Sphinxes

The Sphinxes are a political faction in the High Council of Valyria.

History
The Sphinxes consist of the families that were already established before the unification of the Freehold -- and the taming of dragons, or so they claim. Thus, their symbol is the sphinx, which was the symbol of Valyria before the hatching of the dragons, and is still a common motif around the Freehold.

Political stance
The Sphinxes are generally quite conservative and prefer to focus on growing their own wealth rather than focusing on foreign wars of conquest.

They almost always marry close kin, unless it is impossible (such as not enough children of a certain gender), and if not, they will usually marry another Sphinx house.

While they are tolerant of all beliefs like all Valyrians, they tend to follow the customs of the traditional Valyrian religion more closely than the Young Dragons.

Houses of the Sphinxes

 * House Binoreon
 * House Embaryen
 * House Galareon
 * House Gelenkys
 * House Haedaryen
 * House Illigreon
 * House Ilvonys
 * House Iperys
 * House Jaedorys
 * House Kastaryon
 * House Nuquiris
 * House Orbareon
 * House Qelbareon
 * House Vaezerys