- "To understand House Lyra you must understand that for centuries they were lost. Lost amidst peers who seemed to have more meaning, lost amid the stars on a long journey, lost in their lives. That collection of artists found their place in the stars when they came to terms with death. Only death can grant meaning. A life well lived results in a greater more meaningful death. Just as one day I will return to The After so to will Lyran Culture always return to this truth."
House Lyra[]
House Lyra is a minor house formerly part of the Council of Minor Houses. From their homeworld of Orpheus on the edge of the Imperial Core, they have spread throughout the sector. It is rare that a noble house does not have a Lyran trained political adviser in their retinue, and rarer still to find a city without Lyran theaters, galleries, symposiums, mausoleums, and brothels.
From the beginning, the Lyrans have developed a strong culture of aesthetic development, philosophical debate, and reverence for death and the dead. Operating with surprising efficiency despite their seemingly disorganized hierarchy, they show a great deal of unity for a largely dispersed people.
Culture and Aesthetics []
The idea of the right aesthetics lies at the heart of all Lyran life. From creative and artistic ventures to life and death itself. The perfect aesthetic is complicated yet poignant. It is somber but still hopeful for what awaits us all in the After; Dark yet colorful; Gothic yet romantic.
Lyran Music and Performing arts[]
- Main article: Lyran Music and Performing Arts
As the primary source and propagator of culture throughout the empire, House Lyra has a vibrant music culture. The best music of any genre is made by Lyran artists and musicians. From catchy pop tunes performed by beloved Hekates, to traditional and classical music by ancient and new compositions, and grand operas evoking every feeling possible. The Lyran music tradition has something for every imperial citizen.
Performing arts[]
Theater and other performing arts enjoy an immense status. The house’s oldest history, The Histories of House Lyra by Tehuti Lyra Maus Timor is even written as an epic play meant to be performed on stage. More experimental performance groups have also reached great audiences such as the Nadaism movement’s pieces exploring the meaninglessness of existence in a chaotic and uncaring universe, a daring provocative thought especially in Lyra. Many other Lyran art movements owe their existence to such groundbreaking works, non-euclideanism, post-existentialism, imagnialism and cosmicism to name a few.
Outside of Orpheus, Lyran theater is mostly spread via the larger theater scenes around the empire and via plays broadcasted by PRISM. Smaller art or theater troupes also play a big role but in a different way. These travel throughout the Empire serving as entertainers for high ranking noble officials in the other houses. Mirroring the Renaissance style of actors being hired by nobles to be in their court.
The art troupes grant a feeling of intimacy and exclusiveness to their performances, but also serve as the eyes and ears of House Lyra. Frequently acting as spies, gathering intrigue and social knowledge in order to manipulate the Noble houses from the inside out.
Lyra Broadway[]
- Main article: Lyra Broadway
The LYRA BROADWAY (LBW) exists as a method of spreading Lyran media in an immersive, easy to access fashion for both noble and common people of the sector. Originally conceptualized as a method of allowing one to experience concert events long after they occurred on another planet, the project was eventually expanded to become an all-in-one media center to experience Lyran media curated by the same House that fashioned it in the first place.
An LBW can be installed in any home, with the size of the room dictating the full capability of the system. While a more affluent member of society may be able to outfit their entire living area with one, others can still install a modified, reduced power version of the LBW, often returned to as an Off-Bway or Off-Off-Bway depending on the model chosen. While all versions can play the same media, the level of immersion and quality does vary.
Festivals[]
- Main article: Lyran Festivals
Lyrans love their festivals and commemorate and celebrate every big event in their history and life with a myriad of festivals. Often inviting the whole empire to take part and get a taste of cutting edge Lyran cultural development.
Fashion[]
The members of House Lyra are known for their many and varied styles and aesthetics, with their clothing and their outfits they are able to imply as much meaning as with a well written treatise or spoken word. One distinctive choice that each Lyran makes daily is either to cover their face with their mask, or to cover their arms with sleeves. To those that understand the members of House Lyra, this choice is often used to denote how they plan to deal with either a situation at hand or their general outlook on the Here. The choice of mask or sleeves is not permanent, it is subject to change. Each Lyran own a mask, though they may chose sleeves as their primary descriptor and vice versa.
