Nobility

Introduction
Nobility is an institution that predates even the oldest documents of the Laore and Talamh, dating back the tribal and chiefdoms that would become the empires of old. Historians continue to debate which fragments of this ancient system survived to build the modern Omnian hierarchy, but after one thousand years of dynastic culture, laws, and tradition, one thing is certain. The ladder of nobility is the mechanism by which the politics of Omnia will function for centuries to come.

While the disparate villages of the Ashavan, Morians, and Nomani function with very little central authority, the five major political entities of Omnia all support robust aristocracies, each as complicated as they are powerful. While they vary in terms of size and titles, they all tend to follow the same order of ranks, each system being easily translatable between all freeholds. While members of one court may not carry any clout within the court of a rival freehold, there is a mutual respect between the ruling families of Omnia, most granting a certain amount of leniency to their peers. It should be noted that this is not always the case, with many aggressive families sabotaging the standing of others through both brute force and the spread of malicious propaganda.

Titles of Nobility
As mentioned above, the Omnian ranks of nobility are not a monolithic code shared by each freehold, but rather a loose set of guidelines mirrored by most political entities within the archipelago. When the exact title of a certain noble is unknown, it is acceptable amongst most courts to simply refer to the individual as either “Lord” or “Lady”, a generic title which simply implies noble status and nothing more. It should also be noted that the formal title of a given house only falls upon the head of said house and can be shared with their spouse. For example, the son of a Baron, while still noble in blood, would not carry the title of Baron. Rather, he would be addressed as “son of the Baron” or “Lord”. The spouse of a Baron or Baroness would be called a Baron Consort.

Any member of a noble house may also assume the title of “Knight '' and all its variants, should they so choose. This title may also be bestowed upon non-blood related underlings by the titled head of a noble house. If a commoner is knighted, their status and title dies with the family they serve. By no means does the title of knight ever pass from parent to offspring. Achieving the title of knight must be done through in-game interaction, not through backstory. Likewise, the only way to achieve a full noble title for a player made house is to apply in the appropriate discord channel with the official Keycraft nobility application.

The Omnian titles of nobility are as follows:

Knight/Dame (Sir, Sire, Huskarl(Heith))


 * Lowest form of nobility
 * Can be granted to commoners by the head of a noble family
 * Non-hereditary title, incapable of social mobility on their own
 * Available title for any nobleman’s blood relatives
 * No social status other than being considered non-commoners
 * Requires no ‘noble points’ for upgrade

Baron/Baroness (Heithjarl(Heith))


 * Lowest form of progressable nobility, no fiefs to call their own
 * This is the title bestowed upon the family head once a noble family is approved
 * Barons/Baroness’ may grant knightdom to any followers. Family members may take up a knightly title, but not grant knightdom.

Count/Countess


 * Family is trusted with the protection and use of an estate. Estate is exempt for rent for as long as the family remains active.
 * Lowest form of landed nobility
 * All the abilities of lesser noble ranks.

Marquis/Marquess


 * Family is trusted with the protection of a given fief within close proximity to their estate.
 * All the abilities of lesser noble ranks.

Duke/Duchess


 * Family is trusted with the protection of multiple fiefs, but is not the freehold’s ruling family.
 * All the abilities of lesser noble ranks

Sovereign (Archduke(Bettlebrook), Archon(Verendell), Grand Prince(Marigold), High King (Mark), Tsar(Korindor)


 * Sovereign rulers of a given Freehold. Given taxation rights over the capital as well as their previous holdings.
 * Family members other than the patriarch hold special titles, namely the heirs apparent (prince, princess)
 * Rules for deposing the previous king vary.
 * All the abilities of lesser noble ranks.

Moving Up The Ranks
The dream of all nobles is to one day sit upon the throne as a sovereign ruler, and this is indeed possible given the right amount of effort. Moving up the ranks of the Omnian aristocracy is not as complicated as some might think, but make no mistake; it is not an easy task. To do so, one must first gain influence within the community at large. Will you appeal to the masses, accepting the help and favor of those far beneath you? Or will you cavort amongst your peers, gaining the favor of your fellow nobles while simultaneously pushing them ever further into the pits of irrelevancy?

Regardless of your choice, creating events with which the Keycraft community can engage is the key to social mobility within Omnian nobility. Do you want to host a ball with dancing, drinking, and intrigue? Perhaps a tournament, testing the mettle of the strongest warriors in the land? The choice is yours, but depending on the quantity, length, and quality of engagement you and your family generate, you will be awarded with noble points!

Similar to the various ticket systems used as special currencies throughout Omnia, these are a purely OOC currency you and your family can save and spend to further upgrade your family’s wealth and status. For holding the event alone you shall be awared one point, if the event brings in 20+ people you will be awarded a bonus point. Another bonus point will be awarded if the event goes on for 3+ hours, and one final bonus point will be awarded if 2+ Members of another Noble House are in attendance. Depending how things go, you will be eligible for a total of 3 bonus points. While the pricing and benefits of this system is liable to change, you can be sure that anything you purchase with these points is viable for compensation should it be removed. But be forewarned, all purchases will be final.

Event Scoring System:


 * 1) 1 point for hosting event, sponsored by noble house
 * 2) 1 point for drawing over 20 players to event
 * 3) 1 point if event extends beyond three hours
 * 4) 1 point if at least one other noble family attends (2+ members)

PLEASE NOTE: Each noble house will only be rewarded for 4 events per month. While nobles houses will not be limited to hosting only 4 events, only the first four events of the month will be scored and awarded points. All scored events must be sponsored by the house receiving the points.

Rewards and Prices:


 * 1) Barony -> County: 16 points
 * 2) County -> March: 32 points
 * 3) March -> Duchy: 64 points
 * 4) Duchy -> Sovereign: 128 points