Elves have carried the Mark of Shadow for thousands of years. The mark's bearers left Aerenal after the conflict that wiped out the Mark of Death and established House Phiarlan in Khorvaire. These elves are expert entertainers, giving them access to all manner of places and secrets. Known to few, there has always been an elite force of spies and assassins within House Phiarlan. Only special clients-nobles, merchant lords, and the like-have access to these spies. Toward the end of the Last War, a bitter feud broke out between the major families of the house. Known as the Shadow Schism, it resulted in a split withinin Phiarlan-and the foundation of House Thuranni. House Phiarlan continues to offer entertainment and espionage in the lands west of the Mournland, while Thuranni operates in the eastern lands. As a rule, Phiarlan elves are the better spies and Thuranni agents are superior assassins. Thuranni and Phiarlan maintain a peaceful relationship, but rivalries run deep. Baron Elar de Thuranni is said to be responsible for the Shadow Schism. Ruling the house from an enclave in Regalport, he is always accompanied by a shadowy pair, rumored to be embodiments of shadow itself. The displacer beast serves as the young house's emblem. The lands of House Phiarlan, known as the Demesnes, are the foremost centers of the arts in the Five Nations, each focusing on a specific artistic tradition: the written word, movement arts, music, material arts, and the arts of illusion, puppetry, oratory, and acting. Baron Elvinor Elorrenthi leads the house from the last of those, the Demesne of Shadow, which is located in Sharn. The hydra serves as House Phiarlan's emblem.

Maison Phiarlan is an Elfique Marqué par le Dragon house known throughout Khorvaire, although they are now based in Sharn, Brelande due to their former base of operation in Cyre having been destroyed in the Jour du Deuil. To the public Phiarlan is a house of entertainment comprised of bards, actors, artists and acrobats though, in secret it is a house of spies.

“We are L'Ombre- the border between light and darkness. We are not simply spies or assassins. We are agents of balance, and through our dance, we shape the future”. -Kaleth Shol de Phiarlan, ghost of the Serpentine Table.

Maison Phiarlan possesses the Marque de l'Ombre. The oldest living Marque Du Dragon the Marque de l'Ombre first appeared on Aérénal. This mark grants various magical benefits that relate to divination and illusions. The house turned this power to the arts of entertainment as well as the skills of actors, musicians, and acrobats.

3.5 Edition: In the 3.5 edition of the Eberron Campaign Setting (page 66) the Marque de l'Ombre can be taken as a feat. At its least form it grants the player character the ability to cast darkness, disguise sElfee or minor image. It also provides a +2 to gather information. In its lesser form it grants the player the ability to cast clairaudience/clairvoyance, Ombre conjuration or scrying. In its greater form it grants mislead, prying eyes or Ombre walk.

4th Edition: In the 4th edition Eberron Player's Guide (page 91) the Marque de l'Ombre can be taken as a feat. Possessing the mark allows the character to remain hidden when they make an attack and miss. The character also masters rituals in the scrying and deception categories and the Knock, Masking Shroud, Secret Page and Ombre Walk rituals.

Maison Phiarlan was one of the first Maisons Marquées Du Dragon to be formed and can trace its' origins back to when the Elfes rebelled against their Géant captors of Xen'Drik during the Âge des Géants. The first members of Maison Phiarlan were scouts and bards who raised morale and brought news and information to the scattered Elfique tribes. When the Elfes first discovered the island nation of Aérénal, the Phiarlans traveled between settlements as troubadours and mediators. Over time the Phiarlans mastered the art of trading information and made sure to use the information they had to their advantage. Around -25,000 the Cour Éternelle made its first appearance in Aérénal and out of fear, the Phiarlans were given the task of serving the Sibling Kings as spies in an effort to help maintain order in the land.

At the dawn of the Current Age, around -3200 the first Marques du Dragon appeared, including the Marque de l'Ombre. During this time the dragons were already at war with the Elfes and the Marqué par le Dragon garnered the suspicion of the dragons. When it was revealed that Maison Vol was in an alliance with dragons, La Guerre des Marques began in an attempt to exterminate the House. The Elfes who carried the Marque de l'Ombre knew it to be unsafe for the Marqué par le Dragon in Aérénal so they fled to Khorvaire in an effort to avoid the same fate as Maison Vol and upon arriving in the continent they banded together to form Maison Phiarlan around -2600. The House's artistic skills earned them a place within the Cinq Nations and in time the Serpentine Table offered its expertise to those in power there.

