Exploring the Origin of House Ordos in the Dune Franchise

House Ordos may not be a familiar name to many Dune fans. Originating from the Dune video games developed by Westwood Studios, this faction adds a unique twist to the desert planet. However, some fans have wondered about their presence in the original novel, Dune, and the expanded universe of the Dune Encyclopedia.

Westwood’s Creation?

As far as it was known, House Ordos was entirely a creation of Westwood Studios. In my research, I have read a fair few of Frank Herbert’s Dune books, and apart from mentioning names like IX, Tiel-Auj, Bene Gesserit, Sardakur, or the Freemen, the Ordos are not mentioned elsewhere in the original novels. This raises the question of their presence in the Dune universe and the extent of their role.

The Dune Encyclopedia’s Take on House Ordos

The Dune Encyclopedia, a valuable resource for understanding the Dune universe, sheds some light on House Ordos. This encyclopedic collection of information and essays was published in 1984 and was not considered canon by Frank Herbert. Yet, Herbert provided his "delighted approval" for the addition of this information.

Coat of Arms and Additional Details

The only other mention of House Ordos in the Dune Encyclopedia comes in the form of their coat of arms or house sigil. If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you can think of it as their "House sigil."

According to McNelly Willis E.'s entry in the Dune Encyclopedia, on page 381, the ordos' coat of arms is as follows:

“Great Houses, Arms, Pennants, and Insignia.” Dune Encyclopedia, p. 381.

There is, however, one small and intriguing detail about House Ordos found on page 375 of the same Dune Encyclopedia. It lists their presence in a table that shows the Great Houses and the votes accorded to them in the Landsraad at the beginning of Emperor Paul Muad’Dib’s reign. House Ordos is listed as having seven votes.

Westwood’s Choice to Include House Ordos

Some might wonder why Westwood Studios chose to include House Ordos in their video games, given the vast number of other factions that also did not make the cut. However, it can be argued that the game and the universe are better off because of this decision. Houses like the Ixians, Tiel-Auj, and Bene Gesserit were already well-established and well-explored. By creating and introducing the Ordos, Westwood Studios added a fresh and intriguing element to the Dune universe.

Despite their presence in the video games, the Ordos remain a lesser-known aspect of the Dune universe. Their unique design and the mystery surrounding them make them a notable addition to fans who appreciate the depth and breadth of the Dune franchise.