Intelligence report assembled on the advent of the Lyctor pilgrimage by Captain J. Deuteros (Dead Fleet, Dve Territorials 12th Necromancer’s Unit). NOT FOR ARCHIVAL USE. Only for use accompanied with verbal distribution to Trentham-based members of the Admiralty, Generals [REDACTED] and [REDACTED], Head of Intelligence [REDACTED], and Lieutenant M. Dyas (Dead Fleet, Dve Territorials 12th Necromancer’s Unit Auxiliary) acting in the role of cavalier primary.
Second House
Captain Judith Deuteros
Age 22.
Judith Deuteros, born interstellar, home Trentham of the Second House. Joined the JCTs (Junior Cohort Territorials) at eleven years old, commission to second lieutenant at fourteen. Attached to the Leviathan-class ship Emperor’s Dominion at fifteen, awarded commendations in within-system war games. Promoted to first lieutenant at twenty and attached to Behemoth-class ship Rigor. Onboard Rigor, saw intragalactic action wherein she headed an in-ship tactics unit alongside Lieutenant Dyas. Promoted to captain at twenty-two. Returned to Trentham to attend intelligence and officer training, as well as to pursue further necromantic studies.
NOTES: Forgive the third-person. The basis of my representation is made upon Lieutenant Dyas’ skills as well as my birth, the equation being the sum of our parts. Two Cohort trainees, despite not having seen frontline action, could be said to have an unfair advantage in this arena. I have studied energy-transferral aptitude with Lt. Dyas since our school days. I am also widely trained across the schools, with an eye to military applications. I received a first-class rating at Trentham. As well as having passed psychological examinations, I will be interested in acquiring for the Cohort the first up-to-date intelligence on the First House in three hundred years. I have no family or marital responsibilities that will distract me.
Lieutenant Marta Dyas
Age 27.
Marta Dyas, born on Trentham, home Trentham of the Second House. Joined the JCTs (Junior Cohort Territorials) at ten years old, commission to second lieutenant at fifteen. Awarded status of cavalier at twenty on attachment to Judith Deuteros with a bid for cavalier secondary, received honour title Marta the Second. Attached to the Leviathan-class ship Emperor’s Dominion, awarded multiple commendations for within-system war games. House duel ranking maintained within the top three of the cavalier secondary class, top five general class. Promoted to first lieutenant at twenty-two, saw action onboard Rigor in the same circumstances as Captain Deuteros. Returned to Trentham in supporting role to Captain Deuteros, was ranked first in the system two years ago for her class in duelling.
NOTES: No cavalier primary currently in the system has Dyas’ credentials. She has been training since childhood, received her first-class rating at Trentham and has established herself as a premier cavalier before thirty years old. Her House ranking, despite it being outside Cohort management, is extraordinary. Her offhand style is the dagger, but she has trained with a wide variety of weapons, both modern and archaic. She has no family or marital responsibilities to distract her, and is in every way an exemplary cavalier. In terms of the current lineup of cavaliers that the Houses are bringing, our data suggests that she is easily the best and most promising. Protesilaus Ebdoma of the Sixth has a famous ranking average, but his withdrawal into family duties suggests he is not at peak performance.
Third House
Crown Princess Coronabeth Tridentarius
Age 21.
Coronabeth Tridentarius, born on Ida, home Ida of the Third House. Has received home instruction rather than attending a specific institution. No Cohort placement, nor any indication that Cohort placement will be sought. In line with Third tradition, is eldest and will take control of the House once her father relinquishes it. Necromantic aptitude animaphilia. A classic Third magician, but again, has not pursued scholarly betterment either on the Third or elsewhere. No marital ties.
