The Path to Nobility

THE PATH TO NOBILITY:

 

For a merchant, there aren’t many opportunities to advance into the Nobility. However, by helping to support the Nobles and the Kingdom, there’s a chance the King will grant you a title. This path is long and expensive though, because you must get in the good graces of the Nobles themselves before they are willing to accept you. When you meet their requirements, they will provide you with their support. But be warned, occasionally competing houses will try to lure them away and if that happens, it could get very expensive.

 

Step One: You can’t just walk up to any old Noble on the street and expect them to help you. First you must be introduced. The best way to do this is to befriend (bribe) a Court Functionary. These are the people that have the most access to the Kingdom’s elite and can help you make their acquaintance. Choose one Court Functionary and fulfill their request and they will introduce you up the chain.

 

Step Two: Even though you have been introduced to a lesser Noble, you need to earn their goodwill. Fulfill their Need or Request and they will introduce you to their betters and support you in your endeavor.

 

Step Three: The major nobles have the ear of the King or the Queen. They have both power and influence. Befriend a Major Noble and they will put in a good word for you with the monarchs.

 

Step Four: You’ve had a chance to interact with the King or Queen and they see something in you (your gold) which could benefit the Kingdom. Perform a little task – support a whim of the King or help the Queen with one of her good works, and if you’re successful, there’s a good chance you will receive a Patent of Nobility for your efforts.

 

Note: At various steps, there are certain individuals that will allow you to skip ahead directly to the King or Queen. If this occurs, go directly to Step Four and continue from there.

Introductions occur immediately; therefore once you are introduced to someone, you will always be able to attempt to meet their requirement. If, for some reason (see Bribery below) you lose the backing of the Noble or Functionary that introduced you, the individual’s requirement cost is doubled.

 

Bribery and Sabotage:

Bribery: Spending twice the amount of the Functionaries or Nobles requirement allows you to bribe that individual away from their patron and back you instead. The King and Queen are immune to bribery.

 

Sabotage: When a house is working on the King’s Whim or Queen’s Good Work, you can pay 50 gold either to impose a -1 penalty on the die roll or increase the amount of time it takes to complete by 1 turn. Spending 100 gold allows you to impose both penalties. This can only be done once per turn per player.

 

 

 

COURT FUNCTIONARIES:

Chancellor:

The Chancellor is the King’s Secretary and has the responsibility of keeping the King informed on domestic and foreign affairs. Donate 25 gold to help expand the network of agents the Chancellor uses for information and he will introduce you to the Baron of Rivermoore or the Lord Constable.

(The Chancellor will waive the cost of drafting and copying your Patent Nobilis)

- 50 gold

 

Chamberlain

The Chamberlain is in charge of the King’s household and has the responsibility of arranging meetings with the King as well as managing the royal estates. Throw a banquet in the King’s honor (250 gold or 2 spices, 2 wine, 2 grain and 2 salt) and the Chamberlain will introduce you to the King. Or help maintain the Royal estates (25 gold or 1 iron and 2 lumber) and he will introduce you to Baronet Willem or the Maid of Honor Lady Clarice.

 

Treasurer

The Treasurer is in charge of the Kingdom’s treasury. Donate 50 gold or 2 paper and 1 salt to keep the scribes supplied with materials and he will introduce you to the Baron of Rivermoore or Viscount Corwin.

(The treasurer will decrease the cost of Patent Nobilis by 100 gold)

 

Justicar

The Justicar is in charge of keeping the King’s peace and enforcing the laws of the realm. Donate 25 gold or 1 iron and 1 lumber to maintain the city watch and he will introduce you to Viscount Corwin or the Lord Constable.

(Body Guards and Guards cost -5 gold)

 

Jester

The Jester is the King’s entertainer. Buy him some new props and outfits (200 gold or 2 silk, 2 fur, 2 cotton, 2 wool, 2 hides and 2 lumber) and he will introduce you to the King.

 

Herald

The Herald is in charge of sending messages throughout the realm and arranging tournaments and festivals. Donate 25 gold or 1 paper and 1 salt to keep the proclamations proclaiming and he will introduce you to Baronet Willem or Sir John, Knight of the Star.

(The Herald will waive the cost of publishing the bans on your Patent Nobilis)

- 50 gold

(Required retainer to have in order to satisfy the King’s Whim of sponsoring a tournament)

 

Lady in Waiting

The Lady in Waiting, Alys Ferrier, is responsible for attending the Queen. Gift her with a small dowry (25 gold) and she will introduce you to the Maid of Honor or Sir John, Knight of the Star. Purchase a farm (175 gold or 150 gold plus 1 grain, 1 hemp and 2 lumber) for her and her fiancée and she will introduce you to the Queen.

 

LESSER NOBLES:

Baron of Rivermoore

The Baron of Rivermoore has had a run of bad luck at cards over the last year and now owes the wrong people money. Pay off his gambling debts (50 gold) and he will introduce you to the Duke of Kennington or the Viceroy of Cataly.

 

Viscount Corwin

Viscount Corwin would like to increase his holdings. Donate 50 gold towards the purchase of additional lands around his estates and he will introduce you to one of his boyhood friends – the Earl of Montague or Prince Nathan.

 

Baronet Willem

Baronet Willem would like to become a member of the Peerage. Donate 50 gold to help him elevate his house and he will introduce you to the Earl of Montague or the Viceroy of Cataly.

