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- Kincaid Overview
- The Kincaids
- Family Specific Info
- Family Superstition
- Culture
- Recent Timeline
- Political Relations
Lakeshire is the seat of the House of Kincaid. Lakeshire is a popular tourist port with one of the largest ports around. There is a famous market square that hosts a large variety of commodities and rare items imported and exported throughout the world, as no nation is necessarily excluded from such trade agreements. The horizon is lush greenery with the grey-blue sea, sandy beaches and fertile farmlands. Exports of supplies to the nearby towns without ports from ships that come in, thereby making a tax from the trade industry.
The Kincaid's have been the ruling family to the Duchy since the foundation of the Empire, but grew stronger when the Royal Kilgour's took rule over Mobrin. The history of the family is quite extensive and while there are mysteries surrounding the Kincaid's at times of succession or over their superstitions, Kincaid's are known for being a great House in Mobrin, often with steady and clever rulers at the Head. Their direction has always been economically driven, however, Kincaid's are also known for being a house of vast knowledge. They study sciences fiercely and have been known to have grown quite a few inventors amongst their ranks. As well, the Duke has built a famous infirmary to be recognized as the place to study as a healer, producing many leading experts in the field.
While Kincaid's, like other great Houses, do have a military presence, they have never established a renowned Knighthood, preferring the traditions of infantry on land and warships on sea. It is more often that a man would seek to become a renowned captain in Lakeshire rather than a knight. It is not to say they do not have knights, just not in the number and greatness of other Houses. Soldiers and Seamen have become the pride of Kincaid, hence their motto: "By Sword or Sea Our Fate Shall Be."
The Kincaid sigil comes from the Lake Kincaid Water Lily. The Lily is in abundance during summer and clogs the shallows to the point of frustration, even if celebrated. The lily itself plays an important part in everyday life in Lakeshire, involved in many of the traditions and customs adapted in the region.
From Aidan's Perspective
GrandFather on Father's Side: Cyril Kincaid (deceased)
GrandMother on Father's Side: Ina Kincaid nee Kilgour (deceased)
GrandFather on Mother's Side: Darren Forrester (deceased)
GrandMother on Mother's Side: Nenabella Forrester nee Kerrigan (deceased)
Father: Daemon Kincaid (deceased)
Mother: Asrella Kincaid nee Forrester
Uncles on Father Side: Brennon Kincaid (exiled), Hayton Kincaid, Chayse Kincaid (deceased), Peterson Kincaid (deceased)
Uncles on Mother's Side: Anton Forrester, Nikolas Forrester
Aunts on Father's Side: Lysendria (Married), Esmeralda Kincaid (Priesthood), Zoella (Married), Cynthia Wuold nee Kincaid (deceased)
Aunts on Mother's Side: Tamara (Widowed)
Brothers: Arlen Kincaid (married to Senga Ambrose), Desmond Kincaid (deceased), Donnal Kincaid (married to Lisalla Kincaid nee Ruxton), Malakai Kincaid (married to Eva Kincaid nee Bellerose)
Sisters: Danallia Kincaid (Priesthood), Rayosia Kincaid (Spinster)
Lady Wife: Isys Kincaid nee Crawford (deceased), Nylie Kincaid nee Kilgour
Sons By Isys: Hadrian Kincaid, Bowen Kincaid
Daughters By Isys: Aemy Ruxton nee Kincaid (Married to Robben Ruxton), Lynette Kerrigan nee Kincaid (Married to Shepard Kerrigan)
Nephews: Daune Kincaid (by Arlen X Senga), Kierne Kincaid (Donnal X Lisalla), Kriseph Kincaid (Donnal X Lisalla) (deceased)
Nieces: Faerinia Kincaid (by Arlen X Senga), Kittainna Kincaid (Donnal X Lisalla),
Grandsons: Josiah Ruxton (Aemy X Robben)
Granddaughters: Mariana Ruxton (Aemy X Robben)
Grand Nephews:
Grand Nieces:
Cousins (children by Uncles/Aunts): Keven Kincaid (by Hayton), Connelly Kincaid (by Peterson) (deceased), Jarvis Kincaid (by Peterson), Reginald Abedazer Wuold (by Cynthia Kincaid X Homer Wuold)
Children by Cousins: Alistaire Kincaid (Keven X Bria), Cory Kincaid (Keven X Bria), Sorcha Kincaid (Keven X Bria),
Obviously there may be some characters here that are not listed. We are a growing family.
