Difference between revisions of "Hierarchy"

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This will explain as clearly as possible what hierarchy is in the world of BattleMaster. The following will explain the levels of importance within the realm structure, the intangables of hierarchy, guild hierarchy, and how it can be roleplayed.
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''This page details a new hierarchy system that is currently under development. That is also why the page is locked for editing.''
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==Hierarchy Defined==
 
==Hierarchy Defined==
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BattleMaster attempts to simulate a simplified feudal system. Feudalism, as defined by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudalism Wikipedia] is
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::a general set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility of Europe during the Middle Ages, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs.
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In BattleMaster, the hierarchy is what binds a realm together. Sharing a common home is nice and cuddly, but the mutual agreements of the nobles is what it all '''means'''.
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==Oaths==
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The basic unit of the hierarchy is an oath. That is, a mutual agreement between two parties about their obligations towards one another. In more practical terms, a typical oath between a Lord (i.e. a local region lord) and a Knight might be:
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:I, Lord of Someregion will grant you, Knight Valiant, 20 gold a week in return for your service.
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Oaths run on all levels of the hierarchy. The same way a Lord binds Knights to himself through oaths, he himself is bound to his duke or ruler:
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:I, Duke of Someduchy grant you, Lord Nobody, the region of Someregion as a fief in return for your service and that of 5 knights.
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It is the mutual obligations part that makes oaths interesting. Notice that the duke has granted our example lord his region on the condition that he retain 5 (or more) knights at all times. In order to attract those knights, the lord will have to offer them something that makes them want to give him their service. That'll be a part of the taxes he collects from his region. So part of what he gets from the oath with his duke will be spent to fulfill his obligations. How much profit he, personally, makes from the oath will - in part - depend on his management skills.
  
The best way to define what hierarchy is comes from the dictionary.  Oxford English defines hierarchy as:
 
  
::1 a ranking system ordered according to status or authority. 2 an arrangement according to relative importance or inclusiveness.
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===Oath Details===
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There are many possible terms for oaths, and they an be combined. A duke may (and often will) ask for a tax share or a fixed amount of gold in return for the region. Here's an example for a complicated oath:
  
Well at least those are the definitions that apply to us here.  The key we should look at here is '''Importance'''.
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:Duke A grants Lord B:
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:* the region X
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:* 50 gold a week
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:in return for:
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:* 25% of the tax income
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:* 1000 CS soldiers
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:* 7 knights
  
==Character Importance==
 
  
[[Roleplaying#Player Character|Player Characters]] are the most in important over all things in the BattleMaster world.  For all intents and purposes one can think of it as a hierarchal caste system. [[Roleplaying#Player Character|Player Characters]] are favored above all else so the ranks of those less favored have no bearing on the [[Roleplaying#Player Character|Player Characters]].  There are only two caste.  [[Roleplaying#Player Character|Player Characters]] and [[Roleplaying#NPCs|Non Player Characters]]  We will deal with the [[Roleplaying#Player Character|Player Character]] hierarchy first.
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===Making and Breaking===
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Oaths can be proposed by a party with something to offer. A duke can offer a region from his duchy to a lord, a lord can offer gold to a knight, etc.
  
==Realm Hierarchy==
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Oaths must be accepted by both parties. Likewise, an oath can only be dissolved if both parties agree. Once bound...

Revision as of 13:03, 8 May 2006

This page details a new hierarchy system that is currently under development. That is also why the page is locked for editing.


Hierarchy Defined

BattleMaster attempts to simulate a simplified feudal system. Feudalism, as defined by Wikipedia is

a general set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility of Europe during the Middle Ages, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs.


In BattleMaster, the hierarchy is what binds a realm together. Sharing a common home is nice and cuddly, but the mutual agreements of the nobles is what it all means.


Oaths

The basic unit of the hierarchy is an oath. That is, a mutual agreement between two parties about their obligations towards one another. In more practical terms, a typical oath between a Lord (i.e. a local region lord) and a Knight might be:

I, Lord of Someregion will grant you, Knight Valiant, 20 gold a week in return for your service.

Oaths run on all levels of the hierarchy. The same way a Lord binds Knights to himself through oaths, he himself is bound to his duke or ruler:

I, Duke of Someduchy grant you, Lord Nobody, the region of Someregion as a fief in return for your service and that of 5 knights.

It is the mutual obligations part that makes oaths interesting. Notice that the duke has granted our example lord his region on the condition that he retain 5 (or more) knights at all times. In order to attract those knights, the lord will have to offer them something that makes them want to give him their service. That'll be a part of the taxes he collects from his region. So part of what he gets from the oath with his duke will be spent to fulfill his obligations. How much profit he, personally, makes from the oath will - in part - depend on his management skills.


Oath Details

There are many possible terms for oaths, and they an be combined. A duke may (and often will) ask for a tax share or a fixed amount of gold in return for the region. Here's an example for a complicated oath:

Duke A grants Lord B:
  • the region X
  • 50 gold a week
in return for:
  • 25% of the tax income
  • 1000 CS soldiers
  • 7 knights


Making and Breaking

Oaths can be proposed by a party with something to offer. A duke can offer a region from his duchy to a lord, a lord can offer gold to a knight, etc.

Oaths must be accepted by both parties. Likewise, an oath can only be dissolved if both parties agree. Once bound...