The Houses

Overview
Within the complex and layered history of The City, one of the major influences has always been the families of the Houses, both High and Low, within The City. When the City was first founded by the powerful wizard Akarta, it is said that he established the rule of the first 10 High Houses to watch over and care for the people of the city. Since then, the membership of the High Houses has shifted and changed over the years, but their influence hasn't. Meanwhile, the many Low Houses jocky for the support of the High Houses in the hopes that they too might be one day lifted up to join the ranks of the High Houses, all the while being painfully reminded of their current status.

High Houses
(For more information, see also The High Houses)

The 10 current High Houses are as follows:
 * 1) Gallo
 * 2) Salayne
 * 3) Perone
 * 4) Aurise
 * 5) Muranne
 * 6) Fatissa
 * 7) Verican
 * 8) Lavek
 * 9) Raubige
 * 10) Rumond

Low Houses
(For more information, see also The Low Houses )

The Low Houses are those families whose overal influence, wealth and power are sufficient to earn them a place among the High Houses. Instead they vie for the favour and attention of the High Houses, seeking solidify alliances through business deals and marriage to members of the High Houses. The Church of The Coin and The Temple of The First House both keep records regarding which families are considered Low Families, and as a part of its official functions, the Temple of the First House offers annual licenses for those families who wish to step into the status of the Low Houses.

Fallen Houses
(For more information, see also Fallen Houses )

Over the years, the list of High Houses has shifted and changed as the culture and climate of The City has. As such, there are a number of families who were once included in the list of High Houses and have since fallen off that list. Some families have been eradicated as a result of the various House Wars, while others have simply waned in power so dramatically that their status on the list of Houses was stripped from them.