The Landsraad
In-game
In Dune: Awakening, the player created guilds will be able to grow into a "House Minor" by allying themselves with one of the Great Houses.[1]
Also, through the "Landsraad system" the players aligned with the Great Houses, Atreides and Harkonnen, will be able to "vote on things which will impact the whole world".[1] The Landsraad will be in charge of giving out objectives to the Great houses, instead of the player directly, players will then be able to talk to representatives from their Great House to learn of what their tasks are. These tasks may require factions to work together in order to gain the Landsraad's support.[2] (if they choose, participating isn't mandatory[3])
You will also be able to betray a faction once, and then once you betray them you can never do it again. We can also be factionless.[4]
In Universe
In Dune, the Landsraad serves as a governing body in the universe that represented the Great Houses, it was overseen by the Emperor himself. The presence of this body helped stand against the Emperor, preventing the houses from being wiped out one by one by the Imperial throne.
During the Landsraad's meetings, the houses could participate in politics such as:
- Trade agreements
- Alliances
- Kanly or 'formal war'