The main continent in the story is Aronna, sub-divided into 4 mainland “houses” and two large island based “houses.”
The six houses comprise the “Council of Blades,” a ruling body made of the ranking member of each house. Each house retains a nearly even division of land and is responsible for their regions industry, military, and first-line defense. In the center of the mainland lies the First City of Aronna, Aellyn. It is here that the council governs, and this is the major economic, social, and political hub for the land of Aronna. It is connected to both the east and west coast by a trans-continental river system and an intricate network of roads connects the rest of the townships and cities. Aellyn is naturally fortified on three sides by mountains and the fourth side (to the South) is where the river flows. Access to the city is controlled by a series of drawbridges spanning the river.
The ranking member of each house lives, primarily, within Aellyn where they govern as members of the council. The next-in-line for each house is entrusted with the management of each houses’ local business and maintaining realm defenses in their province. Militarily, each house maintains a robust infantry, cavalry, and archers as a standard force. Military service is compulsory from the ages of 16 to 20. Members can, of course, request to stay in should it be suitable. Many from the lower families do this to earn renown and improve their status. While they will probably never replace one of the six ruling houses, families who are in good standing with the council do get increased duties and responsibilities delegated to them which, overall, benefits them and improves quality of life and influence. People are people. Each of the ruling houses has a specialty as well, be it subterfuge/clandestine operations, siege warfare, naval warfare, intelligence, etc.. These traditions stretch back for generations. Only members of each ruling family are given opportunity to cross-train with other families. It’s part of their training and education for when their time comes or might come to sit on the council or preside over their familial province. In order for continuity in times of war, it’s important that members of each house have a working knowledge and understanding of how things are done within their partner houses. It also adds a system of checks-and-balances to the ruling council and forces at least a bit of transparency between the them. That was the idea anyway.
Each house and their province is represented by the familial dagger. A uniquely designed dagger that members of the ruling family carry. These daggers are also found on the house banners, pennants, and flags along with their house colors. The daggers are their family crests. Each House’s daggers are imbued with a specific magic that is unique to each of the families.
The Aronnian Ruling Houses are:
House Denn
House Zovir
House Rain
House Reynold
House Tiran
House Ancedes
Welcome to Aronna!
Ian Korbitz, Author 