NOTES: Coronabeth Tridentarius may be a necromantic dilettante or a powerhouse. Our intelligence is incomplete, and her lack of formal study in other places has muddied the issue. She enjoys popular status within her House and without. As well as being very physically imposing and extraordinarily beautiful, or at least very beautiful on a subjective level to many people, she also has a natural charisma. She and others around her have been known to mistake this charisma for leadership ability. Tridentarius has a long history of close interaction with the Second and the Fifth. I myself have known Corona, as she is familiarly known, since childhood, and she was capricious then. She is an intense personality, energetic, driven, and wildly ambitious, excellent with people and with wide appeal. As a necromancer we cannot begin to guess, but given other factors her ability to succeed in this endeavour is high, albeit it would create a power vacuum within the Third House. See below.
Princess Ianthe Tridentarius
Age 21.
Ianthe Tridentarius, born on Ida, home Ida of the Third House. Has received home instruction rather than attending a specific institution. No Cohort placement, nor any indication that Cohort placement will be sought. Has been ranked as third in line after her twin sister Coronabeth. Necromantic aptitude animaphilia. A classic Third magician, but as with her sister, a lack of extramural scholarship means a lack of data as to how good they are. Ianthe has never performed necromancy without her sister in the room, which may indicate a lack of confidence or aptitude. She is in her attitudes much more languid and apathetic than her sister. No marital ties.
NOTES: Ianthe is lesser than her sister in almost every way. She is much more physically frail, less able in social situations, more retiring, and frankly unappealing in personality. She is more inclined than Coronabeth to think before she speaks, but as they never appear in public without the other one, she defers entirely to her. Her physical characteristics next to Corona’s own may indicate that her animaphilia-specific study is not as strong, or that she has chosen a different school. Her psychological profile suggests she looks to her sister for support. If Coronabeth is successful in becoming a Lyctor, scionship will fall to Ianthe. If both become Lyctors, it will fall outside the immediate family.
Prince Naberius Tern
Age 23.
Naberius Tern, born on Ida, home Ida of the Third House. Only child of the previous cavalier primary. Resurrection-purity family, line has been serving Ida and providing cavaliers historically. Attended various academies and institutions on the Third as well as receiving home instruction with the princesses. Formal recognition of cavaliership when he was fourteen, but somewhat irregularly registered with both of them. As with the twins, no indication that Cohort placement was sought. House duel ranking maintained within the top five of his specific cavalier class, top five also in general class.
NOTES: Nominally Coronabeth’s cavalier, but Ida has been internally and externally referring to him as being “both” their cavalier for years. His offhand style is the dagger, and classically the Third House threefold knife. He has maintained his very high duel ranking for years. We have data both formative and summative, however, suggesting that he is in danger of becoming more of a duellist than a swordsman. His bouts with Lt. Dyas have confirmed this. In personality, he is more public-facing than Ianthe, but less successful than Coronabeth; his mood is more changeable, he is more openly materialistic, he is inclined to be socially immature. He also has an extremely good opinion of himself and his swordplay, an opinion that Lt. Dyas notes occasionally aligns with reality.
Fourth House
Baron Isaac Tettares
Age 13.
Isaac Tettares, born on Tisis. Resurrection-purity family, the eldest of eight. As is normal on the Fourth, children were a mix of vat-womb and XX carry. Father killed by terrorists out on [REDACTED] nineteen years ago: all of his children have been posthumous and the title held in stewardship. Trained at home with time spent in a school at Koniortos Court on the Fifth, on the direction of Abigail Pent. Strong spirit magician, ranks very highly for his age. Cohort placement was first sought two years ago, rejected first on age grounds and then on health grounds, again on advisement from the Fifth House. Will most likely be accepted next year should he choose to apply again.
NOTES: Isaac Tettares is a talented child. It is for us to wonder how far the Fifth House agitated for his inclusion among the invited pairs, and for what reason. It is very unlikely that Tettares will become a Lyctor any time soon, and it is my opinion that frankly it would not be desirable for him to become so due to his age and immaturity. Abigail Pent has forged a strong relationship with both Tettares and Chatur, much stronger even than her mothers’ relationship with Tettares’ father. It is already suggested that her nephew will be affianced to him once they are of age. This is a pity, as Isaac Tettares is suggestive of an interesting personality: less forceful than is common on the Fourth, but more reflective and restrained. It would be good for the Fourth House to take this direction. If the Second House can make any headway with the Fourth House during this process, they will.
