Category:Houses

Houses
Houses have existed in the realm since its very beginning. Houses oft begin as families, that spread in size and take up important roles, pledging their loyalty to the ruler of the realm. As long as these houses bend the knee to the king, no matter who that is, they maintain their royal status, and are not abolished. Houses are capable of adopting other families into their service and allowing them to take up their name, to expand their status across the realm.

Each house is dictated by a lord, that lord often being the one with the most claim to lead the house; whether through blood or power. The lords of their houses are given a large quantity of land each, with a sizeable castle to rule over them from. This oft benefits the king more than the house itself, as the king may entrust that portion of land to be ruled over by the house, as opposed to governing it himself.

Generally, three or four major houses exist at one time, and it's known that past rulers have abolished many houses over the lifespan of the realm. These houses were extincted for treachery, rebellion, or just because the king believed they had grown too powerful and needed to be quelled. Houses each possess a sigil to distinguish those that serve them, an image on a flag with a distinct colour or colours. It is known that many houses have also stolen the sigils of extincted houses to use as their own; somewhat keeping the legacy and memory of the extincted house alive.

At the beginning of the books, there are known to be four notable houses in existence, though one has been banished and therefore not to be referred to as a house by anyone loyal to the king. Whilst only the royal house has true rule over the realm, others are still feared and noted as powerful entities within themselves. While all have bent their knee in service to the capital and its ruler, some are far more loyal than others.

Current Houses

 * House Fyr, the oldest house in existence, and current rulers of the realm through King Dagor'Fyr.
 * House Horne, governors of The March from
 * House Thalritheon, a noble house hailing from The Birthlands
 * House Wrenne, governors of both The Floodlands and The Scar

Exiled Houses

 * House Westergard, once a royal house, exiled for several attempts at rebellion
 * House Rockdale, exiled for swearing fealty to Westergard during their first rebellion and those after

Extincted Houses

 * House Hayes
 * House Hillford
 * House Dane (though not technically extinct, as several members are still alive within the realm)
 * House Ayeldar (or so people are led to believe)
 * House Bedford
 * House Truman
 * House Newton
 * House Icereach
 * House Crow
 * House Mailborn
 * House Skinner
 * House Toranas