The Formation of the 7 Houses

Era beginning/end

A new calendar, starting with Year 0, commenced after 257 years of recorded history.   Time before Year 0 is now referred to as BH. BH ran from 932-1189 until a diplomatic summit was held and 7 Houses were elected and decided to portion up the realm into 7 autonomous regions.

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Before-Houses history: 932 RH --> 1189 BH   Present calendar: Year 0 --> Year 307   On the first day of the new calendar, a summit was organised in Rosenvale by Lord Skazer Bannerreach. Rosenvale was convenient as it was the most central city of Greedpeaks. Organised by the heads of all major Houses and representatives of different tribes, a decision was made to graduate to a more formal and bureaucratic system of government. Squabbles and wars had been fought over the throne since records began in 932 BH. Once Skazer Bannerreach ascended to the throne in 1189, taking power from the influential House Vilner, the summit was immediately called.   After a month of travel for some parties, a huge congregation was held in Rosenvale's town hall. There, it was agreed that a standardized system of government, military and society should be founded in each of the respective regions. The regions were divided up mostly to fit around natural landmarks such as mountains and rivers, but as well as climates. The regions were given to the most popular (and sometimes the largest) House in each area, by form of a vote that day.  

The 7 Houses

House Arrondon of the West was a reliable and honourable House, with deeds of charity and goodwill being well-known throughout the region. Its family members had always been seen as just and fair, with a focus on family and honourable actions. The Yellow Sept was a bastion for religious worship and education. Edochester was a popular destination for the rich that enjoyed excellent cuisine and accommodation. House Arrondon was granted 3 regions to govern.   House Grattanion of the North was a rich but trustworthy House. Long ago, it made its name from a family of small vendors in Bullet Bottom, slowly rising through ranks until Willem Grattanion became a Lord. Fauxville was a popular destination for traders of exotic goods, merchants and travelling trading posts. Although the House was rich, there was no evidence of corruption throughout its years. Acton Straight had seen much bloodshed through the years due to its pristine road network, invaluable for trade and travel. Much of it was forests and marshlands and who better to avail of the environment than a House that could turn it into jobs and a habitable environment. House Grattanion was granted 4 regions to govern.   House Spikewren of the South was one of the few Houses in that territory. Hailing from a place dominated by tribes and gangs, House Spikewren managed to accrue enough vassals to create a rudimentary form of government in their region. As one would travel further South, into Wallery and The Shrine, tribes and gangs would become more prominent and the territory became known for its badlands and barren wastelands. House Spikewren volunteered to bring peace and prosperity to these lands and so were granted 6 regions to govern.   House Bannerreach of Mid-World was the House in power in Greedpeaks at the time of the summit. Although House Bannerreach, a small House at this time, expected some autonomy in the region they had fought and died for, they were met with glowing praise from other Houses and tribes. Rosenvale was a symbolic city and stood as a reminder to the victory that had just taken place against House Vilner. Randall's Pass was a famous stretch of gorges, pits, mountains, and impossible terrain. House Bannerreach gave the realm an opportunity for peace and as a reward, were granted 3 regions.   House Borefear of the South East was a prominent House in Greedpeaks at that time. Known for its high quality of life and fair society, House Borefear was seen as a role model House for how a region should be governed. With a close relationship to divination and sorcery, Myst and Witch's Peak, two mysterious and empty lands were granted to the House. Cromme, an extremely heavily populated region was the hub of all House Borefear activity and power. Borecross was a land full of rolling hills, forests and hidden delights. With its influence and experience, House Borefear was granted 5 regions.   House Smith of the East was a plucky, intimidating House. In their territory, they had a monopoly over construction for many years previous to the summit and were known for their fantastic bands of builders who would travel around the realm and build impressive structures for other Houses and Lords, and in turn, being handsomely paid. Gresham was an unusual city, built into the side of a mountain, but featured an incredible wealth of rare and workable materials. Forresten and Portrock both provided other excellent sources of raw materials that had to be worked. Seen as the only House in the territory who could provide opportunities for citizens to learn trades and become good with money, House Smith was granted autonomy over 3 regions.   House Sturm of the North East was an up-and-coming House. Synonymous with the occult, the House was seen as an unusual and volatile choice for ruler of regions. The territories of The Graves and The Slow Winds were always avoided by non-adventurers. Strange happenings and abnormal disappearences occured throughout these lands and many villages and hamlets were influenced by local clairvoyants and prophets. House Sturm had many powerful magical members and were seen as a smart choice in order to combat the increasingly worrying contagion of undivine activity in the area. House Sturm was granted 3 regions to govern.