Throughout much of the world's history, nations have been ruled by monarchies. As such, the system of nobility is diverse and complex, though the main concepts are relatively simple. There are two rank structures, in essence:
- royalty - any house that rules a nation state and maintains a monarchical system (has kings, queens, etc.)
- nobility - any house that has noble status, but is not in control of a nation state; these serve as vassals to the royal houses
Most of the ruling elite in the Everwind setting consists of several dynasties who have ruled their respective regions, some even for thousands of years. Their rulings styles run the gamut of human behavior, from ruling through fear to ruling through benevolence. Like any such monarchist system, sometimes these families experience tragedy. Following the Curella epidemic, several of the royal houses were assassinated and became extinct (House Doria, House Reddick, House Glengard, etc.). Others rose to prominence, taking advantage of the chaos provided by the plague (House Claverian). Whether a house rose, fell by the wayside, or remained basically in the same position, one thing is shared among them all: their time is limited.
The Turmocet vaccine caused mass sterility, even among the nobles, which meant that they can no longer produce heirs in accordance with their laws. This would not be a problem in itself; these rulers could simply rewrite the laws and implement a different method for heir selection to account for the new situation. However, some regions saw an opportunity in this, and rebelled in order to shirk the centuries-old control they had experienced under the monarchies. New forms of government came into being for the first time ever, and the thinking goes that if this can be done elsewhere, there is danger in that one's own citizens might opt for a similar course of action.
The response seems to be varied. Some choose to rule out of emotion, with a heavy hand. To rule through fear and maintain strict control (Clavermark, Gruenormark). Others choose to curry favor with their people, to maintain respect through benevolence (Averia, Praul). And yet others, realizing that new governments might set a dangerous precedent, are attempting to contrive ways to undermine these governments, to facilitate their failure, so they can use them as an example of failed experimentation.
Other exacerbating factors in ruling under such conditions are widespread famine and relative chaos, longstanding rivalries with other houses, and lack of resources to maintain a lifestyle of decadence and luxury. In conclusion, it is a hard time to be a ruler, but it is even harder to be a citizen.
Hierarchies
The system in place consists of a hierarchy from the Royal Houses down. Royal Houses rule the respective realm (nation state), with Noble Houses having lordship over provinces and such, in exchange for fealty and tax monies, etc. The Noble Houses are typically given peerage titles such as Daeken or Daekus, Baeron or Baerus, etc. Finally, beneath this are those of landed gentry, typically wealthy landowners who are given courtierships and titles such as Saer, Saeress (title), etc.
Titles
There are several titles used for nobility and positions of honor throughout the Everwind Series. Only those of Royal Houses typically hold Daeken titles or their equivalent, with Baeron and Earlenships being held by Vassal Houses, though there are a few exceptions. It is also possible to hold titles in other countries. For example, Rylen of Brummel lives in Andermark, but he holds the title of Baeron of Irnley, which applies to Praul.
Primary Ranks
- Emperor - only Vralius Claverian holds this title, often as "High Emperor"
- King and Queen
- King Regent - one who rules in the stead of the actual king until he becomes of age; Nurius 12 of Andergard is a king regent
- Queen Consort - the wife of a king
- Queen Regnant - a queen who rules in her own right; Caliana of Sable is a queen regnant
- Queen Regent - a queen who rules in the stead of the actual king until he becomes of age
- Queen Dowager - the wife of a deceased king; Caliana of Sable is one but uses the higher "regnant" title
- Queen Mother - a queen dowager who is also the mother of the reigning sovereign
- Crownprince and Crownprincess - a prince or princess who is next in line to the High Seat
- Prince and Princess - offspring of a king and queen
- Viceroy - a position appointed by any sovereign power which acts in their stead as governors over a particular region
- Crowndaeken and Crowndaekeness - a Daeken or Daekeness who is next in line to the High Seat; a prince/princes who is also a daeken/daekeness may choose which they prefer. Falder of Brant is a Crowndaeken; Averlyn of Sable is a Crowndaekussa
- Daeken and Daekeness - similar to a Duke, almost always held by those of Royal Houses
- Daekus and Daekussa - (Averia)
- Baeron and Baeroness - baron and baroness, highest title allowed to be held by those of Vassal Houses
- Baerus and Baerussa - (Averia)
- Earlen and Earleness - below baeron in station, held by Vassals
- Earlus and Earlussa - (Averia)
- Count and Countess - (Ildoria)
- Saer - similar to Sir, though does not denote knighthood or even nobility
Titles of Custom or Courtesy
- Your Virtue - what they call the Queen in Averia
- Your Excellence - used for the sovereign king and queen of a given nation state
- Lord and Lady - used for members of noble houses and those of royal houses who are not heads of state