If I missed your character, let me know.
If you would like familial ties, please +mail Aidan on game or speak with staff.
Also, many do not have LAST names, as family trees are in the works for all houses.
Regarding Women
Political position, fertility, nor beauty are considered top traits Kincaid's look for when searching for brides to be for themselves or their kin. Intelligence is key. Kincaid's want women with knowledge in economics, sciences, stewardship, diplomacy, history, or law. They want women who are strong mentally, who can reason, who have opinions, who can constantly challenge them in private. Any skill that could be an asset to her House, her sons, her daughters, the future of all Kincaid's is what has become valued the most.
Kincaid's great success since the first year under Mobrin rule has come from this sense of equality shared between husband and wife. In public, traditionally, the husband would make the decisions and be the fierce Household name, though in such marriages, it is not out of the ordinary for the wife to represent and make decisions. Behind closed doors, a wife knew her husband's every thought and secret, and he knew her own. Together, they must forge a partnership unrivaled, unheard of, strictly Kincaid. The men and women of the house are trained to understand this - taught from day one to respect one another and test one another as equals.
Many would say that a smart woman is a dangerous woman – Kincaid’s not only produce them, but want them.
Regarding Succession
If not killed on the battlefield, the men who take on the rule as Duke of Lakeshire often die suspiciously and in mysterious ways that cannot be explained. This has led to a history mired with political disputes between family members in times of successions. These disputes that can last decades and at other times can be quite serious - recent history had Daemon Kincaid and Hayton Kincaid turn Lakeshire into a place of civil war.
Not all the succession deaths recorded in history were defined as unknown or old age. There are murders noted. Punishments for those accused of an assassination have been recorded from exile, imprisonment, to death. Only great historians can notice the trend: the culprits were oft the eldest son.
Regarding Funeral Rites
Over the generations, House Kincaid has established their own funeral rites and practices for members of their House, including those who marry into the line. Upon their death, the deceased member of the House is transported by a Funeral Ship into the middle of Lake Kincaid. There, they are laid unto a uniquely designed funeral pyre boat, which is launched from the Funeral Ship, bedded with the finest linen’s and surrounded by the Lake Lily.
Once cast off from the Funeral Ship, an archer will take aim with a fire tipped arrow to ignite the rowboat’s pyre. The Funeral Ship, which carries family and friends, will cast lilies into the sea and paper lanterns into the sky once the rowboat pyre catches. Each paper lantern will have written upon it memories and great deeds of the deceased member, as well as loving prayers and fond farewells.
Finally, when the Funeral Ship returns to port, a week will be spent in feast and games dedicated to the fallen member of the Kincaid family, a month should it be the ruling member.
Regarding Marriages
Kincaid's are renowned for marrying "Out" rather than in. While it is still possible to have a Kincaid marry into a vassal house, it is more appropriate for the Kincaid's to look outside of their Duchy 8 times out of 10. The reason for this can be found in their beginnings during the Empire. It was seen as 'wise' to have Kin in as many places as possible, to ensure that the lines survive - evident in the way the early rule kept the villages spread out, so if one were to be burnt down from invasion the others would still stand. This kind of early thinking enabled the idea of loyal 'Aid' from their Kin, which is why sometimes it's said in mock to call for the "Kin's Aid."
Kincaid Chess
This tradition dictates that every person born as a Kincaid is to be fashioned their own set of ‘chess pieces’ when they are old enough to start playing the game and guide the fabrication of their designs to a game maker (each piece distinctly unique, no two pieces in a set ever identical). Each Kincaid is allowed only one side of the board – black or white - to be custom designed (pieces can be coloured beyond the black and white, but should represent the traditional side the set should be cast upon). This set, henceforth, must always be used when playing Chess.
