Phratry

A phratry (also fratry, pl. phratries, meaning 'lineage') refers to a large group of people who share a common identity and interest. Members of a lineage may be related by blood but adoption into a phratry is also a common practice. Social cohesion within lineages is usually reinforced through oaths of loyalty. Even though most phratries extend beyond family ties, they usually claim to have a shared - often mythical - heritage. They usually take their name from an illustrious progenitor.
The concept of lineages originates in the warrior culture of the Iskuzai but has spread among other peoples in Askedoria, notably the Zeugridas.
To become a fully enfranchised member of a lineage, an initiation rite must first be passed. It is possible that within a lineage, descendants of a certain bloodline prevail over others and rule them as their subjects. However, most often all fully initiated adults of a phratry can participate and speak in family assemblies.
== Known Lineages ==
=== Acamantidai ===
The lineage originating from Acamante, the last reigning Etoi queen of Beitris. After her suicide, the city submitted to the besieging Iskuzai and, in an attempt to pacify the local population, a democratic government was established in which power was shared among the most powerful Beitrian families. Acamante's descendants adopted her name for a new phratry which they formed after the dissolution of the Bronze Moray-Eel Thiasos. The Acamantidai grew into one of the city's most important and noble lineages and came to represent the old traditional order under the Etoi eparchy. The lineage 's last Matriarch Erigone died of poisoning.
=== Elpidai ===
The Elpidai are a phratry of unknown origin and location.
=== Etridai ===
The lineage of Etrio, tyrant of the island realm of Ankilas, is infamous for the brutality and intrigue at its court.
=== Klaumatidai ===
Little is known about this lineage which traces its origin to Klaumata, a mythical figure who was turned into stone by a terrible curse in the region that is now known as Adramis.
=== Lethidai ===
The Lethidai descend from Letheia Spear-Born, the daughter of King Auleo the Cartographer and one of his most renowned generals. Since the foundation of the homonymous city of Letheia by their legendary ancestor, the Lethidai have been a largely influential phratry in the city's politics and held many government offices such as Strategist under the lion-hearted Acrinna.
=== Nicippidai ===
A phratry from Skie, among its most illustrious members is Gorgophon, the city's Supreme Logothete.
=== Nikatidai ===
The Nikatidai rule over the southern city of Sibaris. Their Matriarch Himeris, however, has brought misfortune with her heinous crimes over the lineage which now fights for its political survival in the city.
=== Phiracidai ===
The Phiracidai were an ancient Zeugridas lineage ruling somewhere in the Adramis region until their last reigning Matriarch Zeritta killed her children and herself. Though they lost power and glory the lineage still exists and hopes to return to their old prestige.
=== Stelendidai ===
The colony of Uios Psantes was ruled for two centuries by the lineage of the Stelenidai until they were ousted in a palace conspiracy.
=== Thesmidai ===
A phratry founded by Iskuzai warlord Thesmis the Leopard who besieged the Etoi capital of Beitris for many years. After the fall of the city, Thesmis' lineage integrated into Beitrian nobility and became an influential political power. The Thesmidai were usually associated with the novel patriarchal warrior culture of the Iskuzai and a coalition of Iskuzai supporters coalesced around them. This made them into powerful antagonists to the city's traditionalist Etoi faction represented by the Acamantidai with whom the Thesmidai perpetually feuded.