(Year 235, Spring) This Spring all high nobility nobles were directed to renew the portraits showing their High Nobility Crowns, both Peer and Consort versions. The crowns are quite valuable desbite their relatively young age (crafted in Year 151), they are owned by the regional trusts and the portraits are used to illustrate the online Heirloom index (link to each House's heirlooms below).
Because they all (bar one) did visit the Photographer, it's a great opportunity for us all to take a quick look at those fresh portraits! Who are the current top nobles of Mazaloom kingdom?
First off, our hierarchy of noble peerages was created in order to support the Royal Crown. The Monarch is not seen as a noble per definition, because he is above them all. The Royal Chamber is the creator that must apperove on every single change, and King Tarriot leads that chamber. Therefore, there was never crafted a Peer/Consort Crown for the Monarch and his Queen - they carry way older and more valuable head gear whenever the occasion calls for it.
Each of our 8 geographical regions has one peerage ranked above any other peerage of their region. In five regions there is a dukedom, while the remaining three have counties as their highest ranked. Hierarchically, dukes generally rank above Counts, but it seems a bit random where the dukedoms are located. For example, Regioon Tredony is one of the oldest and historically most interesting regions, but they doesn't have a dukedom, but a county.
There are also a couple additional counties not of high nobility rank, as well as numerous baronies. Mesters are not seen as true nobility, although they got a dedicated level of the nobility career, just above Knights/Dames, who don't really have much impact, either. Still, if there is no active dukedom, county or barony in a district (=world), a Knight or Dame can actually get quite some attention despite their restricted noble activities. Currently no Knight/Dame rules a district, but House of Landgraab and House of Dougham are both powerful thanks to their Mester titles (and some money, of course).
Top nobility dukes and counts have several major benefits, such as getting a life lasting seat at the Royal Chamber (a rotational thing as the 8 high nobility Peers fight over 5 seats). They will normally be first in line providing spouses to Princes and Princesses, and not the least they can direct some of the actions performed at Districtual Court held by lower ranked Peers of their region. There are also financial perks, such as being the only peerages that can receive annual allowances from the Royal Palace Office (RPO).
Each peerage of the kingdom is tied geographically to a district (=world), and regardless of rank dukes, counts and barons can hold Court in their respective district. They can all enact noble decrees, but only high nobility dukes/counts can do so without someone else's approval. High nobility Peers can also set district taxes, and they can direct lower ranked Counts within their region to do the same. In most cases this would be seen as political, so in Mazaloom taxes are for the most left to Politicians.
All Peers have the ability to knight residents for their first nobility career level, Knight/Dame, but this must first be approved by the Royal Chamber. Only Head of a House can apply such a knighthood, but most such Heads don't really bother as they won't gain much from a 1st career level where promotion is not the norm. Only a few see the title as a huge thing, typically late in life when they retire from their main career anyway.
The Dukedoms
All five dukedoms bar one were established around Year 1. They have been the foundation of the nation, especially in the fields of military and finances, but during the Medieval era in particular also politically. Following the Great Revolution (Year 118) they are less powerfull today, but still hold many central positions of our community.
Rossie Dukedom was always held by House of Ross with a seat at Henford. Their Peer/Consort Crowns holds brilliantly cut red rubies on a brass base. This House covered numerous Officers of the past, and both the current Duke and his brother Lord Bennet Ross lead great Military careers as well. Duke Jarret is also into Equestrian sports, and they are generally very well liked and probably benefiting from the best reputation among the high nobilities. Duke Jarret (65) and Duchess Ribra Lynn (71) have five children, all boys. We might expect some brother rivalry in the future.
Windenburg Dukedom was always held by House von Heimlich with a seat in Windenburg, except for a few decades (Year 182-225) when everyone thought Duke Merlin had drowned and the House gone extinct. But then he was miraculously found in Selvadorada. Their crowns hold diamonds. If you read about this House in the past, you might notice that it is not Duke Merlin on that portrait (top row, 2nd from left). Duke Merlin (83) is still in hospital so friend of his House, Duke Charloman de Cavalier, stepped in modelling for their crown photo. Duchess Mandy (49) hopes her husband will recover shortly. They have 5 children, all in primary school.
Meadows Dukedom was always on the hands of House of Saxor, seated on two locations in the Meadows district, which is the southern half of San Myshuno. Their crowns hold green emeralds on silver base. Duchess Gloria, aka «Lady Tiara» among friends because of owning so many of them, once expressed that this Consort Crown is her least favorited gala head wear. Duke Victus (61) and Duchess Gloria (79) have one daughter, Lady Corva (25), but no son to take over the dukedom. It makes for an unpredictable future, but the duke is still rather young.
Aarbyville Dukedom is built by pirate kings, and House de Croismare joined Mazaloom kingdom a couple decades into our year count. Their crowns hold pink gems on iron, making them rather heavy, but what crown is not heavy? Duke Vibratore (53) and Duchess Prudence (47) reside in San Sequoia, but they never had children - certainly leading to a lower life satisfaction when you are a duke. The duke's younger brother is preparing to take over some day. It was rumored that Duchess Prudence, said to be into magic, was furrious at the photographer's atelier over her neckless not matching her crown.
- It's why I never wear these items and I'm glad His Grace finds his crown a bit silly, too!, she announced when leaving the atelier in a hurry. Tradition is that the Consort can carry her crown and necklace only at events where the Peer is carrying his crown - they are supposed to link.
Finally, the Cavalier Dukedom located in Brindleton Bay is the youngest as it was established as late as in Year 98. House de Cavalier (springing out from House of Ross) was established as part of the founding. Duke Charlopold (44) and Duchess Luna (44) are currently also the youngest, still having babies to secure the future of their dukedom. Their crowns hold pink gems. Luna turned out to be the daughter of Duke Merlin von Windenburg's first marriage (by DNA test long ago). They have two children both toddlers, and one is a boy, but who stops at two on this level of nobility?
The Counties
The three counties ranked high nobility also have each their set of Peer and Consort crowns, but their crowns are not as tall as those carried by the dukes. In fact, the Count and the Countess carry similar design.
Advorton County was always on the hands of House of Altham, but they were originally seated in Ciudad Enamorada, few generations ago moving to Chestnut Ridge. Their crowns hold orange gems, possible fire opals, on brass base. Count Chander (60) and Countess Annette (46) have two sons in primary school, and just had a daughter, too. They run a horse ranch when not performing their noble duties.
Crafthole County was always held by House of Paris, first located at the old Mines (today known as Copperdale), but few generations ago they settled in the forest of Moonwood Mill. This is a mysterious family, some say their familytree includes a weewolf, which they never addressed. Their fortune is built on Smiths, and Count Jacop keeps his ancestors' skills alive through gem cutting. Their crownes - not crafted by relatives - hold jade gems on brass. Again a neckless not fully matching, but this couple is rarely attending any social activities anyway, and the Count rarely hold any districtual Court either. Count Jacop (50) and Countess Benedicta (53) have three children, main heir just becoming a teen.
It seems like this photo session will result in larger portraits for wall hanging, and possibly an exhibition hosted by Mazaloom National Museum. More on that later as details get sorted.
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PS: Link to each House takes you to the Heirloom Index. Many of the indexed Heirlooms are CC, and under the left side illustrations there might be a link for downloading from the original creator's website.
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