[LFRP] The Countess

[Aphraelle]

I've decided I want Aphraelle to be a countess instead of just a baroness, but rather than just change my RP mods and wander about demanding recognition, :D I thought I'd write a story about it, kind of to "justify" it.

It's essentially a stand-alone story but could easily figure in - or simply be a background to - other people's character stories. What happens is that Aphraelle notices something gravely amiss with a Silvermoon guard, discovers a plot against Silvermoon and foils it, and is elevated to the rank of countess as a reward. I'm partway through the story now, and will probably post it in a couple of days.

[Catalinetta]

I'd love to be in on this. :) Ninorra's husband is a lord and landowner. His family's title goes back a long ways.

[Libelle]

I have a feeling House dej Dynastus can't help but worm their way into this. Being overobsessed with nobility and all.

[Aphraelle]

Ooh, interest, me happy! :) Do people want more detail, or should I just post first? It's kind of turning into a novel, though. :D

[Lysimachus]

yes, the House would love to be involved. I'm trying to talk to you in game right now, but that helling Fellblade heller is in my spot.

[Vilmah]

Ooh, interest, me happy! :) Do people want more detail, or should I just post first? It's kind of turning into a novel, though. :D

Please post. I'll have something for you if I know what's going on. :3

[Vynnce]

If you can find some kinda way to throw Vynnce in there go for it! :D

[Cabriel]

Cabby's always good for plot twists and comedic relief.

[Athin]

This sounds interesting. Something Athin might be interested in, he's finally thought he got away from all noblesse intrigue, something needs to hook into him again.

[Swerto]

Isn't a count fifth highest in royalty just under Duke/Dutchess?


EDIT:

Nope it's 10th, Duke/Dutchess is seventh....


More direct upgrade would be a Viscount/Viscountess... but then again this is WoW -shrug-

[Pyrisath]

I'd be interested in this. Iricillian kind of married into a higher house... He might still yet be interested in taking his house back out of the ashes of Silvermoon.

[Aphraelle]

Isn't a count fifth highest in royalty just under Duke/Dutchess?


EDIT:

Nope it's 10th, Duke/Dutchess is seventh....


More direct upgrade would be a Viscount/Viscountess... but then again this is WoW -shrug-

I'm using the information I've gotten or confirmed here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peerage#Ranks) and elsewhere which has five ranks in the peerage. From lowest to highest they are baron/baroness, viscount/viscountess, earl/countess (earl is specific to English, Europe uses count), marquess/marchioness (Europe uses marquis/marquise), and duke/duchess.

[Swerto]

Followed by Prince/Princess, King/Queen, and Emperor/Empress.

[Athin]

Here are some things to keep in mind though and perhaps work into your story.

First, nobles aren't generally "promoted" to a higher title. You can't work yourself up from Baron to King for outstanding service, for example.

Second, there's no one to actually elevate you from Baroness to Countess. Goverment wise, Silvermoon is in a bit of chaos, as in it's still in a state of Martial law.

A little bit about the government of Quel'Thalas. Until recently, it has been ruled by the Convocation of Silvermoon, consisting of Seven elven High Lords. Leading this council was King Anestarian Sunstrider, Kael'thas Sunstrider's father.

During the Scourge invasion, Dar'Khan betrayed the rest of the convocation by murdering them, which led to the invasion by Arthas. Eventually, Dar'khan was killed and became a scourge.

Kael'thas returned, and took his father's place. The Convocation was never restored. However, he returned to Outland, leaving Sylvanas Windrunner's top lieutenant, Lor'themar in charge as Regent. (we know that Sylvanas was the former Ranger-General of Quel'thalas, and then died during the attack)

And we all know what happens to Kael'thas.

So the current political climate in Silvermoon is militarily based. Lor'themar rules Silvermoon based on the fact that he controls the military. Not based on his hereditary right to rule. Since the Convocation does not exist any longer, there would be no one who could bestow any noble ranks anymore.

Perhaps there would be some intrigue based upon the guards, and those who are trying to restore the Convocation.

[Aphraelle]

Here are some things to keep in mind though and perhaps work into your story.

First, nobles aren't generally "promoted" to a higher title. You can't work yourself up from Baron to King for outstanding service, for example.

Well, actually, that's exactly how it was done, originally - although not to the level of monarch, of course. (Weirdly for North Americans, . Although I take your point that it's not done that way anymore.


Second, there's no one to actually elevate you from Baroness to Countess. Goverment wise, Silvermoon is in a bit of chaos, as in it's still in a state of Martial law.

A little bit about the government of Quel'Thalas. Until recently, it has been ruled by the Convocation of Silvermoon, consisting of Seven elven High Lords. Leading this council was King Anestarian Sunstrider, Kael'thas Sunstrider's father.

