Guides
One of the three sub-factions governing the Veil on velhuneth. Cross-house in membership, non-hierarchical, no parent organisation sits above them.
Role
The Guides prepare candidates for the Veil and certify each one only when they judge that the candidate is truly ready to cross.
Who they are
They are drawn mostly from those who have crossed the Veil themselves, the heroes of earlier passages, and from those few who are exceptionally intelligent and gifted at bringing others to the height of their ability.
How they operate
Most Guides train candidates from their own birth house, since the mistrust that runs between the houses is deep enough that a candidate will usually prefer a teacher who shares their background. A few Guides, though, have earned reputations strong enough to draw candidates from any house, their names carrying enough weight that suspicion gives way to it. The best teachers, in the end, are sought out across every line the houses have drawn.
Leadership
The Guides were founded by Lillith Umberlin, the first to cross the Veil, who remains the foundational figure of the role. She is long deceased and exists in the lore as a historical figure only.
Membership
A birth house may nominate a member, but every candidate is accepted or refused by the sub-faction itself, and only after a full investigation that leaves nothing untouched: DNA, communications, history, finances, and relationships all laid open. From the moment a name is nominated, that person keeps no privacy at all. No house can compel the choice, and no sub-faction can be forced to make it.
Members (assigned)
Twelve members, two per house for balanced representation, mixed gender, one of each per house. Members swear off house loyalty on joining; birth house shown for provenance only. (assigned 2026-06-01)
- Christopher Highmarch — birth house Imperia (M)
- Elena Aurelian — birth house Imperia (F)
- Aaron Voltaren — birth house Solari (M)
- Wren Lumenhart — birth house Solari (F)
- Akira Quendar — birth house Myndari (M)
- Leela Quendar — birth house Myndari (F)
- Stefan Varkos — birth house Kael (M)
- Wilder Riven — birth house Kael (F)
- Abigail Edenroth — birth house Astraea (F)
- Alejandro Novara — birth house Astraea (M)
- Echo Hollowyn — birth house Nox (F)
- Thaddeus Umberlin — birth house Nox (M)
Related
- the-veil
- The other sub-factions: see gatekeepers, witnesses
- velhuneth