House Cournicova

House Cournicova is one of the Noble Houses of the Virasana Empire, best known for its fierce loyalty and being the only matriarchal house. Their homeplanet is Svansgard, and it is currently governed by Duchess Asa Cournicova. 
==Culture==
House Cournicova (occasionally Kournikowa or variations) is the only House that strictly clings to a matriarchal line of heritage, claiming that men are too easily controlled by their impulses and any man holding any responsibility is an open invitation for disaster. Thus, Cournicova men are held separate from all ‘important’ dealings and are trained for obedience and beauty from early childhood on. Cournicova women, on the other hand, appear passionate and fierce in public, tall, warlike and unafraid of any challenge. They cherish ‘real’ combat experience and personal skills more than any other house, and a Cournicova baroness claiming she killed at least a thousand warriors is probably just telling the truth, if not underplaying it to be polite.
Unlike any other noble House, the Cournicova respect family ties to a fault, and even the lowest member can expect the support of the entire House if they come asking. On the downside, this means that the House has little internal means of getting rid of the occasional rotten apple, and disagreements can hamper progress over generations. 
==Coat of Arms==
Green, rampant Wyldebeest with red claws
==Style==
===Genetics===
* Tall, strong, light-skinned and fair-haired, moderately uniform 
* Females have tendency to grow taller than males. 
===Clothes===
* Showing pride in history and culture, showcasing craftsmanship and personal achievements 
* Fur and leathers, natural fibres and materials, simple but of stunning quality. Their outfits invariably show off the skill of local craftsmen, whether those are the armoursmiths of Lorelei or the scaleweavers of Rayatea. 
* Women prefer outfits that emphasize their battle skills; Men are dressed 'advantageously' 
===Architecture===
* Sturdy, defensible, communal. Castles, longhouses, arcologies
* Natural building materials and 'honest' craftmanship preferred
== Notes ==
* The ducal family of Svansgard also holds the title of Prince of the House. Usually, the Duchess of Svansgard is also the Princess of House Cournicova, but historically many dowager Duchesses have elected to keep the title of Princess until their deaths. 
* In honour of their heraldic animal, the wyldebeast, many more traditionally-minded Cournicova dye their hands blood-red for special occasions, particularly weddings. Once they start dyeing their teeth red, you know that they're on the war path. 
==Notable Members==
Cournicova
==Notable Holdings==
Cournicova Holdings
==Other Articles on House Cournicova==
House Cournicova
Category:Factions
Category:Noble Houses