The Crested Families are a collection the most powerful dwarven families who dominate Diveneu. While The Palestone Bloodline rules the city, power secured by their control over the rich Palestone deposits in their mountains. These Crested Families frequently get into fights, despite their necessity of eachother as they grow ever-more specialized. The core system is tiered, which tier you are determines the votes your family has at The Diveneu Council. The Bloodline being the primary family, followed by the Clans, and then notable Families. Smaller families vying for power are known as The Crestative Families, nobles in their own right, but not seated in positions of real power. There is only one non-dwarven family which is a Crested Family, while there are many Crestative Families which are non-dwarven.
The balance among Crested Families is profoundly unstable. The Stone War a stark reminder of the devastating power each family possesses. While the structure remained unchanged from the war, each family is constantly in a state of balancing. Alliances shift, rivalries simmer, and the threat of renewed conflict is ever-present.
The The Crested Families are designated as such when their House Banner is draped from The Tattered Spire. This is typically decided by The Diveneu Council and is exceedingly difficult to achieve, and those family leaders who achieve this feat have their names etched in The Palemuth Bridge.
The Palestone Bloodline
The original dwarven settlers of Diveneu, this albino family line tapped and monopolized the power of Palestone. They are the family of power who all Crested families listen to. They created and maintain The White Roads, live in the residential suites of The Tattered Spire, and finished The Stone War with terrifying power. Some consider The Golzak Tribe to count as part of the Palestone bloodline, but The Crestative Families consider the Golzaks to be pets of the Palestones, and nothing more than commoners.
The Duergar Clan
The dwarven Duergar were ambitious dwarves who live primarily in The Under-Diven, their existence as city guards is tainted by their influence in The Stone War. Despite their reputation, they are one of the more powerful families of Diveneu, denoted by their Clan status.
The Bismuth Clan
This dwarven clan carved their legacy with their prodigious mining operations, particularly in The Diven Mountain Range where Diveneu sits. They extracted vast quantities of rare minerals and gems. For centuries, the Bisumuths served as the primary suppliers to every crested family, and nearly every family who operated in Diveneu.
The Slagsmoke Family
In addition to being the primary swordsmiths, the dwarven Slagsmokes are the primary city guards of Diveneu, combining their above-ground nature with The Duergar Clan, they complete the citys defenses.
The Gravesbones Family
Named for their creation and maintenance of The Catacombs, this religious dwarven family is full of clerics and paladins, regularly patrolling the streets, The Catacombs, and The Under-Diven sending the undead back to their graves.
The Copper Pockets Family
Notably the only non dwarven Crested Family. This gnome family made a fortune during The Mercantilism Marvels and opened the most successful banking chain in Aurelin, with the original location in Diveneu’s Copper District named The Copper Pocket.