Sleeves[]
A Lyran who has chosen to wear their sleeves, has chosen to uncover their face, they allow their emotions to be read on their face at all times. A Lyran with sleeves is one who is opening themselves up to emotions both given to and received from those they are interacting with. While their face is uncovered, their arms are covered, the arms are the depth of their emotions. While a Lyran wearing sleeves may be showing their emotions at the time, their innermost passion and thoughts are still hidden. Certain Lyrans have taken this choice to the extreme, choosing full sleeves of tattoos instead, wearing their masks rarely.
The Mask[]
A Lyran who has chosen to wear their mask, has chosen to hide their face. These Lyran have chosen to keep their emotions hidden and close to their chests. They remain closed and aloof to those interacting with them. A Lyran wearing their mask’s words must be taken at face value. The mask on their face reminds a Lyra to stay calm, and to stay crafty. However, their arms remain bare, if a person can get their true meaning, a Lyran in a mask will have nothing up their metaphorical sleeve.
Ash makeup (Elegy)[]
Sometimes Elegy makeup made from human ashes created in the embalming and burning process are worn with the masks or sleeves. It's usually worn on the arms and hands if the Lyran wears a Mask or on the face if the Lyran wears sleeves. The rules and traditions dictating how and when this make up can be used go far back. Breaking these is a great faux pas and will bring great shame to you in the Here and the After
Styles[]
There are many styles in House Lyra and they are under constant change. Lace, heavy fabrics and elaborate accessories in dark colors contrasted with bright “pop” colors are all staples of Lyran high fashion. However, as a house prizing themselves on originality and individual expression, every fashion trend under the sun can be found being worn by members of house Lyra. If it’s not a trend already it soon will be.
One of the more notable clothing styles are Glam Goth. Glam Goth came from a subset of Lyrans’ desire to celebrate life more fully to grant death even greater meaning. This subculture took the Lyrans’ already rather flamboyant styles and took them to a further extreme.
Another popular style among the more somber parts of house Lyra is to wear high collared dark robes with white accents. Lyrans consider this form of dress as a way to emphasize the serenity and peace of death through its minimalist beauty.
Breathing masks are required on Orpheus due to its freak weather conditions. These masks have evolved into opportunities for fashion, and are often decorated to be aesthetically pleasing.
Psionic Arts[]
House Lyra has developed several unique telepathic arts. During The Silence they could not treat MES, but could partially train psychics. This lead to a system of special schooling of telepaths and very strict controls on their use. Even so during that dark time they developed new abilities unique to the House.
Memory Painting[]
Some Lyran telepaths possess the ability to paint memories of people. Memory paintings made for and of members of house Lyra usually depicts memories people have when they are near death, or dying; to capture the the beauty of our last memories before the journey to the After.
Psychomentric Imprinting[]
Another technique Lyrans have developed is psionically imprinting objects with energy so that when touched, they evoke a certain feeling, or emotion. This can be used as an art form with feelings imprinted on statues, sculptures or architectural details to enhance their impact. Psychomentric Imprinting may also be used for more subtle purposes, like setting up a pen to invoke a specific emotion to sway someone when they are in the middle of writing something.
Pre-Birth Psionic Inception[]
Before the birth of the house's members, some Lyrans use a psionic technique to implant subliminal messaging and begin education. The specific information and ideas vary to some degree. This technique is used to keep the House's secrets safe. The inception’s goal is to encourage loyalty and discretion, but is not outright mind control
Psionic Noctilucent Paints and Inks[]
- Main article: Psionic Noctilucent Paints and Inks
Psionic paints are much more recent psionic art form developed by House Lyra. Created by taking a very special mixture of paints and inks, and applying a technique similar to that of psychometric imprinting.The result of this process creates a usable medium in which the skilled artists of House Lyra can create designs that not only shine in the darkness, but also create limited short range mental and emotional effects to occur to those that view said art.
