House Ginaz

House Ginaz was a Great House that sat on the Landsraad Council in the past. They were almost exclusively known for their central contribution to the Imperium, the Ginaz School. Most of House Ginaz was destroyed in a War of Assassins by House Moritani.

Lore

House Ginaz drew its origin from the water-world of Ginaz, which was very similar to Old Earth, albeit with landmasses more akin to scattered archipelagos than actual continents. It was from this world that a small culture of ferocious warriors developed. Eventually, during the Butlerian Jihad, these warriors would play a pivotal role as mercenaries that specialized in hand-to-hand combat. Centuries later, these valuable people grew into a major House of the Landsraad.

"Though the Emperor wills it, it would be a crime against the Imperium to destroy a teacher such as you."
- Count Fenring

House Ginaz centered around a few chief pursuits, such as producing renowned artists and entertainers, but none were so influential as the Ginaz Academy.

The Ginaz Academy was, as described by Swordmaster Duncan Idaho, a towering set of colossal neoclassical temples constructed of white marble meant to impress upon prospective students the weight and importance of what was taught within their walls. Given the supreme trust and confidence afforded to the highest ranked graduates of the academy, those with the official title of "Swordmaster", it can be inferred that relatively few students managed to attain the perfection in skills to graduate.

"You nearly had me there. A lesser man would feel threatened. I am a worthy man, and so I take pride in the efficacy of my teachings."
- Seron Varlin

Swordmasters, once graduated and returned to the Imperium, were highly sought after by Major and Minor Houses alike. Those who found a place within a House, such as Duncan Idaho in House Atreides, would perform many duties within their House ranging from tutoring the House's melee fighters to serving as a one-person special forces unit in times of war. To that effect, the greatest swordmasters were superior to even the feared Imperial Sardaukar and could train small armies rivalling the Imperial army in skill.

"Since the fall of House Ginaz, more of that culture slips away every day. We only hold onto it by what we pass on."
- Duncan Idaho

After the fall of House Ginaz at the hands of House Moritani during a previous War of Assassins, the remaining swordmasters seemed to independently turn their focus to preserving the culture and teachings of the legendary Ginaz School. Even those who had fallen upon hard times, like Seron Varlin, Duncan Idaho's former teacher at the Academy, regarded preserving and continuing the school's legacy to be one of the noblest pursuits he could partake in.