#circle!verse

The significance of Houses is that they used to be factions of power during Sinnoh's Golden Age - a period of time where most of the information passed down is half story, half myth, and like, an eighth of maybe actual artifacts and evidence, with another eighth of ancient historians adding their own versions of history. Of course, their power is greatly reduced in the modern day - and getting over run by other regions and various in-region strife multiple times in various bits of history doesn't really help either, but they often control key areas of industry that allow them to retain some sort of influence over the region.

also, these come with pictures! because I drew shields/crests for them last year. They’re not quite accurate anymore, but they work fine for now, so here goes.

the Imperial House of Ariste

Credited with the unification of Sinnoh, the Imperial House of Ariste were said to be blessed by Arceus. The founders of House Ariste are (tentatively named) Calanthe and Albion, and their reign ushered in an era of innovation, prosperity, and peace (inwardly, at least) known as the Golden Age. House Ariste is First of the Circle, the governing body created by Albion to oversee the lands that were in their care. After their passing, their children tore Sinnoh apart in a bloody civil war (that became the topic of many adaptations, epics, plays, etc.) that continued after their deaths.

Houses

The original four three houses swore blood oaths of fealty to House Ariste. Highly influential, old money and steeped in tradition, with parts to play in the old stories. Legends say that in return for their oaths, they were granted weapons in defense of the empire.

House Prometheus

Currently based in Hearthome City, House Prometheus is primarily made up of psychic affinities. Affiliated with the Lake Trio. Traditionally, they were Calanthe's left hand in stories, and the House said to be closest to House Ariste. Having won the hand of the crown prince, and then losing both the prince and the daughter promised to him to civil war, they've never forgotten that they almost had an empress on the throne. In stories, they're Keepers of the Red Chain - however, if that ever meant anything, there are no records of anything called or having the capabilities of the Red Chain in their archives. Most historians and members of the House are of the opinion that this may have been an ability lost to time, or just an elaborate title.

Known for their weaving, House Prometheus produces high-quality cloth and thread, and has a definitive stake in Sinnoh's textile industry.

Characters: Regulus, Andromeda, Orion, Sophia, Tiberius.

It's Complicated: Lucian, Will (Johto E4), Argenta (of the Battle Frontier), Caitlin (Unova E4), Altair, Tanith.

House Themis

House Themis is based in Canalave City, and aligns themselves with Dialga. Compared to their fellow Houses, they retain the most influential power in modern day Sinnoh. A lot of their members sit in important places of Sinnoh's justice system, as well as in areas of education and knowledge. Metalwork (forging, smiths) and metal manufacturing also falls within their scope of investments. While primarily steel affinities, Aura users are a branching subsection of this House. House Themis also has significant connections and overlap with Clan Chthon (ground and rock), which is said to be an offshoot of the House.

Traditionally, House Themis was said to have been founded by a pair of twins that were Albion's right and left hands, helping him write legislation and uphold the laws. It's reasonable to assume that they were also behind much of Ancient Sinnoh's armour and weaponry. Recent research has also suggested that fighting affinities were also part of House Themis at founding, but at some point started detaching themselves from the House.

Characters: Riley, the librarian who runs the Canalave Library, the previous gym leader of Canalave, and a whole bunch of OCs I haven't gotten around to yet. Maybe Thorton, from the Battle Frontier.

It's Complicated: Byron, for reasons of honorary membership. Perhaps Professor Rowan.

House Gracidea

House Gracidea holds Eterna City and Floaroma Town. Shaymin is their patron. Primarily grass and some flying affinities. As expected, House Gracidea makes up much of the agricultural industry in Sinnoh, although lately they've been threatened by the advent of mechanical farming. To offset that, they've expanded into the medical field and tourism, tending to gorgeous fields of flowers. Highly sensitive to Sinnoh's environmental issues. Traditionally known as Sinnoh's Breadbasket.

Characters: Gardenia, Cheryl, Mona, OCs I've yet to get around to.

the Fourth House

Sinnoh's Fourth House is lost to time. As far as historians and archaeologists can tell, their patron was Palkia, and the house was primarily made up of dragon affinities. Traditionally Calanthe's right hand, which suggests they made up quite a lot of Ancient Sinnoh's military might. This is backed up by records that their heir was promised to House Ariste's second-born. Whether or not they were the aggressors in the civil war that tore the Golden Age apart, it was clear that they sided with the second-born child, and were summarily either slaughtered or driven out of Sinnoh, their records destroyed and erased. Geneological records suggest that the majority of survivors ended up in Unova, near modern day Opelucid City.

Sinnoh has never really been enthused about dragon affinities since.

(You might be wondering: what about Giratina? Giratina was a universal spirit that everyone made offerings to, regardless of House or status. Giratina was associated with doorways and the next life - a psychopomp, there to guide souls back into the flow of the world's energy. The subject of a number of mystery cults, the most prominent being the one situated near Sendoff Spring, which exists to this day.)

Clans

Factions that came together during the Golden Age, they had important roles to play in Ancient Sinnoh, and were rewarded accordingly.

Clan Khione

Primarily ice affinities, situated in Snowpoint City. Isolationist and proud, they're also highly spiritual and religious. Lake Acuity is in their keeping, as is the Snowpoint Temple. Historically, they were Ancient Sinnoh's consultants on all things spiritual and travelled all over, but pulled back to the safety of the mountains when discord arose.

Characters: Candice, Hale, Wren, Robin, Hayley, one OC that's likely to be the 3rd E4 under Eltan.

Clan Chthon

Based in Oreburgh, Chthon is the richest of the factions due to their trade in precious gems and metals. They make up most of the mining (and coal) industry in Sinnoh. Ground and rock affinities. An offshoot of the clan is interested in applying their affinities to archaeology.

Characters: Roark, Byron, maybe Bertha.

Clan Triton

Originally two separate factions of sailing merchants, Clan Triton is primarily water affinities. No particular base or city, but they have little pockets here and there, especially at major port towns. They continue to make up much of marine transport - everyone knows that Clan Triton is who you want running the boats.

Characters: OCs I've yet to get to. (Crasher Wake is not part of this faction.)

Epione Guild

Formed in more modern times, the Epione Guild was founded by poison affinities, but has grown to much more. Dedicated to practicing medicine and healthcare, most of those in the healthcare field or have some amount of healing ability are members of the Guild. Lots of grass affinities in here as well - House Gracidea has lots of overlap, and funds some of their endeavors.