Dukes of Essillion
The Dukes of Essillion are the three leaders of Essillion, and make up the major noble houses of that city.
The Dwarves of Forgehome, in 300 AE, gifted Starhelm City with the three mines of Essillion and the lands surrounding it. Starhelm City, in turn, gifted that land to three nobles who showed great loyalty, service, and dignity. The Starshields, Skyshards, and Stormarms were sent to rule that city, along with their families and a host of Starhelm citizens that were looking for a new life.
In agreement between the Dukes, the Starshields would get the rights to the central mine, the smallest of the mines, and in exchange they would be granted the right to rule the city as its leader. The Stormarms and the Skyshards would get the rights to the north and south mines, which were much larger and more lucrative. All three would lead culturally as the major noble households, and their families would maintain that status permanently.
When the Fractioning came Duke Lyonite was crowned the first king of Essillion, through expert negotiations from the newly arrived Shard of Alucar - Pristell. In mutual agreement with the Dukes, Lyonite, and his family would be king and their rule would last as long as their line was unbroken. In exchange, they would give up the rights to the central mine and all resources from that mine would go to fund the city coffers. The Starshields would maintain their rights to the lands outside the city, and any personal wealth they had up to that point.
The Dukes of Essillion rarely marry amongst themselves, preferring to strengthen the lines with outside Essillion houses. They have made several exceptions through the years, but typically they encourage the families to grow from the lesser noble families, or even with some high-minded or successful non-noble families.
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