Introduction: As an Allanaki noble, there are certain standards of behavior and treatment you have been exposed to throughout your life. These standards are taught to your noble since birth and every noble is aware of them. They are the accepted code of behavior and manner. Should your own behavior vary from custom and tradition, consequences from image-conscious peers and family are inevitable. Reaction to an eccentric noble might range from the occasional raised eyebrow to ridiculing them behind their back, censuring them or in the most extreme and rare cases, even disinheritance and loss of name and status.
A noble may care for the commoner, but that ‘fondness’ would most often be comparable to the love a modern day human might have for a favored cat or dog. In rare (and exceptional) instances a personal aide or guard might garner the noble's respect or in the case of a concubine or consort, even love - but those feelings would be kept private and never displayed amongst even their own family. And in no case would even the most trusted and beloved commoner ever be thought of as a peer. Socializing: Nobles mainly socialize with other nobles. However, for playability reasons, you may find yourself socializing with commoners more often then your peers – simply because they are logged on. That does not mean you should lower yourself to the same level as the commoners. Most nobles summon the commoners to them and expect to be entertained, not vice versa. Remember – the commoner has no real purpose in life but to amuse you or otherwise perform your will. You are their better. No matter how much you enjoy their company, they will never even come close to being worthy of equal status. Allanak has several places of interest to the nobility. Foremost is the posh arboretum with its gardens and decadent displays of lush greenery. Next, the Trader’s Inn provides and upper-class, elf-free environment where wealthy merchants mingle with nobility and Templars. The private gardens at the Atrium provide another venue for those with memberships. Occasionally, nobles are spotted sipping tea in the Silver Ginka, but most have their servants fetch treats from that establishment, since it is located in a less then desirable section of the city. There are some nobles who enjoy the austere decor of the Tor Academy, using its membership for their own prestige and for another location to relax away from the common elements. There are other establishments in Allanak, including the Bard’s Barrel and the Gaj and Gladiator Tavern. While both of these are popular with the common, it is rare to see a noble frequenting either establishment – with the Gaj and Gladiator practically unheard of as a temptation to the noble, except for the most illicit and degenerate purpose. The Bard’s Barrel, though it does feature entertainment and gambling, is owned by foreigners with northern accents, and frequented by elves, criminals and all sorts of other undesirable patrons. While nobles do sometimes attend the Bard’s Barrel, it is usually done as a daring lark, and most are careful to guard themselves and expect congress with the least appetizing of characters. The Barrel stinks, the seats are uncomfortable, and it is filled with commoners - this is not a place a noble of any rank would go to regularly unless they seek to 'slum.' Bear in mind, nobles that frequent the Barrel will likely be mocked by their peers. The Properly Attired Noble: The vast majority of the nobility prefers to dress in silks and lace and is often spotted in ridiculously complicated garments which seem nearly impossible to move in. In fact, a noble fashion in Allanak is to wear the most ostentatious and movement-hindering clothing possible as a show of wealth and power. After all, only those who are truly wealthy can afford to have someone assist them in even the most basic of tasks. Styles and trends change frequently and it is not common for some outrageously expensive item that seemed a near requirement for the fashionable noble one month to find itself seen as quaint and ordinary the next. Particular care is paid to fashion and trends by those in the Upper Houses. Even junior nobility make an effort to remain stylish or suffer the disdain of their peers. The notable exception to this custom is House Tor, whose nobles are as often seen dressed in armor as they are silk as tribute to their house's martial nature. But even a Tor noble changes into stylish silks for social occasions with their peers. Occasionally, a martially oriented noble will don arms and armor. Most often these are those who aspire to a military title within their home. It should be remembered however that armor is uncomfortable and heavy and even few military leaders would wear it –all- the time, especially to dine, drink or attend social functions. Some nobles prefer to dress in the colors of their Family, and that is an accepted practice, but not a requirement. Nobles that dress in House Colors are always distinguishable from their staff based on the obvious quality and material of the clothing. Noble livery is nearly always silk, while house employee attire is usually sewn of lesser fabric. The notable exception to this custom would be in the case of a concubine, consort or sometimes even pleasure slave. Often, a lord or lady will dress these very personal servants in silks and jewels as a display of their noble benefactor's power and wealth. Placing a guard or other lower servant in silk might lead to confusion about status and place and is rarely done except for the most formal of occasion. Any noble that wore the clothing of its slave or servants would be mocked right out by all Houses. Such a noble would be the laughing stock of the city; even commoners would likely understand their social blunder and snicker. Being caught in the clothing of one's underlings is something that is extremely damaging to one's social standing and is conceivably irreparable. A Note on Sparring: Occasionally, nobles may participate in friendly workouts with each other, so long as no serious or visible injury is done. However, sparring with one’s commoner employees is socially unacceptable. Simply put, to say their skills are comparable to oneself is to place them on the same level – but worse, a commoner who dares to do harm to a noble is subject to punishment up to and including death. This cannot be stressed highly enough. For a noble to spar with their commoner underlings would not only raise eyebrows, but giggles from opposing houses and perhaps censure from their own. It would not be entirely uncommon for a senior-ranked noble to order the sparring partner killed as a lesson to the offending junior noble before any embarrassing rumors leak out. Amongst other reasons for the taboo against noble/commoner sparring is the danger posed to the noble. It is impossible to be absolutely certain of the loyalty of any common sparring partner, and one who has suddenly taken offense could easily decide to poison their blade before a match, or allow a blade to slip and slice their opponent's throat. In addition, while trusted common swordmasters may teach the nobility as children, to face a commoner in a match as an adult is to say that commoner is a worthy opponent and an equal - social anathema. The concept of the duel is unheard of in Zalanthas, with such actions never taking place amonst most Houses and an extreme rarity within House Tor. A noble would see no reason to put himself at risk to prove a point when it is far simpler to arrange the murder of one's rivals. However, it is not unheard of (though very rarely practiced among any except the martial leaders of the various Houses) for nobility to engage in friendly sparring matches with each other, with such exercise most often taking place at the Tor Academy. Written by Naiona © 2004 Armageddon MUD. All rights reserved. |
The mindset of the nobility in Allanak is ingrained by generation after generation of protected, idle superiority. Most nobles in the city never question their status or place in the world – because they simply know they are better in the way that they know the color of their hair or the sound of their name. It is second nature. And while some commoners may become trusted advisors or servants – a commoner will never be an equal in the eyes of any noble of any House.