Minâth-Nôrî

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Some Minâth belong to noble houses. These houses are collectively called the Minâth-Nôrî and represent about 15% of the Minâth population. This elite part of society, the nobility or ruling class, began with the Kingdom of Belkazim (250 - 275).

A Minâth family becomes part of the Minâth-Nôrî when it marries into the ruling family. There are no cultural norms or Khazarkar laws that say noble families have to marry another noble family. A family is usually married into because of its wealth and power. There have been a few families that came to be part of the Minâth-Nôrî by way of unscrupulous measures, like a marriage under duress. Some of the houses of Minâth-Nôrî have reigned as leaders of the First Khazarkar Empire (346 - 1027). This ended with the Second Khazarkar Empire, and the establishment of the theocracy government Pharzîmrâth.

The noble houses of the Minâth-Nôrî have considerable power and influence in the empire. The Minâth are the highest caste of Khazarkar society. They view themselves of higher lineage and superior to the Terrant and Corralum castes. Although they don't rule like in the past, the noble houses of Minâth-Nôrî still have considerable power and influence in the government. The size of the royal houses provide them with a powerful political voice in the empire. A smaller secret faction called the Malbazân seeks to restore rule by the Minâth-Nôrî. They are supported heavily in western Cinazan.

There have been 87 noble houses. Today, only 32 remain. Rivalries between the noble houses has led to the liquidation of some houses. This is usually done to such an extent that nobody of the bloodline is left alive, or disappears and never chances to use their family name again. Other houses have been removed from the Minâth-Nôrî, becoming an exiled house. This is usually a result of them supporting extreme causes. An example of a house that was exiled is the Aminulêth. They supported the Eldritch Conclave and were exiled during the Great Exodus (998 - 1017).

Some of the older noble houses are protected by Minâth Protectors. These protectors are Auhtai raised from an egg to be utterly loyal to their house and serve as a personal guard of the house's highest members. They are also indoctrinated to be loyal the government of the khazarkars and to resist taking actions that might bring harm to it. One of the most renown and oldest Minâth Protectors is Crick. This hero served with Black Banner and still carries out his role as guardian of Lenassu Dras'ee.