The game of Rule-by-Mail™ takes place in a medieval fantasy world where mighty nobles rule domains and make complicated alliances and fight bloody battles of conquest. Feudalism is the name of the social system which typified medieval government and diplomacy. The entire system works like a giant pyramid scheme with a King at the top and many, many peasants and serfs at the bottom. Each person in a superior position on the pyramid promises to protect those below them on the pyramid while promising to faithfully serve those above them on the pyramid. For those at the very bottom, this means providing the labor which drives the entire economy. For petty nobles and knights, it means providing military service to protect the dominion both from outside threats and to make sure the lower orders remember their place. The higher levels of the pyramid serve the dominion in very important ways as well, by becoming rich and dreaming up plots to rise to even higher stations.
Noble Titles
The ruler of a domain is called a noble and is then a member of the nobility. Traditionally noble titles were either inherited from one’s parents or bestowed by the King. In these times of conflict however
There were traditionally nine tiers to political division within the Kingdom of Notia, although the lowest three tiers are not necessarily subordinate to one another.
Kingdom
At one time the entirety of the Notional Isles were under the banner of a single Kingdom, with the death of the King and the coming of civil war, unification of the Kingdom is but a distant dream and none can know which lord or lady might be the one to finally be crowned.
Grand-Duchy (also known as Arch-Duchy)
Traditionally there were five Grand Duchies in Kingdom of Notia, although in the past there have been as few as three and as many as twelve. Each of the Arch-Dukes was to varying degrees related by blood to the King, but none were closer than third cousins. The Arch-Dukes had a great deal of power within the realm and this level of title is a grey area between what is Noble and what is Royal.
Duchy
A Duchy can be a subdivision of an Arch-Duchy or be directly subordinated to the King. Dukes command a number a lesser nobles, and as such are highly respected and often feared. There will always be a number of subordinate barons and counts with the possibility of two or more Marquis as well. Duchies are generally about five counties in size covering up to 1,200 square miles making them truly great domains.
To earn a promotion to Duke or Duchess, one must have at least 4 direct vassals, at least one of whom must be a count.
March
Marches are ruled by powerful and loyal nobles called Marquis or Markgraf. Marches are important counties on the borders of Grand Duchies or Kingdoms.
To earn a promotion to Marquis or Marquesse, the noble must be a count and have one castle and one other fortified settlement under his or her control. The castle must be controlled by the would-be Marquis, but the other fortification can be held by a vassal.
In the Grand Duchies of Danskering and Waldensee, a Marquis is known as Markgraf. The spelling Marques is standard in all of the Grand Duchies and is also accepted as an alternate pronunciation.
County
A County is a relatively large tract of land comprised of many estates and possibly a large town or two. Counts generally have a greater role in the day-to-day operation of their own domains than do more magnificent Nobles. A county will often have one to three subordinate baronies, in any case a county will be several times the size of a barony.
To earn a promotion to Count or Countess one must game control over three grid squares of territory, these may be directly ruled by the would-be Count, or may be held by vassals.
The title of count has the most variation by Grand Duchy, Notia – Count, Gallantor – Earl, Waldensee – Graf, Killblarney – Count, Danskering – Jarl.
Viscounty
At times, a great Noble may wish to subdivide his domain due to some difficulty in rule. These divisions are generally not permanent and the title of Viscount is generally not hereditary, although rarely they are. A Viscounty will always be smaller than one-half the liege’s total domain, but will always be greater than what would be considered a Barony. It is also acceptable practice for the King to appoint Viscounts in the Interest of the Realm if he should determine that a noble has not been doing a sufficient job in rule.
To earn a promotion to Viscount or Viscountess, a player must add a second grid square to his or her barony either through development or conquest. The second grid square may be ruled either directly or through a vassal lord.
Barony
A Barony often is made up of a manor and a hamlet or village. It is the lowest level of hereditary land grant in the Kingdom of Notia. A barony often is made up of a manor and a hamlet or village. However, they may be as large as 100 square miles with populations of up to 7,000. A baron may or may not have one or more sheriffs subordinate to him.
To earn a promotion to Baron, a player Sheriff must successfully improve all six hundreds available in their Shire and build a stronghold.
Free City
Some important cities and towns are on the demesne of the local Nobility by special agreement with the King. These cities are preceded over by Lords Mayor, a non-hereditary title which owes fealty directly to the King.
Shire
The least glamorous political division of the Kingdom is that of Shire. A Shire is a collection of Thorps and Hamlets in which no Noble has much interest, generally due to their remote location and/or lack of profit potential. Such areas are administered by Sheriffs who are free-men or knights in the service of a noble.
Forms of Address
King (Your Majesty)
Crown Prince (Your Royal Highness)
Prince (Your Highness)
Arch-Duke (Your Royal Grace)
Duke (Your Grace)
Crown Prince (Your Royal Highness)
Prince (Your Highness)
Arch-Duke (Your Royal Grace)
Duke (Your Grace)
Archbishop (Your Eminence)
Marquis (Your Grace)
High Priest (Your Grace)
Earl, Count (Your Eminence)
Graf (Your Noble Lordship)
Viscount (Your Noble Lordship)
Baron (Your Lordship)
Ambassador (Your Excellency)
Bishop (Your Excellency)
Lord Magistrate (Your Honorable Lordship)
High Sheriff (Your Lordship)
Lord Mayor (Your Lordship)
Magistrate (Your Honor)
Sheriff (Most Honorable Sir/Dame)
Knight Commander (Most Honorable Sir/Dame)
Knight Banneret (Right Honorable Sir/Dame)
Knight Companion (Most Worthy Sir/Dame)
Mage (Arcane Sir)
Knight Bachelor (Worthy Sir/Dame)
Priest (Varies, but usually Father or Matron)
Knight (Sir/Dame)
Elder (Honorable Master)
Gentleman (Master / Madam)
Esquire (Squire)
Yeoman (Socman)
Serf (Whatever demeaning term seems suitable)
Recent Comments