During the La Dernière Guerre which began in 894 AR, Maison Phiarlan offered its services of spying and intelligence to all nations, refusing to side with anyone. Due to Maison Phiarlan's secrecy and to the fact that they were taking contracts from all sides, eventually Maison Phiarlan agents found themselves contracted against each other which led to conflicting loyalties. The result was a cataclysmic event for Phiarlan named the Ombre Schism which tore the House apart and led to the creation of Phiarlan's rivals, Maison Thuranni who themselves, are former members of Phiarlan.

Phiarlan is an elvish word that translates roughly into spirit keepers.

Maison Phiarlan uses two symbols, the heraldic mark of L'Hydre and the mask of Ombres. The mark of L'Hydre is the house's primrary symbol and features a five headed hydra along with a blade resting below it. Four of the heads are aggresive looking whilst one is more tame and calm. The symbol represents the artistic divisions within the house and resilience. The less popular symbol, the mask of Ombres, is usually worn by members as either literal full sized masks or more subtle badges or jewellery. The mask of Ombres is silver in colour and has a stylized design.

The members of Phiarlan have held on strong to traditions. They believe that their greatest treasures of the house are the works of ancient artists. The great works that the house has can normally only be performed by a single person. These heirlooms are handed down by the person who has possesses the heirloom, giving it to another worthy individual.

*Matriarch Elvinor Elorrenthi de Phiarlan *Seneschal Taen_Shol_de Phiarlan

• L'Hydre

In the past, marrying into Maison Phiarlan was a rare event that'd never occur more than twice in a century however, L'Ombre schism greatly reduced its membership and bloodline's diversity. Though the House still only accepts Elfes, it now allows those outside of the Marqué par le Dragon families to join. For a candidate to even be considered they must have exceptional artistic talent or equal skill in stealth and subterfuge.

(The following information is for 3.5 edition campaigns) Favoured classes are Rogue, scout, Barde, Magicien or Sorcier. Phiarlan spellcasters typically focus on divination, enchantment and illusion magic.

*Les Cinq Domaines *Taer Syraen

*Entertainers and Artisans Guild *The Serpentine Table

*Phiarlan Phantasmist *Ombre Hunter

---

Maison Phiarlan, Part One
By Keith Baker

Few outsiders understand the inner workings of Maison Phiarlan and Maison Thuranni, and these houses of Ombre would have it no other way. To the world at large the Elfes of Thuranni and Phiarlan are known as entertainers of the highest order. Those who know of the secret services these houses offer often assume that this work was adopted as a cover for espionage and intelligence, and that the house formed only after the Marque de l'Ombre appeared. Little could be further from the truth. The Marque de l'Ombre served as a rallying point, but the tradition of the houses stretches back long before the manifestation of the mark – all the way to Xen'drik itself.

The first and most important thing to know about Maison Phiarlan is that most of the people of Khorvaire have no idea that the house is engaged in espionage work. The role of entertainer is not simply a cover. It is a tradition that dates back tens of thousands of years, and for many members of the houses, it is the only trade that they follow. Certainly, rumors state that the Elfes are spies and assassins, but to most people this is an urban legend. Where would the virtuoso soprano find the time to be a spy? She's known across Khorvaire for her talents – do you really think she sneaks out and kills people during the intermission? In a world of changelins, doppelgangers, and rakshasa, the Commun folk have many other things to worry about. And if you walk into a Phiarlan enclave and ask to hire a spy, the coordinator will advise you to hire a Tharashk détective. Phiarlan does possess one of the finest intelligence networks in Khorvaire, rivaled only by La Tutelle of Zilargo, but these services are available only to guildmasters and nobles, which are forces Phiarlan recognizes as players in the great game of politics and power.

So how do the twin paths of entertainment and espionage converge? Where did Phiarlan begin, and what role does it serve in the modern world? What caused the split between Phiarlan and Thuranni? To understand the present, let us begin in the past.

In the Beginning

The houses of Ombre can trace their roots back to the Elfique Uprising, the ancient war between the Géants of Xen'drik and the ancestors of the modern Elfes. Many assume that this was a conflict between two monolithic entities, but neither Elfes nor Géants were unified forces. Many different Géant nations existed, and there were dozens of sects of Elfes, ranging from former slaves to guerillas who had fought the Géants for millennia. Over the course of the uprising, some Elfes served as liaisons between the many different tribes. These travelers saw their role in war as being more spiritual than physical: Their task was to uphold morale and maintain the alliances between the scattered soldiers. They called themselves phiarlans, or “spirit keepers.” These phiarlans learned the traditions and customs of all Elfique sects, and a phiarlan bard could inspire warriors from any tribe. The phiarlans were not generals or military strategists, but their motivational work and the intelligence they carried from place to place was an invaluable part of the military effort.

