The Herald from the Far Beyond/Identity Essay
The Noble and the Realm
By Sigichlod Amalman
The opinion of our Royal Herald has implied to me that your world produces a primitive form of society and culture. It is basic and simple compared to the complexities of our immense Sautica. In order to enlighten your kind with the wisdom from my kind, the Most High has instructed me to describe to you something called identity. We will discuss the identity of a knight to her realm and the relationships that dwell within it.
Now, first, I will predict that your reaction will be one of insult to my Sautican vaunt. Yet, before you ignore my lesson outright, consider what you will learn by carrying on. It is telling that I have to write that before I begin, I often teach a class of nitwits and half-breeds. I suppose I have developed a natural defensive stance before I begin any new instruction. (Ah, once again I stray off topic, forgive me Most High, your countenance and praise will find me a welcoming candidate). As I was saying, place your time in this small capsule of knowledge and you will depart with a deeper understanding of your world.
Down to business; the identity of a knight is born the moment they are ennobled. First, they have their root in the region of their family. This should provide an important foundation to the rest of the noble’s career. Knowing your roots means you will appreciate where you seed yourself. Second, a knight’s identity is affected by the region they have their estate in. This is another integral factor in the identity of a knight and should not go unnoticed. The position of that region will tell the noble, and others, about the sort of knight they are to become. Rural regions are very different than urban cities. Lakeshore’s or seaside’s, forests or deserts, all of this should build into the character of a knight. Their surroundings should influence their demeanour. Their behaviours should be kin with the behaviours of their region’s customs. An affinity with their fellow region knights should take precedence to one with knights from other parts of the realm.
Next, the position of their region in a duchy should also be weighed important. This reflects the mood and atmosphere a knight should present. Duchies on the frontier are very different in civilization and advancement than ones near the capital. Duchies on the frontline will have a very different opinion to a particular war or realm than those who are safely guarded by other territories, or on opposite sides of the realm. All of this should be reflected in the identity of a knight. One should also understand the inherent hierarchy the realm sustains by the ruling system. Knights of an outskirt region are lesser than those in the core. Urban knights are vastly richer than rural ones, even richer than the rural Lord. The pomp available to urban knights should not be overlooked or underemphasized.
Furthermore, the identity of a knight is affected by their social status. One should never ignore the prominence of rank and title, to do that is to wipe away the very essence of society. A knight must understand the differences in position; how a knight is lesser than a Lord, a Lord is lesser than a Duke, and a Duke subjects themselves to the rule of the High Council. The High Council is at the top by the will of those at the bottom, and those at the bottom remain there until they are able to climb up. No one should treat a higher rank as equal unless they are asking for punishment, and no one higher should treat those lower as valuable beyond their worth unless they are investing in the noble’s future. Knowing this, a knight should begin to design their actions in order to ascend this class ladder. Aim for the position you know is the highest: become a Duke.
There are additional sources of identity for a knight, their religious faith, their association with a guild, their membership in an army. All of these things should be included in the territorial and societal factors of their being. All of these things should be seen with consequence, not trivial. Do not do something unless it will enhance you. Do something when you feel it will improve your status, your wealth, and especially your character. A person’s character is as important as their deeds. Soulless nobles are as worthless as peanut shells.
The identity of a knight should embody the basic maxim: the individual is the force of the realm, and the realm is the yoke of the individual. Understanding this unveils an entire plain of relationships, behaviours, and motives. Certainly, locating yourself within this maxim will bloom society and culture. A realm which embraces this maxim will be lush, active, and overflowing with variety and strength.
Meditate on this basic laying out of what the identity of a knight really is, as I have broken it down for you, and then begin to apply it to your own lives as nobles. The difference will be astonishing. Once again, if you would only listen to what I am teaching, or proceed beyond the lesson, then you would be a more refined noble. Do not ignore my lecture, do not draw pictures of me in unrealistic situations, and certainly do not contradict what I say by yelling, “not!” after every one of my sentences. Please, that is the way in which those ignoble students in my class act and I would hope you are more mature. There I go again, off topic, I will stop here.
