House Rastanyev can be best described in one sentence: Careful ambition for economic power. Basically, the House has managed to remain neutral (at least in appearances) through most of the past 3000 years, since it's inception into the status of House Major. This neutrality is not a passive one, devoid of any active pursuits, but one carefully measured to benefit the House at all times. The House leadership has maintained a general policy of aiming for economic profit, for with the solaris comes the buying power, and with the buying power comes more political leverage and more power.

Views on Religion

Stemming from the fact that House Rastanyev's interest is mainly profit, and power, religion is viewed mainly as a means to an end. When it is suitable to embrace a certain faith for profit, it could be done. When it is suitable to hold a more agnostic opinion, so be it. But in the general vain of it's policies, House Rastanyev's leadership has understood early on that religion - not the one they might embrace, but the one officially viewed and spoken off to the masses - is one of the perfect tools of a ruler. It is with that in mind that one must view the prolonged embracing of a Pseudo-Modern version of what is best related to the Russian Orthodox faith by House Rastanyev. Undoubtedly a remnant of the House's terran origins, this faith, who's origins are long forgotten by it's practicers, is specific to Homeworld (Garrashu) and viewed by the ruling family as an additional hold on the native population of their fief. This 'church' is tightly controlled by House Rastanyev and has very little mind of it's own. It easily drives the working class that makes up most of Garrashu's inhabitants into a superstitious hold.

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Views on Independent Factions

Bene Gesserit
House Rastanyev in the present time has again, a mostly neutral view on factions like the Bene Gesserit and the Spacing Guild. The former, the BG, are what they are, in this day and age, a power in the shadows, meddling with politics from their own viewpoint and for their own purposes (OOC knowledge, that). Since House Rastanyev has nothing outstanding to offer (in the form of their breeding lines), the exposure to the BG has been minimal, limited to the occasional contact out of necessity, at one point or the other, over the House's 3000 year history. An example of such contact is the presence of a BG teacher to the current Earl's consort.

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Spacing Guild
As for the Spacing Guild, as far as Rastanyev is concerned, the ties are slightly closer. Viewed as a group that provides a vital service (that of transporting the exports of the different products that the House subsists on), House Rastanyev has always been careful not to take any course that might alienate the Guild.

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Smugglers
Smugglers have always existed in the universe, in some or the other, no matter how restricted they have been. House Rastanyev, as any group who deals in trading, has a good understanding of that dynamic and hence tolerates the existence of Smugglers. (Even if they were not tolerated, wouldn't they still find a way to smuggle?) This tolerance is by no means public, but nonetheless present. What the smugglers can get away with without causing too much damage to the House's economics is allowed, succintly. In return, House Rastanyev might now and then, use that leverage to obtain certain things that would be harder to get through 'official' means.

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View on Citizeny
The homeworld of Garrashu is an agricultural world, and provides most of House Rastanyev's primary income, hence the citizenry consists mostly of agricultural workers, and whatever else types need to provide the infrastructure for such a world. The ruling family is not too unkind to its worker-citizenry, and in general, those are treated well, with respect, but there is always the firm statement that one must work hard, and do what their position in the universe asks of them. There is no unneeded luxury. There is also no pity or compassion, one gets what they produce: Work well, make the House some profit, you will be respected and rewarded. Failure will however not be tolerated. Religion has been one of the most powerful means of controlling the worker population, through the pseudo-orthodox beliefs that have been instilled throughout the years by the ruling family (see paragraph about religion, above).

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