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(Taken
from the Royal
Library of Evendarr 6/25/603)
The
Society and Customs of the Rulers of the
Kingdom
of
Evendarr
:
The
Kingdom
of
Evendarr
is a feudal society,
governed by the oath-sworn nobles who each answer to a liege-lord above him or
her. This means that there is a strongly observed hierarchy. Ours is not a
system of equality of all people. It is a system of duty to one's superior in
return for protection and support. Often though, High-ranking Nobles throughout
the land listen to the commoners, the adventurers, and their nobles about their
concerns.
His
Majesty, King Mykel Endarr II, owns all the lands and properties within the
kingdom
of
Evendarr
. His Majesty chooses
people to administer the majority of these holdings in his name. These people
are vassals of the King. Each of these people administers the lands as if they
were their own. In return they swear that they will support the King, adhere to
the laws of the kingdom, ensure their nobles compliment the Code of Chivalry,
provide troops in time of war, collect taxes, and meet any other duties the
King, and Crown, expects of them.
These
vassals are called Princes and Princesses. In turn each of these people have
vassals of their own, called Dukes/Duchesses, Counts/Countesses, and
Barons/Baronesses. Again, Oaths of Fealty bind the Prince/Princess with his or
her vassals. Counts/Countesses and Barons/Baronesses may assign areas of land to
vassals of their own, Lord barons, Lady Baroness, Knights and Lords/Ladies.
Every person in the preceding group is collectively known as a
"noble."
Any
person who is not a noble is a commoner. The commoners are the fiber of society,
performing the day to day work. They are the farmers, craftsmen, healers,
soldiers, fisherman, etc.
Somewhere
between the nobles and the commoners are Adventurers, perhaps the most common
occupation as the monsters and adversaries of the kingdom show themselves each
year. Adventurers usually earn respect among the common people because of their
heroic deeds and the fact that they usually have a bit of money. Adventurers
earn the respect of the nobility of Evendarr for the same reason.
Just
because commoners and Adventurers are below the Nobles in the Hierarchy
doesn’t mean that they are cattle to be controlled by the nobles. The nobility
is so empowered with duty because they love the Land and all her people. Each
noble owes certain responsibilities to the commoners upon their lands. In return
for part of the profits of the commoners' labors, the noble who governs the land
is expected to protect them from crime, protect them from invasion, and help
them when they are in need. The noble is expected to provide leadership, an
example of proper behavior, and to improve the lot of his or her commoners over
time.
The
commoners' responsibility is to be willing to pay fair taxes, join the militia
in time of need, help their Lord administer justice by reporting crimes and
providing testimony, defend their Lord or Lady's name, and address and treat
nobles with the respect and the title that they are due. Such respect to the
nobility is expected of all people who traverse through Evendarrian lands, be
they citizens of this kingdom or visitors.
Matters
of Address and Title
In the heart of the kingdom, it is expected that a commoner will bow while in
noble presence. Ladies of court will curtsy and gentlemen will fall at one knee.
Ladies who take arms will generally also bow at one knee if their dress is
befitting of such a thing. No means of brandished weapon should be displayed at
this time. Weapons should be in their sheath and be turned with point toward the
floor. Magical Spell aura should be withdrawn. All vials of poison should be put
away. In the strictest of tradition, a person whether Kneeling or bowing should
remain in the respectful position until the nobleman acknowledges the commoner
and delivers his permission for the commoner to stand, or until the noble
departs the immediate area. In some frontier areas, the slightest observance of
tradition with a quick curtsy or bow is usually considered to be a sign of great
respect in itself.
A
simple nod of the head and quick, polite acknowledgment of title is much more
common for Squires, Lords, and Knights. Everyone is sure to kneel when the
nobles high rank pass
On
the battlefield, matters of Chivalry toward the nobility are rarely observed.
Indeed, it is the preference of many noblemen that their vassals not kneel to
them as the enemy is better able to identify our leaders and concentrate their
strikes upon them. When fighting a noble enemy, this is rarely a difficulty.
When fighting elemental creatures or creatures of the wood, however, it is
probably best not to observe chivalric custom on the battlefield.
