On the Nature of Nobility and the Success of Nations, Vol. I-IV

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Edward Winter von Herendul (Naumarian: Edward Vintor) was a Hansetian-born nobleman, courtier, and scholar of the Chivay-Carrion era, serving in multiple high-ranking positions including Chancellor of Oren. He was installed early in his life as a puppet-ruler for the lands of Hanseti under Prophet-Emperor Sigismund and later his heir, Heinrik van Roy, and was an important instrument in the early rise to power of the Carrion Vochna. However, later in his life he maintained feet in both sides of the political camp during the tense nature of Heinrik and Franz-Josef’s war-ruled reign, including support for schismatics to his rule and his vocal support for the Franciscan Massacre. During his life, he wrote numerous treatises on the task of governance, the nature of nobility, and ruler etiquette, which remain the backbone of all noble culture within humanity.

 

(OOC: Full credit to @Aetosion who wrote these, posting them here for easier access. Links to his originals below:

 

)

 

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ON THE NATURE OF NOBILITY AND THE SUCCESS OF NATIONS, VOL I-IV

 

WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF

EDWARD WINTER

 

PUBLISHED BY

HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE

 

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VOLUME I

or, On the Nature of Nobility, Part One

 

Nobility is by nature an honor granted to the meritocratic few. Those with much to offer are given the land by which to realize their loyalty to the Crown, and the status to recognize them among the glorious peer group that is the nobility. This is the basis upon which nobility is created.

 

There have been inglorious moments, when those thought to be honorable and the great showed themselves as lustful and slothful. This is not the nature of nobility. Nobility is to be a pure state, by which the great of the country serve those who need serving. The nobles are not but lords above the inferior, but have an innate feudalistic duty to protect and further the interests of their vassals, noble and ignoble.

 

The true noble of Oren is to be virtuous, honorable, racially pure, devout to the Church, and loyal to his liege and crown. The true noble aims to amass prestige, not power. To make a name for one's noble house as a truly noble one is to glorify one's ancestors and arrange a future for one's progeny. The honorable lord or lady, or those of their kin, should endeavor to embody the following tenets of nobility:

 

•Proper etiquette in the home and in the public eye.

•Serving promptly and amply the just needs of their liege and Crown.

•Acting always in a manner befitting of one's noble status.

•Just and kindly treatment of one's vassals, noble or ignoble.

•Just and kindly treatment of all which one meets, noble or ignoble.

•Diplomatic attitude towards one's peers and neighbors, friend and foe alike.

•Knowledge of happenings within the kingdom, present and past.

•Devout and worshipful observance of the Creator and his Church.

•Honesty and oath-worthiness in all instances.

•Good Management of one's estate and demesne, physical and moral.

•A hunger for power, but instead for honor.

 

To make a name for one's noble house as a dwelling of sin is to dishonor one's family. To besmirch one's family name is a personal dishonor second to none in a noble's life. The honorable lord or lady, or the kin of those, should endeavor to avoid the following:

 

•Wasteful consumption or gluttony which drains the coffers.

•Speech or action unfitting of a noble in the public eye.

•Sodomy or scandal which paints a stain upon one's name.

•Mistreatment of one's vassals, noble or ignoble.

•Lust for power, which causes discord and shows one unfavorably.

•Maligning of others, noble or ignoble, without just cause.

•Failure to amply serve the just needs one's liege and Crown.

•Irreverence to the Church which marks one as heretical.

•Mismanagement of one's own demesne which proves ineptitude.

•Breaking of one's oaths which marks one as dishonest.

 

 

The following of this counsel will render one an honorable and noble lord or lady befitting of his title or his family's status. The observing of this document is sure to generate great prestige for one's house as a family deserving of its status, titles, and holdings, and similar counsel should be given to those children born to a noble house. To rid Oren of sinful and improper nobles, there must be an effort to create virtuous and honorable nobles. This must be an effort not by the state to enforce honor among nobles, but by nobles to encourage honor among one's kin and peers.

