The Great Houses are the ruling noble families of The Commonwealth, a nation in the world of Roshar. These families wield immense power and influence, with each Great House Lord ruling a Prefecture of The Commonwealth, which shares the name of the ruling Great House.
Unlike some old Royal family traditions, the succession rules of the Great Houses can be more fluid. While the heir of a Great House is often a close family member of the ruling lord, it can also be a capable person adopted from a more minor noble house.
The Great Houses hold a significant role in the governance of The Commonwealth. The ruling Lord of each Great House serves as a member of the ruling council for The Commonwealth, which presides over the entire assembly of nobles in The Commonwealth. From among the Great House Lords, a Chancellor is elected, who serves as the public face and leader of The Commonwealth in international affairs.
Each Great House has its unique history, traditions, and relationships with other houses. Some houses may have close alliances, while others may have long-standing feuds or rivalries. Despite these differences, the Great Houses work together for the greater good of The Commonwealth, ensuring its stability and prosperity.
The Great Houses are an essential aspect of the political and social landscape of The Commonwealth, and their actions have far-reaching consequences. As such, they are a crucial element in the world of Roshar, and their influence is felt throughout the land.
| HOUSE NAME | CURRENT HOUSE LORD | PRIMARY SOURCE OF INFLUENCE | DOMINANT RACIAL DEMOGRAPHIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caridin | Aurelia Caridin | Engineering, Mundane Academia | Human |
| Belmont | Walter Belmont | Security Forces, Mercenaries | Human |
| Harrowmont | Viola Harrowmont | Agriculture | Halflings |
| Korunda | Rurisk Korunda | Natural Resource Exploitation | Dwarves |
| Lyran | Thymara Lyran | Arcana, Counterintelligence | Elves |
| Korran | Erdahl Korran | Naval | Dwarves |
| Selevash | Vestrit Selevash | Bureaucracy | Elves |