Psionic Instruments[]
- Main article: Psionic Instruments
Perhaps one of the more popular psionic artforms, to Lyrans anyway, is the creation and utilization of psionic instruments. Through a long process of specialized psionic imprint, wielders of psionic instruments can forcibly bend emotions of others (if given enough time). There are many Lyran musical groups that use these subtle powers to gain popularity and fans quickly, and while most Lyrans know about this, you would be hard pressed to find someone out of house who knew anything about the process.
Philosophy and Beliefs[]
- Main article: Truth of the After
House Lyra harbours strong philosophical and religious beliefs in the High Church of Messiah-as-Emperox but places the emphasis on the relationship between the Here(Life) and After(Afterlife). The belief is in short is that those who accomplish powerful bonds and leave a good mark Here are given access to the After, an unending paradise. Rather than worship a God who created the After, Lyra believe God came from the After itself.
This localized religious movement called The Truth of the After spread in the years following the scream when Orpheus became near uninhabitable and isolated from the Empire. Soon the the entirety of Lyran society and government became part of the cult, led by the Shadow Council. A mysterious shadowy group unknown to most members of house Lyra. The Shadow Council remained in control until the recent genocide by starvation committed on Orpheus by the STO. But so far the belief of the The Truth of the After have remained strong.
Traditions for the Here and After[]
Lyra believe that everything is in the Here is in transition towards the After and signify that with ceremonies to mark key moments in a Lyra members life.
Baptism[]
House Lyra, out of respect for the High Church, has a ceremony for baptizing its young as members of the glorious empire. The ceremony itself is quite simple and, over the years, as become more of a reason for a celebration. On the first of each month, communities in the cities of Orpheus gather in their small groups and bring forth their young. The children are then anointed with fake ashes and declared Baptised by the light of the High Church.
Communities then partake in small parties together to celebrate the safety of their children, honoring the beauty and place in Here. Their trips to the After can wait for now.
Coming of Age Ceremony[]
The Lyran Coming of Age ceremony is one of the most important times in a Lyran’s life. All Lyrans require breathing masks to breathe their planet’s atmosphere without the use of some level of tech. It is a fact of life. However, at the age of 14, a Lyran is given a chance to design a personal mask, one that embodies a form of their self-expression. The child is assisted by skilled Merets, assembling the pieces by hand to truly place their being into the object. At the end of the process, the new adult steps forth with their mask and is fully accepted into Lyran society. They may then officially accept a path of study to attain a title beyond Xeper and continue their growth. The mask itself can be worn or left at one’s home. Lyrans treat this item as an extremely personal item and mistreatment of another’s mask is considered a heinous crime in Lyran society.
The Oath of Shadows[]
The Oath of Shadows is a mysterious oath taken by all Lyrans during their Coming of Age Ceremony or sooner in special cases. This oath has the young Lyran swear to not reveal any of House Lyra’s secrets or plans to anyone outside the house unless they receive permissions from the shadows. This oath must be taken before a representative of each title and specifically a Keeper of Ammit. Breaking this oath is penalized to their soul being dammed to the Void after their death. The only way to avoid this fate is to “correct” all that should know.
Wedding Ceremony[]
The weddings of House Lyra are events that afford much celebration and joy amongst the House. Members of House Lyra take the bonding of souls very seriously, it is a commitment made in the Here and the After. The joining of souls is eternal, so that they may find each other in the After. They create a bond so deep that they cannot lose each other, even when separated in the Here.
Making and Exchanging of the Mask[]
A Lyran must first give themselves completely to their partner, with that comes their mask. A mask is not only an extension of the themselves but a symbol of complete and utter trust. This mask represents the trust that is given to a partner. With this gift, they give their partner a promise that they will share all their feelings with the other. They will exchange masks giving that vulnerability over to the person symbolizing their bond Here and Now.
Part of the ceremony is the Making of the Mask, if a partner does not hail from House Lyra they must create a mask. This is a deeply personal and intimate creation, for it informs this person of their very being. This mask is made to give to their other half, their partner forever After, After the creation of the mask, both are exchanged symbolizing the utmost trust acceptance of the other’s self.