 

 

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VOLUME II

or, On the Nature of Nobility, Part Two

 

I. Speech:

 

Nobility is not simply a title and station. Nobility implies membership to the premier social class. While the last volume covered mandates for the proper life of a Lord or Lady, this volume will cover the necessary cultural practices a person of the nobility must adhere to to remain comme il faut.

 

The punctilious noble lord or lady should observe certain linguistic patterns, best used to preserve the refinement of one’s speech or writing. Below is copied a simple guide to proper speech and address composed in the Old Empire by the Imperial Scribe Cecil Virosi, with certain one small update made to class structure to best fit the present era:

 

While the discerning young scholar would note that these guidelines come to us from the late 1300s, one should also appreciate the timeliness of their counsel. New High Imperial speech and writing varies little from the Old High Imperial customs, barring a relaxing in form and style. Certain Kaedreni customs are observed by the imperial and select families of the gentry and nobility, but traditional rules of society and manners still apply as ever.

 

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I-A A Guide to the Common Speech:

 

Section I

Ranks

 

The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of speech forms used between members of each class. In order to simplify this otherwise complex system for the understanding of the foreigner, we will divide the Empire into seven primary class groups.

 

• The Peasantry

• All untitled and unskilled subjects of the Empire.

• The Burghers

• All untitled subjects of the Empire engaged in business or skilled in artisanal trades

• The Gentry

• All subjects with non-hereditary, non-religious titles.

• The Landed Gentry

• All subjects with hereditary, non-religious titles, lacking a writ of nobility

• The Nobility

• All subjects with hereditary, non-religious titles, and a writ of nobility.

• The Clergy

• All subjects with non-hereditary, religious titles.

• The Royal Families

• The ruling families of each Kingdom of the Empire.

• The Imperial Family

• The ruling family of the Empire.

 

In the case of members of groups not outlined here, it is best to err on the side of caution and address members of those groups as if they were members of the noble class.

 

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Section II

Greetings

 

The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of greetings used between members of each class. The most important rule to remember is verbal greetings should never be initiated by an inferior; a peasant who wishes to acknowledge a noble or knight who has yet to acknowledge the peasant should bow or curtsy to make their presence known. This section will list greetings, when they should be used, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner.

 

 

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Section III

Farewells

 

The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of farewells used between members of each class. The most important rule to remember is verbal farewells should never be initiated by an inferior; a peasant who wishes to leave the presence of a noble or knight should wait to be dismissed. This section will list farewells, when they should be used, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner.

 

 

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Section IV

Names

 

In Oren, names are only used between friends or other close intimates. Titles or other epithets should be used when addressing others, especially in formal settings. This section will outline words you can use to address people, when to use them, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner.

 

 

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Section V

General Synonyms

 

Oren has a diverse range of words unique to its culture. This section will outline each word, translation into the foreign parlance, an example of the use of the word, and a translation of said example into the foreign parlance.

 

 

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Section VI

Verb Forms, Pronouns, and Abbreviations

 

Oren has multiple unique pronouns and verb forms to reflect formal and informal speech. “You” is respectful, whereas “Thee/Thou” is not. Anyone who would be addressed as “Sir” or “M’lady” or other formalities should never be addressed as Thee/Thou. This section outlines general speech in the Holy Empire.

 

• Word Order

• Alter the order of words in a sentence so that “Do not be afraid.” becomes “Be not afraid.” and “Do not go there.” becomes “Go there not.”

• Alter Verb Conjugation

• Add -st to singular second person verbs and “-th/-eth” to singular third person verbs. For example “How are you doing?” becomes “How dost the?” and “How is he doing” becomes “How doth he?”

• Use Shall

• Shall expresses obligation in the first person. When used with Thee/Thou “will” becomes “wilt” and “shall” becomes “shalt”.

• Abbreviate “It”

• Abbreviate “it” in sentences so “it was” becomes “‘Twas” and “Do it” becomes “Do’t”.

• Thee/Thou

• Thee/Thou are informal, and should only be used when addressing equals or inferiors; superiors will take great offense to being addressed this way.

• Thee is used when the person being addressed is the object of the sentence, as in “I shall tell theea secret.” or “He kicked thee in the bottom.”

