What's in a name?

Steerpike groaned as he looked at the stack of papers arrayed in front of him. Who knew earldom involved so much rote paperwork? He was beginning to wistfully reminisce on his days as a penniless University student whose only worries were getting enough food to eat and keeping up in his magical studies.

His nostalgic reverie was interrupted by the nearly silent entrance of Lucina, his spymaster. Lucina approached him with slightly hidden worry in her features.

"What is it?" asked Steerpike with some tension.

"My lord... I bring some... worrying news."

"What? What is it? Has something happened to our trade expedition to Gascia?"

"Not in so many words my lord... but I have discovered some... disquieting reports from our spies stationed amongst the expedition."

Steerpike felt his brow suddenly erupt in cold sweats. The trade expedition to Gascia was critically important to Steerpike's plans in these early stages of his earldom. Am I going to fail at this already? he thought anxiously.

He turned to Lucina nervously. "Tell me. How have we failed?"

Lucina seemed surprised for a moment. "No, my lord, the trade expedition was a success. Juno has reported that we have struck an agreement with the House of Carafa for the provision and exchange of resources, arms and armaments and personnel. It was a great success, by all accounts."

"Well, that's wonderful news!! Then, what is the worry about?"

Lucina hesitated for a moment. "Well, you see... after having struck the accord, our people went around the domain of the House of Carafa to establish friendly relations, engage in trade, and for some, just relax in their taverns."

"As to be expected, there's nothing wrong with that as long as no one was derelict in their duties."

"No, no, it's just..." Lucina trailed off.

"Out with it! Tell me what has worried you so!"

"Well my lord... it's our name."

"Our name?"

"You see... when our people introduced ourselves as hailing from the Isle of Groan, it was often met with... laughter."

"Laughter?! They turned their nose up at our people?!"

"No, it wasn't the people per se... it seems it was the name itself that amused them. Groan."

"B-but... Groan is the namesake of the venerable House of Groan! The late Earl of Groan was an honourable man who rescued me from poverty and gave me shelter and position I never dreamed of! The name Groan is a symbol of great honour and prestige!!!"

"Here perhaps, but it seems in other domains, it's... kind of a laugh."

"This-this is outrageous!!" Steerpike spluttered.

"I just figured you would want to know. It got to the point that some of our envoys began introducing themselves as "from that island way over there" or from the "IoG"".

"IoG?? What in the world??!"

"I'm just reported what I've learned, my lord."

"Yes, of course. Thank you. I will ponder on this. But I will not let some upjumped foreigners tarnish the great name of Groan!"

Steerpike turned back to his papers in anxious strain and groaned. At the sound of the groan Lucina turned back and gave him a pointed look.

Steerpike returned her look in exasperation. "Oh, all right, I get it! Now go spy on some things, I'm busy."

Steerpike picked up a nearby quill and turned to the ledger that was atop the papers on his desk. At the top of the ledger it stated "Priority To-Do List". At the very top of the page, Steerpike wrote "Change the name of Groan to something that doesn't make us the laughingstock of the Empire?"