Noble and Aristocratic Titles

A very basic overview of the system of Nobility used across Brevoy. For a more detailed analysss of who wields power see Influence in Brevoy Updated Jan 2023

• King - The Ruler of Brevoy. Until the disappearance there was a Rogarvian monarch - Now Noleski Surtova rules as Regent. He has tried to proclaim himself king, but can't quite get the support he needs.

Peers control great swathes of land and are either very powerful or directly related to the king. They form the Major Noble Houses of Brevoy, and are seen as almost the equal of the King.

• Duke - The heads of Brevoy's six great families are all recognised Dukes, and are recognised as Rulers of their own Duchy - they agreed to take a Rogarvian Overlord, but are responsible for their own laws and management - so long as they don’t go against the King’s wishes. They are less sure about bending the knee to a Surtova. The Greater Noble families are the Surtova, Lodovka, Garess, Orlovsky, Lebeda and Medvyed. Duke is a hereditary Palatine title. However, Surtova has now claimed the Title of King-Regent.
  • Lord Howlan Garess, serves as Duke of Gray Haven, and rules the Garess Family
  • Lord Gurev, Duke of Stonewall, rules the Medvyed Clan.
  • Lord Lander Lebeda is Duke of Silverhall, although it is said his mother, Dame Sarona, is the real power.
  • Lord Kozek Lodovka , Duke of Acuben, rules from his city of Winterhaven.
  • Lord Poul Orlovsky is the Duke of Veshka - where he rules the Orlovsky from the his stronghols, Eagle's Watch.
• Count - Almost the equivalent of a Duke, but not sovereign, a Count is given authority over a county. There were two Rogarvian Counts - the Count of Skywatch and the Count of Rostland - although much of Rostland's lands were run by Viscounts on his behalf. However, they all disappeared with the rest of House Rogarvia, and the titles have remained vacant every since. Count can be a hereditary title, or it may be reserved to the King.
  • Lord Domani Surtova is Lord of the White Manor, rules Port Ice as its Count, while his cousin claims the title of king.
  • Lady Jamandi Aldori is Countess of Rostland and recognised as descending from the original Sword Baron of Rostland.

Nobles generally control smaller areas of land (A few hexes) on behalf of one of the Great Nobles of the King.

• Viscount - A viscount is an Administrative role title often awarded to a senior Baron. They serve as a deputy to the local Duke, Count or Prince. It is not generally a hereditary role, and may removed 'at will' by the noble who appointed it. (See Note 1). The area administered by a Viscount is generally called a great-province.
  • Baroness Rogarvia-Green is the Viscount of Skywatch.
  • Lord Henry leMaistre is Viscount Midmarch, on the southern border of Brevoy.

• Baron - A title that can be created by a King, Duke or Count. There are not many significant houses that claim baron as a title, and many are cadets titles for the major houses. A Barony is always hereditary and associated with an area of land. Some of the more important 'independent' barons are :
  • Lord Khavortorov, Baron - originally associated with the Aldori, now head of a family of military knights. The title was bestowed on him by the Rogavaria before they disappeared.
  • Baron Varn holds land between the Skywatch and the Icerime mountains towards the Medveyedd. Father of Maegar Varn, who died when the lich, Vordakai, awoke.
  • Baron Drelev is a newly appointed baron in the south, the first to be elevated by Regent Noleski Surtova himself.
• March-Lord - a newly created titles used to recognize new estates on the periphery of Brevoy.
  • Lord Dimitius Aldori-Solanus is the March Lord of Sunsmarch.
  • Lady Zelona Veralia is March Lord of The Old Keep.

These are the basic titles of the Aristocratic System. Most aristocrats don't own a significant amount of land, and even the most 'land rich' Aristocrat is unlikely to control more than a hex or two. These titles can be hereditary, although most are role based or lifetime titles.

• Governor - Governor is an Administrative role title that is awarded to a senior Aristocrat, to give them authority over an area of land. It is not generally a hereditary role, and may removed 'at will' by the noble who appointed it. The area administered by a Governor is normally called a province.

• Lord - The most important of the lesser titles given to senior administrators and low ranking aristocratic families, it can be Role Based (Lord Mayor), Hereditary or a Life Time award. The most influential Lord is The Lord Mayor of Restov. This title does not have to be associated with an area of land.
  • Role Based - Lord Mayors of Cities are probably the most obvious role based Titles – and the The Lord Mayor of Restov is probably the most influential person at this level.
  • Life Time - Arch- Bishops, Generals and Governors are often awarded a personal lifetime title of Lord when they retire.
  • Hereditary – prove your worth to the state by Building and controlling 10 points worth of defensive buildings. Mind you, you have to get permission to build them, of course, in the first place – so be nice to your superiors. You can do this fairly easily with a two or three district town.
  • First Sword-Lord. A duelling master that is considered to be the equivalent to a Lord in Restov, and other Aldori areas.

• Lord-Dominus - Is a junior version of Lord It can be role based (Lord Advisor), a lifetime award (Senior Sword Lord) or Hereditary - it does not have to be associated with an area of land.
  • Role Based - Lords Advisor to Governors, Nobles or Lord Mayors are probably the most obvious role based (See Note 1)
  • Lifetime - Captain Generals, Lord Mayors, Chancellors and Guild Masters are often awarded a personal lifetime title of Lord-Dominus when they retire.
  • Hereditary – prove your worth to the state by Building and controlling 5 points worth of defensive buildings. Mind you, you have to get permission to build them, of course, in the first place – so be nice to your superiors. You can do this fairly easily with a one district town.
  • Senior Sword-Lord. A duelling master that is considered to be the equivalent to a Lord-Dominus in Restov, and other Aldori areas.
  • Sheriff - Administrator of a Shire-county

• Lessor Aristocratic Titles
  • Laird - Is the most senior of the lesser titles and represents the least senior aristocratic families. They might be Lord-of-the-Manor, a Village Squire, or they may not have any land at all. Most of these Aristocrats are not particularly influential on the larger stage - But some develop commercial, magical or military powers that make them much more influential than their title implies.
  • Master (Lifetime) - Those people who hold senior military or administrative posts (Bishops, Captain, Lord Advisor) are generally rewarded with the personal lifetime title of Master, as are academics, and guilds men. Each organization will have its own criteria that must be filled.
  • Master (Role) - Master Craftsman, Master Mariners, Headmaster, Post Master, Harbour Master, Skilled people, or minor functionaries. (See Note 1)
  • Knight - Full members of a Military Order may claim the rank of Knight (or Sword Knight in the Case of Iomedae's Knights). Each order has its own criteria that must be filled. This is a Life Time title.
  • Sword-Lord. A duelling master that is considered to be the equivalent to a Knight in Restov, and other Aldori areas. This is a Life Time title.

• Junior Aristocratic Titles
  • Member of the Order - first advanced rank in The Brevic Order.
  • Officer - The initial rank in the Order of Brevoy. Officers are a combined Policeman, Magistrate and Military Officer all rolled into one.

Administrative Role tiles are an appointment and can be removed by the Appointing Noble (Town, City etc). They are generally unpaid, but the appointee is expected to take advantage of the situation to further their own, or their family, interests. If an appointee is dismissed for bad conduct (such as corruption, illegal dealings or something similar) they may be stripped of some of their (ill-gotten) holdings.