• Thou is used when the person being addressed is the subject of the sentence, as in “What hastthou done?” or “Thou art beautiful.”

• If you have trouble, try replacing the word in question with “him/her” and see if it still fits. For example “He kicked him in the bottom” makes sense, but “What hast him done?” does not. If “him/her” would be acceptable in the same place, then use Thee. If “he/she” would be acceptable, use Thou.

• Thy/Thine

• Thy is the 3rd person possessive pronoun used for words beginning with consonants. For example “Thy dog is fat as hell”

• Thine is the 3rd person pronoun used for words beginning with vowels. For example “Thine eggs are too broken to count.”

• You

• Used for people you don’t know well or want to be respectful to.

• Used the same as in foreign parlance.

• Ye

• This is “You” in plural. If you are speaking to a crowd, you would say “Ye fools must flee!”

• Also used as an informal contraction for “You”, as in “Ye are me best friend, Darius”.

 

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Section VII

Examples

 

“Forsooth, methinks I shalt but walk down to the market where upon I shalt but make a purchase which doth consist of a bucket of milk.”

“She hath the inclination to engage in some illicit activities, certes.”

“Thou art the apple of my eye”

“Dost thou have the time, mistress?”

“I shalt be in the privy, Father Culpepper”

“As you will, sir.”

“Zounds! Such a tosspot hath never before been seen in fair Arethor!”

“Verily I should like to see thee stabbed!”

“Come hither, little sirrah, the master is calling for thee and eventide is rising.”

“We shalt be carousing ere long, fellows!”

“As you wish, M’lady.”

“Perchance I shall see thee here oft, most comely maiden?”

“Fie on thee, cutpurse!”

 

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Section VIII

Final Word

 

When speaking in the Holy Empire, the best rule of thumb to follow is this;

Where you can use one word, use two.

 

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I-B A Guide to the Common Titles and Styles

 

Section I

A Primer on the Terms utilized within this Text

 

Before this text could hope to instruct the unacquainted in the noble art of formal address, it must first explain the terminology used. Take the time to learn and memorize these terms, and they will help you greatly in understanding that respected art.

 

• Title- An appellation prefixed to the name of the holder, denoting office and social status.

• Style- An honorific prefixed to the title of the holder, denoting formality and special honor.

• Salutation- A greeting used at the beginning of a letter to a titleholder.

• Valediction- A farewell used at the end of a letter to a titleholder.

• Oral Address (Formal)- An appellation used when addressing a titleholder directly for the first time or continuously in an especially formal setting.

• Oral Address (Semi-Formal)- An appellation used when addressing titleholder directly after the first time.

• Titleholder- One who possesses legal right to use a title.

• Styleholder- One who possesses legal right to use a style.

 

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Section II

On Those who Shall be Accorded a Titles, Styles, and other Forms of Formal Address

 

In order to properly use one’s knowledge of formal address, one must know whom to address formally. This section will outline who shall be accorded the honor of formal address and the title they shall be accorded.. Reigning or Sovereign shall be used to denote the spouse who holds the title by virtue of birth or appointment rather than marriage. For those eligible for multiple titles, the highest ranking title shall be used.

 

• Reigning Emperor or Empress- The Imperial Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Spouse of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The Imperial Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Children of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.

• Brothers or Sisters of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.

• Spouses of Imperial Princes or Princesses- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.

• Children of Imperial Princes or Princesses- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. This does not extend to Children of the Siblings of the Emperor.

• Reigning King or Queen- The Royal Title appropriate to their Gender

• Spouse of Reigning King or Queen- The Royal Title appropriate to their Gender

• Children of Reigning King or Queen- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their gender.

• Brothers or Sisters of Reigning King or Queen- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.

• Spouses of Princes or Princesses- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.

• Children of Princes or Princesses- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Does not extend to Children of the Siblings of the King or Queen

• Prince Archbishop- Shall be of the male gender.

• Archbishop- Shall be of the male gender.

• Bishop- Shall be of the male gender.

• Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Ducal Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Spouse of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Ducal Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Eldest Child of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Viscomital Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Younger Children of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender.