It is seen as bad luck to play with any set of pieces but their own and should they not have access to their own set, a Kincaid must deny the pleasure of play. House Kincaid believes playing with a borrowed set leads to endless misfortune with the owner of the borrowed set – such as failed marriage negotiations, still births, injuries, etc. Kincaid's believe the owner of the borrowed set is forever entangled in the life of the Kincaid who used the set, turning that Kincaid a pawn and often causing that Kincaid some measure of disgrace.
Kincaid’s are to learn and master chess, as it has become the Household Game. Once their personal set has been completed by the game maker, the game maker has a ‘ritual showing’ to the House. The pieces are covered until the presentation is made – with the young Kincaid who designed the set not aware of the superstitions that preside over this display. At the conclusion, the Kincaid who the set was designed for, is to come forward and select their favourite piece, known as their Fate Piece. The belief is that the Fate Piece predicts the path that a Kincaid is destined to move. Example, a knight piece may predict a destiny rooted in Knighthood and be ever in battle for their King.
While Kincaid’s play chess, and most are masters of it, it is often avoided as well. The reason is that if a Kincaid gets defeated in Chess, they believe some measure of doom will befall them. Their fate will then entirely depends on their competitor’s piece that was used to checkmate. For example, if it is a bishop from the challenger’s side that corners the King, it may indicate their downfall will come in a religious manner.
When a Kincaid is defeated, they MUST surrender a piece to the challenger, normally the piece their challenger used to checkmate. Example, if the bishop was used to checkmate, the Kincaid will give over his or her the active ‘bishop’ piece, and if neither bishop piece is active, it will be the last standing bishop piece selected. House superstition dictates this must be followed, to go against is a bad omen. IF they must surrender their Fate Piece, this is superstitiously known to be an imminent prediction of the Kincaid’s coming death. The Kincaid traditionally then gets their affairs in order when this happens and in some manner bestows an 'honour' on the person who took their Fate Piece.
Finally, in victory, the Kincaid will ask for a piece from their challenger's set - same criteria as when they lose. The rules of victory are outlined in the beginning, to prepare their challenger to losing a piece. Therefore, those who consistently lose their own pieces can rebuild their set with pieces they have 'won' back. Poor chess players of the House end up with disorderly sets and can be a source of humiliation in the House, not to mention terribly unlucky and avoided. Those who have not lost a single piece from their own set are akin to being ordained by the gods themselves.
The culture of house Kincaid is one of constant flux, while they are loyal to the crown and to each other, the constant change in ideas and outlooks on life have Kincaid nobles on the leading edge of society when it comes to change. When chocola was brought to Darfield, a letter sent back had a Kincaid negotiating import and export rights with any and all to secure the most lucrative agreements.
The religious views of house Kincaid don't differ from most of Mobrin, they still pray heavily to the Eight. However it is also known that they take a more accepting approach to other culture's religions and not every single Kincaid followed the Light of the Eight, though they always respected and upheld their beliefs and traditions.
As one of the most worldly of houses, House Kincaid is known too for its tutors in the fields of Economics and Stewardship, Law and Philosophy, Logistics and Quartermastery, various Arts and Sciences, and certainly they are the leading experts in Diplomacy rivaled only by the Crown. Treasurers, Stewards, and Ambassadors are often sent to Lakeshire to study and learn to fill their respective roles.
170 2E – Cyril Kincaid dies suspiciously. Daemon is announced as Duke of Lakeshire but suffers challenges from his siblings for the title. These challenges continue throughout Daemon’s reign as Duke.
172 2E – Daemon convinces the King to exile Brennon “the Betrayer” Kincaid for his treachery, instead of sending him to the block.
174 2E – The Second War breaks out and Daemon calls in his banners to aid the King. Daemon arranges Lysendria’s marriage.
178 2E – Daemon and Asrella are married quickly during Second War. No heir is produced from the wedding night. Daemon goes afield. The lack of an Heir stirs inner House strife. Hayton asserts his influence over the House, overruling Asrella’s decisions, sending her to private estates. Hayton marries for power and influence without his brother’s permission – his focus turns to having an heir.
