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 (11-09-01)         | Dune III House Ginaz Handbook |         Dune III 1.1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. History
        1.1 Summary
        1.2 Timeline
        1.3 Recent History

2. House Character
        2.1 Summary
        2.2 Religion
        2.3 Relations with Non-Landsraad Factions
                2.3.1 Bene Gesserit
                2.3.2 Bene Tleilaxu
                2.3.3 Guild
                2.3.4 Ix
                2.3.5 Smugglers
        2.4 The Citizenry

3. The Home World, Marcinko
        3.1 Summary
        3.2 Ecology
        3.3 Economy

4. Faction Members

5. Faction Protocols
        5.1 Crest and Colors of House Ginaz
                5.1.1 Crest and Colors of Related Houses Minor
        5.2 Internal Protocols
        5.3 Official Code of Conduct
        5.4 Instructions for Interacting with Specific Houses Major
                5.4.1 Alvstad
                5.4.2 Atreides
                5.4.3 Bajazet
                5.4.4 Harkonnen
                5.4.5 Moritani
                5.4.6 Rastanyev
                5.4.7 Corrino

6. Contact Information

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1. History

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1.1 Summary

House Ginaz was officially recognized by the Emperor and granted House
Major status and a CHOAM Fief contract in 272 A.G., but its history
stretches back into the very mists of time. House Ginaz can trace its
roots back to the planet Ginaz. Different factions within the house warred
against the other until they were brought together by the Butlerian Jihad,
and in a stroke of bravery destroyed the cyborg Holtzman, an event that
ended the Butlerian Jihad and restored peace and order to the
universe. After a goodly amount of political maneuvering, Werner Lear
arranged a marriage with a Cousin of the Emperor. This, in combination
with the very recent and mysterious disappearance of the former leader of
the Ginaz, Anselm Ginaz, gives Werner Lear control of the fledgling House
Minor. The Lear family would retain control for more than ten thousand
years. This political marriage took place just before the Battle of
Corrin, so the Ginaz fought valiantly at the side of House Corrino.

Several hundred years later, House Ginaz was elevated to House Major
status and granted a new homeworld to replaced the ravaged Planet
Ginaz. The permanent CHOAM fief contract for Marcinko was only granted,
some say, because the Ginaz were pushing their agenda of democracy over
imperial rule. The Corrinos granted this planet to the Ginaz as a bribe,
they would argue, although the planet required years and years of hard
labor to become profitable and habitable, so it is just as likely that it
was given to the Ginaz to give them something else to worry about and
focus their efforts on.

House Ginaz thrived once Marcinko was developed, its industries focusing
around weaponry and warfare. The legendary Ginaz Academy of Warfare,
sometimes known as the Ginaz Sword School, was opened and quickly
established itself as the finest training ground for soldiers, officers,
and swordsmen in the Known Universe. In the year 4796 A.G., for reasons
still debated by historians, kanly was opened with House Moritani. It
seems likely that the diametrically opposed political philosophies of the
two houses contributed to this conflict, although it is also true that the
Ginaz had a small fief established on Grumman, the Moritani
homeworld. This fief had been established long before the Moritani were
granted control over Grumman, and had been a source of conflict for years
before finally boiling over into open warfare.

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1.2 Timeline

Before Guild (BG):

7576:
Holtzman thrown into cometary orbit around Planet Ginaz. Fighting
intensifies on Ginaz because of its location as the first inhabited planet
in Holtzman's path.

200-108:
Butlerian Jihad, Ginaz troops form the backbone of the Jihad's elite.

108:
Ginaz military units lead a large squad of Jihad forces into battle,
destroying Holtzman very close to Planet Ginaz, which is summarily
devastated by the debris. It is no longer fit for human life.

89:
Ginaz leader Werner Lear marries an Imperial Cousin just after Anselm
Ginaz, the last Ginaz male of age and previous house leader, disappears
mysteriously. Not only does this strengthen House Ginaz politically, it
also gives the Lear family clear control over it, which they would retain
for more than 10,000 years.

88:
Battle of Corrin. Ginaz on the winning side.

After Guild (AG):

272:
Ginaz is officially granted House Major status, and awarded the planet
Marcinko as a permanent CHOAM fief contract and new homeworld, replacing
the devastated planet Ginaz.

283:
Duke Senshisai Lear of House Ginaz establishes a small fief on planet
Grumman. Grumman will be granted fief of the Moritani in 477, although the
Ginaz choose to maintain this small outpost. Relations between the two
houses deteriorate quickly.

337:
Great Convention ratified, Guderian Lear is in attendance and considers
his silence to be one of his greatest failures ever.