The Birth of Aérénal

In the end, pride, dragonfire and twisted magic brought doom to Xen'drik. In the last days of the war, a visionary leader gathered Elfes from across the continent and arrangeld an exodus to search for a sanctuary across the water. Many of the phiarlans joined her cause, and their diplomatic skills and knowledge of the scattered tribes played a crucial role in the exodus. The journey was a long one, but the songs of the past and tales of glory helped soothe the fears of Le Voyageurs.

Eventually the Elfes found a new home in Aérénal, and they slowly claimed the land as their own. But in the time before La Cour Éternelle, Aérénal was a very different realm from the ordered nation seen today. Most of the Elfes remained isolated in tribal communities, which ultimately evolved into the modern Elfique bloodlines. The phiarlans continued to serve as liaisons, working to strengthen the bonds between the bloodlines. Phiarlans would travel from court to court, performing the traditional arts of fallen Xen'drik and sharing news from other parts of the land. They also made an effort to look below the surface – to seek out rivalries and schemes that might threaten the peace and balance between the lines. Typically a mediator would seek to settle disputes openly, but sometimes a phiarlan would quietly pass information to the parties that needed to know. This aspect of the phiarlan was well known, but accepted and even respected; a phiarlan might spy on your court, but he would only use that information for the good of the growing nation. If you had nothing to hide, you had nothing to fear; conversely, anyone who refused hospitality to a phiarlan clearly had something to hide. The reputation of the phiarlans was their shield, and their remarkable skill with song, dance, and other arts was the coin with which they paid their hosts.

The Rise of La Cour Éternelle

Death has always been an obsession of the Aereni. Millions of Elfes died in the fall of Xen'drik, and the Elfes swore that they would never lose their heroes again. But different lines followed different paths toward this goal. The Priests of Transition studied ways to preserve the spirit beyond the death of the body. The line of Vol dabbled in blood magic and dark arts. And the Tairnadal sought to become vessels for the fallen through perfection of the martial arts.

In time, the Priests of Transition won the support of the majority of the Aereni. The path of the Éternel relied on the veneration of life, while many saw the work of Vol as preying on the living to prolong the life of a few. Over the course of thousands of years, La Cour Éternelle took form, and this served as an anchor that brought the lines together. The first conflict against the dragons cemented this unity. Following this first battle, the councilors of La Cour Éternelle selected the first of Les Souverains Frère et Soeur, and modern Aérénal was formed.

With La Cour Éternelle in place, laws were established to govern the land, and what had previously been a friendly alliance now became a true nation. In this era, the phiarlans moved from being pure mediators and newsbearers to actual spies. Tensions rose as the nation coalesced, and not everyone supported the rule of Les Souverains Frère et Soeur; in particular, the line of Vol rejected the teachings of the Priests of Transition. The phiarlans continued to carry the ancient forms of art and entertainment from court to court. But now family lords and Les Souverains Frère et Soeur paid them to monitor enemies, searching for signs of dissidence, rebellion, or feuds. While they began to take gold for these services, the phiarlans still saw themselves as peacekeepers: They brought light to L'Ombres so justice could find its way.

And then the Marques du Dragon appeared.

The Fall of Vol

The phiarlans had always been drawn from three different lines: Tialaen, Shol, and Elorrenthi. The Marque de l'Ombre first appeared on a member of Elorrenthi, but these lines had long mixed their blood and members of Shol and Tialaen soon manifested the mark.

Some say that the ascendant councilors of La Cour Éternelle are among the only Humanoïdes with the age or intellect required to study the Prophétie Draconique. But living sages had made some study of the Prophecy in the wake of the dragon wars, and while the Elfes did not know the significance of the marks, they recognized them as playing a role in the schemes of the dragons. The Elfes first coined the phrase Marque Du Dragon, though few remember this. Fear followed the appearance of the marks. What was their purpose? What was the source of their power, and why had certain families been chosen? Given the long conflict between Aérénal and Argonnessen, anything tied to the Prophétie Draconique was viewed with suspicion. This prejudice strengthened the bond between the three phiarlan lines, but it also pushed them away from the rest of the Aereni. Les Souverains Frère et Soeur quickly established their own security forces and relied on the Cairdal Blades and La Garde de la Mort where they might have once used the phiarlans.

The rivalry between the Priests of the Transition and the followers of Vol had been building for thousands of years, and the appearance of the Marque de la Mort three thousand years ago simply made matters worse. The situation finally came to a head when the Cairdal Blades uncovered an alliance between Vol and a cabal of dragons. The extent and purpose of this alliance was never revealed to the public, but La Cour Éternelle launched a full scale assault on the line of Vol. Les Souverains Frère et Soeur declared that the Le Sang Divin was to be completely destroyed, since even a drop could destroy all living things. It was the first war between Elfes – and the first time that dragons and Elfes sided against a Commun foe, since the forces of Argonnessen joined La Cour Éternelle to destroy Vol and its allies.

