Empire of Man
Structure
Noble Hierarchy
The importance and wealth attached to apparently similar titles varies greatly. For example, the Countess of Averland rules a vast area lying between the river Aver, the Upper Reik, and the Black Mountains, while the Countess of Bylor rules a Sylvanian bog in Eastern Stirland that would barely support half of a poor baronet of the Reikland. This diversity is noticeable in the wealth of the more important families, particularly among the Royal Houses who hold Electoral positions.Rulers of Principalities are styled as Princes or 'Princesses, while rulers of Duchies are known as Dukes or Duchesses. Rulers of Counties are known as Counts or Countesses, and rulers of Baronies are known as Barons or Baronesses, as are heirs to Counties and Duchies. Rulers of Marches (borderlands) are called Margraves. Heirs to Baronies are known as Baronets, and heirs to Principalities known as Crown Princes. The ruler of the League of Ostermark is known as the Chancellor.
However, local customs ensure that no two parts of the Empire have a consistent standard, and that there are many more titles than the few already listed. In Nordland, heirs to coastal estates are titled Master or Mistress. Down the Reik, many Prime Estates are ruled by Reikgrafs and Reikgravins. In many parts of the Empire, ‘Hochadel’ Noble Houses, those who have been counted as noble for over 1,000 years, use the title Graf and Gravin rather than duke and duchess or count and countess; that said, in Middenland they prefer the title grafina to gravin, which they see as somewhat effeminate.
In general, the prefix ‘Grand’ signifies that the title holder is also an Elector — thus Emperor Karl-Franz is also the Grand Prince of the Reikland. However, not all rulers choose to use it: Graf Boris Todbringer of Middenheim, for example, is not styled ‘Grand Graf’ or ‘Grand Duke’ largely because he doesn’t like the way either title sounds. Instead, he is universally known as ‘the Graf’.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Leader
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Subsidiary Organizations
- City State of Marienburg
- Grand Barony of Nordland
- Grand County of Averland
- Grand County of Stirland
- Grand County of the Mootland
- Grand County of Wissenland
- Grand Duchies of Middenland and Middenheim
- Grand Duchy of Talabecland
- Grand Principality of Ostland
- Grand Principality of Reikland
- House Holswig-Schliestein
- Imperial Colleges of Magic
- League of Ostermark
- Privy Council
Location
Related Traditions
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Related Myths
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