(07-03-2013, 11:53 AM)Kylin Wrote: Just to add to the whole "house" and "noble" terminology debate, I figured I'd drop this here.Oh my goodness. That's really interesting!
There was a quest in Ul'dah that indicated the use of the the term "house" in regards to a past wealthy family called House Skryvner. The term "lord" has also been used to describe many of the wealthy house leaders (like Lord Lolorito, Lord Skryvner, etc). You can view the full transcripts of the quest regarding House Skryvner here:
http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Dresse...ot_Details
Some of the Ul'dahn Syndicate members have also been referred to as "nobles," such as in this FATE (that's right...Eolande from 1.0 is apparently dead ; ; ): http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/A_Few_...f_a_Quiver
Additionally, there's also a hint of the term "house" being used in Gridania, though this is a bit more open to interpretation. There's a drop in a Gridanian dungeon that makes mention of House d'Arlendre: http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Heart_...27Arlendre
[[Knows entirely way too much about the upper class of Eorzea >.>]]
You know, I came in here with an observation (an incorrect one, it seems--I didn't get to play 1.0 and could only go by what lore I could find on the internet) that was contrary to what others were saying.
And we just, like, had a calm and rational discussion about it with lore justifications and everything.
I'm seeing that all over this site, actually. You guys are really mild and laid-back about stuff, but you know your lore. That's, like, really refreshing to see in a roleplay community that's been around for as long as this one has. I like it.
So based on this information, there are some impressively wealthy and powerful Hyur individuals in and around Ul'dah who are referred to as nobles and who have family Houses, like the ill-fated Prokop of House Skryvner.
Noble families can have heirs and personal homes and estates outside of Ul'dah, likely in the lands governed by the city-state, such as the summer home of former Syndicate member Eolande Quiveron.
Their money is likely worth something in the other city-states, but their investments and family connections are probably all in and around Ul'dah, as there is no evidence (that I know of) that the convention has spread to the aesthetic and peaceful Gridania, or to the naval and pirate-run Limsa Lominsa.
As for the "House d'Arlendre" of Gridania, that looks to be an Elezen name (it has French naming conventions). According to Elezen Naming Conventions, Elezens are a proud people with such respect for their surnames that they don't share them between their two tribes. I don't know much about Elezen families, but their "houses" probably don't resemble Hyur noble houses, if only because they don't seem to live very lavish lifestyles in the Twelveswood.