Sir Jeannemary Chatur
Age 14.
Jeannemary Chatur, born on Ops. Resurrection-purity family, second of six. Being the first non-necromancer of the line, she is her generation’s Chatur. Mother given posthumous commendations by the Emperor after her death at [REDACTED], albeit she was in breach of agreement travelling there. Intended to be Isaac Tettares’ cavalier from birth, swore the oath with him and gained the title at age nine. Cavalier primary only subsequent to last year’s bombing. Attended all the same schools as Baron Tettares, maintains the same relationships as he with Abigail Pent. Cohort placement with her necromancer sought two years ago under her name, rejected on the same grounds.
NOTES: Jeannemary Chatur is also a talented child. Her offhand style is the dagger, and she actually made placement last year in her class ranking despite her age: it wasn’t thought that she would get through the heats. Is the aggressor of the pair, boisterous and physical, albeit how much of this is personality and how much of this is age is a query. Both she and Tettares are eager to join the Cohort and would obviously be a huge asset if one can prevent native Fourth instinct from making too much headway. Lt. Dyas will watch her, but remains hands-off.
Fifth House
Lady Abigail Pent
Age 37.
Abigail Pent, born at Koniortos Court. First of two. The famous historian, she received head of House five years ago, at which point her husband became her cavalier. Due to genetic failure of their chromosomes, her younger brother’s children will become the next scions unless she names a different heir. Has studied on the Fifth, the Third, the Sixth, and the Eighth Houses. Possesses a slew of first-class degrees. Her necromancy is generalist with status as speaker to the dead, but she has published ten books, eighty-six articles and gives instruction as well as taking on the duties of the Fifth House leader. How devoted Abigail Pent really is to the leadership role is questionable, but she has more than maintained the Fifth’s interests in the Fourth House. A formidable mind, a living asset, and undoubtedly future generations will look at her as one of the great historians of the Nine Houses. No Cohort placement ever sought, and Pent’s sentiments have veered at times to anti-Cohort. As her grandfather was the previous Admiral of the Undying Fleet, where this sentiment came from is to be investigated.
NOTES: To keep close watch on. Pent’s martial and necromantic presence is poor, but her cultural capital is high. If Pent became a Lyctor, it might be problematic.
Sir Magnus Quinn
Age 38.
Magnus Quinn, born on Rhax. First of three. An administrator, only received cavalier training in his school days, never receiving a ranking or indeed ever distinguishing himself in the field. A much more capable civil servant, he reached seneschal status at Koniortos Court shortly before marrying Abigail Pent. Cohort placement was briefly sought when he was eighteen before it was rejected in-House, but no interest afterward.
NOTES: Quinn is cavalier primary simply by unhappy coincidence. The Fifth House is undoubtedly chagrined at the timing. His offhand style is the dagger, but Quinn remains a schoolboy fighter. Marriage with Pent and the subsequent cavaliership seems to be entirely due to Pent’s informal abdication of the future role. Some suggestion she will announce her brother as heir and step down in the mid future. Quinn himself is a Fifth House bureaucrat with all that entails.
Sixth House
Master Warden Palamedes Sextus
Age 20.
Palamedes Sextus, born in the Library. Not much data is available on Palamedes Sextus. He is the youngest Master Warden by far ever to achieve the title, taking part in the examinations at thirteen and winning out over at least fifteen other and significantly older candidates. All of his publishing has so far been internal to the Sixth House, but secondhand accounts put him as being regarded as a genius by his Sixth peers (!). The Sixth House has maintained its position and strength rather than weakened during the first years with Sextus at the helm. Unfortunately, he has cleaved to his House’s tradition of secrecy, and data is limited. No Cohort placement ever sought.