4796:
First recorded mention of a state of Kanly between Houses Ginaz and
Moritani, when the Moritani raid the Ginaz outpost on Grumman despite a
treaty of nonaggression.

9971:
Marquis Morgen Ignatius Lear is born.

9991:
Marquis Akira Lear dies and Morgen ascends to the throne.

10,087:
House Ginaz acquires Basal CHOAM Company Contract.

10,093:
Morgen Lear passes away due to natural causes; Steffan Lear becomes
Marquis.

10,096:
Steffan Lear is killed in a duel with Shane Padron, the Moritani
Swordmaster. Srulin Lear is also killed, so the Marquisdom finally returns
to the Ginaz family. Jacob Ginaz becomes Marquis, coming to Kaitain at the
end of the year after a short political fight.

10,097:
Jacob Anselm Ginaz confirmed as Siridar-Marquis by Emperor Erich Ladislas
Corrino, returning the Ginaz family to power for the first time in more
than ten thousand years.

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1.3 Recent History

Most of the last hundred years have been extremely good to House
Ginaz. Morgan Lear ruled the House for just over one whole century, and
that stability helped House Ginaz achieve positions of great power,
economically, militarily and especially politically. Morgen gained the
Basal CHOAM Company contract, and forged many strong political
ties. However, a spate of brutal murders of Moritani Siridari and royal
family members several years ago left many very suspicious of the
involvement of the Ginaz. Although all assassinations seemed strictly
within the Forms, this strained relations with Houses aligned with the
Moritani or wishing to remain neutral in the conflict.

After Morgen died of old age, Steffan Lear assumed the mantle of
leadership, and began a three year reign during which he demolished a good
deal of the economic and political ties that Morgen had so painstakingly
built up. Openly called incompetent by enemies and (former) friends, as
well as by the Emperor himself, Steffan caused House Ginaz to be left
bereft of its accustomed political influence (only the dedication of
Steffan's wife, Justine Garamond, kept some of the strongest alliances
together, although just barely), and its coffers to be drained to the
point of near bankruptcy. The lucrative Basal contract was lost at this
time, and CHOAM threatened to revoke the Essen contract as well.

In 10,096 the troubles of House Ginaz came to a head. Frustrated by
Steffan's cold demeanor and lack of appreciation for all of her work,
Justine applied for and was granted an annulment by the Emperor himself,
who took her in to House Corrino's protection. Her support being the
lynchpin that held together the House's tenuous alliances, Steffan found
himself leading a house that was friendless and poor. Against the advice
of most of his advisors, Steffan allowed himself to be baited into a duel
with the Moritani swordmaster, Shane Padron. In front of most of the
powers of the Landsraad and the Imperium, Steffan Lear was slain and the
Moritani were granted victory in the kanly. Rather than liquidate House
Ginaz entirely, Siridar-Countess Ophelia Moritani chose to present House
Ginaz with a list of demands to fulfill upon the close of the
kanly. Having little choice, the Ginaz accepted.

However, with Steffan and his brother Srulin out of the way, the path was
cleared for the ascension of Jacob Anselm Ginaz, the former Head
Instructor at the Ginaz Academy of Warfare. Much to his surprise, he was
elevated to the Marquisdom, and he rapidly set about rebuilding the
considerable political ties that Steffan destroyed. Thankfully, a
concurrent turnover in Siridari in many of the other important Houses
Major made his task easier, as many of those currently in power had not
experienced Steffan's reign. He quickly reestablished and old alliance
with House Atreides and is currently seeking to reaffirm the mutual
support with House Bajazet. Rumor has it that he has reached some sort of
agreement with Ophelia Moritani as well, and that this agreement may have
involved several heated negotiations in her bedchambers. The transition
away from the rule of the Lear family has aided in distancing House Ginaz
from the past actions of its rulers, helping Jacob's case even more. Now
he seeks to retain the Essen CHOAM contract as well as gain a seat on the
Landsraad High Council, to announce to the Known Universe that House Ginaz
is once again a political force to be reckoned with.

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2. House Character

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2.1 Summary

House Ginaz is an extremely pragmatic house, known for its moderation in
all things. While the splendors of the palace on Marcinko rivals any of
the other palaces of the great houses, House Ginaz is not known to spend
lots of money on itself. This reflects the traditional Ginaz belief in
democracy. House Ginaz attempts to embody all of the ideas of romanticism
and liberal democracy as best it can, while also respecting its strict
martial past.