When
a commoner gains an audience with a Duke, Duchess, Prince, Princess, or the King
or Queen, the commoner should take extreme care with his manners. This is
generally also true of noblemen as well. A commoner should never speak until
expressly given permission to do so. At that time, the first words out of the
commoner's mouth to begin every sentence should be the proper form of address,
even when answering simple questions such as, "Your Grace, no," or,
"Your Grace, yes." A nobleman of low station should ask permission to
speak, but should be equally as observant of titles of address. A higher noble
is granted some larger measure of courtesy, but is still expected to use the
proper forms of address conversationally. Barons and Knights grant more
leniency’s and often engage in free flowing conversation within their courts
and among adventurers.
Proper Titles
Proper
titles are always observed in the older parts of the kingdom such as Evendarr,
Kitheria and Rotaria. On the frontier, they are more rare with most Duchies
casually observing proper title. The use of proper titles is generally
considered to be good courtesy and manners in Evendarr, however, and is a good
habit to begin if you are new to the kingdom.
Persons
of all stations, including nobles, use the following titles when addressing
commoners. It is not appropriate to curtsy, kneel or bow to any of the following
persons in most cases:
Commoners:
The name of a man without any title at all is preceded by "Goodman,"
such as Goodman Serdahnia. A lady would be addressed as Goodwife, Goodlady,
Mistress or Ladymiss, such as Ladymiss Raverra. In the case of men and women, it
is appropriate to use the person's first name rather than their family name if
the surname is not known, or if you are more familiar with the person being
addressed.
Commoners
of Note and Adventurers:
Men and women who have earned themselves a respectable reputation in their craft
or with some other deed are often addressed through the title of their
occupation, such as, "Good Barrister Serdahnia." In the cases of
persons who have performed heroic deeds, they may be addressed such as,
"Good Casca the Riftsbane."
Commoners
with Military Rank:
The military rank of a commoner is always used in place of another common title.
Military ranks are usually specific in their form of address, and creativity
should not be applied to the address. The military rank generally precedes a
person's surname in formal address, but on the battlefield, the rank precedes
the person's most commonly used name. For instance, Master Sergeant Hassan
Deathforge of the Stormguard would be addressed as "Master Sergeant
Deathforge" in formal circumstances, but as "Master Sergeant Hassan"
more commonly.
Commoners
of Courtly Station:
Nearly every noble court of the realm has commoners who hold respected positions
such as Sheriff, Magistrate, Guildmaster, Chamberlain, etc. Although noblemen
may often hold these positions, in the case of commoners the honorary title of
"Lord" for men and "Lady" for women is often conferred.
These titles, while noble in origin, do not confer the status of nobility, only
great respect. In formal address, the surname of the person is attached to the
title as, "My Lord Magistrate Gunther," or "My Lady Guildmistress
Katherine." In common conversational address, however, the person's name is
not used at all, only the title, "My Lord Sheriff," "My Lady
Chamberlain."
Squires
and Squire Candidates:
Squires are commoners who hold courtly station. Men and woman are addressed
formally as, "Good Squire" and then their first name. More
conversationally, the word "good" is not applied, and an address as
simple as, "Squire Lyria" or “Squire Candidate Frederick” is
appropriate.
Titles
of Nobility
The following are the titles of nobility. Persons of lower stations should
always curtsy or kneel to persons of higher stations. Noblemen do not commonly
observe such rites with persons of lower station, though it is sometimes done as
a sign of tremendous respect. Except in the most unusual of circumstances, such
as the honoring of a hero of tremendous renown, nobles of higher station never
curtsy or bow to nobles of lower station in formal situations, such as the
holding of court. The other exception to this is that a husband and wife will
usually curtsy/kneel to each other, regardless of rank, even in the most formal
occasions.
Lords and Ladies
Depending on local traditions of Dueling, in some areas of the kingdom, Lords
and Ladies are expected to choose champions in honor duels and may therefore be
of lesser rank to Knights, who are obligated to defend themselves. The title of
Lord or Lady is also that given to a person of honorary station, such as a
noble's husband or wife who did not earn the title personally. In most areas of
the kingdom, Lords are of equal ranking with Knights. Persons of this station
are to be addressed by the title, "My Lord" for men, and "My
Lady," for women. A nobleman's preferred name usually follows, and that can
be either the person's first or last name. In formal situations, it will be
both. Conversationally, a name is not used, but the nobleman is addressed merely
as, "My Lord," or "My Lady." The mis-pronunciations of,
"m'lord" and "m'lady" are not to be used with the nobility.
They are expressions of respect among commoners.
Knights:
The conference of knighthood is always an indication that the person earned the
title personally, and it is not an honorary title. Knights are commonly
addressed by title and first name, but sometimes the preferred name is used. Men
are addressed as "Sir" and ladies are addressed as "Dame."
