Royal Houses System of Ralanos

The **Royal Houses System of Ralanos**, commonly referred to as the "RHSR", is the governing code for the Houses of Ralanos. The system differentiates the various types of Houses, and their ruling placement within the Royal System.

The System was drafted in 551 UA by then-King Barinald III Ralan, and came into order in 582 UA under then-King Arenald II Ralan. The RHSR has been adjusted many times throughout its history, and endured a semi-reconstruction in the early 700s UA.

## Allegiance

The Royal Houses System of Ralanos requires every House under the Royal House to swear Allegiance to another. This Allegiance is usually determined by location, or by becoming a Sworn House. Under this agreement, Houses are legally obligated to adhere to all laws and standards set by their House of Allegiance, and are subject to that Houses jurisdiction for all legal and criminal matters. The only Houses under the direct Allegiance to the Royal House are Vassal Houses, and all other Houses trickle down from that point in a ladder system.

## Seats

A seat is the administrative division of either the city, town, settlement, or estate that a House has sworn Allegiance within. All Houses are required to declare a seat, and must indicate any major move to another location to be reallocated to a new seat. Houses swear Allegiance to either the Royal, Vassal, or Ruling House of their corresponding seat, unless Sworn, in which that House is sworn to their chosen House's Allegiance.

Seats act as a way to monitor all Houses in a simplified manner, indicating where the majority of any House is located, which is permitted by law. Failure to report a change in location can result in the disbandment of a House and criminal actions against the person or persons involved. A House cannot have multiple seats, unless it is a Ruling House of more than one town or settlement, and has been approved by the King. Houses usually hold great honor and pride toward their seat, and often use it as a display of power.

## Types of Houses

### **Royal House**

The Royal House of Ralanos is the House of the current King of the Land. Since the formation of the continent, it has been held by House Ralan. The Royal House creates and dictates all laws of the land, and governs all cities, towns, and the people of Ralanos. All Houses are essentially under the non-direct Allegiance to the Royal House.

### **Vassal House**

A Vassal House is the House belonging to a current Vassal of one of the major cities of Ralanos. In total, there are eight Vassal Houses, as both Mazlock and Nezlock are ruled by Overseeing Houses, and Goelyn is divided into two sub-cities both ruled by a separate Vassal. A Vassal House governs its corresponding city and its people, and is chiefly responsible for the city's economy, education, trade, and army, which all cities are required to have.

### **Overseeing House**

There are only two Overseeing Houses of Ralanos, both of which belong to the current Overseers of Nezlock and Mazlock, who swear allegiance to the current Vassal of Duzlock. The Overseeing Houses were established following the construction of the two final Lock Cities, and are chosen at the Turn of the Vassal of Duzlock. Overseeing Houses are partially able to govern their appointed city and its people, but most major lawful decisions are made by the Vassal House of Duzlock.

### **Ruling House**

A Ruling House is a House that rules from the seat of a town or major settlement in Ralanos. Most towns are required to appoint a Ruling House, who govern the people and the town economy under direct Allegiance to the nearest Royal, Vassal, or Overseeing House, which is usually region-based. The Lord of a Ruling House is usually inherited, but the House that a Ruling House swears Allegiance to can instate a new Ruling House at any point, under the direct discretion of the King. Ruling Houses can also rule over multiple locations in some instances.

### **Sworn House**

A Sworn House is a House that swears Allegiance to another in a lawful and binding agreement under the discretion of the King. Sworn Houses are usually either relatives or close companions to the House of their Allegiance, and are obligated to serve the House often both economically and socially. Many Houses that consist primarily of Drants become Sworn Houses. Under this agreement, Sworn Houses also gain benefits in instances like taxation and general welfare.

### **Noble House**

Noble Houses are Houses that have been appointed as Noble by the either a Royal or Vassal House. A Noble House is often one of particular power or wealth, who has showcased a considerable amount of leadership or diplomatic qualities. It is a great honor to be named a Noble House, and appointments are usually accompanied with a feast or tournament. Under this title, Noble Houses tend to receive substantial welfare and economic backing, and can legally own a private estate outside of a city or town perimeter.

### **House**

The bottom of the Royal Houses System chain is the standard House of Ralanos. These Houses can consist of any family or person who legally obtains the right to either establish or reconstruct a new or pre-existing House. These Houses swear Allegiance to either the Royal, Vassal, or Ruling House of their corresponding seat, unless Sworn. However, since families often spread throughout the land, RHSR law states that if the majority of a House's family moves away from their initial House of Allegiance's seat, they are subject to a reinstatement to a new House of Allegiance under the discretion of either the nearest Royal or Vassal House.

## House Format

#### **Representation**

Every House is required to don a sigil and carry a motto, which is chosen during the establishment of the House. Houses are able to change these representations under discretion of their House of Allegiance. Once chosen, any banner, flag, or formal display of the House must correspond with their sigil and motto, which usually relate to the House's location, history, or commodity in some way.

#### **Titles**

Houses are governed by a variety of titles given to specific members of that family. The leader of a House is the Lord, which is usually the eldest male who has inherited the title from their predecessor. In the cases of Vassal and Overseeing Houses, the title of the Lord becomes Vassal and Overseer, respectively. The wife of the Royal House is the Queen, while the wife of a Vassal is referred to as a Gress. All other wives of a Lord are referred to as the Lady of the House.

An heir is the next person in line to rule as the Lord of a House, which in most cases is either the Lord's son, brother, uncle, or nephew. Very rarely, a House may be ruled by a female, who is still titled as the Lord of the House. For a Royal or Vassal House, a male heir is referred to as a Prince, while a female is a Princess. The heir apparent is the eldest son of the current Lord.

#### **Small Councils**

Any House is allowed to establish a small council consisting of those who legally represent the people of the House. Members of a House's small council are not required to be of direct relation to the House, though in most cases they consist of relatives or close companions. Titles of those who may be in a small council include:

* **King's Swornman** - This title is given only to the head advisor to the King of Ralanos, who provides direct guidance to the King for many legal decisions
* **Cladsman** - Responsible for the financial decisions of a House, including income, debt, trade agreements, and other economical standpoints, such as ships, schools, and businesses
* **Speechman** - The highest advisor to a House who provides diplomatic advice, support, and leadership regarding all legal and social actions, as well as maintaining the city or town's aviary
* **Grand Drant** - The Grand Madrant (male) or Sodrant (female) is the head Drant who serves a House and its members, and who is responsible for all other appointed Drants
* **Advisor** - Any non-head advisor to a House who often gives legal advice and leadership support
* **Drant** - Any Drant who provides support or guidance to the people of a House

Commanders and Second-in-Command Knights may also be present during small councils, but they do not directly represent the specific House, instead the the city or town's army.