This conflict shook Aérénal to its core, but in the end the line of Vol was exterminated. Some whispered that a single heir of the house, Erandis de Vol, escaped the destruction – but Lord Haensu of the Cairdal Blades claimed to have faced Erandis in battle and vanquished her. Still, the line of Vol had many followers who had no actual blood ties to the family, and these Elfes were given the choice of abandoning their vile traditions or leaving Aérénal. Many left, though not just the former followers of Vol numbered among them. Numerous Aereni believed that the shedding of Elfique blood had forever tainted the land, and those who bore the Marque de l'Ombre feared that they would be the next to suffer the fate of Vol. A handful remained, believing that it was their duty to the kingdom; these Elfes found themselves largely absorbed into other lines, and this mingling of blood causes the Marque de l'Ombres to occasionally appear in Aérénal. But most of the Elfes of Tialaen, Shol, and Elorrenthi fled to Khorvaire so that they could start anew. To mark their departure from Elfique society, they formally joined their lines into a new alliance: Maison Phiarlan.

Phiarlan in the Present Day

The Elfes had been uprooted from their home and their culture, and they intended to gain a secure position in this new land as quickly as possible. That meant amassing power. The people of Khorvaire had never seen anything to compare to the artistic skills and talents of the Elfes, and this sparked a renaissance in culture across the land. Elfique entertainers were welcomed into every village and city, and in the process they gained knowledge and contacts. The Elfes of Phiarlan had spent over ten thousand years serving as the eyes of La Cour Éternelle, and they put these skills to good use. And once they had sunk their roots deep into the land, the barons of the house contacted the other lords of the land, offering their services in exchange for gold or favors in days to come.

Today, Phiarlan's coffers are filled with gold and platinum. Its performers entertain viewers on the greatest stages and in the humblest taverns, and its eyes are watching even where no Elfee can be seen. Few Communers realize the true reach of the house, but kings and queens respect its power, and it is a force even the mightiest adventurers should treat with respect.

Next: A look at the public face of the House, and the services for which Phiarlan is known.

Maison Phiarlan, Part Two
By Keith Baker

Overview

The Elfes of Maison Phiarlan carry the Marque de l'Ombre. The house originates from an ancient order of bards, and most people know them for their ability to entertain others. But behind the curtain they run an intelligence network that stretches across Khorvaire, and most of the powers of Khorvaire have used Phiarlan services at some point in the past.

Taken as a whole, Maison Phiarlan is a neutral organization. Few of the Phiarlan Elfes are cold-blooded killers, and while Phiarlan spies frequently break the laws of the land in their work, members of the house respect the overall structure of society. To a large degree the leaders of the house see themselves as agents of balance, evening the odds between opponents and exposing feuds that would otherwise fester and grow.

The heraldic symbol of the house is a five-headed hydra. Many say that this represents the five artistic demesnes of the house. But some maintain that L'Hydre symbolizes the resilience and subtlety of the house: Its eyes are everywhere, and should one head fall, two will take its place. Phiarlan uses a stylized silver mask – the “mask of Ombres” – as a secondary symbol. This is reminiscent of the golden mask of La Cour Éternelle; members of the house may wear an actual full-sized mask, or carry a replica of the mask as a brooch, amulet, ring, or belt buckle.

The house has many enclaves, but the most significant are Les Cinq Domaines. Many consider the primary enclave to be the Demesne of Ombre in Sharn, which Baron Elvinor Elorrenthi de Phiarlan oversees. However, the known enclaves serve as the centers of Phiarlan's artistic endeavors. No one knows where the Serpentine Table (the espionage arm of the house) has its base of operations – this is a mystery for the DM to decide.

Each enclave has a governing council and a baron who represents the enclave on the central council, which quarterly convenes in Sharn to discuss the business of the house. Ostensibly, political position within the house is based on talent, and members of enclave councils often include the local masters of the five disciplines. But ultimately the baron makes the appointments. The central council (or the Serpentine Table) can replace a baron who is failing in her duties or performing questionably, and this council appoints new barons when an opening appears. Small outposts have no council and are governed by the nearest enclave.