Most members of House Ginaz are well-trained duelists, their skills honed
with extensive training and hard work. Most members of House Ginaz live an
austere way of life, even in stately ceremony. The Marquis prefers to wear
the uniform of a Ginaz Academy of Warfare graduate, sparsely
embellished. Despite the traditional formality of protocol under the Lear
family, Jacob's court is more relaxed. Any non-Ginaz are treated with
extremely polite formality although a sense of easy-goingness seems to
pervade everything.

Intrigue within House Ginaz is practically nonexistent. There is a
standing rule that if anyone plots to kill someone within the House and is
discovered, the plotter is executed by the same method with which they
planned to commit the assassination. Despite this, it is generally well
known that the Lear family has made several attempts on the lives of Ginaz
family members, succeeding in killing Jacob's nephew Angkor while trying
to kill Jacob. This internal strife was not reciprocated and appears to be
ended now that the Lear family has all but become extinct.

House Ginaz is mainly a political house, preferring to exert influence
there in order to win friends and punish enemies. The Ginaz do, however,
maintain a small but extremely well trained and equipped military that is
a match for nearly any House's save the Corrinos. Economics are a weak
point currently, as Jacob has neglected that area in favor of focusing on
improving the House's political standing. Once political power is secured,
restoring some basic level of economic security will become a priority.

It should be noted that the current Siridar, Jacob Ginaz, is at the
forefront of a movement on Marcinko that styles itself the spiritual
descendants of Terran Japanese Samurai warriors. No actual lineage is
traced, and this styling is very similar to the way modern academics
emulate ancient Greek scholars. Many of the ideals of the Samurai and
House Ginaz are similar: honor and loyalty are tantamount. The formality
of ancient Japan is however not emulated.

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2.2 Religion

Although the Ginaz are traditionally believers in Orange Catholicism, it
remains to be seen what the religious affiliation of the new Marquis
is. Most of the populace of Marcinko are observant Orange Catholics. The
Marcinko OC brand of worship has an orthodox flavor to it, with an
emphasis on personal prayer as well as daily worship.

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2.3 Relations with Non-Landsraad Factions

2.3.1 Bene Gesserit

The Bene Gesserit hold a special place in the heart of House Ginaz,
because of their religious affiliation. However, this special place is
tempered by the knowledge that the Bene Gesserit have another
master. House Ginaz treats the Bene Gesserit as much of the world treated
the Jesuits during the height of Jesuit power; holy messengers doing great
work in the world.

2.3.2 Bene Tleilaxu

House Ginaz has had little historical interaction with the Bene Tleilaxu,
and it does not wish to increase this level of interaction. While the Bene
Tleilax machines of warfare might be highly prized within the House, the
House has a deep hatred of any technology that smacks of forbidden
computer minds. This stems from much of the warfare that resulted from the
fighting that occurred on Ginaz due to its proximity to the orbit of
Holtzman. Genetic engineering, however, is looked upon with curiosity
rather than hatred.

2.3.3 The Guild

House Ginaz views the Guild as it views the Emperor. Being that the Guild
is one of the three pillars that holds this society together it is treated
with extreme caution. House Ginaz, like any other House, will go out of
its way to not endanger its space travel privileges.

2.3.4 Ix

Again, House Ginaz is traditionally distrustful of the Ixians, because of
the Butlerian Jihad and the destruction of Planet Ginaz by
Holtzman; therefore the Ginaz would treat the Ixians in much the same way
as they would the Tleilaxu, and perhaps with more distrust.

2.3.5 Smugglers

There is always an element that lives outside the law and House Ginaz has
always had great respect for the law. Therefore House Ginaz frowns upon
any who live outside the law, although their services may be utilized if
it furthers the good of the house. No matter how much business is done, no
career criminal will ever be trusted fully.


2.4 The Citizenry

The Ginaz traditionally view government as flowing from the people. This
has always been their stance and with the current Marquis it is most
exemplified. With the current system of government that is in effect House
Ginaz treats its citizens as a responsibility not to be taken lightly
because the citizens have no right to rule nor any representation. Toward
this end the Marquis always holds a kind of informal audience session once
a week where anyone is allowed to meet and petition him.

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3. The Home World, Marcinko

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3.1 Summary

House Ginaz is located on the heavily forested and rather cold planet of
Marcinko. The Ginaz originally come from the planet that is their
namesake, Ginaz (which had a similar climate). However, because of the
massive amounts of fighting that took place on and near Ginaz and the huge
amounts of space debris that was generated by the destruction of Holtzman
in Ginaz orbit, the Ginaz were moved to their current planet of Marcinko.

