House Virak was created in the time of Vel Anir's founding.
Though history from such a long time ago is wrapped in mystery, lies, and half truth, there are several ancient tomes which mark that the story of House Virak is at least partially true. There was indeed a man named Sirith Virak, and he was a follower of Anirius. Famed for his creation of the beasts named Manticores, or at least the Anirian version of them.
Little is known of this man aside from his role as a Soldier. A warrior who stood at Anirius' side and fought against the ascendeds enemies. Apart from that, everything else that is known of Sirith Virak is apocryphal or simply made up. Dozens of tales have been told over the years, and separating truth from fiction is a ball of yarn that no one has really wished to unravel.
Despite it's lost histories, House Virak has been a consistent force in Vel Anir for well over a thousand years.
In that time they have committed both great horrors, as well as great acts of charity.
The very nature of a Great House is to be reviled by some, and beloved by others. Virak is no exception to this rule. There are those who would see every member of the family exterminated, and others who believe they should be crowned as rulers of Vel Anir.
In general, Virak was known and is still known for backing the Anirian Guard. Using the
cities military as an avenue for their own grandeur. They acquired mines, forges, blacksmiths, and anything they possibly could, supporting the Guard even as politics began to shift and change.
Every war Vel Anir took part in Virak was there. Every fight, every battle, every opportunity. Over the centuries the House became almost intrinsically tied to the military. Many members of the family becoming Officers and even Generals.
Over the years House Virak became known as warmongers. A title aptly earned as they supported every conquest, every battle, and every war Vel Anir got itself into. Though the family itself paid a heavy price, never holding back one of their own from the fighting, it also created a great prestige for the House. Many Guardsmen, to this day, hold a great amount of respect for House Virak. Not the least of which is due to their willingness to fight.
This constant soak of blood and war only empowered the House of Virak and it's magic.
Many Virak's, and it's various branch families, became famed soldiers and eventually Dreadlords. The families famed penchant for breeding manticores continuing all the way down the centuries.
Over the centuries House Virak took part in dozens of plots, schemes, and even military operations. The extent of their involvement was always shrouded and hidden, but it is quite easy to say that House Virak had a direct hand in most major incidents in Vel Anir.
The destruction of House Urr, the supplanting of the King, the razing of the
Falwood, and the burning of Vel Cidren are all incidents that are known to have involved House Virak. Though it is almost entirely certain that the list goes far beyond just these incidents.
In more recent history, House Virak was controlled by Erich Anselm Virak.
His control of the House came nearly two decades before the Revolution which would bring on the Anirian Republic. His reign of the House was marked with an upward battle. Virak was, at the time, on the outside of the ruling alliance. Thus Erich focused on regaining Virak's military power. Building up the Houses stockpile of arms and developing it's House Guard into an army of it's own.
This was, of course, incredibly displeasing to the other Great Houses but was mostly ignored. With the ruling alliance figuring that any move towards violence could be suppressed by the Guard and Dreadlords.
On the fifteenth nameday of his two sons, the twin sons of Erich were set upon the ritual to maintain the well. Unfortunately, his own namesake betrayed him, and the Patriarchs son fled before the ritual could be completed. Unsatisfied with this ending, Erich tricked his son into returning and through a scheme of his own design fooled the boy into killing his brother.
Though his son fled in the aftermath, Erich considered the whole thing a success. Eventually using his daughter as a replacement for the rituals conduit and granting her the power she now wields.
Over the next few years House Virak continued it's build up. Forcing it's continued stay and influence in Anirian politics through sheer force of will and the threat of violence. Elise Virak grew up and began to take small points of power within the family.
As she grew up and came to understand more, Elise slowly set her own plans into motion. Intent on taking power from her father.
This all came to a head when the Revolution sparked in Vel Anir. Entirely intent on siding
against the Guard and the Dreadlords leading the rebellion, Erich Virak ordered the mobilization of his House Guard. A move that would have hampered, if not outright halted the coup.
Elise, working in conjunction with her runaway brother, instead killed her father. A moment which was set up to be witnessed by
Aisling Weiroon.
The betrayal allowed Elise to take control over the House, as well as sealed the Well of Power to only Elise herself.
In the wake of the Rebellion and with the new Republic in charge, Elise's crime of patricide was forgiven. Her actions were seen as a necessary revolutionary act, and she was given a full pardon.
Now free and in charge of her own House, Elise joined the full swing of the new Republic. She willingly and without arguing offered a great tithe to the Government. Willingly giving up a vast amount of wealth in support of the Republic and securing her place as a friend to the new administration. Shortly after she garnered favorable contracts and trade agreements.
In the first election Elise stood and was elected in her mothers home city, taking a place in Parliament.
Though House Virak is in no way a painted symbol of peace, it is easy to say that since Elise Virak has taken charge the family has begun to rehabilitate its image. Though still a great source of support for the Guard, Virak is working heavily to ensure that Vel Anir at large both respects and speaks well of the House.
A goal it seems to be succeeding at.