THE FEUDAL CITY

The feudal city is usually similar to the autocratic city in its basic operation; that is, it is often the product of a monocratic national system. The primary difference lies in how the local government takes shape. As with an autocratic city, a single individual (a duke or similar landed noble) usually governs a feudal city. He or she rules it as part of a personal fief, and is beholden in turn to a higher liege (usually the king). Technically speaking, the duke rules his or her own lands on political behalf of another, who is the ultimate arbiter in matters of law and policy (since the fiefdom lies within the boundaries of the superior’s domain). Feudal cities are further distinguished by the size and complexity of the resident nobility, many of whom are landed gentry in their own right (having been ceded territory by the local duke). In this regard, feudal cities are generally “healthier” than truly autocratic cities, since the size and influence of the middle class is substantially larger.

Between the royal family, the landed nobility, the gentry, the church, and the working class, the feudal city displays almost as much complexity as the democratic city. The highest-ranking noble has the final word on matters of state, of course, but the governing family—no matter how wealthy or influential—doesn’t exist in a vacuum, making a feudal city the perfect environment for thorny and scandalous high-society intrigue. Complicating matters further, feudal cities typically have strong parliaments—either assisting the ruler in governing or legislating policy in their own right—made up of other landed nobles. As such, the city’s ruler must spend much time and effort courting the favor of the other nobles, regardless of (or because of) the fact that his authority technically outstrips their own.

By its very defi nition, the feudal city is almost never a capital. If the king is in residence, he has no need of a duke or other sworn representative, making it an autocratic city by default. Feudal cities exhibit alignments of every sort, though good- and neutral-aligned communities still make up the majority. Evil-aligned feudal cities are hotbeds of backstabbing scandal and intrigue of every variety.