House Grivas

House Grivas is an extremely wealthy and influential force in Alsonan politics. The management of the Gordon Prison and surrounding areas has made this family into a force to be reckoned with by any of the neighboring noble families. Although they lack the strength to be a true contender for the throne or other political power, they have established themselves in a supporting position that has proven to be a kingmaker position in past conflicts between other families. They maintain both some limited martial strength, but are known to be loyal to the royal family above all else.

Public Agenda

The countesses of House Grivas have always publicly stood behind the royal family and traditional values of Alsona. They have refused to take up the "common" parlance of attempting rivalry with Parthenonas, but instead have focused upon building up their own wealth and position in the courts. They are extremely devout, but recently have become more independently politically active. Standing in line behind the Queen, the countess of House Grivas was the first to sound the alarm about the risks of the dwarven refugees from the Apps Mountains and the threats they could pose to society. They also railed against the Crysos Mining Company, and their prison at Wingo Mine. When the Wingo rebellion and war broke out, they had the good decency to not say "We told you so" to the other noble houses. To this day, they actively oppose rights for dwarves and elves in Alsona, and advocate for expelling any that remain in Alsonan territory.

Assets

The leaders of House Grivas have possessed great wealth from the taxation of trade that goes through Gordon over the centuries of day to day rule, but this is only a small portion of their wealth and power. They possess a small amount of personal levies, but these are all channeled into the defense and guard of Gordon Prison. The prison's operation provides substantial wealth to the family, as nobles from all across Alsona and even other nations provide financing and gold to keep the prison operational. Every convict and prisoner within its walls is paid for by outside powers, which has led to ever growing wealth and influence for the family. They also own a series of estates and farms around Grivas, and pay tenant farmers to help maintain these properties. The produce is then sold to the people of Gordon and the caravans that pass through, looking to build up supplies for distant journeys.