Barons of the Stage

Best known for its Artisans and Entertainers Guild, Maison Phiarlan has hundreds of years to devote to a particular art. As a result, the masters of Phiarlan are legends in their fields; Tyasha de Phiarlan (Sharn: Cité des Tours, page 70) is an example of a savant of the house. Phiarlan entertainers covered a vast spectrum of arts, and the typical Phiarlan enclave has musicians, actors, poets, dancers, and even professional escorts available. While the Elfes themselves are the primary ambassadors of the arts, exceptional members of other races can earn a place in one of Les Cinq Domaines and study at the feet of the Elfique masters. An entertainer with Phiarlan certification has an easier time finding work in his field – however, he needs to possess at least 8 ranks in his chosen art before he can earn such a degree.

Les Cinq Domaines

The Elfes of Maison Phiarlan practice hundreds of different styles of song, dance, and other arts, from the ancient traditions of Xen'drik to the modern styles of Khorvaire. Long ago, the founders of the house divided the arts into five disciplines. The greatest masters and teachers of these arts have settled in the five major enclaves of the house, which are known as demesnes. Les Cinq Domaines of Phiarlan and the arts associated with them are described below. Teachers of all disciplines train willing students at each enclave, but someone who wants to deal with the best in the field should travel to the appropriate demesne.

Memory. The discipline of memory encompasses the written word. Novelists, playwrights, and poets are all students of memory. Phiarlan also considers propaganda to be a fine art. A play, a novel, or a song can have a powerful effect on public opinion, and for an extra fee a Phiarlan author can produce work that portrays the client in an especially good light – or vilifies an opponent. Many leaders make use of Phiarlan speech writers; more than one politician has hired a disguised Ombre actor to give an important speech on his behalf.

The Demesne of Memory is located in the city of Beaurefuge in Aundair.

Motion. The discipline of motion incorporates the arts of the body. This includes dance, gymnastics, wrestling, mime, contortion, massage, and many more. Phiarlan dancers master dozens of styles and are renowned for their grace. Exceptional acrobats and contortionists may find work with the Carnival of Ombres, while lesser tumblers often entertain the Communfolk on the streets or cheap theaters. The Serpentine Table often recruits gifted students of motion; masters of motion frequently can adapt their skills to burglary and battle. Phiarlan escorts study the arts of motion and Ombre. These Elfes are not prostitutes, but they are graceful companions gifted in conversation, dance, and massage. Marqué par le Dragon escorts can also use their powers to adopt specific identities to fulfill the wishes of a client. Since most people are more comfortable around Elfes than changelins, a wealthy man who wants the company of a particular woman may hire a Phiarlan companion to impersonate her instead of a changelin.

The Demesne of Motion is located in the city of Korth in Karrnath.

Music. The Demesne of Music teaches the arts of sound – both song and the use of instruments. Phiarlan bards have scoured Khorvaire for musical traditions, and some instructors can teach the arts of Adaran chant and other obscure styles. Most Phiarlan bards spend some time at the Demesne of Music, though many also study at the Demesne of Ombre.

The Demesne of Music is located in the city of Fort-de-la-Flamme in Thrane.

Shape. The Demesne of Shape covers the creation of physical objects. One of the primary duties of the Demesne of Shape is the creation of the resources the house requires for its entertainers – costumes, sets, props, instruments, and the like. However, the Artisans and Entertainers Guild also covers aesthetic art, and sculptors, painters, and potters can all learn their trades at this demesne. The sale of such goods is a significant source of income for the house, and the woodsmiths of Phiarlan are said to be the finest outside of Aérénal itself.

The first Demesne of Shape was located in the city of Metrol in Cyre. The destruction of Cyre dealt a blow to the house, but at the start of the war Phiarlan had spread the resources of the house across the Cinq Nations to avoid just such a disaster, and miraculously (some say suspiciously) all the finest teachers and artisans were visiting other demesnes on the Jour du Deuil. The new Demesne of Shape has been established in Wroat, in Breland.

While the finest artists survived the Mourning, a great deal of Phiarlan craftwork and mystical tools were Perdu in the fall of Cyre. The house may wish to hire a team of adventurers to venture into the Les Terres des Lamentations and recover objects from Metrol – or perhaps a PC member of the house could find hersElfee performing this task as a show of loyalty to the house.

Ombre. In its broadest sense, the discipline of Ombre covers the art of deception. This includes illusion, which the house has refined into a fine art; Phiarlan dream parlors and Ombre weavers use magic to produce astonishing shows. It also includes literal Ombre plays and puppetry – arts in which the actual actor performs at a distance from the audience. But the Demesne of Ombre also serves as the center for verbal arts of deception and coercion, feigned emotion, and role assumption. Actors and orators learn their craft at this demesne, and while a storyteller may learn his tales at the Demesne of Memory, he learns to deliver a tale at the Demesne of Ombre. Stealth and sleight of hand are also taught in this place, since the stagehand and the puppeteer need to hide in L'Ombres and avoid the gaze of the audience. Of course, while this is the public reason for such training, many of those who study the arts of stealth are actually members of the Serpentine Table – or hope to be recruited by this inner circle.