In formal situations, the full title of knighthood, such as Knight Protector,
Knight Champion, etc. is used. Formally, a man would be addressed as, "Good
Sir Knight Captain Red," or "Good Dame Knight Protector Amaris."
Less formally, "Sir Red," or "Dame Amaris" is appropriate.
All knights are appropriately addressed in all situations as, "Good Sir
Knight," and "Good Dame Knight." It is rarely appropriate to
address a knight as, "My Lord," or "My Lady," as the
Knight's address is preferred. In all areas of the kingdom, Knights are
obligated to defend themselves in honor combat, rather than choose champions.
Barons
and Baronesses:
Barons and Baronesses may choose to be addressed by either their first or last
name. Use of the last name is more formal, however, and should always be used
when in doubt. Barons and Baronesses who gained their title through marriage
should be addressed by their family name, indicating that is the source of the
title. The titles of "His Excellency" and "Her Excellency"
are used for Barons, Viscounts, and Counts. In formal situations, the titles of
Excellency and Baron are both used, such as, "Her Excellency Baroness
Rosalind Frederick" and "His Excellency Baron Beowulf Durendal."
Conversationally, these gentlepersons should always be addressed as, "Your
Excellency," or "My Lord Baron," or "My Lady Baroness."
For the members of their personal households, "My Lord" and "My
Lady" may be used, but only in private conversation.
Nobles
of higher station and other Barons and Viscounts will not use the term,
"Your Excellency" when addressing one of lower or equal station, but
will address the person as, "My Lord Baron," or "My Lady
Baroness."
In
all parts of Evendarr, Barons have the option to take the name of their land as
their own. It is always appropriate to address a noble as such, regardless of
how they name themselves. When the name of the Land is used, the personal
pronouns are dropped. "Baroness Marentha," "Baron Konrad,"
and "Baron Nariketh" are appropriate in all situations.
Viscount
and Viscountess:
These titles are most often honorary titles. Thought they do confer the respect
and courtesy due to one of higher nobility, these persons usually rule over
little more than one estate, and not a large area such as a barony, etc. A
Baron/ess and a Viscount/ess are of equal social standing, though the heroic
deeds that earned the Viscountcy may convey a higher station personally. The
last name of a Viscount is the most common address, but there is no set rule as
to which name should be used. As with Barons, someone who has gained their
Viscount/ess title though marriage should generally be addressed by last name to
note the origin of the title. The titles of "His Excellency" and
"Her Excellency" are used for Barons, Viscounts, and Counts. In formal
situations, the titles of Excellency and Viscount are both used, such as,
"His Excellency Viscount Arcevol." Conversationally, these
gentlepersons should always be addressed as, "Your Excellency." For
the members of their personal households, "My Lord" and "My
Lady" may be used, but only in private conversation.
Nobles
of higher station and other Viscounts and Barons will not use the term,
"Your Excellency" when addressing one of lower or equal station, but
will address the person simply as, "Viscount," or "Viscountess."
Count
and Countess:
Counts and Countesses may choose to
be addressed by either their first or last name. Use of the last name is more
formal, however, and should always be used when in doubt. Counts and Countesses
who gained their title through marriage should be addressed by their family
name, indicating that is the source of the title. The titles of "His
Excellency" and "Her Excellency" are used for Barons, Viscounts,
and Counts. In formal situations, the titles of Excellency and Count are both
used, such as, "His Excellency Count Roderick Daleron."
Conversationally, these gentleperson’s should always be addressed as,
"Your Excellency," or "My Lord Count," or "My Lady
Countess." For the members of their personal households, "My
Lord" and "My Lady" may be used, but only in private
conversation.
Nobles
of higher station and other Counts will not use the term, "Your
Excellency" when addressing one of lower or equal station, but will address
the person as, "My Lord Count," or "My Lady Countess."
Duke and Duchess:
Dukes and Duchesses may choose to be addressed by either their first or last
name. Use of the last name is more formal, however, and should always be used
when in doubt. Dukes and Duchesses who gained their title through marriage
should be addressed by their family name, indicating that is the source of the
title. The titles of "His Grace" and "Her Grace" are used
for Dukes. In formal situations, the titles of Grace and Duke are both used,
such as, "His Grace Duke Morten Sarten." Conversationally, these
gentlepersons should always be addressed as, "Your Grace," or "My
liege." The terms, "My Lord Duke" and "My Lady Duchess"
are not appropriate in any situation and are simply not used. For the members of
their personal households, "My Lord" and "My Lady" may be
used, but only in private conversation, and even then, "My liege" is
truly more appropriate.
