Goblin Squad Member
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This is a suggestion I brought up in some previous topics that got some positive responses... but ultimately did not draw much attention as it isn't the most exciting/important topic.
The issue is there are three levels of player organizations:
Companies: Small-medium groups of players sponsored by a settlement.
Settlements: Medium-large groups of players that own a single settlement. May own other structures like forts, inns, and towers outside the settlement though.
Kingdoms: Large-massive organizations comprised of multiple settlements.
My issue is I don't think "settlement" is the best term for settlements. Settlement to me conjures the idea of a bunch of people living in a quaint little town together somewhere in the woods. They may have a pallisade and a militia but the extent of their military and political power is limited to the immediately surrounding area. These are people from all walks of life (and alignments) just trying to live their lives.
The term I prefer is fiefdom. The most classic example of a fiefdom is a noble house where a lord rules over his subjects. His authority generally covers a small area but may include a larger area than just what is immediately around the settlement, and there are likely to be people who have sworn fealty to this lord opperating well outside the territory he controls. Beyond that fiefdoms are intensely political and may demand things like dedication to a cause or worship of a common god. Fiefdoms most often are part of kingdoms and will have their own soldiers and knights they can send to fight if their kingdom asks it of them. Finally fiefdoms don't necessarily have to be ruled by a noble house or lord.
To me fiefdom is just a better term because:
1. It is likely a better description of most "settlements" who will be intensely political and frequently meddle in issues outside their physical settlement.
2. It is more logical companies would seek the sponsorship of a fiefdom than settlement.
3. It's a great role-play term that fits the River Kingdoms, and the fact larger organizations/multiple "settlements" are known a kingdoms extremely well.
4. It causes the alignment restriction to be a bit more logical.
5. It's educational. A lot of people are sure to learn a new word. ;)
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Goblin Squad Member
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Settlements will exist that are not ruled by a single person/noble house (democracies) or that will not require specific ideals from it's members (neutral settlements).
Even at the height of the 'fiefdom' as a political entity, the republics of Genoa, Venice, etc were taking trade posts around the Mediterranean by force.
I agree that fiefdom would be a good term to include in the game for many settlements, though. Maybe the name of the establishment should change based on how it is ruled? Fiefdom of the Great Legionnaires, Republic of The Seventh Veil, Free City of Blah, etc.
This would give players some information on a settlement at a glance.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Finally fiefdoms don't necessarily have to be ruled by a noble house or lord.
Something over which one dominant person or group exercises control
An area over which a person or organization exerts authority or influence
That covers republics, like GL with it's council. It's not a great definition for true democracies but then again none of those will be successful enough to hold on to their territory for long. Representative democracies might, but not true democracies.
It's at least as good of a definition for what settlements will be in game, as kingdoms is for what kingdoms will be in game. It's a MORE accurate term than guilds or clans ever were for 95% of guilds and clans.
Also even neutral settlements are limited by alignment, as evil players will not be allowed. But being limited by alignment, or required to follow ideals is not a REQUIREMENT of a fiefdom. It's just something that makes more sense within the context of a fiefdom, given the majority of "settlements" will be political and require their members to adhere to ideals. Even the 7th Veil pushes learning and knowledge. I don't suppose you'll be accepting book burners?
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Goblin Squad Member
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Oh wow, I either glossed over that or you edited and I didn't refresh before I read and posted ;) My mistake!
The definitions you chose to quote are for contemporary use of the term. I c wut u did thur! Thanks for being a sport and providing the source, so we could all draw our own conclusions.
Here's another, which I thought might provide some more background info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiefdom
Regardless of the exact definition, fief definitely carries some connotation with the medieval feudal system. I think it could be in the game as a descriptor, but a more neutral term is appropriate for general use.
I definitely support the idea that much like we have player-nations, some of which will be kingdoms, we should have settlements, some of which will be fiefdoms.
I don't suppose you'll be accepting book burners?
Hmm, I think you may have found one of the few prohibited behaviors in the seventh veil ;)
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Goblin Squad Member
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It would be nice if we could apply different titles to the settlements. That way settlement is just a word the game uses to keep track of things, and settlements can be named based on how they're ruled and what they do.
As is, I think settlement works better, at least at start, because that's what they are. People are going into the wilderness, and settling. Later on if you could change it to Fiefdom or what have you, that'd be nice.