House Apocalypse

"An excellent decision.  I applaud.  Did you actually manage to reach it all by yourself?"

  Elegant yet predatory, the Apocalypse honestly think of themselves as the apex of mortis existence. Firm believers in Divine Right and the rule of the superior, they have little patience, though often much pity, for those houses who are (through no fault of their own) inferior.

  The Apocalypse character is a curious mix of noblesse oblige and healthy contempt. They actively seek power wherever it may be found, from the field of battle to the corridors of palaces, yet they do not seek the title and glory that come along with rule. Instead of chasing command for its own sake, Apocalypse take the reins of power out of a firm belief that no one can hold them better. The appearance of power in unimportant; what matters is that the decisions are being made by those most suited to make them. Indeed, most Apocalypse prefer the role of kingmaker to the title of king.

  Hand in hand with this determination to be the final arbiters of all decisions comes a healthy contempt for those who the Apocalypse feel are inferior to them in mind, body or breeding. In essence this means the rest of mortis society, and while some of the various houses have been accorded a modicum of respect, there are none the Apocalypse will acknowledge as equals. A Apocalypse will often work with others, and even go so far as to consider members of other houses to be friends, but one will never, ever consider a member of another house to be an equal(1).

  Unfortunately, the Apocalypse delight in the great game of politics often blinds them to all but the game itself. Master manipulators, they see all of the Dread Kingdom as but a chessboard that they and their favorite opponents- House Doom -play upon, the fall of worlds being of only abstract interest to them. 

NICKNAME:   Heirs. (As in 'heir apparent')

SECT:  The Apocalypse drive to control, and their contempt for their lessers has lead them into rebellion against the rule of Queen Ianthe von Doom.  The Apocalypse are the ruling house of this rebellion, as much as any house may be said to "rule" this chaotic body.

APPEARANCE:  Most Apocalypse resemble humans of Spanish or Italian stock, some appear to have a Balkan or Romanian heritage, although remember that the dreadites share no connection to any human ethnic group. However Apocalypse  run the gamut of cultures and ethnicities. Almost all Apocalypse are reasonably attractive, with well-bred, aristocratic features- 'blue-collar' Apocalypse are rare, and one hardly sees the calloused hands or broken noses of the working class among the Heirs.

HOUSE POWERS:  

(1): The current House Leader of the Apocalypse illustrates an interesting peculiarity in this mind-set. Persons born outside of House Apocalypse may be brought into it, either through marriage, adoption, or by an act of the House Leader. Once done, the member is considered a full, and equal member of the Apocalypse, and just as superior as the rest. Such converts are often hailed as examples of both the greatness of their adoptive house, and as object lessons that the other lines should never be underestimated.

Stereotypes
House Doom	Petty little princes and self-ennobled lords, the Doom are pale imitations of majesty. Let them have the throne; we rule from the shadows.
House Dagger	Fury, leashed by honor, the Dagger are worthy of respect and even fear. Pray a tight hold remains on that leash, for if the ever slip it, they will be at your throat.
House Dracos	These befuddled scholars may yet stumble onto some great secret or philosopher's stone, and on the night they do, they will become dangerous. That day will come, in all probability, the week after the end of time.
House Luna	They possess the most tortured of lives, and devious minds often lurk under their flighty façades.
House Lycanthro	Easily excited; terrible, monstrous foes. Leave them to the wilds, and the wolves they love so much.
House Oni	Hmm... how best to keep them hidden when company calls?
House Yaijinden	Any court worthy of its name has one Yaijinden emissary. Of course, any court worthy of its name also has a dwarf and an idiot jester, so one more amusing freak means nothing.
Crystal Senshi	I find it unimaginable that any of these survive past the initial disappointment of learning what they are.
Mirth House	Acceptable, if annoying, if you're talking about a human rebel group. If you're a blood-soaked devil from the Lands of Death, waging a one house war against the rule of the Doom, why would you bother with this inner-goodness garbage?
Tenshi Force	Their potential is dissipated by their weakness. The Gin Tenshi has spent more time in the dungeons than the jail-house rats.
The Blackmoon	If it would merely listen a little better, this Black Moon Prince would almost be worth the effort we expend speaking to it.