Great Houses of Pandarat

When Pandarat was first founded, near the beginning of the Fifth Age, the Pandarati were led by ten siblings known as the Dara (the Founders). Each sibling was given a province of Pandarat to rule, as well as a group of people (family and retainers and servants and artisans). Over time these groups become known as Dartan (or Great Houses), each named after the sibling. The original Lake-King was Lanimo, and his house became the dominant group in Pandarat. However ,when he died the next king was elected from Shinziro. Slowly a tradition of an elective Monarch became the norm, and the houses used to vie for political dominance.
Over the years the houses interbred until no group could boast of a pure bloodline. Instead, the houses would be elected based on their political values and public opinion. Five of the original houses were slowly assimilated into the others, until there were only five dominant Houses left: Margori, Vidiiri, Shinziro, Lanimo and Kedici. There were also many lesser Houses, most founded by dukes or guildmasters; some of these are short-lived, and seldom have large followings.
During the rule of the Death Queen, official acknowledgement of the Houses was oppressed, and the lords of Vancumar killed any who claimed false allegiance to anybody but the Queen. The House names were often used by military factions, but even then only as nicknames. However, the Pandarati kept the traditions alive in their art, and still considered themselves members of a particular house.
Since the fall of the Death Queen, the houses are re-emerged, and old loyalties and allegiances have returned. Most of the houses have different leaderships and members nowadays, yet the old values are still maintained. Bloodline is no longer essential to either lead or be a member of the Houses, and anybody is welcome to join. Nearly all Pandarati are members of a Great House of their choosing. The leaders forsake their original surnames, and take the name of the House. Each House has a hall in most of the major towns, but the main Hall is located in the capital city of the House’s traditional province. The five main houses are described below:
Margorii
Vidiiri
Shinziro
Lanimo
KediciIn addition to the Houses mentioned above, there are numerous other Houses- some small, others, suh as Di-Lacu, with the potential for greatness. Most are short-lived, and often have selfish goals. Anybody from a great Knight to a whore, from a native Pandarati to a foreigner, can establish his/ her own house. The GM should feel free to make up any Houses necessary for his game.
Category:Pandarat
Category:Vancumar
Category:Great Houses
Category:Groups