enduring tapestry. These laws are not mere guidelines; they are the venom in our fangs and the scales on our skin. To defy them is to deny your own blood.
I. The Canons of Unity: The Unbreakable Web
1. The Sanctum of Blood: The House is a sacred entity. All conflicts, ambitions, and rivalries must be contained within its walls. To involve outsiders - be they other Houses, mercenaries, or allies - in internal strife is Web-Sundering, the highest betrayal. Web-Sundering is considered equivalent to Sanguine Betrayal, and is subject to The Unweaving.
2. The Edict of Collective Face: Before the city, we present a single, formidable front. Public disputes between members, be they blooded or retainers, are forbidden. Members engaged in internal disputes should settle their disagreements as soon as possible, for the betterment of the House. Disagreements that remain unresolved must be taken to the House Council, headed by the Matron and attended by blooded members, often resulting in both sides being punished to varying degrees for being unable to resolve their issues. In the Matron's absence the First Daughter, or a female elevated to the rank of Princess may lead the Council. A member who airs our weaknesses to outsiders forfeits their tongue.
Day 13, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 188 AR
Impartial
Codex Xun'viir, II
II. The Doctrine of Blood: The Wyrm's Legacy
1. The Blooding Ceremony:
2. The Three Circles of Blood:
Born-Blooded: Those born of Xun'viir lineage. They hold the purest claim to the Wyrm's heritage and are eligible for all positions, including Matron. The next Matron is chosen amongst the Born- Blooded daughters of the former Matron, depending not on age but skill. If the Matron does not designate a heir before her death, the House Council elects one of her daughters to the position. In the absence of Matron for a prolonged period of time, a Regent may be appointed from one of the high-ranking females or one of the males holding the following positions: Weaponmaster, Housewizard, Patron - the Regent's rule is to end as soon as one of the Matron's daughters comes of age.
Sworn-Blooded: Those who entered via the Blooding Ceremony. They are true members in all respects, but are barred from the station of Matron Mother unless the House Council decides that none of the Matron's Born-Blooded daughters are fit for the role, in that case, a Sworn-Blooded may be elected Matron. The Sworn-Blooded Matron's own daughters are not eligible to succeed her rule, unless they are the product of coupling with a Born-Blooded Xun'viir male.
Soldier of Honour: Exceptional retainers, regardless of race, are granted the opportunity to swear an oath of service binding them to the House. The ritual is blessed by a Priestess of Lolth, and if non- Ilythiiri might be exceptionally accompanied by a cleric of the retainer's own faith. They are then allowed to drink from a chalice of wine mixed with the blood of a Blooded member, sanctified by the Priestess of Lolth
Day 13, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 188 AR
Impartial
Codex Xun'viir, III
3. The Eternal Chain ("Blood That Goes In, Must Come Out"): There is no resignation. To attempt to leave, to renounce your blood oath, or to willingly serve another power is Sanguine Treason. The punishment is The Unweaving: the traitor is ritually drained of their blood, symbolically removing them from the blood-chain. Their name is excised from all records. For the sake of stability, the Unweaving may be delayed for years, even decades, but it is inevitable and non-negotiable.
III. The Code of Vendetta: The Wyrm's Vengeance
1. Declaration of Debt: A Blood Feud (Vloss Thalack) is not a spontaneous brawl. The offended party must present their case and evidence of the slight to the House's Mistress of Ceremonies (who also oversees matters of honour). If no Mistress of Ceremonies has been assigned or is available, any other ranking member (Weaponmaster, Master of Coin, Patron, Princess...) may perform the role. If deemed valid, the Matron may formally declare the Feud.
2. Scales of Retribution: The response must be proportional, a concept called The Balanced Scale.
A Life for a Life: The killing of a Blooded member or Soldier of Honour demands the life of the killer. Under exceptional circumstances, a tithe or public apology may be accepted.
A Scar for an Insult: A grave public insult may be answered with a duel, or the ruination of the offender's social standing.
The Tainting of the Well: If the honour and standing of the House itself is targetted, through insults, lies and slander - either through direct targetting of the House, a revered forebear, or a high-ranking member - an apology by the House or organization the offender belongs to, alongside a tithe and exclusion of the individual from their midst can resolve the matter. Should they refuse to denounce the offender or to submit to the conditions, the entire House, family or group is to be targetted, humiliated, and the offender killed.
3. Inheritance of Debt ("The Debt Sleeps, But Never Dies"): A Blood Debt (Vlossn'belaern) passes to the offender's children, relatives, or sworn associates. It can lie dormant for generations. The only ways to settle a Feud are:
Payment in Blood: The completion of the prescribed retribution through judgement upon the offender, or kin/associates of equal status.
The Offer of the Empty Cup: The offending group or family can surrender a member of equal status to the original victim for judgment, along with massive reparations. This must be accepted by the ruling Matron
The Bonding: A forced bond or blood-oath adoption between the lines, literally merging the blood to dissolve the debt. This is rare and considered a last resort.
Day 13, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 188 AR
Impartial
Codex Xun'viir, IV
IV. Additional Canons of House Xun'viir
1. The Cult of the Ancestors: Statues are not merely memorials. The Hall of the Ascendant holds lifelike effigies of revered forebears. Once every six months, a drop of blood from a living descendant is placed on the statue's lips or the hologram's base in a rite called The Feeding of the Past. It is believed this strengthens the House's collective soul.
2. The Right of The Silken Noose: The House has the right to judge and execute its own members for crimes against the Codex. Outsiders have no jurisdiction. Anyone who surrenders a Xun'viir to outside authority violates the Sanctum of Blood and incurs a Blood Feud with the entire House.
3. The Duty of the Egg: Protecting and advancing the House's "blood potential" is paramount. Members with strong draconic manifestations are strongly encouraged to have children with others of similar potency. Personal desire is secondary to the Wyrm's legacy.
Epilogue:
This is our truth. We are not mere Ilythiiri. We are the children of Alyxae. Our web is not spun from chaotic spite, but from calculated strength. Our fire is not the brief blaze of rebellion, but the slow, enduring heat of the deep earth. Remember: in the dark, it is not the spider nor the dragon that reigns supreme. It is the Wyrm in the Web.
"Blood Speaks".
Day 13, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 188 AR
Impartial