The Aeolus Family
Before House Evron rose to power, House Aeolus was held in highest regard. Generation after generation led with integrity and nobility, leading the city to prosperity. After the ascendance of the Evrons, with their traditional role taken from them, it seemed that the house was ready to flounder. The house's heir, Cassadra Aeolus, had died after a sudden illness (many now believe that she was one of the earliest Altered ones) and the future looked bleak. It was only the incredible resourcefulness of Titus Aeolus that held the family together. He threw himself into the study of the Threads, ensuring that none knew more of their twisting paths than he. In doing so, he made himself central to the exploration of the Threads. The Aeolus family re-asserted their position.
Cressida Aeolus is a master of subtlety. Since the death of her husband she has led the house with a fair hand and an astute eye. She is acknowledged as the greatest Thread Weaver in Lalenth. The family fund and run the Academy of Weavers and Aeolus has long been its head tutor. Her skill earns her a great deal of respect but also, as is the way with any unusual power, a little fear. Many feel that her control of the Academy places her in an ideal position to learn of other families affairs from the young nobles that study there. Occasionally someone is bold enough to say that she influences their thoughts in order to bring them round to her way of thinking. She is often viewed with suspicion. The late General Achran Vishreon referred to her as "a rather creepy gal, never sure your thoughts are your own around that one". Cressida finds this reputation highly amusing.
Cressida has never needed the Threads to bring people round to her way of thinking. She is a skilled orator and has a deep understanding of the political machinations of the city. Also, she understands the need for stability in a city as isolated as Lalenth and would never do anything to seriously jeopardise the unity of the great families. However, she is not above tweaking the odd political string for her own amusement.
Cressida is a widow and has two sons. Her eldest son Crosius is a highly intelligent man with an equally shrewd grip on politics. The younger son, Falco, is presumed dead. Following the death of Verita Evron he was exiled from the city and although no official statement has been made to this effect, he is believed to have been convicted of her murder. His exile profoundly affected his mother and for almost a year and a half after the event she retired into complete seclusion, rarely being seen at all. Some believed that she had last her mind with grief until last Huntsworn when she once again began to be seen in public.
Cressida initially took leadership of her house when her husband died while her sons were still infants. Now Crosius is mature and indeed married, many wonder why she has not stepped down to allow him to rule. As Proconsul of the Thread Weaver's Academy she would still be a powerful woman so power alone cannot be her motivation. Her son grows impatient and it remains to be seen how long he and his ambitious wife will be willing to wait quietly.
Notable Members of House Aeolus
Proconsul Cressida Aeolus: Head of House and Proconsul of the Thread Weaver's Academy, nee Vishreon.
Lord Crosius Aeolus: Cressida's son and heir apparent.
Lady Hypatia Aeolus: Crosius' wife.
Lord Falco Aeolus (believed deceased); Cressida's younger son, exiled to the Wastelands.