γIn the beginning of times, there was chaos, this is true for both the human and youkai realm. And for an age this did not change, until the wisest of the youkai decided to observe how the humans lived, and saw them at peace. The humans had found their order in the chaos. And when they looked back at their own encampments they were revolted, seeing that even the noblest of their kind were little more than savages without any stable home. They desired more, a better life than the violence they knew. The human realm already were working peacefully with one another and acted better than they. For humans to have the advantage over the youkai in this was an insult and danger to their kind.
With this in mind, the four most powerful clan leaders signed an accord bringing all of their allies in line under a more unified form of government. Rather dozens upon dozens of clans vying for a tiny piece of the available land, the four noble houses were created, to keep everyone in line and territories in equality. They built their way of life on a feudal system, one that would later be adopted by the humans. The clans provided protection and administration for those loyal to them in exchange for resources, loyalty and so on.
Political maneuvering and intermarriage is conducted between the houses to prevent further wars while still allowing for social mobility, and as one might expect. This has most especially benefited the Houses of the Sun and Moon. Generally when youkai intermarry, the child is of the father's race, which has led to a valuing of sons over daughters, much like in the human realm. However, most youkai will readily admit that daughters can make warriors and politicians just as dangerous as sons, unlike the human realm. An inter-species youkai marriage is not looked upon negatively. Still, the main family of any given house is likely to remain pure-blooded, and it is the branch families that bare the responsibility of political marriages to the other houses.γ
γThe ruling line of this house are white Kitsune, and their vassal races include those disposed to speed and cleverness. Bakeneko, Tanuki and the like all hail to this house. Though they have neither the largest nor strongest army, they produce tacticians and assassins like no other. And their ability to utilize guerrilla warfare is formidable. Additionally, like all nobles, the ruling family is a class of combatants all their own, much stronger than anything save other youkai royalty. They are called the house of the moon because of where they make their home. The land of night is where they thrive, a part of the youkai realm covered in the dim light of the moon and nothing else.γ
γThe House of the Sun is ruled by Tengu, and its vassal types include most flying youkai and those species with higher-than-usual ability to manipulate ki, like Yuki-onna. It is their magical abilities that primarily keep the other houses wary of them, though they are also wise. Due to their wisdom they are often in friendship with those of the Moon House. Again, however, the rules are slightly different for the ruling class in that they are powerful combatants. They are called the house of the sun because of where they make their home. The land of the day is where they thrive, a part of the youkai realm where the sun always shines and it is always day.γ
γThe House of the Earth is ruled by wolves, the Okami, and their subordinates are most often bears and oni, so it's natural that they have a reputation for being the strongest, most violent faction. As a rule, they aren't very smart or fast, but their loyalty, strength, and ability to coordinate as members of one pack makes up for it, and the sheer devastation they're capable of has ensured that their position as one of the four will never come into question. They are called the house of the earth because of where they make their home. The mountainous regions and the hidden valleys in them are where they thrive. Their fortress-like homes are impenetrable and they are famous for their metalwork.γ
γThe House of the Sea is the most mysterious group, and the smallest. Their leaders are the Hebi, the snake youkai, any youkai affiliated with water is under their dominion. The palatial headquarters of the head house is underwater in the great youkai sea, and this alone makes it very implausible to attack them. They do not have the same concern of the other houses to remain strong, but it is noted that their ruling family is made up of strong combatants. Like other types of youkai, they can take more humanoid forms, but they don't often choose to, preferring more than the others to keep to themselves. It is also to be noted that arguably they have the most land, it is simply covered in water, and all bodies of water in the youkai realm are connected to one another through tunnels. The water of the youkai realm does not run salty, not even the sea.γ
