InsaneJournal

This page will likely be filled with useful little tidbits about the history, culture and whatnot of the world of West Corporation. Updated sporadically. Please feel free to leave comments with things you would like noted.

Marriages

Arranged marriages are not uncommon, and in fact, are even more common than love matches. Arranged usually for political or economic means, those who travel in the most privileged circles do not expect to marry for love, or frequently, not at their own choosing.

Bastard children

Like the world of the Seven Kingdoms, natural born children are usually given surnames that reflect the customs of the company of which their parents own or work for. Openly acknowledging bastard children is rare, and even more rare is raising the child amongst your trueborn children. It is more customary for the father to provide for his natural born child quietly. It is considered quite rude to inquire after the parentage of a bastard child.

Homosexuality

Under the aegis of Aerys Targaryen, the rule was 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. While there are, of course, varying opinions on how right or wrong it is, those who do prefer the company of their own sex usually keep this a secret. Those amongst the most privileged and powerful are expected to ignore such urges, in order to continue the family line. The one exception to this is the Martell family, where sexual promiscuity and bisexuality, while not encouraged, is not frowned on either.

Knights

Generally - and this is not set in stone - but each company under the umbrella of West Corporation has it's own security team, which is generally made up those characters who are knights of some kind in the books. They may be bodyguards, general security, or maybe they're part of the cyber security division, depending on the industry! Maybe they're constantly vigilant against corporate espionage or corporate poaching. Feel free to be imaginative!

Inheritance

This is a tiny bit complicated. General, the position of CEO is not inherited. It is usually passed onto the eldest son, provided he is capable of holding the job, but considering the importance of having a capable CEO, it is a job that is usually appointed by the board. Positions on boards - and indeed, the position of Chairman, is usually inherited, as these positions are often based around how much stock a person owns - or inherits. This will obviously change from family to family.

For example. Upon the death of Aerys, the entirety of his stake in West Corporation was left to his eldest son Rhaegar. This makes Rhaegar the majority shareholder in the corporation, and why he now has the position of Chairman of the Board. However, while Aerys always intended for Rhaegar to also take his position as CEO in the corporation, the Board must approve his appointment, he can not simply assume the position based on the fact that he was Aerys' son.