Kell

"Without their Kell, Houses usually turn against each other."

— Ghost.

A Kell is the political leader of a Fallen house and the commander of that House's Ketch.

Overview

The Kells serve as part of the triumvirate leadership of a Fallen House and are like Archons in that they are large and powerful, and that their loss weakens their house. If a Kell dies, the House is vulnerable to infighting amongst the Houses Barons and nobility.

Since Fallen do not take the loss of leaders lightly, the position of Kellship is highly important to a Fallen Houses stability and should the Kell fall, the Houses become subject to civil war between bitter rivals within the houses nobility. For example, during the Reef Wars the House of Wolves fell into a civil war after their previous Kell, Virixas was killed and three rival contenders emerged and fought each other to take his place. Only the most powerful contender or when all opposition is gone can someone assume control.

While it is possible that a House can still function without a Kell, as an Archon can assume command, their loss severely weakens a house and demoralizes its forces. For this reason, Kells are a prime target for enemy forces.

Prophecy

According to a prophecy by the House of Rain, the Great Machine would crown a mighty warrior as the Kell of Kells, and rule over all houses. None but Skolas has ever attempted to claim this title for themselves.

Known Kells

• House of Devils
  • Solkis, Devil Kell
  • Solkis' predecessor
• House of Kings
  • Kell of Kings
• House of Stone
  • Chelchis, Kell of Stone
• House of Winter
  • Draksis, Winter Kell
• House of Wolves
  • Mara Sov, Queen of the Reef
  • Skolas, Kell of Kells
  • Virixas, Kell of Wolves

Known claimants to Kellship

• House of Wolves
  • Irxis, Wolf Baroness
  • Parixas, the Howling
  • Veliniks, the Ravenous

Houses without Kells

• House of Exile
• House of Judgment

List of appearances

• Destiny (First appearance)
  • House of Wolves
  • The Taken King (Mentioned only)
  • Rise of Iron (Mentioned only)