Post by Rule Hound on Dec 30, 2015 21:03:41 GMT
Fealty is simply the structure and means for Cainite society to function and to rank itself. To determine standing and who has what rights and duties.
Fealty is a big deal and is almost always made a public spectacle, failure to do so brings into question your own allegiance. Many Dukes or Barons will offer to host a gathering as to honor the one swearing fealty to them.
Fealty works both ways. A lord can expect certain duties and favors from his vassals but in return he also owes them protection and possibly other favors and support in return.
Throughout human history there has also been the example of City States (Free Cities). Cities that are granted certain freedoms and allowed to structure and organize themselves as they see fit due to certain benefits of having them around.
Pillar of Eternity is structured with both of these in mind.
Fealty debts are paid roughly once every OOC year (our year not in game time) or once the draw deck gets diminished and needs refreshing (this deck benefits you as a character/player and also provides in game connections/interactions through boons)
Gatherings/Elysiums - Each Dukedom is expected to host a Gathering at a minimum once every 5 years (the Free city is exempt but may still request the honor).
See Position post for status received for each level of fealty.
Fealty
Duke (High-Clan only) - A Duke owes one Major Boon (plus one Minor if they have a third Baron)to the Ard Rhi as Fealty Debt. The Major Boon may be broken down into 3 Minor Boons and 1 Trivial. As part of Fealty the Duke drinks 1 pt of the Ard Rhi's vitae (1pt blood bond). 1 downtime in service of the Dukedom or Ard Rhi. May have up to 3 Barons sworn to them.
Baron/Count (High-Clan only) - A Baron/Count (choose title that you want) owes Two Minor Boons to their Duke as Fealty Debt. As part of Fealty the Baron drinks 1 pt of their Dukes vitae (1pt blood bond). 1 downtime in service of the Dukedom. May have up to 2 Knights sworn to them.
Knight (High-Clan or Low-Clan) - A Knight owes one Minor Boon to their Baron as Fealty Debt. As part of Fealty the Knight drinks 1 pt of their Barons vitae (1pt blood bond). 1 downtime in service of the city or Ard Rhi. 1 downtime in service of the Dukedom.
Other Positions Sworn Directly to Ard Rhi - All other positions sworn directly to Ard Rhi (except Doge) owe one Major Boon (or 3 Minor Boons and 1 Trivial) to the Ard Rhi as Fealty Debt. As part of Fealty they drink 1 pt of the Ard Rhi's vitae (1pt blood bond).
Free City
This is outside Fealty but still indirectly part of it. In the Dark Ages some clans were thought to be lesser than others, yet by working together these low-clans sometimes form what are called Free Cities. Becoming useful or strong enough that they are not simply destroyed outright. In recognition of this, they have been brought unofficially under the banner of the Ard Rhi and are granted certain privileges for doing so (status among them).
Cainites in a Free City are almost universally Low-Clan. Any High-Clan residing in or owing allegiance to a Free City suffer a Status ban and are treated as though they are Low-Clan. Further, only a true Low-Clan can rise up to lead the City as Dodge and accept allegiance in name of the City. There generally has to be a really good reason to refuse a low clan membership in the city. For the most part they simply walk in and pledge their loyalty. High Clan's that want to join are a different matter, a Doge has the right to refuse a High Clan if they feel it will be detrimental to the status of the free city or bring conflict or just because they want to.
The right to survive and the benefits bestowed on Free City members come at a cost. They pay a higher Fealty Debt to the Ard Rhi or Doge but since they are not fully part of the fealty system they do not partake of the blood oath (at least not that is known). The Free City is a trading city and as such is the gateway to many distant lands. They are the gatekeepers to contact with some of the less populous and distant clans.
If at anytime there is 8 or more PC members of a Free City they may approach the ST and seek to establish a second Free City (min 4 members).
Doge (Low-Clan Only) - Chosen from among all members of the Free City once every 5-10 years or the Ard Rhi can call for a new vote if there are issues with the current Doge. Owes one Major Boon and two Minor Boons (or 5 Minor Boons and 1 Trivial) to the Ard Rhi as Allegiance Debt after each election if a new Doge is chosen (otherwise at per normal schedule). Owes Allegiance to Ard Rhi as though they were a Duke/Baron but without the Blood Bond. 1 downtime in service of the city or Ard Rhi.
Freeman (Low-Clan - though there is the occasional disgraced High-Clan) - A Freeman owes Two Minor Boons to their Duke as Allegiance Debt to any new Doge (otherwise at per normal schedule). 1 downtime in service of the city or Ard Rhi.
Unsworn
Those not in fealty are no one and have no standing. To be outside fealty is to never know if you are safe, you are a parasite in another Vampires domain never knowing if there is a stake at your back and no leige to protect you if trouble comes.
