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Dragonmarked Houses

No other group exerts as much influence over the Five Nations as the combined membership of the Dragonmarked houses. Each Dragonmarked house is part noble family and part business cartel, involved in businesses ranging from hospitality to espionage-for-hire.   The reach of the houses is so extensive that they have interests in every facet of life in the civilized lands of Khorvaire and beyond. Those interests often bring them into conflict with local rulers and national governments. Unified Galifar had the strength and influence to impose its will on the collected Dragonmarked houses, but in the wake of the war, it remains to be seen if any single nation has the resources to challenge them.   Although most houses have distinct spheres of interest, their concerns overlap just enough to cause friction. House Orien's control of transportation and shipping is threatened by the growing reach of House Lyrandar's airships. House Tharashk's arrangement with Droaam threatens House Deneith's monopoly on providing mercenary services. House Cannith lost parts of its leadership in the Mourning, and rival barons are fighting for control of the house.   An organization called the Twelve seeks to mediate disputes and encourage cooperation between the houses.   Every Dragonmarked house has traditions and secrets. Here are a few facts that apply to most of the houses:   Enclaves. Most Dragonmarked houses maintain enclaves in major cities. These serve as strongholds and hubs for house businesses. A city may also have any number of businesses tied to the house, but these are simply providing services and don't have any direct connection to house leadership.   Names and Ranks. Any high-ranking member of the house who earned a Dragonmark is allowed to add the d' prefix to the house name: for example, Merrix d'Cannith. Despite the Korth Edicts' proscription against house members holding noble titles, regional leaders within the houses are called barons. Most houses are led by a matriarch or patriarch, though some are led by a council, each house is overseen by their patron patriarch or matriarch.   Emblems. Each Dragonmarked house has an emblem, a distinctive symbol that features on their heraldry, official seals, crafted goods, and anything else that warrants the house's stamp of authenticity. Each house's emblem appears along with the related Dragonmark on the following pages.   The Twelve. The Twelve is an organization that facilitates cooperation among the Dragonmarked houses.   Excoriates. Excoriates are Dragonmarked members who have been cut off from their houses but were allowed to keep their mark.   Foundlings. Foundlings are people who have a Dragonmark yet have no tie to a Dragonmarked house.   Test of Siberys. Ranking Dragonmark members must earn their mark. Each house has a different test but at the end the member is granted their mark. If a member fails the test they are allowed to keep their rank but are limited in how high up the food chain they are able to go.   Korth Edicts. The Korth Edicts prevent the houses from owning land, holding noble titles, or maintaining military forces (with an exception for Deneith). The edicts were established when the Five Nations were united. Today, many in the houses feel the edicts have become obsolete in the wake of the Last War.

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