Важное про дворян в кормире

# Важное про дворян в кормире ###### tags: `Cormyr - Land of Purple Dragon` There are 25 major noble families, and they tend to intermarry. This sometimes complicates the royal lineage. Nearly everyone in the major noble families has some kind of claim to the throne. Should the king and his immediate heirs die suddenly, there would almost certainly be some kind of conflict to decide the rightful heir, despite the fact that meticulous genealogical records are kept. Nobles are born, not made. The exceptions to this are local lords, who are individuals appointed by the king to govern a town or group of towns in the kings name. ## The Common Folk Anyone who is neither a noble nor a local lord is considered common. Nobles walk with the king in Suzail and advise him on what to do. Local lords implement the kings decisions and at once support the king and protect the people. The common folk, however, are the true strength of the kingdom. They form the Purple Dragons, the militias, and the farmers who feed the kingdom. It is tradition in Cormyr, strongly endorsed by Azoun IV, that all commoners can speak freely to any noble, or to the king himself, on any topic of concern and expect to be heard and answered as politely as if they sat in the Purple Dragon throne themselves. ## Lords of Cormyr he king rules by means of appointed lords, one in each town, and by the fealty of the landed nobility and the rich merchant lords. The landed nobility is extensive and interbred, such that most can claim a drop or two of royal blood in their veins. The merchant lords are the wealthiest caravan and business owners of the day and change with the shifts of fortune. Each local lord is responsible for defending the local farms, dispensing the kings justice, keeping the peace, serving as the kings eyes and ears, and (most importantly) collecting tithes for the king and for himself (1 sp/head/year). The lord also must maintain a fit, fast horse of the best quality for the use of the kings messengers (who ride fast and far, requiring them to change mounts at every stop). Each lord is allowed up to 40 men-at-arms, plus up to six guides/captains (typically rangers). These may serve as the town guard. Volunteer town guardsmen are known as the Watch, and the lord may exempt them from the tax if their service has been valuable. The relationship between the landed nobility and the appointed local lords is generally good, though many established families treat the local servants of the crown as no more than royal lack- eys, to be bossed about or flattered as need be. The names of the local lords and heralds (their assistants) are listed with each city and town. ## Duties and Privileges Nobility carries with it a number of benefits. Nobles can keep armed retinues (the extent of which is deter- mined by the family, the title, when it was issued, and the relevant royal proclamations), maintain fortified residences, hire mercenary bands, pass heraldic bla- zons to their children, and serve as de facto officers in the Purple Dragons. They have the power to detain or arrest—but not to put on trial or punish—commoners who commit crimes on their lands or in their pres- ence, as well as the ability to petition and advise the Crown directly, without the need to find an advocate at Court. Unlike common Cormyreans, nobles can walk with weapons unbonded, although this is cus- tomarily seen with decorative court swords and not true, battle-ready blades. In return for these rights and privileges, every noble must swear fealty directly to both the monarch and the Crown. He or she must maintain a retinue for conscription into the Purple Dragons, in addition to being prepared to serve actively (or to fund an appro- priate body of soldiers). Nobles also pay taxes to the Crown based on the expected level of wealth for their station and holdings; rather than being subject to the “indignity” of a visit from the royal exchequer, each noble is assigned a sum (which of course all nobles consider far too high) that he or she must pay the Crown’s coffers. Nobles do not have the right to swear individu- als to their personal service or the service of their families, nor can they accept oaths of fealty from other nobles. ### What Powers Do Nobles Have? 1. A noble is not required to tie a peace string around their 1. sword (to keep it from being drawn swiftly in anger). 1. A noble may detain lawbreakers on their family lands. 1. A noble may arrest someone for breaking Crown law if the 1. crime occurs in the noble's presence. 1. A noble must turn lawbreakers over to the Crown for trial 1. and punishment. 1. A noble may temporarily hire mercenaries. 1. A noble may build and occupy fortified residences. ### What Powers Do Nobles NOT Have? 1. A noble may not swear fealty to anyone besides Cormyr's 1. ruling monarch. 1. A noble may not accept oaths of fealty from anyone else— 1. even another noble. 1. A noble may not punish or try someone for their crimes. 1. A noble may not raise up a private army loyal to them 1. alone. ## King’s Lords Scattered across the realm are cities, towns, and smaller settlements ruled by the King’s Lords—those people appointed as governors, to speak for the Crown, dispense justice, collect taxes, and organize the defense of the realm. A noble of at least baron rank (whether inherited or appointed), a King’s Lord is the ultimate authority in a governed area, overseeing trials of accused criminals, appointing guard captains and other officers, and otherwise making sure that King Foril’s will is carried out.