Unofficial Thread on the New Taldor Nobility Titles from PaizoCon

[Baron Jacquo Dalsine]

The baron’s arrival is preceded by a 47-piece string concerto blasting Taldor’s anthem – all 14 verses.

And then all 14 again.

As he arrives, a throng of cheers erupts from the crowd below.

DC 10 Spot Check

Spoiler:

The baron’s eyes have slightly misted over. His patriotism has gotten to him once again.

DC 25 Sense Motive

Spoiler:

More likely the baron has been dabbing his eyes with flask water again. . .

OOC: This thread sets out some information below to clarify the new Taldor nobility titles which were given out at the interactive at Paizocon. However, while I played the Baron at PaizoCon and bequeathed titles to a select few, I lack any kind of actual canon-making ability whatsoever, so take this for what it is worth. It may well be modified later or discarded entirely.

[Baron Jacquo Dalsine]

“Greetings Phalanx of the Empire!

What a gathering this is.

As you know our fine nation recently honored the Isle of Kortos by sending a delegation to Absalom for their Grand Tournament. And what a delegation it was!

I am pleased to report that _as anticipated_ once again Taldor walked away victorious. Our champion raised Taldor’s flag over the fallen of many other lesser nations. Truly a sign that Taldor’s glory remains unimpeded.

May we please take a moment to give another thundering round of applause to our champion (who was a druid no less).”

Sense Motive DC 20

Spoiler:

The baron is still trying to get over that the victor was a 3rd level druid with a club. . . holy crap. He’s also struggling to remember the champ’s name. . .

On cue the crowd explodes into applause followed by another chorus of “In Service Lies Honor!”

[Baron Jacquo Dalsine]

“But there were many other deeds performed in service to Taldor that day in Absalom. Some of which may be less known to you. Nevertheless, some of those deeds I am proud to say necessitated the immediate elevation to the ranks of royalty.

As such I would like to take this opportunity to review the hierarchy of our basic noble titles.”

OOC: In descending order:

Royalty

Emperor/ Empress - There is only a single emperor in Taldor – currently the Grand Prince Stavian III.

Prince/Princess – Princess Eutropia is currently Taldor’s only heir to the throne.

Greater Nobility Titles

Greater nobility titles are typically reserved for significant land owners, members of the royal court and distant relatives of royalty. Thus far, these have never been given out in organized play.

High Vaxitalian/ High Vaxitallianette
Vaxitalian/ Vaxitallianette

Marquis/ Marquise

Grand Baron/ Grand Baroness
Baron/ Baroness
Suma Baron/ Suma Baroness

Moderate Nobility Titles:

Zalsirax

Over Duke/ Over Dutchess
Abra Duke/ Abra Dutchess
Suma Duke/ Suma Dutchess

Lord Montcastle/ Lady Montcastle

Lesser Nobility Titles:

Due to the extent of Taldor’s corruption, lesser nobility titles are handed out like candy and are even purchased all too frequently. Regardless of how obtained though, they still cause one to rise above their former peers.

Grandee
Abra Grandee

Grand Magnate
Magnate

High Lord/ High Lady
True Lord/ True lady
Suma Lord/ Suma Lady

Commoner Titles:

Upper Citizen (of the Kingdom) also called an Esquire as a suffix
Citizen (of the Kingdom)
Lower Citizen (of the Kingdom)

Freeman/Freewoman

Slave or Stockadesman

Spoiler:

Note that the title of duke is below that of a baron. This is a significant reversal from traditional hierarchy. A duke is still very high but a baron is even higher still.

There are also numerous military and religious titles in Taldor. Those are not covered here.

[Baron Jacquo Dalsine]

More OOC:

Suggested Game Effects for the New Titles

The A.R. sheets do not include any game effects arising from the nobility titles recently bestowed. Many people have asked me about this. I know one GM already began conferring bonuses during Paizocon.

Here is my suggestion:

Commoner Titles:

These should have no game effect other than to make you feel even cooler about your PC.

Lesser Nobility Titles:

These should grant a +1 bonus to the following checks:

1. Diplomacy checks vs. Taldorian NPCs of non-chaotic alignment
2. Intimidate checks vs. Taldorian NPCs of non-chaotic alignment
3. Knowledge (nobility) checks where the subject matter is Taldorian nobility.
4. To the PC’s skill check to raise funds between scenario’s.

