House Stephenson
Sarna News
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| House Stephenson | |
|---|---|
| Family Profile | |
| Title(s) | Dutchy of New Ivaarsen |
| Affiliation | Federated Suns |
House Stephenson[1] is a minor noble family found within the Federated Suns; they are traditionally hold the title of Duke of New Ivaarsen.
Description
While not as powerful as the Davions, Haseks, and Sandovals, the Stephenson family rules one of the richest and most prosperous worlds in the Draconis March, New Ivaarsen. This world, in addition to being rich in resources, is also known for being a center of the arts, culture, and learning. After the Federated Suns was originally created, the Stephensons used their influence to push their world into joining the new nation at the earliest possibility. Their wealth and political influence quickly earned them the ducal title to their homeworld. However, as the Stephensons were not part of the original member worlds of the Suns, many of the other noble families think of the Stephensons as "new money" or "upstarts" in noble circles, a way of thinking that has persisted despite centuries of membership as one of the richest families within the Federated Suns.
However, the homeworld of the Stephensons, while possessing a rich bounty, also has a curse. As the gateway world to Robinson and thus New Avalon, New Ivaarsen has been attacked multiple times and suffered at least one lengthy occupation by the forces of the Draconis Combine. Because of this, the Stephensons are extremely anti-Combine. They have staunchly supported the Sandoval and Davion families throughout the centuries in the struggle against The Dragon.[2]
As part of these conflicts, the Stephensons' ducal guard, the New Ivaarsen Chasseurs, serves a unique position within the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns. While other units are entirely commanded and supplied by the AFFS, the Stephenson family personally sees to the funding of these units and retains some control of their deployments.[3]