Here’s a preview of things to come, an overview of House al-Malik branches. (Remember that House al-Malik is a divided faction, not as badly as the Hazat, but their internal rivalries are fierce and has been so for centuries. Reading House al-Malik history with the below in mind will greatly enrich the experience
).
Istakhriyy = The Ruling branch, descended from Lufti ibn Munir, son of House al-Malik ancestor Munir ibn Tarif by his second wife Donya of Istakhr. The Istakhriyy branch claims the purest bloodline, as Lufti was the steward of Munir’s visions and genius.
Criticorumiyy = The most powerful opposition branch, descended from Fatima bint Munir Criticorumiyy, daughter of House al-Malik ancestor Munir ibn Tarif by his first wife, Roxana of Acheon. The Criticorumiyy branch claims the oldest bloodline and the original royal claim through the constitutional royalty awarded Munir on Criticorum. They lost the power over House al-Malik in 4827 when al-Abbasha Claudia Istakhriyyah al-Malik came out of exile and conquered Criticorum through a seven months civil war.
Shaprutiyy = This lesser branch was created through the marriage of Princess Sakuntala Ramakrishna of Shaprut and Prince Tahir Criticorumiyy al-Malik in 3502. They are loyal to the Criticorumiyy.
Ayloniyy = This branch was in turn spawned by the Shaprutiyy branch, when Rahimat Shaprutiyy al-Malik conquered Aylon in 4438, his nobles intermarrying with the Ayloniyy branch of House Keddah. They prefer neutrality in the Istakhriyy-Criticorumiyy power struggles, sometimes allying with the Kordethiyy to form a third al-Malik power-block.
Kordethiyy = Another offshoot from the Criticorumiyy branch, the Kordethiyy bloodline is heavily diluted through intermarrying with influential guilders. They prefer neutrality in the Istakhriyy-Criticorumiyy power struggles, sometimes allying with the Ayloniyy to form a third al-Malik power-block.
Shiraziyy = A marginalized branch of House al-Malik that as risen to some prominence since they evacuated their homelands on Stigmata (formerly Shariz) in 4900 and settled in Acheon. There, in the capital city of Criticorum and the heart of the Criticorumiyy branch, the Shiraziyy are dedicated allies of the ruling Istakhriyy branch of the house. Regarded as a bastard bloodline through much of the house’s history, the Shiraziyy’s claim of descent from Dalir ibn Munir Istakhriyy, ancestral Munir ibn Tarif’s second son by his second wife (i.e. Dalir was the younger brother of Lufti), is now accepted by the Istakhriyy branch.
If this all sounds complicate, take comfort in the fact that it is complicated for House al-Malik scions as well. Much in-house politics is waged between these branches, and the leadership of the house has changed between the Criticorumiyy, the Istakhriyy, and the Shaprutiyy throughout history.