The Houses of Celes did not officially exist until 2200 years ago, when the first Civil War was fought. Until that time there were families but in most areas they lacked real power. A few areas had simple forms of democracy, but most were strongly oligarchal or even theocratic. It was from the latter that a group led by Khren Sharra took control of the Western Continent as well as portions of the Northern Continent and Southern Islands. The rule was oppressive and beliefs were imposed that often clashed with local culture. As time passed the rule became increasingly fascist, and trust was hard-earned between individuals. Families turned inward and began to consolidate. Eventually several families emerged as real powers, and allied with each other to oppose the government. These would later be known as the Great Houses. Led by House Bailea, the families included House Marcana, Montegue, Charmaine (all from the Western Continent), Damari, Lilavati (Southern Islands), Rohana (Northern Continent), Sabine, and Amadine (Eastern Continent). They fought for several years, eventually managing to take over and restore some of the old culture. The Houses formed a Council to oversee planetary affairs. The Sharras were either all killed off or they married into other Houses, namely Montegue and Bailea.

Over the next 2000 years the planet remained relatively stable. No wars were fought, and skirmishes were rare. But the Houses became increasingly isolated from each as they became more tightly knit internally. Other Houses also began to emerge in that time period, and several began to rival the power of the original Great Houses.

The next 200 years found the Houses coming into more and more contact with each other, and the Council gained new power as a mediator and organizer of several planetary efforts. Deals were also brokered to engage in trade with neighboring planets and with other ships coming down the Rimma Trade Route. A universal educational curriculum was created based on

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