The Demesne of Ombre is located in Sharn, in Breland. With the destruction of the first Demesne of Music, it is the oldest of Les Cinq Domaines and is the current home of the house matriarch.

Services and Events

In general, a well-staffed Phiarlan enclave can provide any sort of entertainment. Most Phiarlan entertainers are experts versed in a rangel of Perform skills. However, many true bards who can weave magic into their performances are also in the house. The house runs a number of theaters, but Phiarlan bards often work with local establishments; Phiarlan actors often take center stage regardless of who owns the theater.

In addition to these general performances, a few events of note are held by the house. The annual reenactments of the battles between the Elfes and the dragons are extremely popular. But the best-known work of the house is the Carnival of Ombres, which is a traveling circus that combines illusion, physical arts, and exotic beasts from across Eberron. Three separate companies of the Carnival of Ombres migrate between the major cities of Khorvaire, and they reach even the Principautés de Lhazaar and the Plaines de Talenta. From an adventuring perspective, the carnival offers a variety of hooks. To begin with, agents of the Serpentine Table often travel with the Carnival of Ombres; this could result in adventurers coming into conflict with Phiarlan schemes when the circus comes to town, or it could mean that PCs working with the house are sent to join the carnival. The beasts that travel with the circus can also pose a challenge; an escaped monster could wreak havoc on a city, or adventurers could find themselves hired to capture an exotic creature in Xen'drik and transport it – alive – back to Khorvaire.

Heirloom Performances

While Maison Phiarlan has split off from Aérénal and has no ties to La Cour Éternelle, the members of the house still hold the memories of their ancestors and their history in high regard. The greatest treasures of the house are the works of ancient artists – the dance with which Jhazalaen Elorrenthi blinded Le Roi du Feu, the song that Maenol sang as the Elfes boarded the boats to leave Xen'drik, and similar epic works. While every member of the house can perform some of these, many of the greatest works of the house are considered to be heirloom performances. Only one living Elfee has the right to perform a particular heirloom. This is a tremendous honor, and every Phiarlan bard strives to prove her worth to inherit such a treasure. Traditionally, the bearer of the heirloom chooses her successor, but should she die without designating an heir, the council of the appropriate demesne can select a new Elfee to perform the art. Stories have circulated about how demesne councils assassinate unworthy heirs so the heirloom could be transferred to a superior artist – but these stories have never been proven.

Next: The three-part coverage of Maison Phiarlan concludes with a look at the secret work of the house and the life of an agent of L'Ombres!

Maison Phiarlan, Part Three
By Keith Baker

The Serpentine Table

The Elfes of Maison Phiarlan are known across Khorvaire as master artisans and entertainers. Maison Phiarlan uses a five-headed hydra as its symbol, with a head for each of the five artistic demesnes: memory, motion, music, shape, and Ombre. But while L'Hydre has five heads, it also has a Ombre – and this represents the Serpentine Table, the sixth demesne that lies hidden beneath the surface of the house.

After the first war between Aérénal and Argonnessen, the rulers of Aérénal needed an elite force that could serve as the eyes and ears of La Cour Éternelle. The phiarlans were already welcomed in every realm, and Les Souverains Frère et Soeur sought their aid. The elders of the Tialaen, Shol, and Elorrenthi lines summoned their most cunning and capable heirs to serve at the Serpentine Table. For millennia this network of observers helped maintain order in Aérénal, until the appearance of the Marque de l'Ombres pushed the phiarlans into disfavor. The Elfes brought the Serpentine Table to Khorvaire, where its roots spread across the land.

Few know where to find the citadel of the Serpentine Table, and the DM must decide where to place it in his campaign. Every Phiarlan enclave has an observer who serves as a liaison with the Table, and this person arrangels jobs and ensures that the local heirs of the house do not interfere with Serpentine operations. But the actual agents of the Table are hidden even from this liaison; they are often scattered throughout the community and concealed behind layer upon layer of false identity. The true spymaster of a major city weaves her web in L'Ombres, and no one should ever know her connection to the house.

Not all of the spies of Maison Phiarlan belong to the Serpentine Table. Many independents broke away during the Thuranni feud, but a few private cabals remain – proud families and independent adventurers who prefer to operate outside of the strict hierarchy of the house. As long as these groups maintain the honor of the house and do not interfere with Serpentine operations, they are left in peace.

