I haven't been following this thread, but for the sake of comedy, I submit that the Vallista quote was in fact an error on Steve's part---the true plural of the word Vallista is Vallistae. Anyone knows that. Jon Okay, I found another reference that supports Davdi (and my) preferences for one of the plural house names: Lord of Castle Black, pg 28: "However, the Vallista had, by this time become so well settled into their new homes..." Conclusion: Vallista is, in fact, its own plural. So we have Teckla and Vallista. Two down, 15 to go. Majikjon