 

Sir John, Knight of the Star

Recently Knighted for his valor on the field in defending Ill, Sir John must now purchase all the trappings associated with being a Knight of the Star. Refurbish his armor and gear (50 gold) and he will introduce you to Princess Catherine or the Marquise of Ill.

 

Lord Constable

The Lord Constable is in charge of the country’s armed forces. Help him purchase new equipment for the troops (50 gold or 1 iron, 1 wool, 2 lumber, and 2 hides) and he will introduce you to the Duke of Kennington or Prince Nathan.

 

Maid of Honor Lady Clarice

Lady Clarice is the daughter of the Baron of Rivermoore and is looking for a good marriage. Provide her a small dowry (50 gold) and she will introduce you to Princess Catherine or the Marquise of Ill. Provide a large dowry (150 gold) and she will introduce you to the Queen.

 

GREATER NOBLES:

Prince Nathan

Prince Nathan will be leading the summer campaign. Donate 100 gold or 2 iron, 2 grain and 4 lumber to help feed and arm the troops and he will introduce you to the King.

 

Princess Catherine

Princess Catherine must have a new outfit for the festival. Donate 100 gold or 2 silk and 1 gems to make her the belle of the ball and she will introduce you to the Queen.

 

Duke of Kennington

The Duke of Kennington has several public works projects going in the duchy. Donate 100 gold or 2 iron, 1 oil, 2 hemp and 3 lumber to build bridges and roads and he will recommend you to the King.

 

Viceroy of Cataly

The Viceroy of Cataly needs some new ships to keep trade safe around the islands. Donate 100 gold or 1 iron, 1 cotton, 1 oil, 1 hemp, 1 hides and 4 lumber to build a new galley and the Viceroy will recommend you to the King.

 

Marquise of Ill

Recently plagued by barbarian raiding, the Marquise of Ill needs to repair her damaged defenses and build new ones. Donate 100 gold or 2 iron, 2 oil and 3 lumber and she will recommend you to the King or Queen.

 

Earl of Montague

The Earl of Montague is an adventurer at heart. He wants to go off on one more expedition before he becomes too old to travel. Donate 100 gold to fund his endeavor and he will introduce you to the King.

 

PROVE YOUR WORTH!

 

In order for you to demonstrate your commitment to the Kingdom, you must do something for the King or Queen

 

King’s Whim:

TOURNAMENT (You must have bribed the Herald in order to host a tournament)

Raise the morale of the Kingdom. Host a tournament with jousting, a grand melee and other festivities. Spend 500 gold and roll the die. 1 – Dismal failure, try again. 2-5 – Success, the tournament goes off without a hitch and the King is happy. If you donate 1000 gold to the treasury, he will make you a baronet. 6 – Great Success, the King is happy with everything you have done and if you donate 750 gold to the treasury, he will make you an Earl.

 

CREATE A GREAT WORK

Build a monument to the greatness of the Kingdom. Roll the die. 1- Construction goes over time and over budget, it takes 7 turns to complete and costs 1,250 gold. 2-5 – On time and on budget. It takes five turns and 1000 gold to complete. 6 – Under budget and sooner than promised. It takes three turns and costs 750 gold to complete. Once the Great Work is complete, the King rewards you by making you a Baronet.

 

EXPAND THE KINGDOM

The untamed wilderness to the north teems with resources which could be of great benefit to the Kingdom. Help outfit an expedition to build a colony. The more money you spend, the greater its chances for success. Spend a minimum of 500 gold and roll the die. For each additional 250 gold you spend, add +1 to the die roll. 1 – Dismal failure, the entire colony is destroyed. 2-5 – Success, after five turns the fledgling colony is self supporting. The King is happy and if you donate 500 gold to the treasury, the King will make you a Baronet. 6+ – Great success, after three turns the colony is self supporting. The King is impressed with everything you have done and if you donate 250 gold to the treasury, he will make you the Earl of the new colony.

 

Queen’s Good Work:

FEED THE POOR

At the end of every week is Queensday. This is when the Queen feeds the poor from the castle kitchens. If you help support her in this, she will be very grateful and recommend you to the King. Donate 250 gold to the project and roll the die. 1 – Failure. The Queen thinks you are stingy. Spend 7 turns and an extra 100 gold to satisfy her, 2-5 – Success, after 5 turns the Queen is happy with your efforts, 6 – Great success – after only three turns, the Queen sees how truly generous you are. If you donate an additional 1000 gold to treasury to continue these good works, the Queen has the King make you a Baronet.

 

BUILD A CATHEDRAL

The clergy have impressed upon the Queen the need for grand cathedral in which to gather the faithful and spread the word. The Queen sees the additional benefits such an endeavor will bring, from greater tourism and reputation to an increase in jobs and more income to the Kingdom. Roll the die. 1- Construction goes over time and over budget, it takes 7 turns to complete and costs 1,250 gold. 2-5 – it’s on time and on budget. It takes five turns and 1000 gold to complete. 6 – Under budget and sooner than promised. It takes three turns and costs 750 gold to complete. Once the Cathedral is complete, the Queen rewards you by recommending the King make you a baronet and if you donate 250 gold to the treasury, the King will do so.

 

HOST A FESTIVAL

Raise the morale of the Kingdom. Give a grand festival and ball. Spend 500 gold and roll the die. 1 – Dismal failure, try again. 2-5 – Success, the festival goes off without a hitch and the Queen is happy. If you donate 1000 gold to the treasury, she will have the King make you a baronet. 6 – Great Success, the King and Queen are both extremely happy with everything you have done and if you donate 750 gold to the treasury, the King will make you a Baronet.