The Dunohin Covenant

The Dunohin Covenant is the ruling body of the Dunohin and is made up of a group of Matriarchs of Dunohini Great Houses of sufficient power and influence to petition for a seat in the Covenant. The Covenant is led by a Speaker who serves in this post for life. When the current speaker dies, an open election participated in by all Dunohini citizens is held where a new speaker is selected from the currently sitting Matron Mothers.
The Speaker of the Covenant holds complete and supreme executive power to enact laws and dictates as they see fit. Others of the Matron Mothers can put forward motions but it is the Speaker that must approve before it can be carried into law. However, should a Speaker loose the faith or cooperation of the rest of the Covenant, it is likely that they could be assassinated, thus sparking the election of a new Speaker. While this is strictly forbidden by Dunohini law, it is an understood reality that the scheming and politicking of the Great Houses often results surreptitious removal of those in the way of the Houses' goals.
Should a Great House be caught supporting the removal of a speaker or another of the Matron Mothers, that house would be dismantled by the Shardbreakers, their leaders imprisoned, and all their assets and holdings auctioned off. These factors have lead to a mostly productive societal function as the Speaker wishes to retain the support of the Houses and the Houses would rather not risk removing a speaker if they can work through other channels. Never the less, Dunohini politics are very dangerous and only the strongest Houses have the confidence to participate.

Great Houses

Great Houses of the Dunohim are organizations that after having achieved a sufficient level of success and influence are granted greater autonomy than the rest of the Dunohini citizenry. Great Houses are left to manage their own internal affairs so long as they do not cross the law and almost act as independent states inside Dunohini society. This affords them a great ability to consolidate their power and to negotiate with other Houses from a position of strength.
Once a House obtains sufficiently high standing it can petition to gain a seat on the Covenant which is accepted by the Speaker. Thus, the number of members in the Covenant shifts from time to time and the inclusion of new Houses is often an issue when the election of a new Speaker is held. Similarly, Houses can lose their position on the Covenant should they lose the confidence of the Speaker.

Current members of the Covenant

• Speaker Brilanna of House Dilinath
• Matron Mother Kalithiel of House Myzzrym
• Matron Mother Beszira of House Nirabar
• Matron Mother Jhanya of House Glannambra
• Matron Mother Sbantil of House Rilynurden
• Matron Mother Haelshalee of House Daevorgh
• Matron Mother Xare of House Dziet
• Matron Mother Elerriina of House Argylan

The Shardbreakers

The competition of the Great Houses is the basis of Dunohini society. However, sometimes the machinations and shadow wars between the houses spills over into the orderly running of life outside the Houses. This is where The Shardbreakers step in. The Shardbreakers hold absolute authority while undertaking their investigations and any Dunohin citizen is required to cooperate with them. They are akin to an inquisition.

The Duskcloaks

While the Shardbreakers police the interactions between houses, the Duskcloaks see to the rule of law for the other citizens of Endan Dun as well as enforce the proclamations handed down by the Covenant. The Duskcloaks operate at the pleasure of the Speaker and are funded by the taxes and duties collected by the Covenant. Any Dunohin citizen can apply to join. The Duskcloaks serve as the City Watch and liaise with the Shardbreakers when the Great Houses get involved in their investigations.

Leader

Brilanna Dilinath

Leader Title

Speaker of the Covenant