Great Houses

The six Great Houses of the Dyari play possibly the biggest role in government, politics, and even day to day life. Nearly all Dyari belong to one Great House or another.

History
During the first few centuries following the colonization of Des Prime, numerous family groups called "houses" began to rise up and claim territory and power over that territory. After about a thousand years of this, a handful of these houses had accrued such wealth, power, territory, and stature that they became known as "Great Houses" while the others became "Lesser" or "Minor" houses. The Great Houses ruled over the Lesser Houses in a sort of fluid hierarchy as allegiances were always changing and houses rose and fell.

House Mbala was the first extant Great House to achieve such status, followed by Shyan, then Loran, then Josu, then Dinamar, and finally Remb.



Over time, the Lesser Houses began to be absorbed by the Great Houses until things reached the stage they are at today with there only being the Great Houses and almost all Dyari belonging to one.

Ranks and Aristocracy
As the loyalty of the Jeduri caste is almost always to the Temple, the governing aristocracy of the Great Houses and all those under their sway has fallen to and is now entirely dominated by the Adusi caste. A traditional system of ranks and titles has been developed over the centuries to determine the hierarchy of the aristocracy within the Great Houses and is used by all current Great Houses.

The internal ranking structure is as follows (from highest to lowest): One's rank within a Great House dictates the possible jobs and positions one may hold within that house as well as any titles that might be bestowed upon you. Steward qualifies one for the title of Baron or Baroness (ruler of a city or town), Exarch qualifies one for the title of Viscount or Vidame (ruler of a district), Councilor qualifies one for the title of Count or Countess (ruler of a canton), and Master qualifies one for the title of Duke or Duchess (ruler of a province).
 * 1) Grandmaster
 * 2) Master
 * 3) Councilor
 * 4) Exarch
 * 5) Steward
 * 6) Oathsworn
 * 7) Retainer

Grandmasters do not rule any specific territory, but are in charge of the house as a whole. Oathsworns bear the title "Sworn" before their names and act primarily as military commanders, bodyguards, and other such roles.

House Shyan

 * Capital: Sun
 * Grandmaster: Dleron Do’Mas Shyan
 * Major Holdings: Sun Canton, Shyanid Canton, Araquan Canton, Badhur Canton, Badhur Province
 * Heraldry: Clasped Hands
 * Color: Gold
 * Founded: K1.Y645
 * Patron Deities: Asan, Jakar
 * Reputation For: Piety, Peace, Mediation
 * Motto: Blessed are those who strive against strife.
 * Major Families: Do'Mas, Do'Lin, Do'Nerem, Do'Hanar

House Mbala

 * Capital: Dleya
 * Grandmaster: Areth Do’Marel Mbala
 * Major Holdings: Dleya Canton, Dembol Province, Kaitum Canton, Kanda Canton
 * Heraldry: Varosaur
 * Color: Red
 * Founded: K1.Y433
 * Patron Deities: Jured, Mbil
 * Reputation For: Warriors, Pride, Stubborness
 * Motto: At all costs.
 * Major Families: Do'Marel, Do'Mer, Do'Veneh, Do'Sitorol

House Loran

 * Capital: Kasovar
 * Grandmaster: Erilo Do’Sepat Loran
 * Major Holdings: Kasovar Canton, Dutha Canton, Quarana Province
 * Heraldry: Open Book
 * Color: Purple
 * Founded: K2.Y004
 * Patron Deities: Ranad Kas, Rozhar
 * Reputation For: Scholars, Wealth, Cuisine, Self-Interest
 * Motto: Words spoken, words remembered.
 * Major Families: Do'Sepat, Do'Maras, Do'Lunoth, Do'Derem, Do'Fenel

House Dinamar

 * Capital: Desa
 * Grandmaster: Dyedodh Do’Zheval Dinamar
 * Major Holdings: Desa Canton, Heruda Canton, Joru Canton, Azhai Province
 * Heraldry: Bleeding Eye
 * Color: Black
 * Founded: K2.Y245
 * Patron Deities: Niredh, Dlemok
 * Reputation For: Spies, Thieves, Assassins
 * Motto: The shadow is cast.
 * Major Families: Do'Zheval, Do'Sur, Do'Eneth, Do'Manal

House Remb

 * Capital: Zhu
 * Grandmaster: Ashad Do’Jabon Remb
 * Major Holdings: Zhu Canton, Den Kara Canton
 * Heraldry: Two Crossed Spears
 * Color: Dark Blue
 * Founded: K2.Y561
 * Patron Deities: Quith, Zhe
 * Reputation For: Poets, Fairness, Progressiveness, Independence
 * Motto: We have been chosen.
 * Major Families: Do'Jabon, Do'Mar, Do'Asani, Do'Kelemoth, Do'Nara