The Noble Houses of Atralran

The Noble Houses of Atralran are amongst the most powerful families within the Realm of Atralran.

## History

It is claimed by Atral historians that the first individual to be granted nobility by Tohmos the True during Aita's Second Gift would be the man who would become Gilbert I Goldlor, the first King of Atralran and progenitor of the House of Goldlor. Having given chase to a magpie carrying an apple sprig across the continent, Gilbert discovered the hill of Orchard Crest, and upon it started the construction of Chalimar Palace. As his lands and influence expanded, he would find himself in need of aid and support to watch over the fledgling lands of Atralran, and to his most loyal vassals land was given to rule, creating vassals to strength his Realm in times of peace and war.

Countless others would join the ranks of the gentry over the years, most through means of the Trial of Spirit, and while many were extinguished in the invasion of the Realm by the Astedians, many would continue to survive under the Ethnarch installed in place of the Goldlors. Come the Manifestation however, even these would likewise be extinguished, naught but names and stories in the history books. After the return of Eldarion I Goldlor from his sanctuary in the Feywild, his efforts to rebuild and refound Atralran anew guided him to seek out new gentry, forging the Realm once more. Titles aplenty would be given out to those that supported his efforts to reclaim his Throne against threats monstrous and humanoid alike during the Years of Consolidation, while even a few of his defeated foes would find themselves raised by to titles in recognition of their Mettle in standing fast against him.

## Types of Nobility

The Noble Houses of Atralran represent an interwoven hierarchy of rank and pedigree, though they are not steadfast. Thousands of Régyr exist, though very few may in time become Régysseur, and fewer still a Baronnet. Above these are the Barons, the most powerful vassals of a region beyond the Marquises, though all serve beneath the Throne.

* **Régyr** - Having completed their Trial of Spirit, a Knight-Errant becomes a Knight-Régyr, more commonly titled simply as a Régyr. A Régyr is considered a Noble Knight, and may take a sigil and banner for themselves, and will be often given charge of a village within their liege's territory. The Régyr are expected to maintain the lands given unto them by their liege, serving as their numerous and minor vassals in times of peace and war alike. They do not, however, formally own the land upon which they settle, for they are instead seen more stewards or caretakers. As such, they are expected to defer directly to their liege on most matters.
* **Régysseur** - After continued service as a Régyr, one day a Noble Knight might find themselves granted the honour of a territory of their own, either by nature of their liege formally portioning off part of their own lands and relinquishing their claim to it, or, more commonly, unclaimed or contested territories surrounding them - or those claimed in conquest. While still vassals of the Marquis of the Province in which their lands are located, these Knight-Régysseur, or simply just Régysseur may act with an increased level of autonomy to further the interests of the Throne and Atralran. They may raise armies to defend their lands independent of the orders of their liege, and enact justice in line with the Laws of the Kingdom of Atralran, albeit must defer to their liege if the nature of justice is contested. A key difference between Régyr and Régysseur is that the latter (and all subsequent greater levels of nobility) are hereditary, whereas the former is not.
* **Baronnet** - The most powerful amongst the Régysseur, the title of Baronnet comes with few further boons, save the power to raise Régyr residing within their lands to that of Régysseur without the direct leave of their liege lord. It is custom, tradition and considered respectful to ask permission nonetheless, though strictly no longer necessary to engage in such actions.
* **Baron** - The most powerful of the lesser nobility, the least of the greater nobility, Barons typically hold larger stretches of land that Baronnets and Régysseur, or watch over territories of strategic, cultural or historical significance. Several of the major settlements of Atralran are ruled by the Barons, who are considered amongst the greatest vassals of the Marquises. Despite this, discrepancies surely, with several Baronnets in the Province of Rethamia holding larger and wealthier stretches of land than some Barons at the borders of Atral lands.
* **Marquis** - Greatest of the nobility, save the Throne itself, the Marquises are the mouth, hands and feet of the Gildhearth Throne, ruling the four Provinces on behalf and at the behest of the Gildhearth Throne. The Marquises maintain thousands of Régyr vassals, are capable of calling up levies numbering in the thousands, and command power that rivals that of Archons and Triumvirs alike. The settlements ruled over the Marquises are inevitably the largest settlements in their territories, and serves as important trading hubs, military strongholds and bastions of education and culture.
* **Mouralle** - A special rank amongst the nobility, the Mouralle are considered equal to power as a Baronnet, but hold no formal lands of their own. Instead, they serve a different role in Atral society, laid plain by the etymology of their coveted title. Derived from the Old Atral word *muraille*, it is remarked that that the Mouralle are the 'walls' built around the King, and thus all reside within manses in the capital. Three of these are located fitting within the Castellan Canton, while the House of LeChaney instead holds it residence in the Osvine Canton.