Hiring the House

The artistic endeavors of Maison Phiarlan fill the house coffers with gold. From a purely financial standpoint, the house could survive without selling the services of its spies. But there is more to the world than gold. Kings, cardinals, and Marque Du Dragon barons rely on the Serpentine Table, and the house thrives on the influence it gains through its actions. By choosing what jobs to accept and which to decline, the Serpentine Table has the power to shape Khorvaire. Every act – from the assassination of an upstart general to the recovery of a stolen heirloom for a wealthy merchant – increases the power of the house. Only the lords of the Serpentine Table know how the house plans to use this power.

Maison Phiarlan may not rely on the Serpentine Table for its gold, but that doesn't mean that the services of Serpentine spies come cheaply. The house prefers to deal with powerful and influential people, and the blacksmith who wants to spy on his wayward wife should hire an détective from Maison Tharashk.

Information Gathering: The hidden citadel of the Serpentine Table houses a corps of diviners, and its identity vault holds locks of hair and personal items taken from thousands of the most important people of Khorvaire. Serpentine mirrors empower and enhance the powers of the Marque de l'Ombre, and Marque Du Dragon diviners devote their time to Ombre-gazing and spying through the ether. Phiarlan observers pass information to Serpentine handlers, who communicate with the lords of the Table with scrystones. And every day the knowledge of the house grows.

An old secret that one could find elsewhere with effort – the name of a former king's mistress, which could also be pried from the vaults of the Bibliothèque de Korranberg – usually costs 10 to 100 gp. However, the price could go up based on the impact the secret may have. If the name of the mistress could reveal a forgotten heir who could unseat Roi Boranel, the Serpentine Table could raise its price a hundredfold – or refuse to reveal it at all.

Information that can be acquired through the use of scrying has a base cost of 280 gp. Long-term magical surveillance generally costs 2,000 gp/day. However, the house has a limited number of focus items that can sustain extended surveillance, and this service may not be available at all times.

Beyond scrying, the Table relies on agents in the field. If a spy is already in place and can acquire the desired information without risk, a secret might cost 100 gp. A complex operation requiring a dozen of Elfes to put their lives on the line – say, an extraction from Fort-Terreur – could cost tens of thousands of gold pieces. Ultimately DM must decide the price based on the resources the task requires and the impact the action will have on the campaign.

Protection: A continual stream of information flows through Maison Phiarlan, and a client can pay a monthly fee to be alerted about any activity that poses a threat to her or relates to a subject of her choosing. Depending on the depth of the coverage, this can cost thousands of gold pieces, and few people take advantage of it. But when a party of adventurers plots against a wealthy criminal, there's always the chance that she'll receive a telepathic scrystone warning from Maison Phiarlan!

Violence and Theft: Maison Phiarlan has no special dispensation to break the law, and a captured Serpentine assassin will suffer the same consequences as any other criminal. Serpentine liaisons require full disclosure about the reasons driving an assignment. Assassination requires excellent justification, and the house never kills or kidnaps a client in good standing – one of the reasons rulers prefer to work with the house instead of against it. They are more willing to abduct than kill; Maison Phiarlan may not kill a band of adventurers for robbing a noble, but the Elfes might capture the party and leave their fate in the hands of the victim. Agents of the Serpentine Table do steal from one client on behalf of another, but only with good reason – never simply to fulfill a client's greed. Maison Phiarlan also perform other criminal acts under the right circumstances, but organizations like the Clan Saputo or Maison Tarkanan (see Sharn: Cité des Tours ) are the primary sources of thieves and assassins.

The power of the Serpentine Table does have limits. Maison Phiarlan has spies hidden within L'Aurum, Ordre de la Griffe d'Émeraude, or Les Douzes. But the Seigneurs Des Cendres, Rêve Obscur, and the Chambre are ancient and powerful forces with excellent counterintelligence. Maison Phiarlan can't watch every Culte du Dragon d'En-Dessous or every Dhakaani clan. The Serpentine Table doesn't have agents in every thorp or guild. Ultimately, the DM must decide what Maison Phiarlan knows and what has been successfully hidden from their prying eyes.

Serving L'Ombre

Many members of Maison Phiarlan serve as passive agents of the house. In addition to passing information to the Serpentine liaison, Phiarlan Elfes may assist the Table in many other ways. The celebrated actress may be too busy to serve as an active spy and assassin, but she can give Serpentine agents a place in her entourage – or help a spy assume her identity for a particular mission.

A player character – even one with the Favored in House feat – must earn a place with the Serpentine Table. If he shows potential, the Serpentine Table asks him to serve as an observer initially. This duty calls for him to pass along information he acquires on his adventures, and it encourages him to make contacts that could prove useful to the house. In time, he is given small assignments and missions that tie into a particular adventure. On a dungeon delve, he might be asked to swap a particular piece of treasure with a forgery provided by the house and then return the true treasure to the house. He could be given a package to deliver to an innkeeper along the road, an amulet to slip into a nobleman's purse, or a scrying beacon to place in a critical location. If he performs admirably, he eventually may be inducted as a Ombre of the Serpentine Table. At this point his missions may form the basis for entire adventures.

