Nobility

Domain and Regency » Manorialism » Social class » Nobility

Part of a series on Social class

Rural Ranks
Serf · Yeoman · Gentry · Nobility
Urban Ranks
Criminal · Laborer · Craftsman Guildmaster · Guilder
Regional Variation
Anuire · Rjurik · Brecht · Khinasi · Vos

The elite of any medieval society, the nobility are well off, surpassing everyone else in riches except the wealthy guilder. They own many manors and a few also own a province. They are used to being obeyed and can back up that assumption through the force of the law.

From an early age, the elder sons of the nobility are taught to negotiate and obfuscate, maintaining the interests of their family through guile and deception as well as force. Appearance is important to the nobility, to create an atmosphere of deference and authority. Most characters will dress in keeping with their station.

Nobles, along with guilders, tend to dress a little better than they can afford, to present the proper image. Nobles are generally either very aware that good relations makes getting their way easier, or they are insufferably arrogant. Either way, others tend to view the nobility with some suspicion.

Nobles all share a common outlook on the world because of their shared experiences. They exercise feudal rights over a single, small manor, or something much vaster, but these privileges tend to unite the nobility in a common set of duties and benefits, risks and rewards.

The lesser nobility includes all lords and most counts and their equivalent throughout Cerilia. They several manors, perhaps a dozen, and can be very important within their own province, though typically are not very significant at the domain level. Their bloodlines tend to be weak, including minor, tainted, and even unblooded houses.

Greater nobility include those great houses which are known widely, exercise considerable influence at the domain level, and have the major bloodlines to control powerful domains. Distinctly below the royal houses, they are likewise distinctly above the lesser nobility. The greater nobility includes many of the domain regents, and those other houses which are able to freely mingle with them, marry them, and have ancient and prestigious histories behind them.

The term "royal" is derived from the same Andu root as "regent" and refers to the great houses that control domains, included realms. Royalty lies at the top of feudal hierarchy and is composed of the regent and his immediate family. Royal houses will tend to be ancient, possess the greatest bloodlines, and rule the greatest realms. The Boeruine family, the Danig family, the House of el-Arrasi, and the House of Halskapa all reflect the great royal heritage.

Since the death of Michael Roele and the end of the Imperial office, there have been no nobles of Imperial status. Their descendants were common enough in the Royal lines of the great houses of the dukes.