Tying the Knot[]
Another important aspect of Lyran marriage is Tying the Knot. During the ceremony the couple’s hands and arms are ceremonially knotted together to represent their bond that will connect them to each other in order for them to find each in the After. This represents the sleeves that certain Lyrans chose to wear, with the joining of their sleeves, their unity is demonstrated, that all plans and thoughts are now to be shared. This cord is generally silver in nature and made of a cloth like material, it is sturdy material designed to never break, these souls must never separate, not even in the After.
Living Memory[]
The ceremony is performed in the company of church official along with the friends and families of the participants. While the ceremonies are quite quiet and intimate by Lyran circumstances, the parties that follow are raucous loud occasions. Not only are they extremely successful parties but they are dedicated to telling the story of the couple. To commit their union to a living memory, to strengthen their connections to each other and the After. When a Lyran loses their significant other, the gifted mask is entombed with their partner. They create a new one to demonstrate that they have been changed by this loss. The silver cord is also entombed with the dead to signify the Journey to the After. A wedding in House Lyra is impactful and important, it signifies that an individual's journey to the After now includes another.
The Funeral Ceremony[]
- Main article: Lyran Funeral Traditions
House Lyra believe that there is only truly meaning in death, in a souls ascension to the After. In order to truly reach the After, a body must be preserved and a soul must be remembered. In reaching the After, a soul must be first honored in the Here, before it’s long journey to the After. Those of House Lyra know that they make their own mark Here, that they impact the now. Through creation, through art, through connection. The expression of their art and their passion, is what changes the Here and connects the noble members of House Lyra to the After. Leaving a permanent mark Here and a forever After.
House Structure and Government[]
House Lyra are organised in five orders all responsible for different aspect of Lyran culture and tradition. All orders are generally seen as equals and operate in a relatively flat hierarchy. Some family names are regarded as more prestigious than other but that is mostly for contact with non Lyran nobles.
Naming Structure[]
[Ideal] [Title] Lyra [Family Name] [Given Name]
Example: Spirit Meret Lyra Koebel Adam
The Orders of Lyra[]
| Title | Role |
|---|---|
|
Meret |
Artists |
| Tehuti | Philosophers |
| Neshmet | Funeral Directors |
| Horuset | Diplomats & Influencers |
| Hekate | Idols |
| Keeper | Guardians & Peace keepers |
| Xeper | Undecided |
Merets[]
A population of artists and philosophers of course value the trait of creativity highly. The Meret are a group that have managed to build themselves into a position of influence through reputation as the most skilled in their art form. From mastery of ecstasy to beautifully laid out musical composition, many seek the genius touch of a Meret.
Tehuti[]
Culture is an integral aspect of life and Tehuti work tirelessly to track trends and predict changes in the sociopolitical structure of Acheron Rho. They are the ones thinking about the past and future of House Lyra and the Empire at large. Being the philosophers of House Lyra they tend to be historical researchers or scientists, comparable to the ancient greek philosophers. Always searching for the knowledge and art forgotten after the Scream and developing new ideas and technologies to make Lyran culture and art even more impressive than ever.
Neshmet[]
- Main article: The Hierarchy of Neshmet
The Neshmet of House Lyra are the keepers of the After. Learning their craft in the sacred catacombs of the Academy of Ma’at, Neshmet are the more subdued members of House Lyra, and are often more comfortable embalming bodies and removing brains rather than interacting with other people. Neshmet care deeply for the dead and they will do anything to ensure the journey of soul to the After. Neshmet are often the most heavily ash-tattooed Lyrans.
Horuset[]
The Horuset are enactors of treaty and pioneers of inter-house problem solving. Trained with efficient reasoning skills and to present an objective outlook in debate, they typically serve as the official primary diplomats and mouth pieces for House Lyra. At times the Horuset can represent other houses as intermediaries when a situation requires tact. In such cases, is not uncommon to find two Lyran Horuset speaking with each other while acting on the behalf of two other, external, disagreeing parties.
Hekate[]
- Main article: Hekate
From its inception, Lyra has been at the forefront of artistic expression in the empire. There are those who dedicate their life as Lyrans to perfecting their art, finding their own manifestation and honing their craft like none other. However, there are those who excel at their practice and stand above the rest. These Lyrans are known the Hekate, the elite idols and pride and joy of House Lyra. At any given point in time there are only a few hundred Lyrans who are blessed by this title and it remains the only one given at birth, only relinquished under the strictest of conditions or upon passage to the After.