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3.2 Ecology

Marcinko is a heavily forested planet, located extremely far from the
center of the galactic cluster. Winter is the dominant season. A variety
of white pine tree known as the Marcinko Pine dominates the forests, with
other plant life being confined mostly to smaller shrubs and bushes and
various foodstuffs that are cultivated in greenhouses. Although the
economy of the House is based on heavy industry, many ecological
precautions are taken, and the wilderness of Marcinko remains pristine.

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3.3 Economy

The Ginaz economy is based on heavy precision industry and production of 
weapons for its military and the Academy of Warfare. The Academy is one of 
the largest employers on Marcinko, creating jobs and stimulating the local 
economy. It occupies a sub-continent (similar to Australia on today's Earth). 
This sub-continent is basically a large military training area and a large  
college, where all forms of combat are taught and any academic subject that  
could conceivably relate to battle is available for study.

The rest of the economy of House Ginaz revolves around heavy industry and
precision crafting. This includes, but is not limited to, finely crafted
blades of all sorts, projectile weapons, a small lasgun factory complex,
ground cars, and acceptable electronics. The planetary economy is
currently in poor shape compared to other Houses Major; this is due
largely to the pressures of war as well as prior mismanagement.

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4. Faction Members

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For a current list of faction members, please refer to the House Ginaz
website:

http://jacobginaz.tripod.com/

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5. Faction Protocols 

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5.1 Crest and Colors of House Ginaz

The emblem of House Ginaz is a stylized purple and silver dragonfly, seen
in profile in mid-flight, on a background of black. Purple is considered
to be the primary color of the House, followed by black and silver, but
most dress uniforms are likely to be mostly black (purple uniforms just
look kind of silly). All members of the House are expected to display the
crest of the House in some manner on their clothing, whether in formal
dress uniform or in eveningwear or casual clothing.

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5.1.1 Crest and Colors of Related Houses Minor

House Ginaz, like every other House Major, has several Houses Minor with
which it is officially allied, some more strongly than others. Several of
these Houses Minor are represented by characters that are currently
IC; their emblems and colors are listed here. Members of a House Minor are
still required to display House Ginaz livery, and they may choose to also
display the emblem of their House Minor.

For more information about affiliated Houses Minor please see the official
House Ginaz website.

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5.2 Internal Protocols

Honor above all, especially in dealing with nobles of the House. Even
those of lower rank shall be addressed by their honorific titles during
formal occasions and always when in public (ie, when any non-Ginaz are
present) unless all present are on familiar terms. A character's proper
honorific can always be discovered by checking his or her +sheet and
looking under "address".

Most members of the House are allowed access to the Marquis and his
family; this is unlike many other Houses. The Marquis often takes time out
of his schedule for impromptu meetings and short social visits, and prides
himself on his accessibility to most of the members of the House. (In
other words, if you want to meet with Jacob, page or @mail him, but
suggest a reason for the meeting, as a Siridar cannot often 'hang out'
because there are always pressing matters to attend to).

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5.3 Official Code of Conduct

Again, HONOR is the word of the day. ALWAYS treat nobility with respect,
even if your rank is higher, and even if you are insulted! If your honor
is besmirched you may challenge the offender, but make sure it is worth
it! The Ginaz are practical creatures and do not take offense at the drop
of a hat; however, once turned to an enemy a Ginaz will fight hard until
the matter is resolved. Make no move until your hand is forced, and then
end it as quickly as possible. When you finally strike, pull no punches.

HOWEVER: When you are interacting with anyone outside of House Ginaz, your
actions represent the entire House. Conduct yourself with the utmost
decorum and taste; if you do something that dishonors the House there will
be grave consequences to pay. If you are in doubt about how to conduct
yourself, do not hesitate to OOCly ask another House member on the Ginaz
channel.

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5.4 Instructions for Interacting with Specific Houses Major

5.4.1 House Alvstad

"Frosty relations are better than none at all." So spoke Jacob Ginaz after
meeting Pers Eskilsen, leader of House Alvstad, for the first time. House
Alvstad has traditionally supported House Moritani in their kanly with the
Ginaz. Their considerable financial support helped the Moritani achieve
many victories over us, but many Ginaz view their lack of physical
involvement in the kanly to be a sign of cowardice. Always be sure to
address members of this House properly and most formally, but no need to
do them any favors. Now that the kanly is ended, this relationship may
improve ... or at least begin to thaw.

5.4.2 House Atreides

Strong ties have bound the Ginaz and the Atreides for ages untold. Jacob
Ginaz and Margot Atreides have formalized this bond with a comprehensive
and strong alliance. Any members of the Atreides should be treated as
warmly as any Ginaz, and with as much respect as a trusted ally
deserves. Atreides can usually be called upon for aid when needed, and you
should endeavor to aid them whenever possible. A transgression against an
Atreides by a Ginaz will likely be handled the same way that intra-Ginaz
conflicts are resolved; quickly and harshly.

