User:Keen/Realm Coalition Concept

Divided Yet Unconquered

This is an idea for a coalition of small realms bound by a unifying culture (probably with an associated guild). An alternative implementation would be through a religion. Comments are appreciated!

Realm Customs

1. No realm should have more than one city; any realm that does so is seen as imperialist, overreaching and corrupt, and is ostracised by the other realms of this culture.

2. War between realms of this culture is expected; survival of the fittest realm shows their prowess. Destruction of a realm of this culture is not an exceptional occurrence.

3. If an external threat should emerge, however, the realms band together to see off the foreign invader.

4. The perceived greatest realm is that which has the most colonies (which should be relatively plentiful, because a realm can't hold multiple cities)

Banner Customs (relating to lordship and vassalhood)

1. A lord must have a coat of arms with distinctive heraldry (and shouldn't be promoted without them). Your banner is your honour. Losing it in battle is seen as the utmost disgrace.

2. When a knight swears allegiance to a lord, that lord must grant them a distinctive banner including elements of the lord's heraldry. Losing this banner is disgraceful in the eyes of your lord. Deliberately setting it aside is the gravest insult to your lord.

3. When a knight is captured or defeated in a duel, their captor gets their banner. One way to regain your honour is to fight a duel with the person to retrieve it.

4. Possessing the most banners is seen as proof of great honour and worth. (If possible, rulers should be the people with the most banners)

Judges should enforce these customs; first through shame, and then through fines. Judges will have a specific rank in the guild/religion, with a particularly honourable 'elder-like' role. There should be a secretive initiation ritual and superstition surrounding the Judges.