When the Erebos empire began to expand, there were nine noble houses that assisted the monarchy in colonizing the continent. They provided resources, soldiers, arms, and strategic advice. In return, when divvying up administration of the empire, the monarchy gave each of the nine houses a region to control. The nobility were originally the only people with voting rights in Erebos, though the advent of the Master’s Academy changed that. The head of each house sits on the Council of Nine, the primary legislative body of Erebos, led by Queen Laufian. The nine houses are now generally split into three groups based on the geographic location of the province they control.
The Northern Houses:
Vindressa
Head: Severin Vindressa
This province borders Shinlon, so it provides a great number of foot soldiers for the Erebos army headquartered in Nordaemas. However, the family lacks strong military strategists, so they defer to House Nordaemas for command of the army. Located entirely in what was once Varia, this province is home to the most Varivata (indigenous people of Varia) and Varian culture remains highly influential.
Capital: Laembaer
Nordaemas
Head: Ossaira Nordaemas II
This province hosts the Academy of War, and is the central military hub of Erebos. The army headquarters are here and they led the campaign against Shinlon. They are the leading developers of new combat magic techniques. One of the “Big 3” houses because they control the empire’s army.
Capital: Belviri Mauden
Remoran
Head: Midia Remoran III
This idyllic lakeland is home to beautiful tropical meadows where luxurious tropical crops grow in abundance. They are known for their lavish parties and grand festivals, which take inspiration from the Varian traditions of old but thoroughly twist them to fit into the culture of the Erebos Empire. They are also the main supplier of popular drugs derived from Varian flowers like “Joy.”
Capital: Valdoen Korsden
Oksen
Head: Aesriel Oksen IV
Like Dulvaeri, Oksen has a strong navy and aided significantly in the conquest of the coastal lands of Marrem. Since the conquest finished, Oksen has moved their focus more to trade, maintaining a defensive navy but not focusing on expansion of their offensive capabilities like Dulvaeri. They are primarily responsible for diplomatic relationships with the remnants of Marrem.
Capital: Adaeris
The Central Houses:
Kaeven
Head: Kassaendra Kaeven
This coastal province is largely responsible for trade and diplomatic relations with Kahvorreh. This is usually where refugees from Kahvorreh first arrive and thus it has a large immigrant population. This is also where pocket dimensions were originally invented. Lacking natural irrigation, the region relies primarily on magic and trade for resources as the land is mostly barren plains.
Capital: Aeltsarev
Dulvaeri
Head: Jaediss Dulvaeri III
This coastal province is the main offensive naval power in Erebos. They were the house responsible for leading the colonization of Marrem’s coastal lands, which was of course in their best interests as it expanded their land. They also have the largest Marrem population, causing continued tension in the province because many of the Marrem folk view the Erebos empire negatively because of their recent and violent colonization. One of the “Big 3” houses because they control the empire’s navy.
Capital: Dulsia
Lavor
Head: Lusias Lavor II
Originally their own small kingdom that allied with the Erebos in an effort to maintain control of their land, the Lavor have a small but beautiful province right next to the capital, mostly located on the same land as the original Lavor kingdom. They are considered the Erebos’ strongest allies as they were an independent nation that chose to ally with the Erebos, while all the other houses originated with wealthy members of Erebos society vying for more power. As such, they often hold honorary positions of little real political significance, such as diplomats to distant countries.
Capital: Lutisvaerten
The Southern Houses:
Baertaen
Head: Morkaena Baertaen III
The primary provider of staple agricultural products, this province is not reliant upon magic for their wealth. As such, magic is treated as more of a fun endeavor than a necessity/major economy, resulting in a more casual attitude that has led to interesting experiments in magical technology designed purely for fun, without commercial interests as the primary backing. Thus you can get more unique magic products here than in most of the world. One of the “Big 3” houses because it controls the nation’s food supply.
Capital: Kaerisnen – This is where Reia was born and raised.
Vinrel
Head: Ikiddna Vinrel
The financial capital of Erebos, this provinces houses the treasury as well as most of the mines from which they hew stone for the round polished stones used as currency in Erebos (yellens). Interestingly, the same stone makes up the mountains that expand even further into Baertaen territory, but the Baertaens have never shown much interest in exploiting the stone to make currency, likely because their agricultural industry is so prosperous.
Capital: Iddnen
The 10th house: Erebos
Head: Queen Laufian Erebos IV
The monarchal family serves as a 10th house, leading the Council of 9 and administrating the capital province. The Erebos line that runs the provincial/capital administration is separate from the monarchal line, though they are, of course, cousins. Queen Laufian leads the Council of 9 and her cousin, Aliksaendra, is in charge of the administration of the capital. Aliksaendra does not officially have a seat on the Council of 9, but she is usually included in meetings and respected by the members as a head of a province, though she does not have a vote in the council.
Capital: Erebosia