Nobles
of higher station and other Dukes will commonly use the term, "Your
Grace" when addressing one of lower or equal station.
Princes
and Princesses
Princes and Princesses are almost always addressed by their last name, such as
"Prince Tegg." Princes and Princesses who gained their title through
marriage are sometimes addressed less formally through use of their first name,
however, in the case of "Princess Eleanor." The titles of "His
Highness" and "Her Highness" are used for Princes and Princesses.
All situations involving Princes and Princesses are formal, and the titles of
Highness and Prince are both used at all times, such as, "Her Highness
Princess Lillian Rotari." In audience, Princes and Princesses are always
addressed as, "Your Highness." The terms, "My Lord Prince"
and "My Lady Princess" are not appropriate in any situation and are
simply not used. For the members of their personal households, "My Lord,
"My Lady," and "My liege" may be used, but only in private
conversation, and even then, "Your Highness" is truly more
appropriate.
His
Majesty the King may use whatever form of address he chooses with any noble of
the kingdom. The other Princes of the realm will commonly use the term,
"Your Highness" when addressing one of equal station.
Kings
and Queens
Because the throne of Evendarr is largely a hereditary seat, His Majesty the
King and Her Majesty the Queen are almost always addressed by their first name,
such as "His Majesty King Mykel" and "Her Majesty Queen
Katherine." The titles of "His Majesty" and "Her
Majesty" are used for Kings and Queens. All situations involving His
Majesty are formal, and the titles of Majesty and King are both used at all
times, as above. In an audience, the King and Queen are always addressed as,
"Your Majesty." The terms, "My Lord King" and "My Lady
Queen" are not appropriate in any situation and are simply not used. For
the members of their personal households, "My liege," is common, and
"My Lady," for the Queen and "Sire" for the King may be
used, but only in private conversation, and even then, "Your Majesty"
is truly more appropriate.
His
Majesty the King may use whatever form of address he chooses with any noble of
the kingdom, and never bows to any of them. Even the husband or wife of the
reigning monarch will address the ruling noble as "Your Majesty."
Collectively
the above Nobles comprise the governing body of the Kingdom of Evendarr.
Commoners and adventurers are encouraged to approach Squires and Knights with
questions and requests. Often the Liege-lord of the land will hold court where
nobles, adventurers and commoners can bring forth issues to be resolved.
Social Customs
In all civilized lands within the Kingdom of Evendarr, there are four basic
conventions of good conduct that the people observe. These conventions may as
well be law in the older parts of the Kingdom, for the reputation of whole
families depends on their strict observance of these things in many cases. Be
forewarned that in some frontier lands, travelers come from many other lands
which do not hold these concepts as dear as Evendarrians.
The
Laws of Hospitality
If you invite a person into your home or holdings and they accept your
hospitality, they will be treated as a guest, and the members of the household
will do their best to protect the guests from any harm. Conversely, the guest
has a responsibility not to abuse the goodwill of the host. In all parts of
Evendarr, the nobility, in particular, are bound by this ancient tradition. Many
a feud and even some wars have begun when a nobleman offered another
hospitality, and the guest came to harm in the host's lands.
The
Laws of Loyalty
In the older areas of the kingdom, and in many of the new, it is generally
accepted that a person's word is good. Because of this, if a person swears
loyalty to another and that oath is accepted, even if they have been enemies,
the past will be forgotten. The person swearing the oath of loyalty will be
expected to support and protect their liege, and likewise, the liege is expected
to offer the same favor to the vassal. On the frontier of civilization, the
courtesy of trust is not so easily delivered, and individuals are not always
taken merely at their word. The history of Tyrangel, in particular, is dotted
with betrayals of tricksters and liars, and memories of this make the Law of
Oathkeeping often difficult to observe. An older tradition of Evendarr that is
seldom observed, is the branding of oath-breakers. Persons who broke their word
were once branded with an O on their face, and set free to eke out an existence
marked by shame and betrayal. In more recent times, oathbreakers face any range
of punishments from the loss of reputation to death.
The
Laws of Kinship
People in the outreaches of the kingdom tend to be very loyal to family members.
It is generally felt that you should trust your family over an outsider. In many
parts of Evendarr, it is accepted that even the nobility will act for their
families before the people of their lands. Some noble oaths specifically cite
loyalty to the Land above kin, however.
