Screen Reader - Draconian Noble Houses
Keywords:
SR-DRACONIAN-NOBLE-HOUSES
Noble Houses of Dhurza
Dhurza is technically an authoritarian government with an Emperor or Empress, but much of its historic power has come from the nine noble houses. These houses provide money and soldiers to the empire, financing its efforts and supplying levies for Dhurza's armies.
The capital city has often been supplied with guards by individual houses protecting their own interests rather than the city as a whole. Because of this, justice has often been dealt out by noble houses instead of the empire directly.
An Emperor or Empress traditionally had to placate the noble houses and work with them to preserve stability. The houses are major rivals and do not often work altruistically with one another. Their squabbles are usually managed by imperial justice, while the throne tries to keep any single family from gaining too much power or being driven into rebellion.
The houses are kept in check partly through the system of honor. Their men, skills, and gold are invaluable to Dhurza. Allowing the houses some autonomy lets them improve and expand the empire without the imperial court managing every detail.
Families of Dhurza
Yeltagon
Motto: Wisdom and devotion.
Words: The divine pave glory for Yeltagon.
Colors: White and purple.
Yeltagon is steeped in mysticism and divinity. It prides itself on imperial clerics who serve the emperors. The house is heavily involved in knowledge and history, with pride in old scripts, ancient languages, dead languages, libraries, and collected lore.
Veltzar
Motto: Seek the Path to Victory.
Words: Peace for the weak. Honor for the strong.
Colors: Green.
Veltzar has a history of great generals and mighty warriors. They often push their sons toward becoming officers or heroes. They are connected to war councilors and weapon masters.
Lothian
Motto: Brotherhood, family, dynasty.
Words: Soldiers among brothers. Captains among fathers. Generals among ancestors. Lothian blood breaks armies. Colors: Blue and gold.
Lothian is known for fierce loyalty to family. Many of its members rise through sacrifice, and the house has produced heroes, councilors, magicians, and other figures of note.
Arturial
Motto: Foundation in Preparation.
Words: Glory and Honor to the ancestors; power and gold to their sons. Colors: Red and white.
Arturial is said to have inherited a treasure hoard from a dragon ancestor, though this is usually treated as myth. The family is known for wealth, treasure, shrewd patriarchal leaders, merchants, bankers, and ministers of commerce.
Drogon
Motto: No risk too great.
Words: Passion for power; power of honor; honor in victory.
Colors: Red and black.
Drogon provides more soldiers and militia than many other houses. Whether because of population, inspiration, or fear, many join war through Drogon. The house takes great pride in this, as more soldiers mean more honor won in battle.
Mawgethian
Motto: Perseverance and patience.
Words: Feed the Maw and the Maw will consume the world.
Colors: Orange and green.
Mawgethian is often viewed as a leech by other families, but still holds esteem. Its military and financial offerings are less impressive than some houses, but its members often become politicians, diplomats, and spy masters.
Ratzkar
Motto: Through Adversity, Superiority.
Words: Eliminate all weakness and what you have left is strength. Colors: Yellow and blue.
Ratzkar is one of the smaller houses, but is respected for the quality of its people. Its youth are pushed hard into whatever professions the family needs. Master craftsmen, weapon masters, and scholars often come from Ratzkar.
Stavios
Motto: Inspire Courage and Ferocity.
Words: Dragon's blood burns hottest.
Colors: Purple and red.
Stavios is the only family able to trace its lineage back to its dragon ancestor. Because of this, it is proud of its pure blood. Stavios is honorable, strong, fiercely loyal to the code of honor, and intolerant of breaking it. Like all houses, it supports the empire for its own benefit.
Penturial
Motto: To The Last Breath.
Words: Unbreakable walls against the tide. Steel Unpierced. Shield Unbroken. Colors: Black and gold.
Penturial prides itself on defending the empire. It provides much of the Emperor's imperial guard and is proud of the walls surrounding Dhurza, which were designed and constructed by the Penturial family. A Penturial shield is said to be the greatest defense a Draconian can have.
Note: If you are considering playing a noble from one of the Houses, please submit an immreq to staff and Selvantul.