House Kiku-Valen

The second largest noble house in the Kingdom of Heroncourt, House Kiku-Valen has long been considered the greatest political ally and the greatest political enemy to the throne of Sidhe Karobh. Kiku-Valen's military was considered to be without equal - up until the arrival of the Warforged and King Melail Larethaen's subsequent decree banning the use of Elven troops for war via the Seregorn Accords. Rather than disband their armed forces, Kiku-Valen planned to continue amassing and training troops. However, sixty years is a long time for an army to remain dormant and docile. The costs alone for maintaining a standing army became astronomical, especially without the return on investment usually associated with hiring out their soldiers to other Kingdoms. Without a benefactor, House Kiku-Valen's fortunes may be entirely exhausted to the point of bankrupting the House. Refual to relent on this matter is causing political and personal rifts between House Kiku-Valen's ruling family, as well their allies. This quiet animosity is the only reason many speculate whether Kiku-Valen will ultimately fall from its position of power amongst the Heroncourt Houses - or whether they will do something drastic to seize power back. Rumors speculate there are currently hundreds of thousands of gold coins being quietly bet for which way the wind will blow. Another thorn in the political side of House Kiku-Valen is one of its own making - the recent appointment of a foreigner to serve as the Bladesworn of the House heir-apparent, Jordalyn Kiku-Valen. This foreigner, a mysterious woman named Sikinon, is whispered to be from the Yonaka Empire. Many question whether this move is a not-so-subtle insult to King Larethaen, who currently campaigns to prepare the armies of Sidhe Karobh against the "ever present and looming threat" of the Empire.