• Sovereign Count or Countess- The Comital Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Spouse of Sovereign Count or Countess- The Comital Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Eldest Child of Sovereign Count or Countess- The title Lord or Lady, as appropriate to their Gender.

• Younger Children of Sovereign Count or Countess- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender.

• Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The Baronial Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Spouse of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The Baronial Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Eldest Child of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The title Lord or Lady, as appropriate to their Gender.

• Younger Children of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender.

• Knight- Shall be of the male gender.

• Baronet or Baronetess- The Baronetial Title appropriate to their Gender.

• Squire- The Title shall be used for both the Male and Female Gender

 

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Section III

On the Styles accorded to their Associated Titles

 

All Titles have Associated Styles which shall be used during formal proclamations, introductions, or descriptions. The abbreviation {Name} shall be used to denote the name of the titleholder and the abbreviation {Location} shall be used to denote the fief the titleholder administers. Styles separated by commas indicate multiple acceptable uses. All styles are prefixed to the title of the styleholder. In the case of a titleholder eligible for several titles, the styles should be listed in order from least to most precedence.

 

• Emperor or Empress- His/Her Imperial Majesty

• Imperial Prince or Princess- His/Her Imperial Highness the Prince/Princess

• King or Queen- His/Her Majesty

• Prince or Princess- His/Her Royal Highness the Prince/Princess

• Prince Archbishop- The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Excellency Archbishop {Name} of {Location}

• Archbishop- The Most Reverend and Right Honorable His Eminence the Archbishop of {Location}

• Bishop- The Right Reverend Lord Bishop of {Location}

• Duke or Duchess- His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess of {Location}

• Landed Viscount or Viscountess- The Right Honorable Viscount/Viscountess of {Location}

• Count or Countess- The Right Honorable Count/Countess of {Location}

• Unlanded Viscount or Viscountess- The Right Honorable Viscount/Viscountess

• Baron or Baroness- The Baron/Baroness, The Lord/Lady

• Knight - Ser {Name}

• Baronet or Baronetess- Sir/Madame {Name}, The Baronet/Baronetess

• Squire- Squire

 

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Section IV

On the Manner of Oral Address

 

When addressing a titleholder directly in a formal setting, it is appropriate to utilize Oral Address. There are two types of Oral Address; formal and semi-formal. Formal is utilized the first time one is addressing a titleholder in this setting, while semi-formal is used continuously after the first time. Formal may also be used continuously in especially formal situations; ceremonies, proclamations, and petitions to the sovereign titleholder are all appropriately formal to warrant continued use of Formal Oral Address.

 

• Emperor or Empress-

• Formal- Your Imperial Majesty

• Semi-Formal- Sire or Madam, as appropriate to gender

• Imperial Prince/Princess-

• Formal- Your Imperial Highness

• Semi-Formal- Sir or Ma'am, as appropriate to their gender

• King or Queen-

• Formal- Your Majesty

• Semi-Formal- Sire or Madam, as appropriate to gender

• Prince/Princess-

• Formal- Your Highness

• Semi-Formal- Sir or Ma'am, as appropriate to gender

• Prince Archbishop-

• Formal- Your Excellency or Your Grace

• Semi-Formal- Father, Sir, or Prince Archbishop

• Archbishop-

• Formal- Your Eminence

• Semi-Formal- Father, Sir, or Archbishop

• Bishop-

• Formal- My Lord Bishop

• Semi-Formal- My Lord, or Bishop

• Duke or Duchess-

• Formal- Your Grace

• Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am, Your Grace, or Duke/Duchess

• Viscount or Viscountess-

• Formal- Your Right Honor

• Semi-Formal- Sir,/Ma'am, or Viscount/Viscountess

• Count or Countess-

• Formal- Your Right Honor

• Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am or Count/Countess

• Baron or Baroness-

• Formal- My Lord Baron

• Semi-Formal- My Lord/Lady, or Baron/Baroness

• Knight-

• Formal- Honored Ser

• Semi-Formal- Ser

• Baronet or Baronetess-

• Formal- Sir/Ma'am

• Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am

• Squire-

• Formal- N/A

• Semi-Formal- N/A

 

