Lords of the Known Worlds

Herein are the detailed histories and sociologies of the five Royal Houses, 10 minor houses, and alien nobility:Ur-Obun council members, Ur-Ukar chieftains and Vorox Lords.

From the publisher:

Nobles are the unquestioned rulers of the universe. Few are privy to their lifestyles and secrets, and the great unwashed understand little of the perks (and problems) associated with rulership. There are taxes to collect, wars to wage, and rivals to crush. Indeed, as any noble would tell you, the sacrifices they endure more than justify their opulent lifestyles. Not just anybody can be such a martyr; it takes blood privilege. A privilege the nobility protects at all costs, even if it requires deadly duels or declarations of war.