Elmoch: The First Dragon

A vile creature with strange abilities.  Elmoch ran rampant across the land, until the Seven Kings, blessed by the Gods, came to the beast's lair and slew it.  The Kings bathed in the magic released by killing the creature, and thus the Kingsblood were made.

The Seven Kings

The heroes that slew Elmoch and formed the Theria Houses.  Their names were Blackmoor, Bellefont, Tannhuaser, Qualaam, McManus, Mezzanotte, and Stasia.

Kingsblood

The connection between the nobility and the Seven Kings.  Those of royal lineage have magical abilities that they can access through their bloodline.

Wyrmsblood

Dragons are unable to mate with each other.  They must pass down their lineage by mating with other species.  Humans can access the dragon blood they possess, but it accelerates their growth into a dragon.

King Trayan

The last True King of Theria.  He revealed himself to be Wyrmblooded and decimated a gathering of the heads of the Houses on Candlesnight five years ago.  He escaped to the North and is presumed alive in his current draconic form.

The Precious Throne

The symbol of Therian unity.  The King of Kings sits upon this throne, embedded with a jewel from each of the Houses that served underneath.

Houses Major

House Bellefont:

The House with the largest lands; mostly devoted to farming and feeding the nation.  These nobles are known for their skills as hunters. The home keep of this house was destroyed by Trayan's transformation. They are avid huntsmen.

House Blackmoor:

Purged in the last five years due to the actions of Trayan.  Formerly the most prestigious house with the most direct connection to its King.  Sat on the Precious Throne for hundreds of years.  Their lands are currently under the protection of The Wise and will be parceled out by the new King.

House McManus:

A House filled with seafarers and rivermen.  This house has a hand in almost every bit of trade in Theria.  Often considered braggarts and drunks.

House Mezzanotte:

Also known at The Cutters, this House deals in scholarship and information.  They are the keepers of the Books of Blood, the genealogical information of the Kingsblooded.  They have a reputation as spies and operators.

House Qualaam:

The first of the Seven Houses to fall from major status. They refused to acknowledge House Blackmoor as the King of Kings and were brought down by the other houses. Most of its members flocked to the banner of The Wise, but a few dark-skinned Kingsbloods still wander Theria and sell their services to the highest bidder.

House Stasia: 

A primarily snow-bound area.  The founder is revered by her peasants as if she were one of the Gods.

House Tannhauser:

Descended from the King first able to wound Elmoch.  They have the largest standing army in Theira and often use it to force peace between the Houses.  Known for their intricately carved suits of armor.

The Wise:

Formed by the unnamed son of Qualaam and Stasia.  The Wise study magic rigorously, convinced that magic is not the sole purview of the Gods.  Any Kingsblood can renounce his or her house and join the Wise.  The Wise have acted as advisors to the King for many years, and as a result, their wealth and prestige has grown.  Their rivalry with the clerics of the Firelight Compact is growing by the day.  Also known as The Tower.

The Firelight Compact:

A loose alliance of the clerics of the Gods.  A united front in the face of encroaching Tower power.  While only a kingsblood can join The Wise, a commoner can become a cleric with enough faith. As such, most nobility favor The Wise, but view the clerics as speakers for the commoners.