179 2E to 180 2E – Daemon returns to find the political moves of his brother to have profound effects on his House. Suspicions, lies, threats, and plots abound. Hayton has a son, people seek him out for guidance and rule. Hayton’s son then dies in infancy. Hayton blames his brother and comes into direct conflict with Daemon and challenges for position. A civil war breaks out in the Duchy, lasting for weeks. Daemon is the victor. Hayton retreats. Rangers are viewed less honourably for supporting Hayton, their numbers dwindle. Peterson is awarded a large barony for backing Daemon. Peterson marries considerably high. Chayse is given task over the fleet of Lakeshire. Chayse often visits Hayton, Daemon becomes suspicious, Chayse is sent abroad to be kept away from family politics.
181 2E – Brennon “The Betrayer” Kincaid returns to make amends. It is a short stay. He goes back to the Finger Islands where he has established his own family. Brennon leaves with a small fortune. Esmeralda goes against her brother’s wishes, as she supported Hayton, and turns to priesthood, refusing to marry as Daemon orders.
182 2E – Asrella gives Daemon an Heir - Aidan. Threats of further civil war fade. Zoella is betrothed during celebration, strong alliances are further formed with other great Houses.
184 2E – Arlen is born.
185 2E – Desmond is born. The House of Count Abir DeSalis and Countess Natalia DeSalis (vassals of the Duke of Kincaid) are murdered by poison. Daemon takes the loss personally as the ruling King and Queen put him to question. Daemon commits to hunting down every servant that was on duty that day. All those who are responsible, as many as he can get, are punished to the full extent of the law for the death of the Count and Countess. Daemon is thus thrown into a ruthless light and many learn not to become his enemy. The lands were handed over to Lorcan, who takes the last name DeSalis. Lorcan is the man who saved Count Abir's daughter, who will be Future Queen of Mobrin.
188 2E – Donnal is born.
189 2E – Danallia is born. Aidan is introduced to the sword and other strict training begins unrelenting.
192 2E – Rayosia is born.
193 2E – Aidan is squired to the Royal House.
195 2E – Malakai is born.
196 2E – Aidan returns to Lakeshire to continue his training at his father’s side. He is betrothed to Isys Crawford.
197 2E - Count Lorcan dies of old age. As he has no Heirs, Daemon reclaims the land for the Duchy before any disputes arise from it.
198 2E – Aidan is knighted for saving his father from an ambush.
200 2E – Daemon dies of an illness, some speculate it was poison. Aidan is made Duke of Lakeshire. No sooner is he besieged by his uncle Hayton who tries to exert his power over the young Kincaid. Uncles Peterson and Chayse also secure the role of advisors to their nephew. They are often in conflict with Hayton’s - the Duchy suffers from indecisions of the head of the House. Aidan is accused of being a puppet Duke. The Fleets follow Chayse, the armies follow Peterson, the rangers follow Hayton. Tensions rise. Plots for Aidan's assassination are discovered, though not who ordered it.
201 2E — Aidan marries Isys Crawford, to affirm his position and continue strong alliances made back when his father ruled. Isys was ready to be a Duchess. She informed Aidan bluntly of his ‘lack’ of power and took the assassination attempts seriously. Aidan spends the next year trying to reaffirm his position, spilling the blood of his people to find whose behind the plots against him . His brother Arlen and Desmond helped him in this, becoming known as the Three Sons of Lakeshire.
202 2E – Hadrian was born to Aidan and Isys. Hayton is forced to retire to his estate, under Aidan’s order. The rangers are disbanded from Lakeshire for a month. Advised such extreme measures, they are eventually welcomed back. Lakeshire loses highly qualified rangers and barely keep the surviving order above fifty men.
207 2E- Arlen takes over the Fleets, and Desmond takes over the Armies. Both Chayse and Peterson are asked to continue as mentors but are encouraged to retire. With the strong support of his two brothers, Aidan becomes the undisputed Head of House and turns Lakeshire's profits for the better - building a famous infirmary and several more tourist mansions on the shorelines of Lake Kincaid.
208 2E - Arlen has his first child with his wife Senga, naming him Daune. Desmond is sent to Weston, builds relations there and respect as a commander.
209 2E – Aemy is born, and Aidan starts to become concerned already about her future, looking for potential matches. In doing so, Rayosia is left out of marriage contract talks, instead, she starts becoming an important shadow figure in the Lakeshire economy talks, helping Aidan's brother Arlen.
210 2E - Arlen has a daughter named Faerinia, though speculation runs fiercely through the House and court if this daughter is indeed his.
