Callisar's Eyrie

Situated in the Northern Mountains at the very farthest western and northern corner of the Arelate province, Callisar's is what some would term a small city, while others would simply call it a large town.  The oldest edifice in the area is the keep built by Callisar.  Much like a cross between a hunting lodge and a small mansion, the keep is spacious enough to house a family and their guests.  Built partially on the rise of the valley into the mountains, the keep overlooks the town that has sprung up at its base.  The populace calling Callisar's home has mostly been made up of farmers and artisans seeking a way of life away from the larger cities.  Unoccupied until after the War of 3903, Callisar's also boasts a small vara -- unsurprising given its proximity to the Varati homeland.

Those few that have visited the valley over the years have been astounded by the natural beauty gracing the area.  Lush, green fills most of the valley in sweeping pastures and thick stands of evergreens, but most notable are the series of waterfalls at the very end of the valley.  Fed by several large streams running from the northern end of the valley, the lattice work of waterfalls begin with delicate, narrow streams that flow down into a larger, more majestic fall before the waters exit the valley through an underground river.

Callisar himself was not Patriarch of the family, but he was a powerful man within the House.  The legend behind the holding is based in truth, but has become a favored telling among the House.  Having never found a reason to marry before in his life, the elderly Callisar was given a vibrant renewal when he fell in love with a much younger woman, one Alysia Damaris Orilion.  The legend claims that he was so astounded that she returned his affection that he vowed to build her a home in a place that matched her endless beauty.

Over time, he found the valley - with it's astonishing waterfalls - and began to build the home.  When the elegant keep was nearly complete, Callisar began the journey to bring his young bride to their new home. Tragedy struck when they were on the verge of entering the valley when their small party encountered a Varati patrol straying southward into Empyrean territory.  The patrol was eventually dispatched, but not before a volley of arrows took Callisar's happiness by claiming the young life of Alysia.

The rest of the household continued on, but Callisar refused to ever set foot in the Eyrie.  Instead, he gave the holding to his sister's eldest daughter. To very day he died, he never saw the home that was to be a testament to his love.

Callisar's was occupied by the family of Thalia Tritonides until the War of 3903. While her then husband, Darius, tended to remain in Civitas Dei for business reasons quite often, but both of their children were raised in the Eyrie (Oriane and Riana). Being a patron of the arts, Thalia encouraged the growth of the artisan and craftsman community in the town itself.

Unfortunately, the War of 3903 put the holding in the path of the bulk of the Varati army.  Unable to withstand such forces, Callisar's fell easily and was taken by Clan Messala. However, the holding did not remain in the hands of Clan Messala long. Upon the wedding of Thalia Tritonides to Khalid Atar, the God-King of the Varati forced the Warlord at the time, Arslan Messala, to gift Callisar's Eyrie to Clan Khalida as a wedding present. In turn, the holding was given to Thalia as her dower estate, a place to call her own for as long as she lived.

Thalia has encouraged the return of Empyrean artisans and craftsmen who were dispossessed by the war. Many have returned, though the holding is now managed by a Qadi of Clan Khalida under Thalia's guidance. The Queen-Maharani's duties as co-ruler and Pasha of Haven keep her far too busy to manage the day to day affairs of her estate. Some Varati artisans and craftsmen have also moved into the vara that exists below the mountain holding, adding new techniques and styles. Slowly, Callisar's Eyrie is regaining its former notoriety as a source of arts and crafts in not only the Empyre but the Varati nation as well.