The name "von Mekkhan" seems to imply that the hereditary office of Heterodyne seneschal may be one dating to the conquering of Mechanicsburg by the Ht'rok-din; one can imagine the lord of the city negotiating with the invading barbarian spark to the effect that he, the soon-to-be besieged lord, would be allowed to continue as master of the city and manage mundane administrative details, and in return provide the spark with a permanent settlement, supplies, and minions. And brides; don't forget brides.