The Lore of a World

Houses: Houses are the divisions of families ruled by their respective patriarchs. The patriarch is responsible for being head of the house and bearing an heir to the house name (i.e., the patriarch for House of Andov has birthed Dmitri, his eldest son and heir to the house.) These houses also operate as the districts that divide the whole land mass. They are accountable for counting and submitting their votes via a sleek wooden box that the patriarch possesses for those events. Furthermore, each house has two representatives in the government. They are the images of them, therefore, they are groomed to conform to house expectations.
The heir to a house is the eldest son of the patriarch. There are two methods for an heir to usurp the position of the patriarch: The current one steps down, or the patriarch passes. If any of the two occur within the lifespan of an heir, then they are entitled to the position of patriarch. An heir is expected to take on the house name, and thus is conditioned from youth. Most, if not all, houses typically do this from the very beginning up until the heir has usurped the patriarch. This can also be affected by house traditions, but that is what makes each heir distinct from the other.

Current Houses:
Andov: The most prominent house in the country, the House of Andov has held influence for centuries. Beginning in the early 15th century, the house has witnessed numerous events and patriarchs. The current patriarch is Kris Andov, the father of Dmitri and his brothers. He took power four years ago and has yet to step down. The intention is to allow Dmitri to usurp the position and continue to evolve what his ancestors started.

Former Houses:
Chekhov: Absorbed into Andov in 1566
Okean: Merged into Andov in 1568, giving Andov coastal territory
Ryukavik: Wiped out by the House of Strelka during the Strelkan-Andovan War in 1570, all house members were eradicated by the end of the war
Svet: Conquered by Strelka in 1571 after the war had ended the year prior, the house was weakened after the fall of Ryukavik
Kakho: Used to exist as a house before becoming a region under Andov in 1580
Ochesko: Absorbed into Andov in 1585, it became a part of its coastal territory
Revstak and Kibisi: Both unified into the House of Revisi (Rev- + -isi) in 1590, the house agreed to unify with the House of Rykov in 1593 and became a part of their territory.
Nukavot: The house was formed as an observer for the Andov family before being dissolved in 1601
Kovsky and Choko: Kovsky and Choko existed as observers to the Strelka and Andov houses before they were transferred to the Rykovs in 1618
Svesto: Absorbed into the House of Kolvikosky in 1635
Votok: Observer house of Andov before being dissolved in 1635
Kostov: The house was eradicated from existence by the House of Strelka in 1643, and any documentation relating to the House of Kostov was destroyed by the government by 1645
Svestoky: Land was absorbed into the Rykov family, giving them coastal territory in 1700
Kyuk: Absorbed into the House of Strelka in 1767

Current Heirs:
Dmitri Andov:
Age: 18-19
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2'
The eldest son of the Andov family, and the heir. Dmitri is said to have a pale complexion, contrasting with his ice-cold eyes. His peers often remark on his talent regarding the harp. He had played the harp since age five; only five years into his conditioning. He's by his father for important events, for he believes if he listens, he may obtain knowledge far beyond his years. Dmitri has multiple younger brothers who look up to him as an example of an excellent Andov heir.

Viktor Agranov:
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0
Viktor is the current heir to the House of Strelka. His brothers have said that his eyes hold the fire of his ancestors and that his black hair is like coal to fuel it. As per the house name, he is incredibly skilled with the bow and arrow (Strelka means arrow in Russian). Viktor is responsible for teaching his brothers the skill; hence, he often demonstrates before them in the archery range.

Aleksandr Rykov:
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Height: 5'11
Aleksandr is the eldest son of the Rykov family and heir to the House of Rykov. His family dates back centuries, and the Rykov family is well-known for tradition. Thus, Aleksandr's beliefs and interests are tied closely to his deep ancestry. He has four younger siblings, but his mother has a fifth one currently on the way. Aleksandr is a writer, mainly for his father's political documents for the government. Many have commented that his hair reminds them of the sand in the summer, and that his eyes hold nothing but the utmost respect for his family.

Edward Kolvikosky:
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0
Edward is heir to the Kolvikosky family. His father is the patriarch of the House of Kolvikosky. Edward is a leader to his siblings and is described as having snow-white hair parted in the middle. He is the only heir who has gotten the privileges of a leader. However, he also has been recognized for his