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Section V

On the Manner of Salutation and Valediction

 

Formality is not confined to verbal communication. When communicating in writing to a titleholder, one should use the appropriate Salutation in the beginning of the letter, and the matched Valediction at the end of the letter. The abbreviation {Full Name} is used here to denote the writer’s full style, title, and name. The abbreviation {Name} is used here to denote the receiver’s name. The “Vassal Valediction” is used only by those residing in the realm and under the jurisdiction of the receiving titleholder. If there is no Vassal Valediction provided, one should always use the provided Valediction. In the case of a superior writing to an inferior, the rules are not so stringent, and are primarily at the discretion of the writer.

 

• Emperor or Empress-

• Salutation- Your Imperial Majesty,

• Valediction- Your Most Humble and Loyal Servant, {Full Name}

• Imperial Prince/Princess-

• Salutation- Your Imperial Highness,

• Valediction- Your Humble Servant, {Full Name}

• King or Queen-

• Salutation- Your Royal Majesty,

• Valediction- Your Most Humble Subject, {Full Name}

• Prince/Princess-

• Salutation- Your Royal Highness

• Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}

• Prince Archbishop-

• Salutation- Dear Prince Archbishop

• Valediction- Your Faithful Parishioner, {Full Name}

• Archbishop-

• Salutation- Dear Archbishop

• Valediction- Your Faithful Parishioner, {Full Name}

• Bishop-

• Salutation- Dear Bishop

• Valediction- Your Parishioner, {Full Name}

• Duke or Duchess-

• Salutation- My Lord/Lady Duke/Duchess

• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}

• Vassal Valediction- Your Most Humble Subject, {Full Name}

• Landed Viscount or Viscountess-

• Salutation- My Lord/Lady

• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}

• Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}

• Count or Countess-

• Salutation- My Lord/Lady

• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}

• Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}

• Unlanded Viscount or Viscountess-

• Salutation- My Lord/Lady

• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}

• Baron or Baroness-

• Salutation- My Lord/Lady

• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}

• Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}

• Knight-

• Salutation- Dear Ser

• Valediction- Ser

• Baronet or Baronetess-

• Salutation- Dear Sir

• Valediction- Sir

• Squire-

• Salutation- Dear {Name}

• Valediction- Regards, {Full Name}

 

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II. Dress:

 

While right speech serves to clothe your thoughts in silk, it does little for your body. Certain fabrics, articles of clothing, and styles should be observed to be considered a fitting member of the aristocracy.

 

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II-A Noblemen

 

The attire of a proper nobleman, when not fitted for battle, should consist of trousers, covered with long over-tunics belted at the waist, with a tabard or surcoat over top. These clothes should be covered with full length cloaks in winter, to protect from cold, or when traveling, to protect the fabrics from the rigours of the road. Cloaks may be trimmed with a quality fur, such as ermine, and pinned at the shoulder by a broach to hold them in a comfortable position without use of the foolish and restrictive neck-fasteners many of the common folk employ.

 

Footwear is often designed for castle wear, and should be made of made of silk, velvet, cloth or leather and fastened with a buckle. Leather boots should be worn when traveling outdoors, to protect one’s lower legs from mud and other splattering hazards encountered in transit. Headwear is also common, consisting of a cap befitted to one’s station. A comital coronet could be worn by a Count, a flattened and adorned hat for ranked courtiers to the imperial household, or a simple cap to shade one’s eyes in travel.

 

Quality and cut of material is utmost when dressing one’s self, but proper colours should also be observed. Gaudy and eye-disturbing shades should be avoided, and one should only variate from dull navies, greys, and blacks, when incorporating the colours of one’s own household, or that of a liege house, knightly order, or the imperial state. Fashion is best served when one accurately depicts his station with the trappings of his own status , rank, order, or duties.

