The Houses of the Vovale Court (Voh Va Le)
The Houses of the Vovale Court
In the enchanted land of Krelyra , the ruling class is not determined by wealth, birthright, or military power, but by magical prowess. The governing body, known as the Magarchy, is composed of the most skilled and powerful practitioners of magic, led by the Vovale Court. This body is divided into two distinct noble classes: the Five Great Houses and the Forty Houses Minor.
The Five Great Houses, consisting of the most powerful and influential families in the land, hold the most significant sway over the affairs of the Magarchy. These noble houses are renowned for their mastery of different magical disciplines and their political maneuverings. Their members are known for their exceptional magical abilities, their cunning, and their ruthlessness.
The Forty Houses Minor, on the other hand, are made up of lesser noble families who have demonstrated magical talent and have been granted some measure of authority by the Great Houses. They serve as a buffer between the common folk and the ruling class and are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the various provinces of Krelyra.
Despite the prestige and power that come with being a member of the Vovale Court, there is also a great deal of competition and intrigue among its members. Each house seeks to outdo the others in terms of magical prowess, political influence, and wealth, leading to a constant struggle for dominance and power.
Overall, the Magarchy of Krelyra stands as a unique form of government, one that places the highest value on magical ability and the potential it offers for ruling and controlling the land.
The Five Great Houses
At the very top of the Magarchy's government in Krelyra are the Five Great Houses, each led by a powerful Duke or Duchess. These houses have been at the forefront of the country's governance since the days of the Krelyran Empire and have retained their dominance ever since. The heads of these great houses are the most influential and powerful members of the Vovale Court, and they hold immense sway over the affairs of the land. Their influence extends not just to the magical realm, but also to politics, commerce, and even military affairs. It is said that the heads of the great houses are so powerful that they can bestow warlock pacts onto their agents of intrigue, granting them unparalleled magical abilities and ensuring their loyalty to the house. This has made them the most feared and respected figures in all of Krelyra. As befitting their high status, the heads of the Five Great Houses hold noble titles, such as Duke and Duchess. These titles not only convey prestige and status but also grant the holders a measure of political power and influence. Despite their power and influence, the great houses are not without rivals and enemies, and there is always intense competition among them for resources, prestige, and power. This constant struggle for dominance and supremacy has kept the Magarchy of Krelyra in a state of perpetual tension and intrigue. The Houses and their heads are listed below.- House Envie - Pact of the Coin - Duchy of Tousaint - Duchess Gabrielle Envie D'Toussaint
- House Lu’Fronc - Pact of the Blade - Duchy of Levis - Duke Gaspard Lu'Fronc D'Levis
- House Artiox - Pact of the Chain - Duchy of Morant - Duchess Vivienne Artoix D'Morant
- House Serac - Pact of the Tome - Duchy of Tremere - Duke Pierre Serac D’Tremere
- House Ohmbert - Pact of the Hand - Duchy of Baptiste - Duke Jean-luc Ohmbert D’Baptiste
The Forty Houses Minor
The Forty Houses Minor in Krelyra serve as vassals to the Five Great Houses and are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the various provinces of Krelyra. While they do not hold the same level of power and influence as the Great Houses, they are still an essential part of the country's governance. The representatives of the Forty Houses Minor are required to attend the Vovale Court when it is in session and to pledge their allegiance to the ruling council. While they do not have a direct say in the decision-making process, their voices are still heard, and they can exert their influence through their Great House patrons. The heads of the Forty Houses Minor hold noble titles such as Count, Countess, Baron, and Magistrate, which convey a measure of prestige and influence. These titles are often passed down from generation to generation within a family, and the heads of these houses are expected to uphold the traditions and values of their predecessors. Despite their subservient status, the Forty Houses Minor still play a vital role in Krelyra's governance. They are responsible for managing the agricultural and economic needs of their estates and ensuring that their Great House patrons have the resources they need to maintain their power and influence. While there is a clear hierarchy within the Vovale Court, there is also a sense of collaboration and cooperation among its members. The Great Houses rely on the Forty Houses Minor to support their power, while the lesser houses look to the Great Houses for protection and guidance. Together, they form a complex web of political and social relationships that have kept Krelyra stable and prosperous for centuries. The Houses Minor and their heads are listed below. You may want to play as one of the ten listed below or create your own!- House Glissade - Count Gideon Glissade D’Baptiste
- House Corve - Baron Manuel Corve D’Morant
- House Briel’eau - Countess Renée Briel’eau D’Levis
- House Dubios - Count Albert Dubios D’Baptiste
- House Duplantier - High Magistrate Adrien Duplantier D’Levis
- House Veauvette - Countess Suzanne Veauvette D’Morant
- House Semillion - Baron Antoine Semillion D’Tremere
- House Lemaeux - Baroness Lucienne Lemaeux D’Tousaint
- House Le’Marc - Warden Henri Le’Marc D’Tremere
- House Cartier - Count Robert Cartier D’Tousaint
Founding Date
1342 ASW
Type
Government, Leadership
Government System
Magocracy
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Related Traditions
Notable Members
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Loved reading your article! The houses are interesting and you were very concise in the article which made it an easy read. It would be great if you added some tooltips over the names to make them easier to pronounce correctly. You also missed a bit of text in the bold for house Serac. Are there a hundred minor noble houses? If not why is it called that? Where does the court hold session? I found your article fun to read and it made me want to keep looking at your world to find out more! Thanks for sharing it with the world!
Thank you for your comment! Pronunciation guides are a very good idea! Yes, there are 100 Minor houses I have only listed 10 because I wanted to leave room for players to create their own house Minor without feeling like their house wasn't canon! The court is hosted in the Duchy of whichever Major house calls the court into session!