Nobles of the Compact
The noble families of the Estian Compact. Most of these titles were awarded while the Empire ruled, but their power has remained.
# Titles
The ranks of nobility can be hard to understand for an outsider, but it is quite simple. A lower-ranked noble always has a liege of higher rank, whom they pay taxes to (collected from lower nobles, who in turn collect from the people).
All Estian titles (except for Duke of Estia) follow absolute primogeniture, meaning that the oldest child inherits the title regardless of gender. If a holder of a title dies without children, the title goes to the nearest living relative. If two nobles marry, they take the name of whoever is the most senior member of their respective house.
New titles, both landed and unlanded, can be created by the Estian Council with a majority vote. The Duke of Estia has a veto on any such vote.
# Duke/Duchess
The highest title is duke/duchess. No family holds a permanent ducal title. The Speaker of the Council is awarded the title of Duke of Estia for their tenure. The taxes collected by the Duke of Estia goes to run the government of the Compact.
# Count/Countess
The second highest title is count/countess. Several families hold county titles, mostly based in major cities and large areas of land.
# Baron/Baroness
Lowest land-holding title. Usually rules over a smaller town or a large village.
# Lord/Lady
A member of a noble family that does not hold land, or junior members of major families. There are several families who are noble, but through marriage or some other reason have lost their land holdings, making Lord the highest title they can use.
# Families
Generations of marriages and scheming has created a complex web of relations, feuds and friendships between the upper crust of Estian society.
# House Tuveren
For the Realm
County of the Windward Coast. Their ancient family seat at Tuveren Manor lies three days ride north of Aphenor. Longstanding rivals of House Beckett.
# Portia, Duchess of Estia
A ruthless politician, Duchess Portia is the current Speaker of the Council, the second youngest person to hold that office, and the youngest woman. She received her education at the School of Rhetoric and Oratory in Greystone, graduating with distinction. She was quickly appointed Grand Emissary, a job she held until her mother died and she became head of her house. Is married to Duke Raymond.
# Raymond, Duke of Estia
Born Lord Raymond Keswick. Met Duchess Portia at the School of Rhetoric and Oratory, where he studied to be a bard. Expert lute player.
# Lord Remus
Son of Duchess Portia. Has a covert relationship with Lady Julianna Beckett, which their parents would never approve of.
# Xavier
Older brother of Duchess Portia. Abandoned his title and became a monk on Kiniden.
# House Dawnstar
A Light in the Darkness
Rulers of the county of Greystone.
# Aurius, Count of Greystone
Count Aurius is one of the most deft politicians of recent years. He is currently the only person to sit on two seats on the Council, both as head of House Dawnstar, and as representative of Greystone. A skilled swordsman who served as an officer in the Estian armies when he was younger. Never married, but his daughter Fiona was legitimized as his heir - otherwise the Dawnstar line would go extinct, as he is the only surviving branch.
# Lady Fiona
# House Beckett
Truth Will Conquer All
Rules the county of Aphenor. Their power is mostly limited to the land surrounding the capital, which is run by the Duchess of Estia. Has a long-standing feud with House Tuveren, dating back to the fall of the Empire.
# Roscoe, Count of Aphenor
Sits on the Council in the seat awarded to his family. His wife holds the seat representing Aphenor. He is an inventor who spends what little free time he has tinkering in his workshop.
# Catherine, Countess of Aphenor
Born Lady Catherine Breckenridge, younger sister of Lord Lysander. Married Count Roscoe in a marriage that was arranged by their parents, but they quickly found love and now have eight children.
# Lady Calliope
Sits on the Council as Treasurer of the Estian Compact, responsible for administering the incomes and payments of the government. Younger sister of Count Roscoe. She is a wizard, trained at the Council Archives in Greystone. Married to Arhilwyn, an elven sorceress from Iacaris, with whom she lives in Aphenor. Her appointment as Treasurer was a hard-fought compromise - a Tuveren speaker would never nominate a Beckett without being forced.
# Lord Curtis
Count Roscoe's nephew. He is a playboy who has never cared for politics, preferring business and money - not all of it legitimate.
# Lady Julianna
Eldest daughter to Count Roscoe and Countess Catherine, and heir to her father's title. Has a covert relationship with Lord Remus of House Tuveren, whom House Beckett considers their main rivals for power in southern Estia.
# Lady Annabelle
Youngest daughter of Count Roscoe and Countess Catherine. Is betrothed to Lord Alvin Cassaro of Greystone in a political marriage.
# House Blaise
Prepared For All Deeds
County of Cottenhorn. Highest ranking halfling noble family.
# Lucian, Count of Cottenhorn
Held elections for the representative seat for Cottenhorn instead of awarding it to his wife, as would have been his right. This upset some of the nobles, but greatly pleased the other elected representatives. Is second cousins with Count Aurius Dawnstar.
