The Noble Houses of the Soul Society

Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:09 pm

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society

Noble Family: Among the current (Four) Great Noble Houses.
Lesser Houses: Among the current Lesser Noble Houses.
Noble Houses: All Nobility.

The Soul Society has a well-known caste of nobility. The Noble Houses are divided into two subjects: The Noble Families and the Lesser Houses. Their reputations and importance within the Soul Society allows many of the regular citizens to know even the Lesser Houses by name, and thus know to respect them. The Noble Families carry the most weight and have some influence over the Seireitei, including the Gotei United and the Shinō Academy. Some Noble Houses are more tied to business and economics while other Houses are more tied to their services to the Gotei United. As tradition dictates, the Gotei United has no authority to act against a noble family without evidence that their actions are harmful to the Soul Society or the Soul Cycle. The Heads of the Noble Families have authority greater than the Captain Commander of the Gotei United in cases that are not directly tied to the balance of the World of the Living. This means that many laws the Soul Society follows were created by these Noble Families, and they can be enforced by them as well. Going against one of the Four Great Noble Houses is considered a capital offense if there has been not evidence proven against them. The Heads of the Lesser Houses have authority next to Lieutenants of the Gotei United and often work for one of the Four Noble Families, but not always.

While all Noble Houses have gained their titles through exemplary services to the Soul Society in some way, the Noble Families gained their higher status because of their tendency to produce Captain-level Shinigami as well as their service. Each Noble House has a different purpose that grants them the ability to hold their status, but the Noble Families each have a specific duty they're responsible for, such as the Kuchiki being responsible for compiling and protecting the history of the Soul Society. It is possible to become one of the Noble Families, but it's very difficult since the Heads of the current Noble Families will need to vote on it. Any ties are broken by the Captain Commander of the Gotei United. The Lesser Houses are mostly produced when one of the Noble Families marries outside of nobility, but some can voted in. To do this, a Lesser House must petition for the addition of the noble Family and then the Heads Lesser Houses decide on the matter themselves. Only when problems ensue do any of the Noble Families come in and take control.

The Noble Families

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society Shih_in_family_seal

Shihoin Clan

Though the tradition may have changed in the last few centuries, the head of the Shihōin family leads the Onmitsukidō. Also known as the Tenshiheisōban (天賜兵装番, House of Godly Gears), they are the Caretakers of the Hōgu (宝具, lit. "Treasure Tool") and Bugu (武具, lit. "War Tool") said to have been bestowed on them by the gods. They're also in possession of many other powerful tools they protect.

Current Head: Yuushirou Shioin?
Spouse of Head:
Members:

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society Kuchiki_family_seal

Kuchiki Clan

Members of the Kuchiki family have been known to wear Kenseikan (牽星箝, lit. "Star-Pulling Insert") in their hair, which symbolizes their nobility as one of Four Noble Families. The Kuchiki family also has a white scarf made by the master weaver, Tsujishirō Kuroemon III. The scarf is made from the Ginpaku Kazahana no Uzuginu (銀白風花の紗, Silks of the Silverwhite Wildflower), a silver-white, windflower light silk, and is a family heirloom that is handed down from generation to generation and is given to each Kuchiki family head. The scarf alone is worth enough to buy ten mansions in the Seireitei. By tradition, the family has been charged with compiling and protecting the history of Soul Society. The family resides in the Kuchiki Family Manor, a designated home within the Seireitei.

Current Head: Byakuya Kuchiki?
Spouse of Head: Deceased
Members:

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society Saionji

Saionji Family

The Saionji family crest is of a wolf within an octagon. The crest is often sewn or engraved into their clothing. Members of the Saionji are also known to wear a cloak similar to the Captains cloak, but colored light blue and white, and wear a headband that also has their crest carved into it. By tradition, the family has been charged with the management of Shino Academy. The Family resides in the Saionji Manor, a large complex right outside of the borders of Shino Academy.

Current Head: J. Saionji
Spouse of Head:
Members:

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society Asashima_Family_Seal

Asashima House

The Asashima family is among the newer to the ranks of the Four Noble Houses, but have held this position for six hundred years now. Their rise from a lesser house to one of the great four came with the invention of a kido that prevented one of the many attempted attacks on the Seireitei and sealed a great power within. Since the Asashima are the only ones who know how to keep this power at bay, they were granted noble status. Since then, they have been charged with the development of kido and are responsible for some of those the average Shinigami use today.

Current Head: Kirino Asashima
Spouse of Head:
Members:

The Lesser Houses

Fēng Family
Traditionally serves the Shihōin Clan by joining the Onmitsukidō. The Fēng Family (蜂（フォン）家, Fon-ke) makes its living as assassins and executioners. Any member who doesn't pass the test to get into the Onmitsukidō's Executive Militia is exiled

Kyōraku Family
The Kyōraku Family (京楽家, Kyōraku-ke) is an old, prestigious and high-ranking noble family.

Ukitake Family
A low-class aristocratic family.

Ōmaeda Family
An aristocratic, rich family. The family has a history of service in the Onmitsukidō.

Kira Family
A lesser noble family.

Former Noble Houses

The Shiba Clan: The family was once the fifth great noble family, having prestige along the lines of the Kuchiki and Shihōin families. For an unknown reason, the Shiba family fell from their high-status position after the death of Lieutenant Kaien Shiba. The family specializes in fireworks.

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Interested in making a noble family? It is possible for ONE Noble Family to be added, but a good argument will be needed for that position. Each Noble Family is given a job to support or protect the Seireitei in some way, so that is a requirement. Lesser Noble Houses are easier to apply for and only need to have been exceptionally skilled or helpful to the Seireitei at a time. To apply for any noble house, you must have an approved character to represent them. No reserves allowed. If you're currently in control of a member of a canon family and want the Head position, you must apply for that position and give a reason same as everyone else.

Get permission from Noble House owners before making characters for them.

Apply with the application below:

Noble House Application:
Family Name:
Family Rank: (Noble Family or Lesser House?)
Current Head: (Provide Link to Applications)
Current Head Spouse:
Current Members: (Provide Link to Applications)
Reason:

Code:: Noble House Application: [b]Family Name:[/b] [b]Family Rank:[/b] (Noble Family or Lesser House?) [b]Current Head:[/b] (Provide Link to Applications) [b]Current Head Spouse:[/b] [b]Current Members:[/b] (Provide Link to Applications) [b]Reason:[/b]

Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:48 am

Lesser Noble House Application:
Family Name: Ariake Family
Current Head: Genpaku Arishima
Current Head Spouse: N/A
Current Members: Genpaku Arishima
Reason:
The Ariake Family was the noble family of Genpaku's grandfather, Ariake Maru. However civil war within the family brought about its destruction, and when he fled it seemed to seal the fate of the noble family. He fled to the real world, and that seemed the end of the family. However, by a quirk of fate the family's noble status was not lost by the time Genpaku had attained his shinigami powers and his heritage confirmed. To this day the house is not widely known as Genpaku has never really used his noble status overtly, though it may explain how he was able to take an entire division with him on his personal crusade to protect the Earth. Given the chance, he won't have to ever make it too public either.

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society

The Noble Houses of the Soul Society

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