 

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II-B Noblewomen

 

Women should dress themselves in many layers, so as to protect their delicate skin from the ravages of the weather. A noblewoman’s underclothes should consist of breeches, chemise, and hose, covered by an underskirt of yellow or white linen or silk. The underskirt should then be covered with a long, trailing gown, or dress,  with wide sleeves. Gowns are most oft made of velvets, furs, silks, lace, cottons, and taffeta. The hem and the neck of the dress and sleeves are often decorated with gems and lace. These articles may then be covered by a full mantel when the weather requires. Mantels are trimmed with a quality fur, like ermine, and pinned at the shoulder with a broach for those reasons discussed above.

 

The footwear of a noble lady is more often designed purely for castle wear, composed of slippers of various quality fabrics or leather, and sturdy boots for foot travel in the outdoors. A lady’s hair should be worn long and plaited, and bound and covered by a piece of silk or linen draped and pinned over the hair and tucked into the neckline of her gown. Headwear, if desired for travel, should be covered in quality materials, and wide so as to shield her fair features from the harsh sunlight. Colours can be more vibrant than men’s clothing, but should still refrain from the gaudy or eye-disturbing flourescent pinks and blues, else she marks herself of the lower aristocracy unaccustomed to such attire.

 

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II-C Regional attire

 

While the above fashions are well fitted to the life of a palatial courtier or greater noble, some lords and ladies of the most rural demesnes, like those of the Raev, choose to fit themselves in more drab colours, less opulent fabrics, and fewer adornments of ermine or gem in the same manner as their ‘messy medieval’ structures. Some of the capital speculate that this is because of lack of means, but it may also be attributed to a desire not to invoke the ire of their more impoverished subjects. While a rural Lord or Lady’s attire across the feudatories is more relaxed, proper dress should always be maintained in the capital or upon the occasion of official visits or the hosting of guests.

 

Other regional styles can also be observed. Certain Northern houses, like those of old Hanseti proper, incorporate more furs and thicker fabrics into their dress by necessity of their native climate. Houses of Kaedreni heritage often maintain military dress, even at peacetime, in an homage to their culture which espouses armed service. While these variations too are acceptable, one should always endeavor to ensure that one wears proper attire in formal meetings and those occasions noted above.

 

 

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VOLUME III

or, the Ideals of the Success of Nations

 

The success of righteous human nations can be traced back to a single unifying principle: national pride. This can usually be identified in an environment in which it arises in response to a common enemy, and in which culture is encouraged. In the dawn of a new era, it is important to remember what has come before.

 

Why is the First Empire remembered so fondly? It united humanity in pursuit of high imperial culture, channeled intraimperial disputes into tame political rivalries that did not cause rifts at the imperial level (in large part because the crown avoided involvement in vassal disputes, considering itself equally bound to those it governed, instead implementing a casus belli system to allow resolution of conflict), and revived the Owynist movement for human supremacy and the reclamation of God-given land from the inferior races. The First Empire only fell when the Creator gave Horen V divine inspiration to bless a new continent with the message of our Lord. On that new continent of Aeldin, a similar national pride thrived and humanity prospered, but in the wake of his departure the remaining ruling class was divided in the face of the dwarven menace, and so the empire fell.

 

Why were the Second Empire and the reign of Heinrik remembered so fondly by some and less so by others? The emperor Siegmund united the majority of humanity, but did so in the face of other human rebels, not foreigners (though in his defense, the rebels allied themselves with foreigners). Thus there were factions which, after being subdued, festered with discontent (Adunian discontent became Lucienist, Horen rebel factions became Traditionalist/Darfeyist, disenfranchised old-imperial factions became the Tarus invaders, etc.). The majority, however, benefited from military and cultural unity in the face of threats, and political opportunities for nobles were suppressed outside of the ruling house and her cadets in favor of meritocratic martial prestige. The fall of the Vochna was at the hands of growing division in faith, culture, and politics that grew from the militant early days of the empire that purged much of the old nobles and waged war on Adunians (an ally of the Orenian kingdom at the time).

 

Why was the Third Empire remembered quite fondly by some and not so by others? It united humanity in the revival of high imperial culture and glories, launched military campaigns against a common enemy, and gave opportunities for meritocratic advancement for the common people through martial prowess. The faults of the Third Empire were in part before its formation (in which a significant minority were suppressed through violent means) and in part through political missteps that divided faith and culture. These wounds, bound but not cleaned and mended, festered, and their danger to the state was realized in the late empire when dissatisfaction with the emperor combined with the ire of the suppressed minority.