Keeper[]
- Main article: Keepers of House Lyra
The title of Keeper is assigned to those who wish to act in the defense of and as the will of House Lyra. They are the internal police force, the standing army, and special protectors of House Lyra.Possible recruits often begin training at a very young age, not long after their Coming of Age ceremony.
During this time, they partake in intense training in multiple discipline, often working alongside former members of other Houses to improve their skills. All Keepers, to appease the empire, are also trained for a time by House Crux in standard Imperial procedure and practice, including the submission of reports to Crux on a regular basis. Rarely, an adult can partake in training as well, though their path is no easier. Keepers often have unique or odd procedures when seen by others in the empire. The House of art, philosophy, and self expression has produced some rather eccentric Keepers over time.
Keepers place the protection of Lyra over all else. Should an internal matter need to be handled without the eyes of the empire coming onto Lyra, Keeper procedures do exist to sweep those crimes under the rug. These are often handled by special operation groups.
Those who were not chosen or had to leave the Keepers can choose one of the other titles, just as everyone else can.
Xeper[]
It is typical for those that are not specialized to be titled ‘Xeper’. These are the agents recognised as highly capable despite lacking a specific modus operandi - because of this, typically their skillsets are comparable to a ‘jack-of-all-trades, master of none’. It is not looked down upon to maintain this avoidance of specification even after advancing in skill.
The Dionysia[]
- Main article: The Ideals of Dionysia
In response to the chaos caused by the ongoing conflict and silence from those who once controlled the House, countless voices rang out across Orpheus. Lyrans may have banded together to keep each other safe, but the question of what would come next created more answers than any could imagine. Without limitation on what could be done, the minds of Lyra seemed to kick into overdrive. Serf and noble alike began wondering what would be best for the house of art, philosophy, and death.
When pressure on House Lyra failed to intensify, the people of Orpheus began to adjust to their dire situation and start to act. Heated debates started sparking up. The Minor Houses system was seen as a failure. Never again would the people accept being controlled by an invisible hand, Lyran or otherwise. And, in the end, it came down to three major philosophies coming out on top.
The Storm looked to embrace the force of the unending power that once crippled House Lyra. They wished to stand up and strike in the way Lyra only could, to bring a unique brand of aggression.
The Shadow saw potential in the old ways, believed that House Lyra could spread the intrigue of its culture and use it to cunningly spread their influence across the sector. There was grace in biting language and manipulation.
The Spirit knew the value in artistic endeavors and where Lyra’s true heart lied. They believed in Lyran art in all its forms could shape the course of history, and lead to a new age of affluence for the entirety of the House’s population.
Soon, people began picking sides. Families took their positions. And… in this conflict, there was peace. There was respect. The only worthy opponent for a Lyran, in their eyes, was another Lyran. To be seen as someone worth debating and manipulating was the greatest compliment House Lyra could offer. There were three bodies, each run differently, but seen as valued equals in the eyes of the After.
The Shuken Roku[]
While nearly all of the population chose their side, members of all three factions agreed that a greater body would be required to keep guidance and remain as close to the After as possible while the others had their fun Here. A council was soon formed. One representative from each major title of House Lyra was chosen to form the High Council. Blessed by the After, these Lyrans are forbidden from taking part in the debates and, instead, work to view a picture greater than the others. Their names are public knowledge and they can be replaced at any time, creating a system of accountability for all who take part
Lyran Splinter Groups[]
- Main article: Forbidden Arts and Splinter Groups
Despite house Lyra's best effort not every member wants to follow the program. Be it by participating illegal and heretical art forms or organizing in splinter groups with goals contrary to House Lyra and the Empire at large. These groups tend to be very small and secretive and careful to not be found by House Lyra Keepers or Crux officials.
Honorary Lyran[]
Within House Lyra, there exists a program that allows one to become an Honorary member of Lyra. This process does not require marriage into the House or any formal proceedings. In fact, it is a complete secret from the other houses involved. It often goes as far as being a secret from the participant until it is too late.