# House Keswick
Ever Steadfast
Barony of Arastfjord, swearing fealty to Count Roscoe of Aphenor.
# Baroness Miranda
Sits on the Estian Council. The closest to a representative of the Pilgrim Knights on the council, as she is a trained Charitor and priestess of Freya, albeit not in active service since her father died and she inherited the title.
# House Arbrintirel
Pride and Light
Barony of Roslake. The highest ranking elven noble family in the Estian Compact, although their elven bloodline is diluted from many generations of half-elves. Their name means 'Masters of the Golden Cloth' in elvish, a name they chose when they were awarded the barony. They swear fealty to Count Lucian of Cottenhorn.
One of the richest families in the Compact. They made their gold from making and selling silk, both mundane and magical. Their title was bought by Baron Caspian's grandfather, something the older nobles never lets the family forget.
# Caspian, Baron of Roslake
Baron Caspian sits on the Estian Council. His husband is Nicholas, a commonborn man from Cottenhorn. Their marriage was considered somewhat scandalous due to Nicholas' low birth. They live a life of luxury in Roslake House, in the northern part of Cottenhorn. He is a powerful wild magic sorcerer who conducts most of his business to Aphenor remotely, only teleporting there when needed.
# Lady Constance, Admiral of the Estian fleet
Sister of Baron Caspian. Commander of the Estian navy, which has bases all over the Compact. One of the finest fencers in the Estian Sea. Both she and her brother are half-elven, as their father, Baron Maximilian Arbrintirel, married an elven woman, Lady Vircelie nan Maeral.
# House Cassaro
By All Gods
Unlanded noble family based in Manor Cassaro, north of Greystone.
# Lady Salome
Lady Salome sits on the Estian Council. She is an aasimar. Educated at the School of Rhetoric and Oratory in Greystone, of which she is now a patron.
# Lord Achilles
Lord Achilles sits on the Estian Council as Spymaster of the Realm. He heads the Estian Compact's clandestine intelligence gathering operations. Nephew of Lady Salome.
# Lord Alvin
The grandson of Lady Salome. Betrothed to Lady Annabelle Beckett of Aphenor. Would rather finish his education at the School of Rhetoric and Oratory and become a travelling bard, playing his lyre for all who would listen.
# House Sharvir
Valiant In Victory
sharvir, lit 'Green-Flower'. Unlanded elven nobles from Greystone. One of the last noble full-blooded elven families who still live in the Compact.
# Lord Adonar
The head of house Sharvir, Lord Adonar is a great patron of the arts, keeping many of Greystone's painters and musicians under his wing. Owns the Ember Club.
# Lady Silana
Wife of Lord Adonar. Originally of House Thalvirdris, but moved to Greystone to pursue her passion for painting, and met Lord Adonar.
# House Villencourt
Just and Graceful
Unlanded halfling noble family, currently living in Aphenor.
# Lord Balduin
Lord Balduin sits on the Estian council. Married to Lady Nicolette.
# Lady Nicolette
Sister of Lord Jerome Delacroix.
# House Breckenridge
We Bring Prosperity
Minor house from Aphenor.
# Lord Lysander
Sits on the Estian Council as Marshal of the Army. Married to Diana.
# Lady Diana
Born Diana Cassaro. Is the brother of Lord Achilles Cassaro.
# House Ashworth
Trust and Loyalty
Barony of Whitport. Was forced to resign their seat on the council and hold elections by the guilds of Whitport thirty years ago.
# Lord Gregory
Current head of the family. Plots how he will recover the council seat his father had to resign. Unmarried.
# Lord Parker
Younger brother of Lord Gregory. Wizard in the Blackcloaks. Married to Aririlie Elsiter nan Iacaris, and lives with her in Temple Haven, where they both serve the Pilgrim Knights.
# House Delacroix
Never Stop Exploring
Unlanded halfling nobility from Wheatsmythe in the Uniting Archipelago.
# Lord Jerome
Lord Jerome sits on the Estian Council as representative from the Uniting Archipelago. His first cousin, once removed is Count Lucian Blaise. He is the only noble who was elected to his post.
# Lord Gilbert
Distant relative of Lord Jerome. Is a close friend of Count Aurius Dawnstar, and serves as his bodyguard and majordomo.
# House Greatbraid
By the Sword
Holds the Jarldom of Myrknes, a rank equal to a barony. The highest ranking dwarven noble house.
# Jarl Stremel
Current head of house Greatbraid.
# Lady Murkla
Jarl Stremel's wife. Was born on the mainland.
# Lady Kaisa
Daughter of Jarl Stremel and Lady Murkla.