Eminent

Eminents are the traditional nobility of Aodh. In the heavily classist society, they’re honored and respected.

**Eminents are a limited rank. Eminents from *Lesser Houses* are a regular limited rank, while Eminents from Great Houses require a monthly activity check.**

 Overview

Eminent is the title of those of noble birth who are not entitled to use any other rank name (Adviser or Envoy). Although all Eminents enjoy the same benefits of high birth, reduced taxes and preferential treatment in courts, they are not made equal. Organized into Houses, the Aodhian nobility is split into two groups: The Great Houses who can boast about being the very founders of Aodh, and The Lesser Houses who came after. A softer shade of classism is practiced between the two types of Houses; each Eminent must belong to a House - there is no nobility without the attached pedigree.

Among the nobility are tales of success and failure; some Houses barely have the money to stay afloat, while others are exuberantly rich and powerful. Regardless of their actual wealth and influence, all nobility should be respected by the commoners below them - even the Eminents who don’t get up to anything particularly useful.

As Eminent is a cover-all title of nobility, it encompasses a wide variety of noble occupations, from running a business or being an up-and-coming politician to being a simple house-spouse who spends their time mostly on looking after children and bossing slaves about. Some nobles take a personal interest in their family business, while just as many others are little more than providers of capital, leaving the work to employees and trusted slaves. Although known for their courtroom politics, only the Heads and Heirs of each House are likely to participate in anything of value - most Eminents have regular, managerial day jobs - similar to a CEO - and enjoy parties, plays and other social events in their time off.

Eminents tend to be supporters of classism, slavery and capitalism, and are devout to Ignacio. Although Eminents, especially those further off in line to succeed, often have their own hobbies and even jobs, such as an artist or academic, they would still be referred to as an Eminent. Eminents can not work with Smugglers or be involved in their activities.

### **Noble Houses**

Aodh is home to a number of Houses, ranging from struggling new money to proud and ancient lineages spanning a thousand years. Each noble House keeps careful track of their lineage and ancestry, seeking beneficial matches for their children to secure the future and wealth of their House.

Follow links to read up on Great Houses and Lesser Houses.

### **Noble Titles**

Although several special titles exist within Aodh’s nobility system, calling a noble “Eminent” is always acceptable, and recommended when dealing with a member of nobility whom you don’t know. The shortened, slang form of “Emin” is also acceptable, but a bit more informal. The title of Eminent/Emin is placed before the name; ie Emin Isador.

The leader of each House is known as a Head, but this is rarely used as an actual title, and is more of a job description. Similarly, the likely future Head is called an Heir. The second child is often informally referred to as a ‘spare’, denoting that they’re second-in-line if something happens to their older sibling.

If an Eminent holds a special title - Adviser, Envoy - it's generally considered polite to acknowledge that when addressing them (especially for the first time).

Members of Royalty also use the title of Eminent interchangeably with their more specific title - similarly to other special titles, it's wise to acknowledge their rank when first addressing them. Aodh uses gender neutral terms: the King is a King regardless of gender, all of the Royal heirs are known as Princes and so on. The terms ‘Queen’, ‘Princess’, ‘Lord’ and ‘Lady’ are not used in Aodh.

## Creating an Eminent

Eminents may be any age, and may hold any position within their House, from Head to Heir or a simple extra branch on the family tree. All nobles who are not Advisers or Envoys (or Royalty) fall into the Eminent category.

When you create a new Eminent character, you can decide whether to join an existing House, or make your own. All existing Houses are player owned creations, and to join one or use them in your backstory, you must consult with the owner of said House. Joining an existing House is the only way to create an Eminent belonging to a Great House.

The other option is to create your own House. This must be a Lesser House, and your House info will be judged as a part of your application - so make sure it’s lore friendly!

Aodhian Nobility is recommended reading for people creating a noble character.

## Rank Levels

* **At 25 AP |** A noble must be two things: likeable, or capable of noticing the knife before it nestles into your back. You may gain your **Tier 1 Talent** early (for your first talent only).
* **At 50 AP |** What’s the point of riches if you can’t show them off, right? Receive either a **Circlet or Anklets** for free.
* **At 75 AP |** Politics is a cut-throat world… certainly not for the faint of heart. Receive **+15 SP** towards **cunning or vitality.**
* **At 100 AP |** A pricey familiar is a symbol of luxury and beauty - the perfect pet for one such as yourself. If your familiar spot is free, receive an **Aodhian** **Mythical Familiar.**