Lands of Tyranny
Day 5 of The Philosopher, Year 414
Nobles of the Empire
The Role of Nobility
Nobles occupy an unusual space in the Empire. While in theory nobility emulates a meritocracy, tracing merit through lineage doesn’t often work in practice.
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Nobles consist of rich land owners and their families, bound by loyalty to the Empire. Should they fulfill their duties, they receive extensive privilege: not only are their estates a great source of revenue, but any sort of criticism against them must be levied with extreme care, and the most common complaints are often discarded. The Empire has much more important things to deal with than the trivialities of nobles’ lives.
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In general, the local customs strongly define the role, responsibilities, and structure of nobility: this document does not cover them in detail, but tries to focus on some generic aspects which are more or less true in general, save for specific exceptions.
Responsibilities
Hereditary Nobility is inherited with the land it is tied to.
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Nobles claim and trace lineage to ancestors of an older era, renowned people, knights, generals, or higher nobility. Since the Empire conquered their lands, the power structure shifted some: rather than pursue personal goals, nobles have to enact the will of the Empire in their domain. Whereas a Fatebinder may not be fully aware of how things are going within a noble’s estate, they can reach out to them and use them as the Empire’s fist.
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In times of war, nobles are expected to contribute to the Empire’s efforts, though mostly through financial support, since levies are handled by the Imperial Army.
Indeed, nobles rarely command more than a retinue of bodyguards, in some cases, these too offered by the Army.
Familiarity and Vassalage
When the Empire does not call on their nobles, there is still plenty to adhere to, on top of the Imperial law: the power structure of nobility (feudalism) mostly relies on contracts of familiarity and vassalage. Two nobles come to an agreement: the stronger of the two offers protection to the weaker. In turn, the weaker noble contributes in some fashion to the stronger. These ties form a chain of familiarity which bind nobility together, from kings and dukes all the way down to the poorest baronets.
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With Imperial conquest, this power structure, present as described especially in the central regions of the Continent, and elsewhere with many variations, got integrated and largely left intact in order to stabilize conquered regions: now these new ‘contracts’ do not happen anymore, but nobility titles can at times be given by Adjudicators, and if inheritable, they are passed onto the lineage, though the real power and succession laws always favor the males, with the exception of Kheman.
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​Nobles are expected to contribute via taxes and, more rarely, with their personal retinue.
Not every noble gets to own land. The reasoning is simple: a Count with two sons will still only retain one county; on his deathbed, only one son (the heir: the eldest son) will inherit it. This leads younger siblings of a noble family to pursue other goals, such as success and glory through knighthood or a career in the Holy Bureaucracy or the Legion, for example. Some particularly bold or foolish ones even visit the Black Dome Peninsula in search of a personal quest. In rare cases, clergymen or commoners can be granted a titular title and become unlanded nobility.
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Unlanded nobles are often called Gentlemen/Gentlewomen, referring to influential and respected individuals in the social circles of the Empire.
Often, these are individuals who are patronised by landed nobility and kept on in service to their social engagements and more erudite endeavours.
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​Knights are unlanded nobles which may or may not serve landed nobility. Knighthoods are often bestowed upon those who serve landed nobles as their ‘permanent’ men at arms. They distinguish themselves with their combat prowess and ability in other regards, which leads to them being recognised and elevated to the position. Knightly Orders differ from this method: their leaders do not require a landed title to lift a squire into the lower nobility, but do so under the guidance of the Tribunal.
Herus/Hera (plural Herii)
“Through great deeds one is recognized and shall be distinguished from their peers and presented to all as one of great virtue.”
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Herii are born as commoners, granted nobility through a great deed which gets the attention of an Adjudicator. The reward for such may be a lower, titular nobility, lacking land. Lowborn Fatebinders at times also receive the rank, though, especially when they retire from service.
Noble Hierarchy
Among landed nobles, the general contract of vassalage is the same: a baron pays respects and serves a viscount in a similar way as a count does a duke. Due to the fact that, by extension, a baron’s support can end up in the hands of a Count or Duke, etc, higher ranked nobles ultimately hold richer, more developed fiefdoms. For example, a Baron might keep a small, barely maintained and garrisoned keep, while a Duke could govern a prosperous walled city.
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Why do nobles not hold all the land personally and directly?
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This is a matter of management and personal care. While nobles may employ a steward, managing their domain personally and overseeing its development is key to its success.
Domains and fiefs that aren’t managed properly risk offering little benefit. Thieves and criminal organizations may spring up, such as bands of robbers bent on terrorizing the countryside. Rebel elves and similar vermin may also arise. Potentially the worst of these is the risk of a claimant from the same dynasty appearing to make the land his own. An undefended fiefdom approached thusly with proper rites and ties may lead to the local liege and the Empire honoring the claim by right.
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While landed nobility have hereditary titles, Adjudicators have the right to handle which lands are granted or revoked. Nobles are usually given signet rings to prove their legitimacy. The impersonation of a noble is a grave crime, resulting in indentured servitude as the most forgiving outcome.
Note: Player characters are not allowed to play anyone higher than a Viscount The exact available rank for landed nobility is subject to ongoing storylines and CCH+Narration approval.
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Addressing Landed Nobility
Duke / Duchess: “Your grace”
Count / Countess: “Your highness”
Viscount / Viscountess: “Your excellency”
Baron / Baroness: “Your lordship / Your ladyship”
Family members of hereditary nobles: “The Honourable / The Fair”
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Addressing Unlanded Nobility
Unlanded Gentry / Gentleman / Gentlewoman / Herii: “Sir / Madam”
Knight / Dame: “Ser / Dame”
Family members: “The Honourable / The Fair”
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Implementation
All nobles receive a weekly stipend from the Tribunal, which represents financial support from their estates. The difference in noble rank is not represented through different stipend amounts, but the difference in rank still plays a crucial role in roleplay and in the privileges characters receive.
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Nobles get the chance to play a vital part of Imperial politics, make a name for themselves and their dynasty, earn land... and be on the receiving end of bootkissing from every lowborn with a lick of sense.
This was a collaborative effort between several people, it is very difficult for me to really put names in order of contribution, but here is hopefully all of them:
Virginia, Syn, Hokan, Melonpan, Maya, Rashan
Noblity - Hierarchy & Privileges in game
IC and OOC directions: https://bit.ly/LoT_Noble_Privileges
The Hierarchy and Privileges was a collaborative effort by Subrosa, Ifra, Rashan