211 2E – Bowen is born to Aidan, Kierne is born to Donnal. It is a happy year for the most part in Lakeshire.
212 2E – Lynette is born. Aidan at last tries to find a marriage for Rayosia but by this time she is considered a spinster by most of Court and chances are highly unlikely for her now.
213 2E - Aidan sends Hadrian to the Rangers, despite his brother's advice to squire him elsewhere. Aidan refuses and casts his son into the less honourable order. Some say that with the Duke's heir sent to the Rangers, the Rangers will regain the honour they lost.
221 2E - Hadrian returns to Lakeshire, a full fledged Ranger.
222 2E - Bowen is sent to squire with the Royal Family.
223 2E – The conflict that engulfed the world did not pass by Lakeshire. The Duke gets heavily involved and suffers great losses to the armies, though, economically Lakeshire booms.
224 2E – Battle of Westgate. The Three Sons of Lakeshire go to battle, along with Uncles Chayse and Peterson. Arlen and Aidan with an elite army by the fastest ships to cut off the invasion. Desmond is already in Weston as a commander of Northgate. Hadrian leads a further force to flank the Laniveer invaders. The Lakeshire armies together help to push back the Laniveer invasion to the coast of Weston at the river mouth which feeds Lake Kincaid. This is the ‘gate’ to which the battle came to a bloody and dramatic climax. Chayse and Desmond are both lost in the conflict and the family spends a year in mourning. Donnal and Malakai are given the opportunity to replace those which were lost and prove themselves. Danallia goes into priesthood to become a healer, deeply wounded by her brother's passing.
225 2E - Aemy is married to Robben, Heir of House Ruxton.
226 2E - Under tragic circumstances Duchess Isys Kincaid nee Crawford dies in the birthing bed, as does the unborn child, leaving Duke Aidan a widower. Aidan mourns her loss deeply, he fails to come to King's Court for two years and sends his brothers or other kin in his place.
227 2E - Roslin Kilgour comes to Lakeshire to study with the Duke and his family for a year, to help her learn about the economy of her House's land.
228 2E - Faerinia is sent to Darfield ahead of the family. Aemy gives birth to Josiah and Mariana Ruxton. Aidan attends Council for the first time in 2 yrs. Duke Ronan Crawford is sent ships to aid and strengthen the Crawford/Kincaid alliances, Arlen sent to help. Hadrian fights on the border lands before winter ends the conflicts. Laetitia Kilgiour nee DeSalis passes away, her death mysterious and unresolved in Aidan's eyes.
229 2E - Hadrian returns from the battlefront. Lynette is betrothed and wed to Sir Shepard Kerrigan. Kincaid hosts a Tourney in Darfield, Kierne wins sword on foot. Aidan is betrothed and wed to Lady Nylie Kilgour. Lakeshire and Greenshire sailors are found to provoke civil unrest as tensions between the two Houses heats up. Aidan is announced to take the Royal Council seat - Master of Laws. War returns to Lakeshire. Crosswynds is taken for Mobrin. Peterson Kincaid is killed at Battle of Crosswynds. Baron Bellerose of Halvard suffers a major injury but survives. The Still Water Plains are burned. Aidan is ambushed and taken prisoner.
If you have a Kincaid family member that had an important life event happen, please +mail me to include it here.
Relations with other Houses
Throughout the generations, relationships have ebbed and flowed with the tides of men who have led the great House of Kincaid. In some decades relationships would bloom like uncontrolled gardens of the Lake Lily, spreading beyond the span of Mobrin, with countless rewards for the efforts. However, under the reign of others, the care of those lush gardens would be neglected and not bear the abundance of blossoms. In essence, the economic strength and political relationships tied to the success of house Kincaid moved with the sensibility of the current ruling Duke and family.