The Cult of House Lyra actively looks for assets from other Houses to convert to the teachings of House Lyra. Should the chosen person make their way onto Orpheus, they unknowingly run the risk of being slowly indoctrinated by the whole of House Lyra. Over time agents of the House encounter the target and slowly ensure that they will place House Lyra’s interests first. They become part of the ‘family’ of House Lyra, even when afar.
Honorary Lyrans are used sparingly due to the extreme risk involved in the indoctrination process. No psionics are used while converting another and, as such, it can take an unknown amount time until the target is broken down well enough to begin their full conditioning.
Leaving House Lyra[]
The process of leaving any House in The Empire for any reason is always a serious matter.
Deciding to depart from House Lyra is an especially dangerous action. Family in Lyra is no mere matter of blood. All are connected and belong to the After in the end. The secrets of House Lyra must better reach the ears of other houses and silencing those memories is all too important. That said, there are two methods of departure depending on where one goes, be it to another house or into the dreaded world of non-nobility.
Marriage into another house is a regrettable decision, but remains an expression of one’s self. The noble in question must give up their mask, leaving it behind. Their home is lost and they must walk the path out of the city on their own. It is often a sad event, but malice is generally looked down upon. Should they wish to return and amend their “error”, the mask and love from other Lyrans will always be waiting.
Throwing away one’s nobility is a heinous action and the process for removing them is purposefully harsh. Publicly, a person choosing to leave House Lyra must shatter their mask, donning a generic breathing mask simply necessary for survival. Their assets are claimed for general use by House Lyra. And finally, one must leave their home city dressed in drab rags. It must send a message to those who dare to leave that this action is unacceptable.
Behind the scenes, no matter where they may be going, those who leave are made to forget the secrets of House Lyra. Memories are ripped away, thoughts made hazy. All is done to protect Lyra.
Lyran Society[]
- Main article: Lyran Society
House Lyra prides itself with its lasting and powerful connections it fosters within their members. Lyra boast to even feel these bonds from those in the After. The vast majority of Lyrans would defend their house and its members from all threats. Despite not being directly related Lyrans tend to treat all within their house like family. This way of thinking is not entirely an organic. Lyran from birth are raised to live for and strengthen the house and all its members so that in turn, the house will provide for them. This teaching persist throughout their education through stories, word problems, games, and even tests, all designed to foster a sense of unity in their members.
Serfs within Lyra also are given a similar teaching, but with a more subservient tone. These teaching might foster unity within Lyrans, but subtly create an initial distrust of outsider especially ones who do not believe in similar beliefs, but are taught to never show it. Most Lyrans tend to always hide their true thoughts to outsiders until a positive relationship is formed. While the teaching try to make all Lyrans act the same when it come to their members and outsider it promotes individuality. All Lyrans are encouraged to show their uniqueness and its is these differences that still work together that makes Lyra special.
Language []
Court Lyric[]
Court Lyric a secret language only spoken by and taught to Lyran nobles who are forbidden to teach it to outsiders. A language of education, status and ritual, Court Lyric is a form of reconstructed ancient Egyptian made to sound archaic, strange and magical. It uses a writing system of stylised and simplified hieroglyphs for symbolicly and ritualty important words combined with Sino-Japanese signs and some grammatical inspiration taken from of the Coptic and Amharic alphabets.
Common Lyric[]
Common lyric is a language that developed from a variety of old earth languages, dialects and creoles mainly semitic languages with a large amount of Japanese, Greek and Sino-English loan words and grammatical quirks. It can be heard spoken by the lower classes on Orpheus and everywhere in the sector where a large diasporas of Orpehans can be found. It is usually written in Arabic script but can be seen written in a wide variety of alphabets, syllabaries and sign systems.
Common Lyric flourished during the reign of the VII Emperox, The Masked One, when Common Lyric was the second most used language in Imperial society. In the years following The Masked One’s return to the After, its influence has been greatly reduced as a spoken language outside of Orpheus, though it is still known by many. However, as a literary language it is still thriving and almost every noble home has poetry, plays or novels written in it.