 

It can thus be concluded that, for a successful nation of united humanity, a leader must direct his people in the traditional manner of the prophet kings Owyn, Godfrey, and Sigismund, while incorporating the effective methods of their governance and avoiding their pitfalls:

 

-Unite humanity against a common enemy and create high martial culture.

-Unite humanity in faith.

-Create high court culture towards which the bourgeoisie and nobility can strive and entertain themselves.

-Create safe outlets for intranational disputes.

-Approach legitimate division diplomatically and minimize significant intranational factions and grudges.

-Allow the common people social mobility for advancement.

-Affirm the authoritative but judicious crown to maintain respect of vassals.

-Create cohesive national pride.

 

 

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VOLUME IV

or, the Archetypes of the Success of Nations

 

In my experience in politics and leadership, there are five effective personality archetypes that define the responsibilities an individual in regional or privy leadership is best suited for. It is rare that a man be purely defined by an archetype, but every man should have his primary attributes and skills which fall within the scope of one. It is also my theory that, were a nation or feudatory to be organized in a manner that gave each man the responsibilities he was best suited for, it would be most successful. I have also deigned to provide an example of a late monarch who can be seen as being representative of each category for ease of understanding. To be brief, the archetypes are as follows:

 

The Kinghead, who is well respected by his peers and by his underlings, and is chiefly gifted with a charisma that provides onlookers with confidence in their leader. In council, he is receptive to advice and not overly stubborn nor embroiled in the petty politics that could chance the decay of his state should he lay his focus upon them instead of the welfare of the spirit of his people. Exempli gratia: Emperor Peter I

 

The Chancellor, who is most gifted at the trades of politic and administration, and best operates behind the scenes as an orchestrator of ambitions. It is he who keeps the nation out of political muck and mire, is diplomat to his liege, and manager of those within the realm who are too ambitious or decadent. It is best that he not be lord, for the Chancellor is not the best man to inspire confidence in the people, as he is a cerebral man more suited to council rooms than court or the field. Exempli gratia: Prophet-Emperor Sigismund

 

The Steward, who is a man most well liked by the common man, and talented at enriching the towns and spirits of the citizens towards greater activity and prosperity. Found at the head of active and successful townships, the Steward is a valuable addition to any establishment royal or otherwise. While gifted at charming the common folk towards work and sustained progress, the steward often falters with the crown in matters of politic or propaganda, where he may be deprived of contact with his people and confined to council rooms and made the uncomfortable actor on the stage. Exempli gratia: Emperor Tobias I

 

The Marshal, whose gifts are chiefly militant in nature, and who presents himself a talented organizer and motivator of men towards victory. A drill-master extraordinaire and a skilled tactician and manager, the Marshal is an asset to any organization. Able to keep a military active and well-trained, he is most often also a skilled commander on the field. With a crown, however, the Marshal is often reluctant to listen to his advisors in matters of politic, and prone to being overly bullish on the field and neglectful of the domestic front. An excellent leader at war-time, but not as much so during peace. Exempli gratia: King Andrik of Oren

 

The Seal, who is both a talented writer and political theorist. Best suited for the council or library, the seal of a council is a cerebral mind much like the Chancellor for whom he is often mistaken, but is more suited for theoretical rather than applied pursuits. Shying from the responsibilities and expectations of the other archetypes, but excelling at presenting the message of the other archetypes and innovating towards progress, the Seal or Scribe is an invaluable addition to any council. Exempli gratia: King Franz-Josef

 

By assessing your loyal men and assigning appropriate responsibilities to those who would most befit particular roles along the archetype model, the efficiency and stability of a government can be best assured. By setting aside crown-lust and instead focusing on best executing his talents, a man will find himself winning the respect of his peers and of history. By setting aside petty cronyism and preconceptions about the value of each council seat and instead choosing for roles those individuals of matching archetypes, a government will find itself healthy, stable, and forward-functioning.