Large family, low Influence?

[Carriker]

I always though that a Head of House of Status 4 simply could only have one Heir with Status 3 and the rest of the bunch COULD NOT have Status 3 because that is reserved for the heir and so they get relegated to status 2.
I thought that a house with a status 11-20 simply could not spend influence on children since their was no way any of them would reach status 3 anyways.

This probably comes from the footnote in the Heir's Status chart under Influence Holdings (Chapter Six, p107 in the GoT Edition). Notice the asterixed footnote that says "*Minimum Status 3. Status 2 does not cost an Influence investment."

It's a fuzzy bit of the rules, unfortunately. I'm inclined to assume that anyone with a "slot" in the heredity purchased through Influence deserves a Status 3, even if the House Lord's status is only a 4. It sets them above the smallfolk in just that capacity.

[Zorbeltuss]

Sets them above a common retainer, you mean?

Smallfolk is status 1 according to the book.

[DaimosofRedstone]

Does a House with Status 2 or 3 but not 20 points simply not have an heir then?

[Flagg]

Well, buying a Heir entitles a player to take the Heir Benefit, which confers a bonus to Status, right? (going from memory here)

If so, I imagine the house is so non-influential that being the heir to it impresses no one.

[Zorbeltuss]

Does a House with Status 2 or 3 but not 20 points simply not have an heir then?

No, there's always an heir, it's just that the house isn't important enough for the heir to be important in the eyes of others, beyond the +1 to status tests given by the benefit.

[Flagg]

There isn't always an heir. Some Lords have no children.

[Zorbeltuss]

Then it goes to nephews and children and what not. Though there may be cases where who the heir is becomes so obscure that there isn't really one anymore, no.

[Flagg]

True, but the "Heir" holding seems to be confined specifically to sons and daughters.

[coldwind]

True, but the "Heir" holding seems to be confined specifically to sons and daughters.

Sons and daughters of the House, yes, but not necessarily of the current Lord.

After all, a lord's brother is also the son of the previous lord.