Family Register

The Family Register has a lot of power as they have the authority in listing and cataloging all Houses major actions and family lines. However, it is so much part of the everyday life of people that it is often overlooked when surveying the battlefield of intrigue in the Court.

History

After the Warlock Wars, when the Mageslayer was sorting out the last bit of conflict, some noble families came together to create a registry as they were afraid to lose power or to end up in a situation where an outside force ruined their family histories. The registry got funds from further families and it set about collecting, cataloging and copying all known documents relating to the noble families. The group called themselves the Family Register.

The individuals who joined the Family Register had to promise all Houses that they would do their work impartially, a promise that later became a solemn vow and forcing these individuals to forgo their family inheritance and any claims to titles or land. In return they would receive a very healthy monthly bursary and luxurious living quarters in the future head quarters of the Register.

During the course of the Barbarian- and Midrealm Conquests, its importance grew, as did its resources and members, despite the loss of inheritance. The Register attracted especially noble sons (and a few daughters) who preferred the solitude of study and books over warfare or political intrigue.

Throughout the Prosperous Times until modern day, the Register kept amassing not only documents, but also responsibility, such as looking up lineage and other details for the Houses but also for marriages and important acts and actions. For everything they do, a service charge is made to the House or Houses, and is part of the tradition as well as a useful service.

In the past 20 years, the Register has tried to incorporate a system to classify merchants. Merchants in turn have tried to stop it.

About

The Register's employees are called Adepts. Though they have not much of a lust for power (other than what corrupt individuals inside the Register might have), they are important and part of the foundation of this society. They have chapters in any major castle city and town with copies of the most prominent books available as well as some originals (though most originals are in Capitoleum).

Many a career in politics started in the Register, and some Sickle Wizards even have positions there out of interest (or search for power). The fact that some Adepts within the Register are Wizards is of great pride to the Register. Adepts are among few people in the city that are not afraid of magic wielders.

Adepts ceremonially take off their House colours when entering the Register for the day and are by all standards not nobility until they take their colours on again in the evening.