History[]
"House Lyra originated as being in charge of the art and philosophy of The Empire. Over time, our exploration of these two led to a great many changes. Many of the original members of House Lyra came from lineages from the Northern coast of Africa and the Aegean Isles. As artists and philosophers we drew from many cultures but these remained strong touch stones as well as minimalism inspired by modernist movements around the world. As we traveled to the Acheron Rho sector we lost touch with many practices and religions. Eventually, a responsibility was placed upon our house that would change House Lyra forever."
Excerpt from: The Histories of House Lyra, volume 4 by Tehuti Lyra Maus Timor
Birth of the Death Cult[]
- Main article: Truth of the After
House Lyra began as a society built upon vision. It questioned what was possible in the mortal realm and sought to put all that it found on display. Philosophers questioned tirelessly. Merets created without end. Neshmet, spawned from questions of loss and religion, protected the fallen. Orpheus was a planet of imperfections that Lyran nobility hoped to mold into something better than it was, a microcosm of the sector on a whole.
The scream ruined that. The planet became nearly uninhabitable. Surviving Lyrans were forced into their mountain city, unable to leave as storms and bacteria took over the surface. Their society was gone. Centuries of work were wiped out in an instant. Despair took over. The people, noble and common alike, demanded to know how such a thing could have occurred. And a small group of Lyrans returned with an answer. They were once seen as outsiders, mad people who were too close to their work. They would become the founders of Lyra’s hope. They created the Truth of the After.
Age of Mourning[]
Following the bloody rule of the Aquilan Empress, known throughout The Empire as The Blood Eagle; The Empire once again risked falling into civil war. Without a clear successor, the Houses Major and Minor were struggling to agree, which house should elevate to the imperial throne. An unlikely candidate broke the impasse: House Lyra stepped up to the task. Usually satisfied to be a power behind the throne, they promised to enforce the peace accord of 2960 and lead The Empire through mourning, recovery, and reconciliation.
The first major reform was the signing of “The Formal Agreement for Noble Grievance” which forbids violent conflicts between nobles outside of formally regulated duels. Duels performed either by the conflicting parties or by bravos from Reticulum to fight in their name. Over time, the practice of dueling for one’s own honour fell out of favour, and is now considered gauche, when one could hire a professional duelist raised from birth in House Reticulum.
The Masked Emperox[]
- Main article: The Masked Emperox
The Masked Emperox’s true name was never revealed, and their face always went covered by an elaborate black mask to signify their role as an impartial mediator more than a despotic ruler. Everyone agrees they likely had powerful psionic abilities, as nobles and their envoys often needed not even speak their requests or complaints before a fitting compromise was laid forward. However, it is possible this had more to do with House Lyra’s sprawling diplomatic structure and expertise in the arts of covertcy.
The Masked Emperox’s reign was a time of cultural renaissance and revival with fresh art and literature movements flourishing, spreading Court Lyric all over The Empire. Countless monuments dedicated to the lives lost and The Empire’s struggles during The Silence and the years of bloody conflict were also erected.
The Decline Of House Lyra[]
Upon the end of the Blood Eagle’s reign, House Lyra reached a newfound age of glory. The hidden body which ruled over the populace saw one of the greatest missions completed far sooner than any could have expected. However, as the reign of the Masked Emperox came to an end, House Lyra became strangely stagnant.
Wishes to extend House Lyra’s reach to planets beyond Orpheus faded away. Society on a whole became focused on insular thought as Lyrans were encouraged to do what was best for the House, and to think that meant staying complacent. Before long, House Lyra found its influence wane as well. With the growth of PRISM and The Trilliant Ring, House Lyra became steadily less relevant to those off of its homeworld.
The House quickly became comfortable as it was protected by the Houses Minor alliance and the presence of the Houses Major as nuisances, but not enemies. Deals were brokered. Art was made. Philosophy developed. But nothing ever really came of it. House Lyra and all of its skills simply existed.
The Trial[]
House Lyra’s decline hit a painful rock bottom in 3200 during the conflict with the newly formed STO. Blinded by its own arrogance, the Lyran populace was easy prey for the combined might of the STO. ACRE struck first. Innocents suffered as the already scarce food supplies of Orpheus quickly became a limited resource. Chaos erupted as the voices from above, the Shadow Council, quickly abandoned their people to parts unknown. Even movement on planet became a risk filled endeavour as power waned.
