THE GREAT HOUSES
As a feudal monarchy, differing political interests and beliefs are represented primarily by Great Houses, loose networks of family connections and their associates. Several of these Great Houses wield considerable influence in the Jade Assembly, and combined control significant estates throughout the Empire.
THE GREAT HOUSE MINOWARA
One of the oldest Great Houses, Minowara traces its roots back to the First Dynasty. A powerful clan during the Laptev Bronze Age, the Minowara family contributed several Empresses to the First Dynasty and was an important supporter of the Jade Throne. Following the collapse of the First Dynasty, House Minowara retained
control of Seiiki City for much of the following four centuries. Shogun Kaisigi Kuribayashi, a distant cousin of House Minowara, relied on their support at the Battle of Hasunomichi, and since then House Minowara has been a supporter of centrist, traditionalist values in the Jade Empire. House Minowara has considerable influence in the mining and farming industries, owning majority shares in KanshoCorp and several other major firms. Noteworthy members include the current head, Fujin-Daimyo Yoshimoto Minowara of Dong Wu District, Colonel Buntaro Minowara, consort to the Jade Empress, and Captain Shigeru Minowara who died at Yamsai. Affliated Houses include Minamoto and Rei.
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THE GREAT HOUSE KANBEI
The Great House Kanbei was established following the fall of the First Jade Dynasty in 1207AT. Strict traditionalists, they attempted to preserve Ingenious values during the extended period of political instability that marked the High and Late Middle Ages in Ingen. They elected to support Shogun Kaisigi Kuribayashi in return
for political power and the promise of land. The House was opposed to the opening of the ports in 2404AT, and ever since have promoted militaristic and confrontational foreign policy. During the Trathiran Revolt, warriors of House Kanbei provided significant support to the Exiles.
The most prominent member of House Kanbei is it's current head, Daimyo Matomoro Kanbei, overlord of Ingen Province. Affiliated Houses include House Tokkan. |
THE FEDERATION HOUSE OF SUEBIA
The Federation House of Suebia is a much more recent construct than the more traditional Imperial Great Houses, and promotes progressive, free-market liberal values. Founded in 2434AT during the Trathiran Revolt, the Federation House unified the districts and peoples of Neusattar during the turmoil, filling the power vacuum created by the temporary absence of government authority from Laptev.
Taking their name from the Suebian tribe, a Bronze Age peoples who occupied the southern ranges of the central Alphos Mountains, the Federation House is composed of many smaller houses, clans and tribes including House Scipio, the Seawatcher Clan, and House Malham. Members elected by the Federation House leave their former house and adopt the surname "of Suebia".
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