Royal Fostering

It has been common practice in Aerdy for centuries for the recognized heir of one royal house to be fostered from age two or three until early adulthood, about age 14, by the leading family of another royal house. Gradually, this practice spread until it became commonplace among all princely families. The original idea was that the fostered child would be a hostage to ensure peace, and at the same time would learn the values and ideas of other houses. It worked, in that one house would often not attack the lands of another for fear that its own heir would be slain.

Since the accession of Ivid I, however, such fostering only became common among families who actually trusted each other, an increasingly unlikely state of affairs. Nonetheless, knowing who has fostered whom among Aerdi royalty is often vital to understanding local politics.