(i.e. it is easier to inflate the value of crafts and services in Taldor when provided by a noble. This also loosely reflects the increased ease for which nobles are able to work the bureaucratic systems of Taldor to acquire funds.)

Moderate nobility Titles:

These should grant a +2 bonus to the following:

1. Diplomacy checks vs. Taldorian NPCs of non-chaotic alignment
2. Intimidate checks vs. Taldorian NPCs of non-chaotic alignment
3. Knowledge (nobility) checks where the subject matter is Taldorian nobility.
4. To the PC’s skill check to raise funds between scenario’s.

Greater nobility Titles:

These should grant a +4 bonus to the following:

1. Diplomacy checks vs. Taldorian NPCs of non-chaotic alignment
2. Intimidate checks vs. Taldorian NPCs of non-chaotic alignment
3. Knowledge (nobility) checks where the subject matter is Taldorian nobility.
4. To the PC’s skill check to raise funds between scenario’s.

A final thought on bonuses:

Please do not ever give your GM a hard time if they are unaware of these bonusses or do not care to apply these bonuses. This is all unofficial stuff sitting in a board thread not a part of the actual rules. It would be neat to incorporate it and further grow Taldor's aristocracy through actual game play but it's not worth a headache. Consider it at most a GM's elective until such time it might ever find itself in a guide book.

[Lady Scatha, barbarian]

Thank you for clarifying the proper hierarchy of noble status in our fair realm, Baron Jacquo. I am sure it will be of great use for the lesser nobility so recently elevated in rank, preventing the innumerable misunderstandings that would otherwise surely arise.

For the glory of Taldor,

Ever in your service,

Lady Scatha, Over Dutchess

"Taldor Forever!"

[Iacomo Albrecht]

My dear Baron,
I would like to take a moment to congratulate our delegation to The Grand Tournament. Such a fine performance warms the hearts of even it's most distant subjects. It is through such public displays that the other nations are reminded of the glory of the people of the Priomogen Crown.

Would there be any way for those of us on extended overseas assignments to be able to earn some of these titles?

If one were less of a gentleman one might enquire as to whether the honourable Baron was predisposed towards putting in a good word for those who were in a position to "grease the wheels" of the current nobility.

Fortunately for all, the esteem that this Pathfinder holds his Venture Captain prevents him from even espousing such a gauche notion.

Pathfinder Iacomo Albrecht
"In Service Lies Honour"

OOC
Is there a possibility of something like this being run on another continent? (Australia for example)

[Baron Jacquo Dalsine]

Lady Scatha,

A pleasure as always.

“Taldor Forever” indeed! An unforgettable achievement.

[Baron Jacquo Dalsine]

Mr. Albrecht

Far be it from the empire to ever forget her colonies and future interests. The culturalization of the lesser lands ever remains Taldor’s greatest burden. No doubt the Empire will grant me new titles to bequeath to those in her service again one day, but until then, they will remain the exclusive domain of those privileged to trace their lineage to greatness.

On a completely unrelated matter, I understand our mutual servitors are scheduled to discuss a matter of private business two Oathdays from today. . .

OOC: While anything is possible, I think the beauty of an interactive is that it is a one-time event and character experience, never to be duplicated. With any luck though, perhaps one or more of these titles might become available on an AR sheet in a future adventure. Though an interactive in Australia would be really something.

P.S. Pardon the late reply - I missed this thread.

[piquwee]

Hello,
This is an old thread, but it seems to be the one that talks about this function.
Does anyone know how much a Nobility Title costs and the path to acquisition? I understand that there is some discussion that prestige points would be used.
Thank you.

[Mark Garringer]

piquwee wrote:

Hello,

This is an old thread, but it seems to be the one that talks about this function.
Does anyone know how much a Nobility Title costs and the path to acquisition? I understand that there is some discussion that prestige points would be used.
Thank you.

The rules will be published with the Season 3 updates.

[Sarta]

Mark Garringer wrote:

piquwee wrote:

Hello,

This is an old thread, but it seems to be the one that talks about this function.
Does anyone know how much a Nobility Title costs and the path to acquisition? I understand that there is some discussion that prestige points would be used.
Thank you.

The rules will be published with the Season 3 updates.

I can't wait to buy one for myself and another for my mount. ;-)