(Year 235, Spring) This Spring all high nobility nobles were directed to renew the portraits showing their High Nobility Crowns. The crowns are quite valuable despite 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 initial design of the great peerage was to have a baron in each district, or a count controlling numerous districts - all ranked under the regional duke. However, back then the regions were different, both in number and size, and several of the initial dukedoms died out without being replaced by another House. Today there are dukes in only five regions, while the remaining three have a count as their highest ranked Peer. Hierarchically, dukes rank above Counts, but high nobility Peers are generally seen as equals.
There are also a few counts in regions where there is a dukedom, such counts are not seen as of high nobility and have no crown.
It is still a goal to have one Peer seated in every district (=world) in order to enact decrees or taxes. In a few districts the residents won't benefit from decrees and taxes because there is no districtual Peer. The Royal Chamber is now searching ways to fix this, without creating many more baronies.
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. There are also financial perks, such as up to 50% tax relief and receiving annual allowances from the Royal Palace Office (RPO). Lower nobility Peers might lead other careers than the Nobility career, and will then not receive any allowances.
Each peerage of the kingdom is geographically tied 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 according to a set routine, but only high nobility can initiate their own decree or increase/decrease the national taxes for their region with one level.
All Peers have the ability to knight residents for their first nobility career level, the honorable title 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
Four of today's five dukedoms were established shortly after Year 1. They have been the foundation of the nation, especially in the fields of military and finances, during the Medieval era in particular also politically. Following the Great Revolution (Year 118) they are now less powerfull, but still hold central functionality.
Rossie Dukedom was always held by House of Ross with a seat at Henford. Their Peer Crown holds brilliantly cut red rubies on a Solarium metal base. This House covered numerous Military 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 crown holds Shinolite crystals on Death metal base. Duke Merlin (83) is still in hospital so he was not photographeed wearing the crown. 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 crown holds green emeralds on Ozinold metal base. Duchess Gloria, aka «Lady Tiara» among friends because of owning so many of them, once expressed that their high nobility Crown is her least favorited gala head wear, although she is not actually the one weaing it (so, did she try it on?). 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 himself is still rather young.
Aarbyville Dukedom holds he history of pirate kings, and House de Croismare joined Mazaloom kingdom a couple decades into our year count. Their crown holds blue Sapphires on Heavy metal base, making it 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. She joined her husband's photo session.
- 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.
Finally, the Cavalier Dukedom located in Brindleton Bay is the youngest dukedom, 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 high nobility couple, still having babies to secure the future of their dukedom. The Peer crown holds Amethyst crystals on Punium metal base. 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 high nobility counties also have their Peer crowns.
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 crown holds Orange topaz gems on Simtanium metal base. Count Chander (60) and Countess Annette (46) have two sons in primary school, and recently 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 Smith Masters, and Count Jacop keeps his ancestors' skills alive through gem cutting. Their crown - not crafted by relatives - hold Monstone gems on Ironyum metal base. This couple is rarely attending any social activities and the Count rarely hold districtual Court either. They have been criticised for staying in the hardly populated forest hood, and not in Ravenwood or Copperdale. Moonwood is seen as a hood under Copperdale, but technically has no effect on Copperdale residents, who miss out on decree and taxes benefits. 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.
-----------
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. Links no longer working will not be corrected.
No comments:
Post a Comment