[Neus]

KAULYN

Sigil: A yellow vase with a skeletal face in its body, looking towards the viewer, with handles raised up and curved like horns.
House Kaulyn's 'macabre vase' serves as their sigil, as well as the design of pottery commonly decorating the homes of its members. While foreigners may find it disturbing in its grim design, the truth of the matter is that artistry born from death is celebrated in Alstalsia in many ways, in no small part due to Zera's dying decree to utilize his remains.

Colors: Yellow, grey, brown.
Kaulyn clay often comes out of the ground in a dull yellow sheen, which is the main point behind the colors. When worked, it becomes grey. While the Kaulyn use other materials, such as porcelain, and given the memorability of House Kaulyn's porcelain masks, one might think they should take the forefront of representation for the noble family, but Kaulyn's origins lie with clay.

Heirloom: Masqueran
Made partially from Zera's remains, this heirloom is a large adornment made in the image of Zera, literally. A detailed, hand-shaped sculpture that shows the great demon god's face, its quality and craftsmanship is impeccable, and would any live today that could verify it, they would say it is a very accurate model. It is better protected than a simple clay statue, however, being glazed, reinforced with magic, and placed in a thick glass case for safe keeping.

Size: Medium
Art can be practiced by anyone with the talent, and given that artists are what House Kaulyn is mostly comprised of, their numbers reflect that accessibility. They serve as a valuable, living cultural artifact of sorts. However, since Alstalain politics have proven to sometimes be bloody in the past, they do have a force of elite soldiers just large enough to protect the House's members and lands, called the Masked Men. Named for their metal-reinforced porcelain face masks that look better suited to masquerade balls than battlefields, they are mostly skilled duelists and skirmishers, and despite the name, also include the fairer sex in their ranks if proven able fighters.
Stronghold: Bycoast
Located on the left-most island south of Alstalsia, the House Kaulyn domain of Bycoast is not far from the southern shores of Alstalsia, hence the name. It is a land rich in clay deposits and other minerals useful for crafting. Bycoast also holds on it one of the three great lighthouses, serving as a beacon for ships as well as a lookout. House Kaulyn themselves reside in a simple castle called Bycoast Keep, the battlements decorated with sculpted soldiers in armor who watch those over the walls day and night. It is a rather unsettling sight to many.

Values:
House Kaulyn's penchant for masks goes beyond just aesthetics, as they are the sort to utilize outward appearances as ways to hide their true intentions. While their ability in creating sculptures, masks, pottery, and other forms of shaped art is undeniable, they have a reputation for being deceptive schemers, and over the years have gained the suspicions of many. 'Never trust a man whose face you cannot see.' Many have suspected they and House Arkime have engaged in plots to steal and smuggle goods headed to and from Alstalain shores, and have hidden things such as stolen goods within the pottery and sculptures they make, which they then sell in secret under the guise of fair business.

For the most part, these suspicions are right on the mark, but House Kaulyn has been careful enough to where they are hard to catch or prove, and any engaging in such actions have been exiled from the family and punished. Therefore, in the eyes of the law, House Kaulyn itself is law-abiding and well-meaning, with a few bad apples every now and then, just like any noble family. They are not easily trusted, but to them, this fine; deceptions and problems are best solved as elegantly and creatively as possible.

History:
House Kaulyn was originally a minor house, but their position was elevated after the construction of the three great lighthouses, one of which is on Bycoast and maintained by the family, as recognition for their immense contribution to the culture of Alstalsia. Kaulyn art was highly coveted by the natives and overseas alike for its quality and uniqueness, which made them wealthy and influential, earning them a place on the High Council. They have managed to remain well out of the spotlight of history in terms of conflicts, although many have suspected they held a distant part in some plots; for example, the assassination attempt of the House Tyrmela heir. However, none of this has been proven.

What has been, however, and is still shown today, are the artistic contributions of House Kaulyn. They are still as highly valued and unique as they were in days of old, and a well-made Kaulyn piece will fetch a high-price... for one reason or another.