POWER AND AUTHORITY IN P'BAPAR
An Overview
Traditionally, the Archduke of P'Bapar has had significant, but not absolute power. With succession being determined by the vote of the Lords Magnate and the possibility of legal deposition, the Archdukes needed to run the realm while maintaining the support and goodwill of the Magnates. Frequently, Archdukes also required the support of one or more of their fellow Princes in order to rule effectively, and compromises acceptable to all were common.
With the rise of House Kalanasi, this is no longer the case, and Archduke E'Dos II is free to rule almost as he sees fit. The Archduke may still offer incentives to lesser lords in order to ensure their support, but rarely is any Prince or Magnate in a position to demand a concession of him.
The Princes themselves are still each wealthy and powerful individuals, but their ability to influence national politics has been reduced significantly. In many respects, the Lords Magnate now wield greater power, as they, as a group-- in theory, if not in reality -- still have the power to depose and elect Archdukes. The families of the Lords Magnate, for the most part, can trace their lineage back to various noble families of the Kalamaran Empire, or to the those of the Eastern Brandobian Empire who were subsumed into Kalamar during the conquest. Given P'Bapar's position as a critical trading hub, almost all of them earn their incomes as merchant families, although some have ties to Guilds and other industry.
All the Princes and the majority of the Lords Magnate have their family estates and the core of their operations based in and around the city itself. The Earls are the primary exception, as they must occupy the lands that they control. Several Earls have been appointed, it would seem, specifically to remove them from the city and prevent them from becoming engaged in intrigues that might hurt or hinder the interests of the crown. However, whatever the reason for their appointment, successful Earls are well rewarded by the Archduke.
The lesser nobles of the realm, the Lords Vulgate, come from many backgrounds. Some are minor noble houses that have existed since before the arrival of the Kalamarans, while others are successful merchants or other freemen who have bought or been awarded titles. Some Vulgate titles are hereditary, while others are not, but while all are prestigious, few come with any real legal power.
The Guilds are also a significant power in P'Bapar, in no small part because of the support they received from B'renesol early in his reign. Most of the highest guildmasters buy or are awarded Vulgate titles, but their power and influence stems from their respective Guilds' ability to influence trade and the economy, rather than the titles they hold.
The Parish of the Prolific Coin is the most influential church amongst the nobility, and it is not uncommon for non-inheriting children to enter the church. The Entrepreneur of P'Bapar is almost always drawn from amongst the nobility, and upon the Entrepreneur's anointing, he is elevated to the ranks of the Lords Magnate.
The Founders Creation, Fraternal Order of Aptitude, Home Foundation, Courts of Justice, Church of Chance and the House of Laughter are also significant players in day-to-day life and each of these churches has sufficient support from amongst the population to carry some political weight. Most other churches can be found in the city, but have little influence on political events.
P'Bapar's standing military is small, consisting of approximately 500 heavy infantry and 700 cavalry. They also have a large, well-trained militia, including a number that volunteer to serve garrison duty for 12 or 24 months at the various fortifications strung along the Legasa Peaks in the western Earldoms. Lords Mandate (along with Earls and Princes) are allowed small household guards, and may take on the services of knights, but are not allowed significant standing forces. Military units stationed in the Earldoms are not subject to the authority of the local Earl, but instead report directly to the Archduke.
By Sable wyrn reposted from the HackMaster forums with permission
An Overview
Traditionally, the Archduke of P'Bapar has had significant, but not absolute power. With succession being determined by the vote of the Lords Magnate and the possibility of legal deposition, the Archdukes needed to run the realm while maintaining the support and goodwill of the Magnates. Frequently, Archdukes also required the support of one or more of their fellow Princes in order to rule effectively, and compromises acceptable to all were common.
With the rise of House Kalanasi, this is no longer the case, and Archduke E'Dos II is free to rule almost as he sees fit. The Archduke may still offer incentives to lesser lords in order to ensure their support, but rarely is any Prince or Magnate in a position to demand a concession of him.
The Princes themselves are still each wealthy and powerful individuals, but their ability to influence national politics has been reduced significantly. In many respects, the Lords Magnate now wield greater power, as they, as a group-- in theory, if not in reality -- still have the power to depose and elect Archdukes. The families of the Lords Magnate, for the most part, can trace their lineage back to various noble families of the Kalamaran Empire, or to the those of the Eastern Brandobian Empire who were subsumed into Kalamar during the conquest. Given P'Bapar's position as a critical trading hub, almost all of them earn their incomes as merchant families, although some have ties to Guilds and other industry.
All the Princes and the majority of the Lords Magnate have their family estates and the core of their operations based in and around the city itself. The Earls are the primary exception, as they must occupy the lands that they control. Several Earls have been appointed, it would seem, specifically to remove them from the city and prevent them from becoming engaged in intrigues that might hurt or hinder the interests of the crown. However, whatever the reason for their appointment, successful Earls are well rewarded by the Archduke.
The lesser nobles of the realm, the Lords Vulgate, come from many backgrounds. Some are minor noble houses that have existed since before the arrival of the Kalamarans, while others are successful merchants or other freemen who have bought or been awarded titles. Some Vulgate titles are hereditary, while others are not, but while all are prestigious, few come with any real legal power.
The Guilds are also a significant power in P'Bapar, in no small part because of the support they received from B'renesol early in his reign. Most of the highest guildmasters buy or are awarded Vulgate titles, but their power and influence stems from their respective Guilds' ability to influence trade and the economy, rather than the titles they hold.
The Parish of the Prolific Coin is the most influential church amongst the nobility, and it is not uncommon for non-inheriting children to enter the church. The Entrepreneur of P'Bapar is almost always drawn from amongst the nobility, and upon the Entrepreneur's anointing, he is elevated to the ranks of the Lords Magnate.
The Founders Creation, Fraternal Order of Aptitude, Home Foundation, Courts of Justice, Church of Chance and the House of Laughter are also significant players in day-to-day life and each of these churches has sufficient support from amongst the population to carry some political weight. Most other churches can be found in the city, but have little influence on political events.
P'Bapar's standing military is small, consisting of approximately 500 heavy infantry and 700 cavalry. They also have a large, well-trained militia, including a number that volunteer to serve garrison duty for 12 or 24 months at the various fortifications strung along the Legasa Peaks in the western Earldoms. Lords Mandate (along with Earls and Princes) are allowed small household guards, and may take on the services of knights, but are not allowed significant standing forces. Military units stationed in the Earldoms are not subject to the authority of the local Earl, but instead report directly to the Archduke.
By Sable wyrn reposted from the HackMaster forums with permission
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