Houses of Brutecia

The Houses of Brutecia are formally recognized groups that wield power and influence throughout the Silver Empire, especially in its capital at Brutecia. The Houses are comprised of the Inner Circle, ten Houses that work directly with the Silver Emperor, and an Outer Circle of less powerful organizations.

Requirements
Groups hoping to apply for House status must apply through the Central Planning Office in Brutecia. Applications are fairly straight-forward and require prospective Houses to: Approved applicants are given a House title representative of the gift offered. Houses that rely on martial strength tend to offer impressive beasts as trophies, while civilian House offerings are generally more mundane.
 * demonstrate tangible value to the Silver Empire, usually in the form of some kind of speciality.
 * offer a piece of new territory with at least ten permanent residence for annexation into the empire.
 * submit a gift to the Silver Empire's trophy collection, usually some type of creature.

House Elevation and Relegation
To guard against complacency amongst the Houses, one seat in the Inner Circle must be replaced every year. In an annual ceremony, the House deemed worthiest among the Outer Circle takes the place of one unfortunate Inner House. Competition is fierce, as some Houses plan dramatic acts of heroism and others seek to undermine their rivals at every turn to secure their station.

Current Inner Circle Houses
House Bone Devil -- Elite mercenaries

House Oni -- Spies and assassins

House Beholder -- Wizards

House Hag -- Warlocks

House Paladin -- Inquisitors

House Toad -- Merchants

House Honeybee -- Refugee services

House Flatworm -- Doctors

House Steer -- Ranchers

House Squid -- Shipwrights

Notable Outer Circle Houses
House Tyrannus -- Demon hunters

House Shadow -- Monks

House Owlbear -- Barbarians

House Treeant -- Rangers

House Salamander -- Sorcerers

House Satyr -- Bards

House Mimic -- Historians

House Sphinx -- Explorers

House Basilisk -- Artisans

House Golem -- Warforgers