Fealty is a big deal and is almost always made a public spectacle, failure to do so brings into question your own allegiance. Many Dukes or Barons will offer to host a gathering as to honor the one swearing fealty to them.
Fealty works both ways. A lord can expect certain duties and favors from his vassals but in return he also owes them protection and possibly other favors and support in return.
Throughout human history there has also been the example of City States (Free Cities). Cities that are granted certain freedoms and allowed to structure and organize themselves as they see fit due to certain benefits of having them around.
Pillar of Eternity is structured with both of these in mind.
Fealty debts are paid roughly once every OOC year (our year not in game time) or once the draw deck gets diminished and needs refreshing (this deck benefits you as a character/player and also provides in game connections/interactions through boons)
Gatherings/Elysiums - Each Dukedom is expected to host a Gathering at a minimum once every 5 years (the Free city is exempt but may still request the honor).
See Position post for status received for each level of fealty.
Fealty
Duke (High-Clan only) - A Duke owes one Major Boon (plus one Minor if they have a third Baron)to the Ard Rhi as Fealty Debt. The Major Boon may be broken down into 3 Minor Boons and 1 Trivial. As part of Fealty the Duke drinks 1 pt of the Ard Rhi's vitae (1pt blood bond). 1 downtime in service of the Dukedom or Ard Rhi. May have up to 3 Barons sworn to them.
Baron/Count (High-Clan only) - A Baron/Count (choose title that you want) owes Two Minor Boons to their Duke as Fealty Debt. As part of Fealty the Baron drinks 1 pt of their Dukes vitae (1pt blood bond). 1 downtime in service of the Dukedom. May have up to 2 Knights sworn to them.
Knight (High-Clan or Low-Clan) - A Knight owes one Minor Boon to their Baron as Fealty Debt. As part of Fealty the Knight drinks 1 pt of their Barons vitae (1pt blood bond). 1 downtime in service of the city or Ard Rhi. 1 downtime in service of the Dukedom.
Other Positions Sworn Directly to Ard Rhi - All other positions sworn directly to Ard Rhi (except Doge) owe one Major Boon (or 3 Minor Boons and 1 Trivial) to the Ard Rhi as Fealty Debt. As part of Fealty they drink 1 pt of the Ard Rhi's vitae (1pt blood bond).
Free City
This is outside Fealty but still indirectly part of it. In the Dark Ages some clans were thought to be lesser than others, yet by working together these low-clans sometimes form what are called Free Cities. Becoming useful or strong enough that they are not simply destroyed outright. In recognition of this, they have been brought unofficially under the banner of the Ard Rhi and are granted certain privileges for doing so (status among them).
Cainites in a Free City are almost universally Low-Clan. Any High-Clan residing in or owing allegiance to a Free City suffer a Status ban and are treated as though they are Low-Clan. Further, only a true Low-Clan can rise up to lead the City as Dodge and accept allegiance in name of the City. There generally has to be a really good reason to refuse a low clan membership in the city. For the most part they simply walk in and pledge their loyalty. High Clan's that want to join are a different matter, a Doge has the right to refuse a High Clan if they feel it will be detrimental to the status of the free city or bring conflict or just because they want to.
The right to survive and the benefits bestowed on Free City members come at a cost. They pay a higher Fealty Debt to the Ard Rhi or Doge but since they are not fully part of the fealty system they do not partake of the blood oath (at least not that is known). The Free City is a trading city and as such is the gateway to many distant lands. They are the gatekeepers to contact with some of the less populous and distant clans.
If at anytime there is 8 or more PC members of a Free City they may approach the ST and seek to establish a second Free City (min 4 members).
Doge (Low-Clan Only) - Chosen from among all members of the Free City once every 5-10 years or the Ard Rhi can call for a new vote if there are issues with the current Doge. Owes one Major Boon and two Minor Boons (or 5 Minor Boons and 1 Trivial) to the Ard Rhi as Allegiance Debt after each election if a new Doge is chosen (otherwise at per normal schedule). Owes Allegiance to Ard Rhi as though they were a Duke/Baron but without the Blood Bond. 1 downtime in service of the city or Ard Rhi.
Freeman (Low-Clan - though there is the occasional disgraced High-Clan) - A Freeman owes Two Minor Boons to their Duke as Allegiance Debt to any new Doge (otherwise at per normal schedule). 1 downtime in service of the city or Ard Rhi.
Unsworn
Those not in fealty are no one and have no standing. To be outside fealty is to never know if you are safe, you are a parasite in another Vampires domain never knowing if there is a stake at your back and no leige to protect you if trouble comes.