Editing Forsaken History (section)

== Forsaken Houses ==

In a world that cast them out, the Forsaken built their own foundations. Where nations fell silent and bloodlines were severed, they created Houses, not of noble lineage, but of loyalty, necessity, and bond. A Forsaken without a House is a soul adrift, vulnerable to the cold, the blades of strangers, and worse still, the despair of isolation.

A House is not always family by blood, but it is always family by choice.

Each House is formed from shared values, goals, and oaths. Some are small, little more than a travelling band bound by a mutual cause. Others are vast underground enclaves, hiding entire communities beneath forgotten ruins or deep forests veiled in misdirection. There are Houses built around ancient relics, others around legendary founders, and some that exist solely to protect a single child or prophecy.

What unites them all is the Oath: a vow taken by every member, regardless of rank or role. To betray a House is to be cast out not just from its shelter, but from all of Forsaken society.

=== Common Traits of a House ===

* '''The Sigil:''' Every House bears a unique mark or symbol. It may be worn openly or tattooed in secret, sewn into clothing, or etched into hidden armour plates. The sigil is sacred, its defilement is an act of war.
* '''The Keeper:''' Each House has a Keeper, the steward of its history and customs. Some Keepers are scholars. Others are warriors, oracles, or relic-bound ghosts. It is their duty to preserve memory, not for glory, but so the House never forgets who it is.
* '''The Purpose:''' All Houses have a reason to exist. For some, it is vengeance. For others, redemption, protection, or even the preservation of knowledge. The Purpose is the heartbeat of the House, and members are raised with its words whispered over cradles and grave sites alike.

=== Inter-House Relations ===

Though the Forsaken do not have nations in the way other races do, alliances and rivalries between Houses can be just as fierce. Some Houses refuse to work with those aligned with a different Movement. Others send their best to aid a rival House’s cause, bound by oaths older than the Sundering itself. It is not uncommon for Forsaken of different Houses to duel in secret, to settle disputes of honour. Yet just as often, Houses will gather in solemn councils beneath moonless skies to share resources, plan joint efforts, or mourn the loss of a shared ancestor.

=== Adoption and Honour ===

Because the Forsaken know what it means to be cast out, most Houses permit the adoption of outsiders, even non-Forsaken provided they take the Oath and prove their loyalty. These adopted members are often called “Bondkin,” and in time, many rise to positions of great influence within their new families.

There are tales of entire Houses being rebuilt around a single Bondkin who brought salvation when all seemed lost.