NOTES: I myself met the Master Warden once. Despite the reputation of ferocious intellect, his demeanour inclines to the lighthearted rather than the dignified or ponderous. More years in the position will perhaps lend him gravity, but on meeting, I would not have known he was the Master Warden without having been told before.
Camilla Hect
Age 20.
Camilla Hect, born in the Library. Almost nothing is known of Camilla Hect except that she passed the examinations to become Palamedes Sextus’ cavalier when she was twelve. She has not entered in any duelling tournaments or done informal bouts. No Cohort placement ever sought.
NOTES: She is registered as his second cousin; the genetic data is still readily available and reliable as the Sixth’s leading concern. Offhand style is most likely the dagger, as the Sixth House do not have the confidence to move away from the classics. A pair who will most likely be flexible minds, but will not even bother to compete on the cavalier stage.
Seventh House
Duchess Dulcinea Septimus
Age 27.
Dulcinea Septimus, born at Rhodes. Duchess Septimus has been removed multiple times to high-atmosphere facilities on-planet to convalesce, as she was publicly diagnosed with the Heptanary blood cancer as a child and her lifestyle has followed accordingly. Either necromancy or resilience has kept her alive long past the terminal diagnosis, and she has lived to be in her late twenties; whether or not she is in a stable position or deteriorating is not known, as she has not been seen in public for five years. No Cohort placement ever sought.
NOTES: Attempt to become a Lyctor may well be based entirely on the cavalier.
Protesilaus Ebdoma
Age 39.
Protesilaus Ebdoma, born on Cypris. A well-regarded cavalier, he served Septimus’ father as cavalier secondary before being given to Septimus, albeit this may well have been because Septimus was not expected to live and it would have been a waste to give her a cavalier close to her in age. Schooled privately. Sought Cohort placement at eighteen, and did tours to three separate front lines before returning home. Married with multiple children. Ranked first for three years running in the general class cavaliers duelling before retiring to attend to the Duchess Septimus. Has not partaken in any duels since then, but the reputation remains.
NOTES: From hearsay and reports, Protesilaus Ebdoma was enormously skilled. Offhand style is the chain. The Seventh House still rest on the laurels that Ebdoma won them, but why he was given to a necromancer with a terminal diagnosis is so particularly Seventh in character that it defies most reasoning. It may well be that he was never intended to be with her long and that the role was scaffolding him up into a more long-term cavalier primary role, but Septimus has failed to die and he has stayed with her. Marital and familial responsibilities back home mean his attention may be divided. Difficult to quantify.
Eighth House
Master Silas Octakiseron
Age 16.
Not much is known about the current head of the White Templars. He is young, but as is Eighth House tradition, would have been aware of his role from a very young age. He would also have been bonded with his cavalier in the extremes of youth. His age indicates that the Eighth House is sending a Templar confident in the genetic bonds to his cavalier, which means the cavalier will be closely related. As is traditional, we can safely surmise that Master Octakiseron is a soul adept, well-versed in the siphoning school.
NOTES: The Eighth House consists of both safe guesses and absolute enigmas.
??? Asht
Age 32, 34, or 37.
There are three brothers currently registered as Asht, which would be the next in line to serve Octakiseron. In relationship, all three are genetically his nephew, albeit all of them are also significantly older. The Eighth House have not been well represented in duelling lists as of late, but this may be a reshuffle in House fighting expertise.
NOTES: Offhand style could be anything from the shortsword to the shield or the claws. Eighth House cavaliers have tended in the past few generations toward close melee.
Ninth House
???
Absolutely nothing is known of the Ninth House necromancer, scion or cavalier. Due to their nonresponsive status, they may not even arrive. Shuttles are still ordered regularly to the site, but the contents have been blanked out in the system. Someone with a higher intelligence clearance than myself may want to check the database. After the Lyctor pilgrimage, suggest that the prison should be contacted to get a closer look around the perimeter and report findings back to us.
Offhand could be anything. The necromancer, although inevitably a bone adept, could be anyone. We will proceed with caution: the Ninth House is dangerous and may even warrant hostile status.