Nobility

**Nobles** 「貴族 *Kizoku*」is a state-privileged status which is generally hereditary. Titles of nobility are usually associated with present or former monarchies. The term originally referred to those who were "known" or "notable" and was applied to the highest social class in pre-modern societies.

The members of Nobility are the aristocratic class of society. While nobility exist in each of the the four kingdoms, it is heavily supported in the Clover Kingdom the most. Despite making up a minority of the population, nobles rule over commoners and citizens with absolute authority. However, the main defining quality of nobles is not wealth or social power, but rather that they possess the strongest amoung of mana.

## Overview

A majority of the nobles have been portrayed as stingy, ignorant and heartless. Many high ranking nobles treat

## Qualifying Factors

In the Clover Kingdom, classes are separated by magic power first and foremost. While all living things possess mana, commoners generally have so little that it is imperceptible. However, nobles have enough mana to use at will, allowing them to do little work, accumulate wealth and cast powerful spells. As a result, even the lowest-ranking nobles hold absolute power over any commoner.

## Noble Hierarchy

Nobles follow a strict system of hierarchy that is primarily based on the average amount of mana a family has. There are also a range of titles which indicate not status, but rather governorship of land.

Nobilities are ranked into three primary tiers (laynoble, mednoble, and archnoble), as well as two higher-ranking subsets of archnobles: the archducal family and royalty. Tiers reflect average mana capacity and hierarchical status, but they do not reflect wealth, land ownership, influence or other factors.

If a child has significantly more or less mana than the rest of their family, they may move up into a higher tier or fall to a lower tier. This is usually done through adoption or marriage.

A family that consistently displays mana equivalent to a higher tier for three successive generations may seek permission to have its status changed to the more appropriate tier. Likewise, one that displays lower mana will likely have its tier involuntarily reduced.

 Archnoble | 上級貴族
 Mednoble | 中級貴族
 Laynoble | 下級貴族

### Royalty

**Royalty** 「王族, ouzoku」 are the governing family of the Kingdoms and the highest-ranking nobles in the country. They have the highest amount of mana. In addition to ruling the country, they also serve the same function in the Sovereignty that an archducal family serves in its respective duchy.
The royal family consists of House Clover, House Vermillion and House Silva. It is possible to marry into the royal family; however, they will not become heirs to the throne by doing so.

Due to their status, all other nobles in the kingdom, including archdukes and their families, must comply with the orders of royalty and show appropriate deference and respect.

Unlike other nobles citizens or commoners, children of the royalty do not attend the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony with the other lower ranks but instead

### Archnoble

**Archnobles** (上級貴族, *joukyuu kizoku*) are the highest-ranking of the three main tiers of the nobility, although they are still outranked by members of royalty. Archnobles represent approximately 1 out of every 8 nobles in the kingdom, and typically have high amounts of mana among the nobility.

Archnobles are typically leaders and central figures of political factions; they are expected to extend their protection over lower-status nobles in exchange for service and loyalty. They are expected to be trailblazers and trendsetters in matters of fashion and policy, and are looked down on if they follow trends set by those lower in status.

Due to their generally high family wealth and disposable income, many archnobles view it as improper to take paid work other than serving as a magic knight, attendant or scholar. They can typically afford to buy luxury goods without worrying about price, and are expected to dress in fine clothing appropriate to their social station. Because of their high amount of mana, they can more easily handle enhancement magic and other intensive techniques.

### Mednoble

**Mednobles** (中級貴族, *chuukyuu kizoku*) are the middle tier among the nobility, making up about half of all nobles in the kingdom.

With more mana than laynobles, but less than archnobles, mednobles can typically engage freely in activities requires moderate amounts of mana. For example, both archnobles and mednobles play the mana-using chess game gewinnen, while laynobles do not.

While mednobles typically don't struggle to make ends meet, they have a limited budget and can't afford to buy many luxury goods. . Both mednobles and laynobles avoid aligning closely with political factions and instead seek out archnoble patrons to protect them from other high-ranking nobles.

### Laynoble

**Laynobles** (下級貴族, *kakyuu kizoku*) typically have the least amoung of mana among the nobility and often have little wealth, while still having way more mana and wealth then commoners. Nevertheless, even laynobles treat the lower classes with scorn and contempt.

In order to survive noble society, laynobles shift factions constantly based on trends and current events. Because they typically have fewer financial resources, laynobles engage in paid work for nobles of higher status.

## Noble Culture

### Dining

Noble meals are generally served in multiple courses. First, drinks are poured, then appetizers, then soup, then the main dishes, then fruits and a dessert. After the meal, tea is usually served. Tea parties typically offer lighter refreshments, including tea prepared for each guest and a variety of sweets and confectioneries.

In accordance with noble etiquette, the host is expected to taste each individual dish to demonstrate that it is not poisoned before their guests begin eating. When nobles are being served meals by commoners or unknown chefs, their attendants or servants will generally do the tasting for poison instead.

### Education

As children, all nobles are taught to read, write, and perform magic. However, the quality of their education depends largely on their parents' wealth and status. Laynoble children, who come from poorer families, begin their schooling at a serious disadvantage to their archnoble classmates. Some supplementary education is available to noble children in the during their time off, but it is not usually enough to bridge the divide.

While they are still apprentices, noble children may also serve as retainers to a noble of higher status or (more commonly) a member of their family. This allows them to gain experience and build valuable social connections. However, the failure of even an apprentice to uphold their duties as a retainer is considered a stain on the reputation of the entire family

### Etiquette

From a young age, nobles are expected to be attentive to formal etiquette. In all social settings outside the home, they represent their family name and their position, meaning that small slips can have serious consequences.

* **Composure:** Displays of strong emotion are considered unseemly. Nobles are expected to stay polished and polite in public.
* **Introduction:** When two nobles meet for the first time,
* **Precedence:** When nobles of different ranks eat together, those of lower rank wait until higher-ranking nobles have either taken their food or given permission to eat before they can partake.
* **Tasting Food:** When a noble has guests for a meal, the host drinks and eats at least one sip or bite of every item before the meal begins. This demonstrates that the offered refreshments are not poisoned.