The Noble-Born Families

The Eight Families of the Noble-Born Line of Magi, more commonly known simply as The Noble-Born Families are a group of eight Magi families who each have difinitive proof of their descendancy from Jilliad Magi. Some would argue that, as with the general Magi populace, even amongst the Noble-Born Families there are discrepances in "purity", with the Magi family being highest and the Fawkes family being the lowest (given proximity to the direct line). Whilst it is true that some families contained within the group bear a closer connection to the direct line than others, there is no such formal ranking within, however some may be said to exist when one considers the rules of ascension. Being considered the eight families holding the most substantial claims to ruling Amaranthine, the families played a substantial part in the Old Kingdom, and many still have substantial influence within the Empire .
==The Main Families==
The Eight families within the group are as follows (please note - Family Motto Translations are often adapted during translation to make more sense in the Common Tongue, as a direct translation from Simplified Old-Tongue would most often result in nonsense).
===The Cardemonde Family===
*Land Ownership: <REDACTED>
*Family Motto: <REDACTED>
*Notable Figures:
**​Caiaphas Cardemonde - The Final King of the Old Kingdom Lineage
===The Fawkes Family===
*Land Ownership: sùilEòlas
*Family Motto: from truth, sword
*Notable Figures:
**Joseph Fawkes VII - The first Grand Inquisitor of the Council during the Imperial Era
===The Javert Family===
*Land Ownership: Sancturia
*Family Motto: Aether Fakt Iustillia (Aether Makes Honour)
*Notable Figures:
**William Javert - Grandmaster of the Circle/First Grand Inquisitor of the Council of the Aether
**William K. Javert - Founder of AetherTech Industries
===The Magi Family===
*Land Ownership: The Isles of Locke
*Family Motto: Magi Suprae Omnes (Magi Above All)
*Notable Figures:
**​Jilliad Magi - Uniter and Founder of the Old Kingdom
===The Orthar Family===
*Land Ownership: Llarthin and Orthras
*Family Motto: Sekhix ez Glorix (War with Glory)
*Notable Figures:
**​Eliza Orthar - Mother of Vincent von Boon
===The Persio Family of The Heartlands===
*Land Ownership: The Heartlands
*Family Motto: Mortem es Vigilix (Death is Watching)
*Notable Figures:
**​'Rufus Persio - Sky Captain of the Imperial Sky Brigade
===The Rufusion Family of Rufios===
*Land Ownership: Rufios
*Family Motto: Celeritatux ez Iustillia (Swiftness with Honour)
*Notable Figures:
:* Kristoff Rufusion - Admiral of the Imperial Maritime Force
===The von Boon Family===
*Land Ownership: The Lands of Boon and Skyedale
*Family Motto: Loik Atne Adfektus (Logic Before Emotion)
*Notable Figures: 
**Vincent von Boon - Emperor
**Leon von Boon - Lor of Locke
*History:
:: The von Boon family are one of the oldest and most recognised of the Noble-Born Families of Amaranthine - which in itself is something extraordinary. The name "von Boon" comes directly from Simplified Old-Tongue for "of Boon", being that the family primarily hails from the Lands of Boon on the continent of Marast.
:: The von Boons were represented in the Great Unification by Lucius von Boon, the younger brother of Jilliad Magi. It is, of course, worth remembering that the "Magi" surname was not adopted by Jilliad until he began his reign as the First King. The surname "von Boon" began as a title, given to Lucius upon his successful scouting of Marast prior to the Great Unification - a mission that began on the Sands of Boon.
:: Due to this immediate relation, the von Boon family were considered amongst the purest of Magi blood, and following the death of the two final members of the primary Magi Family during the final years of King Nathaniel II's reign, the most pure. However, the von Boon Family constantly refused to get involved in the many so-called "Purity Wars" that struck Magi society - at least openly. 
:: As such, they were able to maintain an amicable relationship with both the other Noble-Born families, and the lesser-born Magi, with it often falling to the von Boon's to broker a peace during meetings of both the Council of the Aether and during the hours spent within the Regalitry - the main body of "parliament" within the monarchy.
It is worth noting that, as well as holding rule over these lands during the Old Kingdom, and thus representing them as Dukes and Lords within the Old Kingdom, they were held in higher regard than the lesser nobility who also held land and represented it as a part of the Old Kingdom. In addition, whilst the monarch may have claimed residence in the city of Locke (this was a tradition, not officially enforced) they represented the Kingdom as a whole - the representation of Locke itself still fell to the Magi family.
==Branch Families==
Whilst it is considered bad taste for Magi to have family outside of their own "standing", sometimes necessity takes priority. As such, various "Branch" families exist as offshoots of the Noble-Born. Only families of pure-Magi blood are considered Branch Families, and only through marriage would they be given the title, else the child would simply be brandished a bastard as with the Magi hybrids.
However, should a female Noble-Born Magi chooes to marry a "lesser" Magi, the name she takes on post-wedlock is henceforth considered a Branch Family. Whilst lacking the divine right that the Noble-Born families claim, Branch Families are often given positions of relative import; children are named squires, valets or stewards, husbands are often named knights or, if they were previously landowners, they will simply retain the rank and title they had prior to the marriage.
Whilst these families are considered of lesser import than the Noble-Born some, such as the Magus family, have played a notable part in the affairs of both the Old Kingdom and continue to do so within the Empire.
==Line of Ascension==
The last physical copy of the right to rule, penned shortly before the death of King Nathaniel II in 1118KL listed the Line of Ascension as such;
Nathaniel Cardemonde
George Magi
Eliza Magi
Alexander von Boon
Caiaphas Cardemonde
Vincent von Boon
William Javert II
Leon von Boon
Rufus Persio
Kristoff Rufusion
Whilst the families of Orthar and Fawkes recieved no mention within the list, it is worth noting that the physical copy of the right to rule rarely extended beyond 10 names, as it was considered highly unlikely that 10 potential monarchs would die.