The
Laws of Personal Honor
Most Evendarrians have a very strong sense of personal honor, at least in the
sense of defending it against statements and acts of others. In Some parts of
the kingdom, slights to honor are settled through the ancient practice of
Dueling, while other parts of the kingdom prefer to settle disputes through
public debate. The regard for life and safety is much stronger than it ever has
been, with many Evendarrians reluctant to shed blood for the sake of honor
alone. As such, duels to the resurrection are becoming rarer. In most parts of
the Kingdom, Duels to the resurrection are illegal unless witnessed by a noble
sponsor.
Crime
and Punishment
Acts considered Criminal in Evendarr are the usual: Necromancy, Theft, Murder,
Treason and such. In older times, the outreaches of the kingdom commonly held
very simple laws, and the punishments were swift and brutal. Recently, as the
kingdom has expanded its borders tremendously within the past ten years, the
borderlands sometimes have the most complicated sets of laws in the kingdom. The
inner Duchies like Tyrangel in particular, is not as complex as many lands', but
the punishments are varied and creative. In keeping with the unusually high
regard for life found in Evendarr punishments are seldom delivered publicly as a
lesson to others. Punishments are most often delivered away from the public eye
and civilized areas. In most areas of the kingdom, it is conventional to lose
title and station for breaches of chivalry or the law in addition to the more
mundane punishments.
King
Mykel II has a group of Royal Knights who travel the Kingdom ensuring that the
nobles of Evendarr are not oppressing the people. The group is known as the
King’s Orchestra, with each Instrument being a group of six specially trained
Knights. It is their responsibility to collect information concerning
accusations and allegations against both nobles and commoners and report that
information to the respective lieges. They are approached by commoners,
adventurers, and Nobles to investigate accusations.
Accused
nobles are judged by their liege, although their decision may be appealed to the
Court of Chivalry if either the accuser or accused believe the decision unjust.
The liege-lord of the accused nobleman is the judge on the noble's own lands,
unless his or her liege intervenes. This is very rare as no liege wishes to
diminish his or her vassal in the eyes of the commoners. The accused noble is
summoned to appear before their liege as there is no need to have a gentleperson
apprehended by troops. In very rare, very extreme cases, the accused may be
incarcerated before trial.
In
Evendarr, however, the gentility and kindness of the nobles seems strange to the
local people. Entirely unlike other areas of the kingdom, the common people of
Evendarr are generally allowed to speak freely their opinions on any subject,
including the performance of the nobility. As such, it is not uncommon for an
angry commoner to deliver criticism or accusation of a noble in public, without
noble sponsor and generally without fear. Although the nobility of Evendarr
maintain that they do not allow the freedom of speech, these outbursts from the
commoners are usually tolerated and punished only with a stern verbal reprimand
if at all. Please take note, however, that such outbursts generally do much to
diminish the level of respect an individual earns for himself.
Commoner
vs. Noble
In
older parts of the kingdom, if a commoner accuses a noble - a very dangerous
event - the commoner must find another noble of equal or higher rank than the
accused who believes the veracity of the claim and will sponsor the cause to the
liege-lord of the accused. If a commoner cannot find a sponsor, then the charges
may never be brought forth. In the newer parts of the kingdom and since the
return of King Mykel II in the late 590’s, it has become obligatory for
Knights to investigate any accusation against another noble that is not higher
in rank and provide an explanation to the inquirer. Accusations are now to be
investigated regardless if brought forth by a noble or a commoner. This recent
demand by King Mykel II has caused many an investigation and several nobles who
were found guilty of oppressing the common folk have resigned. In cases of
accusations against higher-ranking nobles, the Noble being accused should be
approached directly, or a Royal Knight contacted to perform a proper
investigation.
Commoner
VS Commoner:
If
a commoner accuses a commoner, the accuser contacts the local Magistrate. The
Sheriff and his deputies will collect the accused, and then the accuser and
accused along with relevant witnesses are brought before the Magistrate, or a
nobleman in the case of truly grievous crimes.
Nobleman
VS Commoner:
If
a noble accuses a commoner, several things can happen depending on the crime,
the noble in question, and the status of the accused. Due to the many dangers
found in the frontier, many traditions of courtliness are not observed in
matters of punishment. All nobles of a Duchy have jurisdiction throughout the
county, but it is still expected that deference will be granted to the direct
liege of the land where the crime takes place.
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