Then the forces of the CHR, UPC, and the Velan Ascendancy began striking at Lyra’s culture. The losses forced the populace into hiding. Stagnation became a full stop of all things Lyran for a period that would soon be known as The Trial.
In response, Lyrans banded together. The sadness that so many attributed to them finally became more than just a joke. It became a fuel to their anger. The anger became their strength. Rather than fall apart, House Lyra started to rebuild their culture. Disagreements that could have resulted in war quickly sparked a game among the budding factions of the House.
When House Fornax finally pushed the Velan Ascendancy into the Void and ACRE collapsed under to the bureaucracy of House Eridanus, The Trial of House Lyra finally came to an end. House Lyra saw its survival as a sign from the After. Their past mistakes were revealed and it was time to break free from what were seen as shackles placed on them by misguided minds now long dead.
Culling and Recalling[]
For centuries, House Lyra was under the strict watch of a ruling body that knew the power of an idea. It was their swift action and manipulation of public opinion that led to their growth and the formation of a belief system that kept an entire House in check. In order to keep that system afloat, the secretive Shadow Council often directed Lyrans to act in a manner that was best for the House, best for the “family”, while maintaining a public guise of supporting mass individuality.
Artists and thinkers alike were carefully watched and guided by the invisible hands of the “culture”. Anything that kept Lyra consistent and liked was left alone. That which praised the status quo was given attention and uplifted. However, that which dared to step out of line seemed to simply not exist, at least not to the eye of the public. Sabotage ran rampant in the shadows of House Lyra. If one was given a task by the leaders of the House, no matter how precious or important the target was, one did not disobey without paying a terrible price.
It was with great irony then that it was the cultural assault on Orpheus that led to the greatest cultural revolution in centuries for House Lyra. With speakers silenced and then-popular ideas challenged, House Lyra looked to what could be done to rebuild with a new fervor. Without the secretive culling of ideas, new sparks of innovation emerged. Tehuti once unchallenged in debate were torn apart by voices once unheard. Artists across the planet were pushed to expand their repertoire. Horusets found their clientele options were flourishing. Even Keepers were allowed to look into cases once unsolved, a once forgotten sense of justice taking over their actions.
Current Age[]
House Lyra left the Houses Minor, weaker on paper, but stronger as a people. Now led by the Dionysia system, the populace collectively decided it was time to become the House Lyra of old. While its grasp on culture was present in name, the House felt it was time to make it all real yet again.
Notable Members of House Lyra[]
Lyra Lilith[]
For main article see: Lilith
A lost Lyran soul. Guest player on the show.
Lyra Lin Nicola[]
For main article see: Lyra Lin Nicola
Cultural attaché on the crux ship Prudence (NPC on the show)
Tehuti Lyra Maus Timor[]
For main article see: Tehuti Lyra Maus Timor
Tehuti Lyra Maus Timor is a literary legend of house Lyra. Most known for being the first after the scream to write a comprehensive history of House Lyra, ''The Histories of House Lyra'', going as far back as the arrivals of the constellation ships. But the mastodont work in 14 volumes are more than just a history book. It’s an epic, a grand opera reliving and exploring the thoughts and feeling of the Lyrans of the past and the Lyrans to come.
Meret Lyra Hackett Perry[]
For main article see: Hackett Perry
A prominent novelist of House Lyra. Most known for his satirical fantasy epic "Quackeron Rho"
Meret Lyra Nashu Gilbert[]
For main article see: Meret Lyra Nashu Gilbert
A famous Lyranchef amongst the sector he is known as restaurateur and cook book author. He is especially known for his hits "Cooking Amongst The Stars: Gilbert’s Guide to Gastronomic Art for Hekate" and "Cooking With Your Heart". You can find his latest endeavour in Djebashi with his new restaurant "Gil and Sam's"
Meret Lyra Jane Kala[]
For main article see: Meret Lyra Jane Kala
A famous Lyran concert pianist who has been dominating the classical scene for over 40 years. She goes on multiple tours a year and is famous for her piece "Little Bird" dedicated to her daughter. While she is not generally a teacher, she will sometimes give lessons to a select few.
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