5.4.3 House Bajazet

Traditionally allies of the Ginaz; this bond has however weakened slightly
as the current leaders of the two Houses seem not to be as close as in
previous generations. The Marquis strives to improve this relationship, so
treat any Bajazets you may meet with proper respect and warmth; they are
friends. It should be noted that House Ginaz strongly disapproves of
slavery; however, you are ordered not to bring this up with any member of
House Bajazet.

5.4.4 House Harkonnen

Our relationship with House Harkonnen is difficult to sum up. Traditional
allies of the Moritani, the relationship has never been great. However,
there are ties between Jacob Ginaz and Baron Harkonnen, and even stronger
ones with the Baron's daughter, Ulricke. These bonds were formed largely
at the Academy of Warfare, and despite the fact that official relations
are still on the cool side, the houses are far from being enemies. This
relationship might be strained by our alliance with the Atreides; although
the Atreides-Harkonnen conflict is not officially active right now, there
is bad blood between the two houses. Always treat Harkonnen folk with
respect, and take care not to piss them off (it's not that hard).

5.4.5 House Moritani

Formerly the ancient and sworn enemies of the Ginaz, the Ginaz-Moritani
kanly had been in effect for more than five thousand years, and has its
roots in even more ancient conflict. Despite the fact that this kanly is
now officially ended, hundreds of generations of hate and war cannot be
healed overnight, or even in several generations. Still, there is some
open friendship between members of these houses now, and there is rumored
to be some sort of romantic connection between the Marquis Ginaz and
Contessa Moritani. The Marquis' niece (Delana) is pledged to marry the
Moritani Swordmaster (Shane Padron, incidentally the man who killed
Steffan Lear) as part of the kanly reparations. This relationship is
starting to become good, but is highly unstable. Act with extreme
caution; one misstep could cause five thousand more years of war and
bloodshed.

5.4.6 House Rastanyev

This House has traditionally been allied with the Emperor, in contrast
with House Ginaz' strong pro-Landsraad leanings. In fact, Lady Tat'iana
Rastanyev is to be married to the Emperor sometime soon. However, there is
a budding friendship growing between Ginaz and Rastanyev, led by Jacob
Ginaz and Ekaterina Rastanyev-Stalinsky, dom-Tsara of the House. The
Rastanyevs are to be honored; even if no alliance ever forms the two
houses have a deep respect for one another. Traditionally a strong
economic house, this resource would prove a great boon to the economically
strapped Ginaz, and we can provide other resources for them as well. A
mutually beneficial friendship, not to be trifled with. Their traditions
seem more on the formal side than our own, so take care to honor them with
the proper forms of address and the like.

5.4.7 House Corrino

The Corrinos have held the Lion Throne for ten thousand years. The Ginaz
have been one of the strongest pro-Landsraad voices for much of that
time. It should therefore come as no surprise that there is often some
enmity between these two houses, at least politically speaking. However,
Lady Justine Garamond has been seen around the Ginaz Embassy frequently of
late; she was once the wife of Steffan Lear, former Siridar-Marquis of the
Ginaz, but was granted an annulment by the Emperor himself because of his
neglect of her. It seems to be high on the new Marquis' list of priorities
to attempt to right the wrongs that the Ginaz have dealt to her, and a
friendship is growing quickly. In addition, Jacob Ginaz has recently been
granted permission to conduct lessons in sword technique for na-Empress
Jenaa Corrino. All those in the employ of the Emperor should always be
treated with the utmost respect, but always bear in mind that the Corrinos
and the Ginaz rarely see eye-to-eye on matters political and economic.


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6. Contact Information

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If you have any questions ask any of our faction members online, they
would be more than happy to assist you in making the right decision. When
it comes time to apply for a role within House Ginaz, there are two main
steps. First, you must work up a detailed character profile, containing
the character's history (including how they came to their current position
as well as how they came to the employ of House Ginaz), a detailed
psychological profile (what are his/her aspirations? Major flaws?) and as
much other detail as possible. This profile should be sent to
House_Ginaz@hotmail.com. I do not want any perfect characters - weaknesses
and flaws make for much more interesting RP. Also, please, no more
orphans! There are plenty of guides on the MUSH website to help you
include appropriate details, and soon there will be profiles of some of
the faction members posted online here for your perusal.

If you have any questions, please contact Jacob, either online (via @mail
or page) or over email (House_Ginaz@hotmail.com).

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