No membership dues exist for members of the Serpentine Table; on the contrary, agents are paid a regular salary, along with generous rewards for dangelrous missions. The ranks within the house are described below. As a general rule, a Serpentine agent must have ranks in three or more of the following skills: Bluff, Disguise, Gather Information, Hide, Knowledge (any), Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Search, or Spot. Exceptions may be made for spellcasters whose magical abilities make up for their lack of training.

Ombres are the least agents of the Table. To hold this position, a character must have seven or more ranks in three of the Serpentine skills. Ombres receive 10 gp each month as a retainer in addition to bonuses for completing tasks.

Wraiths are gifted agents who often coordinate groups of Ombres. A wraith must possess nine or more ranks in four of the Serpentine skills. Wraiths receive 50 gp each month as a retainer.

Spectres are elite troubleshooters. A spectre must possess twelve or more ranks in four of the Serpentine skills, and she receives 200 gp each month as a retainer.

Ghosts are the legends of the house. Only a handful of these agents exist, and their identities are carefully guarded. A ghost needs to have fifteen or more ranks in four of the Serpentine skills. A ghost receives 1,000 gp each month as a retainer and has access to many resources within the house. However, as the top agents of the house, ghosts are almost always on assignment – a PC who rises to this rank will have little time for random adventures.

Above the ghosts are the lords of the Serpentine Table. An Elfee cannot rise to this position based on skill alone; she must serve the house for centuries before she can even be considered for induction into the inner circle. The lords are not necessarily as powerful as the ghosts, but what they lack in character level they make up for in cunning and wisdom.

Only Elfes of Maison Phiarlan have ever been accepted as members of the Serpentine Table, and this is unlikely to changel. People of all races and nations may be used as tools and observers, but they are never treated as equals or brought into the confidence of the Table. In the case of a player character, his adventuring companions are seen as assets he brings to the house. An Elfee can gain status within Maison Phiarlan by assisting the Serpentine Table. But if he chooses to become a full agent of the Serpentine Table, he can have no loyalty above the house.

TH E ILLUSIONS THAT I WEAVE DAZZLE AND DECEIVE. Sometimes that deception eases your burdens, letting you forget your troubles for a moment. But I can also ease your burdens by e ndingyour life. -Lady Elara de Thuranni, Ombre dancer The Marque de l'Ombre lets an Elfee weave illusions, crafting magic to distract or delight. It also allows its bearer to sculpt Ombres, making it easy to avoid detection. THE HOUSES OF Ombre Leader: Maison Phiarlan, Elvinor Elorrenthi de Phiarlan; Maison Thuranni, Elar de Thuranni Headquarters: Maison Phiarlan, the Demesnes (various); Maison Thuranni, Port Royal (Principautés de Lhazaar) Elfes have carried the Marque de l'Ombre for thousands of years. The mark's bearers left Aérénal after the conflict that wiped out the Marque de la Mort and established House Phiarlan in Khorvaire. These Elfes are expert entertainers, giving them access to all manner of places and secrets. Known to few, there has always been an elite force of spies and assassins within Maison Phiarlan. Only special clients-nobles, merchant lords, and the like-have access to these spies. Toward the end of La Dernière Guerre, a bitter feud broke out between the major families of the house. Known as L'Ombre Schism, it resulted in a split withinin Phiarlan-and the foundation of Maison Thuranni. Maison Phiarlan continues to offer entertainment and espionage in the lands west of the Les Terres des Lamentations, while Thuranni operates in the eastern lands. As a rule, Phiarlan Elfes are the better spies and Thuranni agents are superior assassins. Thuranni and Phiarlan maintain a peaceful relationship, but rivalries run deep. Baron Elar de Thuranni is said to be responsible for L'Ombre Schism. Ruling the house from an enclave in Port Royal, he is always accompanied by a Ombrey pair, rumored to be embodiments of Ombre itself. The displacer beast serves as the young house's emblem. The lands of Maison Phiarlan, known as the Demesnes, are the foremost centers of the arts in the Five Nations, each focusing on a specific artistic tradition: the written word, movement arts, music, material arts, and the arts of illusion, puppetry, oratory, and acting. Baron Elvinor Elorrenthi leads the house from the last of those, the Demesne of Ombre, which is located in Sharn. L'Hydre serves as Maison Phiarlan's emblem.