"Everyone thinks that nobles have it easy, but it's a treacherous life and you're always standing in someone's way. I'd rather take my chances out here with you lot than risk assassins back home. Give me a herd of Beastmen any day."
- —"Lugner" Rodziner, Tenth of his Line [3a]
A noble of the Empire of Man
Imperial nobles comprise the grand and petty nobility of the Empire of Man.
The most important noble families in the Empire are those of Imperial Electors and of course the emperor himself. There are hundreds of others though, and they all vie for more money and the increased political power it brings. Some seek their fortunes in war, others in business or politics. None would ever stoop to sully themselves by practising a common trade. The most contemptible nobles do nothing at all, merely live off their family wealth and attend an endless array of parties, dances, and gala events.[1a]
The younger children of noble houses, however, do not have it so easy. Since inheritance of titles and lands always goes to the eldest, they must often make their own way in the mortal world. Some gain an official commission in a state's armies or navies, others join a cult's priesthood, others gain the employ of a higher ranking noble, and still others slum amongst the lower classes and fall in with adventurers and ne'er do-wells.[1a][2a]
Imperial Noble Hierarchy[]
The importance and wealth attached to apparently similar or identically named titles in the Empire 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 only 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 so-called "Royal Houses" who hold Electoral positions.[4a]
Rulers of Imperial 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 "barons" or "baronesses", as are the heirs to counties and duchies. Rulers of marches (borderlands) are called "margraves". Heirs to baronies are known as "baronets", and heirs to principalities are "crown princes". The ruler of the League of Ostermark is known as the "chancellor".[4b]
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 River 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.[4b]
In general, the prefix "grand" attended to a standard title 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 and Middenland, 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 simply as "the Graf."[4b]
A Day in the Life[]
Upon waking in a sumptuous bedroom the noble calls for servants to help them groom, dress and bring them breakfast. They may wish to hear some music, and a lute player will be summoned. They may wish to visit the town, in which case servants prepare the noble's carriage and drape a green velvet cloak about their shoulders.[2a]
Most of the people the noble meets seek their favour through sycophantic shows of obedience, but they may have to deal with less deferential individuals. A farmer may complain about taxes, or a bereaved woman whines that if the Cult of Shallya had better funding her infant need not have suffered. Occasionally there might be a moment of drama as an angry young man flings something unpleasant at the noble before dashing off. If the local watch are alert enough the noble may have the satisfaction of seeing the churl hanged.[2a]
All are distractions from the business of the day -- statecraft and socialising. The noble will meet with Magisters, guild masters, priests and burgomeisters, and review the performance of his underlings, bailiffs, heralds and watch sergeants. He may draft a new law or decide to instigate some military adventure. The evening might be spent amongst his noble peers at a high class club, enjoying the latest Sierck production at a theatre, or dancing an elegant waltz at a ball.[2a]
Social Responsibility[]
Whilst agitators might decry them as corrupt parasites, many nobles realise they are expected (though not required) to act as paragons of virtue. Nobles with a social conscience, or a deeper understanding of Imperial politics, know that every time they behave in a less than exemplary manner they provide ammunition to those who seek to attack the nobility. Such nobles try their best to set an example to those below them. They court public opinion by donating to Shallyan orphanages, or by taking a prominent position in the ranks of their state's military during times of conflict.[2a]
More selfish or ignorant members of the nobility don't bother themselves with such a burden of responsibility. This obnoxious behaviour is most notable in the archetypal "rake". These are usually young and foppish nobles who takes pleasure in inflicting all manner of childish and humiliating pranks on their social inferiors, knowing they will be able to buy or intimidate themselves out of any trouble they might get into as a result. Gangs of such rakes can be encountered "slumming it" in many cities of the Old World, drunk on expensive liquor and looking for entertainment.[2a]
Code of Behaviour[]
The system by which the nobility of the Empire maintains control obliges its members to adhere to a certain code of behaviour. These obligations are relatively few, but they do impose a certain standard that is not set down in any statute. Rather, the notion of "noblesse oblige" (as the Bretonnians say) requires that a noble comports with the standards of their station, as judged by their peers, their people, and their gods.[5a]
Over the centuries, countless nobles have fallen foul of the high standards expected of them. Some have caused the people they rule to rise up against them while others have brought the ire of their own lords down upon them.[5a]
Exile[]
Exile is a fate normally reserved for disgraced nobles whose crimes are too serious and visible to be allowed to go unpunished. Exiled nobles often take with them a core of retainers just as guilty as themselves, and are ejected from the lands, never to return.[5b]
Depending on the severity of the crime, a noble may be banished from their city, from their province, or from the Empire itself. Invariably, they assume a new identity and turn to the life of a recluse, a robber baron in the Border Princes, or occasionally as a mercenary captain selling their services across the Old World, especially in Tilea.[5b]
Many exiled Imperial nobles harbour dreams of returning to their homelands to reap an act of terrible revenge upon those who exposed and banished them, and some even manage to raise huge armies to reclaim their position.[5b]
Military Service[]
The single most important duty that an Imperial noble owes their liege lord is military service. In times of war, a noble is expected to muster and equip their tenants, form them into regiments, and field them as required by the needs of their superior lords. In general, the noble themself is expected to lead their troops and many are well-schooled in the military arts.[5a]
The defence of the Grand Provinces and of the Empire as a whole is not left entirely to these locally-raised forces, however, and each province maintains its own standing army of professional soldiers. Many nobles serve in their province's State Army, earning a name for themselves and discharging their duty to their lord. Even after such nobles return to their estates, they will answer should war call again, taking up arms and armour kept ready for just such a need.[5a]
Many of the richer Imperial noble houses find it simpler to employ mercenaries to discharge their obligations of military service. Such lords prefer to see their own tenants labouring in their fields and to employ experienced, professional soldiers to maintain order and to fight when called upon to do so. These mercenaries are often veterans of the State Army, but just as many are from farther afield, perhaps from Tilea, the homeland of many mercenary regiments, or the ever-shifting petty principalities of the Border Princes.[5a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 46
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Career Compendium (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 153
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 73
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Enemy in Shadow Companion (RPG)
- 5:Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: Lure of Power (RPG)