The House Divided

Cambridge and Boston

Duchess Day and Duke Ottersblood are both allies and rivals. Their holdings abut one another and divide the Boston area, so their interests are often the same --- an invasion would effect them both, to give a very brutal example. However, they often disagree on the direction for the fae of the area: Ottersblood is fairly conservative, whereas Day is a modernist. While neither of them is working to overthrow the other, there is a certain amount of usually friendly disagreement and jostling over policy. At some times in the past one of them has done something a little too drastic, resulting in strained relations between their courts for up to a year. It is interesting to note that in the sixties, Duke Ottersblood was the rebellious voice of modernism and chaos, speaking against the more stodgy reign of Duke Marchant Day.

House United Update: this conflict is of course no longer important. Boston and Cambridge are now united under the rule of Duke Ottersblood.

Harvard and Radcliffe

The county of Harvard-Radcliffe (which by treaty is always ruled over by a marriage between the Countess of Radcliffe and the Count of Harvard) is, as it has always been, a focus for extremely petty power struggles. On serious issues, there is almost no disagreement in this divided court. But on smaller issues, such as who should command the guards, or whether the decoration in the main hall should be replaced with silver trim, or what type of braid should be used on servant's uniforms --- there is always contention, and the court does keep score as to which side, Harvard or Radcliffe, is currently ahead. In past times one side has sometimes gotten an incredible lead over the other, leading to stupid theatrics or brave quests on the part of the supporters of the losing side. It all evens out in the end.

House United Update: the conflict also is closed. Radcliffe won out in the end due to the Countess's loyalty to her Champion. The Count's treachery was justly rewarded.

Town and Country

Duke Ottersblood and Duchess Day, and their vassals (with some exceptions) are often called the "town lords" of New England. There is some political tension between them and the rulers of more pastoral areas --- Cape Cod and the Berkshires are the most local powerful duchies. While the town lords might, for instance, attempt to have a new arts center placed in the city to increase the urban glamour, the "country lords" would try to have it put far from major settlement to encourage people to go back to nature.

House United Update: the merging of the two town Duchies creates the political equivalent of and 800 pound gorilla. One can't imagine that the country lords are two happy about that --- the traditional emnity between Boston and Cambridge kept them out of the countryside, but now there's no reason for Duke Ottersblood to stay at home...