During the Scourge invasion, Dar'Khan betrayed the rest of the convocation by murdering them, which led to the invasion by Arthas. Eventually, Dar'khan was killed and became a scourge.

Kael'thas returned, and took his father's place. The Convocation was never restored. However, he returned to Outland, leaving Sylvanas Windrunner's top lieutenant, Lor'themar in charge as Regent.

And we all know what happens to Kael'thas.

So the current political climate in Silvermoon is very military base. Lor'themar rules Silvermoon based on the fact that he controls the military. Not based on his hereditary right to rule. Since the Convocation does not exist any longer, there would be no one who could bestow any noble ranks anymore.

Perhaps there would be some intrigue based upon the guards, and those who are trying to restore the Convocation.

Good points, I'll have to think about this. I do want to raise her rank, and I do want to do it in an RP sort of way rather than just by player fiat, as it were. :) For some reason I had it in mind that Lor'themar is a duke, I don't know why and can't find a reference for that.

I also can't find a reference anywhere for the specific powers of a regent - I had understood the regent to have the same powers as a monarch except that he or she cannot of course pass the title on to an heir, which would mean that Lor'themar could in fact grant nobility.

More later, my client is bugging me... :mad:

[Athin]

Well, actually, that's exactly how it was done, originally - although not to the level of monarch, of course. (Weirdly for North Americans, . Although I take your point that it's not done that way anymore.



Good points, I'll have to think about this. I do want to raise her rank, and I do want to do it in an RP sort of way rather than just by player fiat, as it were. :) For some reason I had it in mind that Lor'themar is a duke, I don't know why and can't find a reference for that.

I also can't find a reference anywhere for the specific powers of a regent - I had understood the regent to have the same powers as a monarch except that he or she cannot of course pass the title on to an heir, which would mean that Lor'themar could in fact grant nobility.

More later, my client is bugging me... :mad:

*nods* I'm not trying to rain on your parade, and in fact I'd like to be involved.

A Regent acts in stead of the Sovereign when the Sovereign is a minor, not present or debilitated.

Basically, Quel'Thalas is going thorugh a period called Interregnum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interregnum). The Royal Line (The Sunstrider Dynasty) and the Convocation of Silvermoon has died out, and there are no methods of restoring the government as it was.

Lor'themar is the de facto sovereign, as he controls all of the military (The Rangers, The Blood Knights, and the Magisters). the people accept his authority.

However, the nobles may not accept it. There is probably tension & dissension rising amongst the minor nobles (The only nobles that are left, as the Major nobles, the Convocation of Silvermoon were all killed off) who want a bigger role in governing Quel'thalas. But would Lor'themar allow this? If the minor nobles were allowed to reform the Convocation, they would probably depose Lor'themar (who is not a noble).

I have a few ideas that might be up your alley, to help get yourself a Countess title, that would fit in with the current climate of Silvermoon. If you wanted to PM me, I could share them with you (Don't want to spoil the story before its written/played out :P )

[Aphraelle]

I do stand corrected, Silvermoon is in an interregnum, not a regency as I'd been imagining. Different rules apply. I will definitely be PMing you. :D

I've been looking, though, and can't find anything on Lor'themar's rank beyond that he was Sylvanas' second-in-command before Kael'thas put him in charge of Silvermoon. Would a Ranger necessarily be a commoner?

[Aphraelle]

Well, now... Athin gave me a couple of wonderful ideas, which are better than the ones I had but which make me need to take my draft as written and *crumple* *toss*. *sigh* So I'll post something when I can.

Also sort of working on another installment of The Ashes of Tomorrow (http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?t=14243), about Aphraelle's late grandfather. That got pretty much derailed when Skafloc passed on, because it was being written in large part for him and I kinda lost heart for it.

[Svetlaena]

I did a little something for this already I believe. :D

I'd enjoy greatly any further involvement.

[Aphraelle]

You are absolutely invited, Svetlaena. :)

I've decided that as long as I'm going to raise Aphraelle's station, I might as well go the whole nine yards and make her a duchess instead of just a countess - this will be justified (I hope) by the storyline and is important to what I've decided I want to do with her character.

Please note, for that those who have other noble ranks as part of their RP - I'm looking particularly at Lysimachus here, but there may be others - this isn't done "just to outrank you," and in character Aphraelle is much too politically savvy to wander around throwing her new rank in people's face, being quite aware that older Houses will have favours owed, hidden connections and other political capital that would make it very unwise for her to antagonize them.

Plus there can be some nice snarky RP about, "A duchess, is she? *tsk* I knew her when she was just a baroness. What is the world coming to?" and so on. :D

[Aphraelle]

"Duchess" thread is updated (http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?p=298220).