The priority however, has been and always will be to import and export of Lakeshire commodities – including knowledge, with the House putting the Crown essentially above all others, as is due. No matter the actual rank of those that House Kincaid deals with, relations are based on the significance of mutual agreements, which can inspire the lowest of vassals or enrage the seat of the King.
| House | Relations |
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The Crown, and Liege house of House Kincaid. They sheer volume of trade agreements between these two houses has secured positive relations for generations. Although in recent years, since Aidan Kincaid lost his wife Isys Kincaid to the birthing bed, the Duke has not officially visited the Royal capitol, making some wonder if relations have become shaky. Although, in year 227, Princess Roslin was asked to study at the Kincaid halls, which was greeted with much honour by the Duke and his Heir. Recently, Duke Aidan Kincaid has been betrothed to Lady Nylie Kilgour (the forgotten Kilgour), in what some may say is a grand political movement on the Kincaid's part to secure the Kilgour's tightly to them. Even so, King Callem and Duke Aidan continue to share a mutual friendship over numerous games of Chess. |
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The Lords of Weston, ship builders, and a fellow Port City to top it all. On the edge of the country, they are the gateway to Lakeshire and positive relations means positive flow of tourists and merchants. Of recent history shows that Aidan Kincaid secured these relations further by agreeing to a marriage that saw his daughter Aemy married to the heir of Ruxton, Lord Robben Ruxton. It seems that no matter the course the future will steer them all in, Weston and Lakeshire are intimately connected. |
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The Horselords of Trueborn, horses are a prized commodity for merchants and farmers. Sutherland's best fetch healthy profits at Lakeshire markets. Timber, gold, fine cloth, and finished wooden goods all come from Sutherland. Relations are strong with intermarriage between the two Houses and the exchange of youths to Squire. After the attack on Trueborn keep, Aidan Kincaid has personally spoken to Duke Ronan Crawford to secure tighter relationships of military force and other aid. Lakeshire has sent the Sutherlander's ships, shipwrights, and soldiers… for virtually nothing but a promise of aid in the coming years. During the Kincaid Tournament, the Duke of Sutherland called Duke Aidan Kincaid dishonourable in front of the world. Despite a most public apology, it doesn't seem that all those favours really secured anything at all with Sutherland. |
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The Greenshire, a lush and prospering land filled with such a bounty in crop and seed. Positive alliances and trade agreements have secured a working relationship with on of the bread baskets of Mobrin, ever shaky as it seems to be. However, it has been generations long passed since Kincaid's have secured with House Haravean in marriage. The trade routes remain open and continued wealth floats between both Houses for their agreements. Recently Count Aldren had implicated the gates into the Lake were poorly watched and demanded inspection of all ships passing through or near Blackforge, regardless of destination. This fueled a decision to strike all ships from heading to Greenshire and increasing Lakeshire security around the Greenshire controlled gate, causing an eventual explosion between Greenshire sailors and Lakeshire sailors on the Lake. The inability for Haravean and Kincaid to meet eye to eye has caused civil unrest between the two and mutual discord between families, despite Lynette Kincaid being set to wed a Greenshire Lord. |
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The Lords of Skyfall, renown for their hunt and craftsmanship with exotic and simple woods alike. Agreements for raw materials have helped to float talks between these two houses for many years, with a war coming there will be need for building supplies. Kincaid and Forrester are tied by blood, as the current Duke's mother was a Forrester. |
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Trade has been secured between the Finger Isles thru the Rendann's and Kincaid. Finger Isle ship wrights have been exchanged for Kincaid metal smiths. The trade agreement has seen to Kincaid being able to possess the knowledge of how to build Carracks and Caravels - ship designs that will give the Kincaid's an important advantage in trade. |
| Laniveer - Ambrose | House Kincaid entered in to negotiations with a House out of Laniveer, in attempts to help kingdoms establish some sort of measure of peace. Though, Ambrose was a lesser House and in the end, the marriage between Duke Aidan's brother, Arlen, and the lady Senga Ambrose, did not keep war from their borders. Regardless, the Kincaid's hope to rely on this connection at some point. |
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House Kincaid and the kingdom of Skingaard have some very OBVIOUS similarities. The trade between Duchy and Kingdom have been on going for generations, each influencing the other throughout the ages. Duke Aidan Kincaid is currently searching to reinforce bonds of old by a marriage arrangement that will suit the ruling Kiraric family. |
| All others pending OOC or IC discussions | Any nation or House that deals with trade will likely have some sort of trading relationship with House Kincaid. Please ping Aidan on game to have more discussions in regards to this. |
