As Tyrangel is at the very edge of the Kingdom of Evendarr, and the markets here see travelers from many other realms who are unfamiliar with Evendarrian laws and customs, I have prepared these notes to explain some elements of Evendarrian society. What I have here is a collection of my own thoughts and observations, though I have borrowed some of these words from the noted sage Ulran Brewand, a specialist in legal and social conventions, and other sources, including correspondence from His Excellency Lord Thorne Darkstrider, Baron of Thornebriar, Tyrangel. I have tailored these words to be descriptive of custom in the lands of Tyrangel, as I know it.  

The Rulership of Evendarr

The Kingdom of Evendarr is a feudal society, governed by the oathsworn nobles who each answer to a liege lord above him or her. This means that there is a strongly observed hierarchy. I have heard of lands in other realms of Tyrra where the common people rule themselves with officials whom they all agree are worthy for the task, and the people may speak freely, do as they like, and are each as powerful as the next man in determining how their land will be ruled. These concepts are next to laughable to an Evendarrian's ear. Ours is not a system of equality of all people. It is a system of duty to one's superior in return for protection and support.

His Majesty King Mykel Endarr II owns all the lands and properties within the kingdom. His Majesty chooses people to administer the majority of these holding in his name. These people are vassals of the King. Each of these people administer the lands as if they were their own and in return they swear that they will support the King, provide troops in time of war, collect taxes, and meet any other duties the King expects of them. These vassals are called Princes and Princesses. In turn each of these people have vassals of their own, called Dukes/Duchesses, Counts/Countesses, and Barons/Baronesses. Again, Oaths of Fealty bind the Prince/Princess with his or her vassals. Further, Counts/Countesses and Barons/Baronesses may assign areas of land to vassals of their own, Knights and Lords/Ladies.

Every person in the preceding group is collectively known as a “noble”

Any person who is not a noble is a commoner. The commoners are the fiber of society, performing the day to day work. They are the farmers, craftsmen, healers, soldiers, fisherman, etc. Somewhere between the nobles and the commoners are adventurers, perhaps the most common occupation in borderlands such as Tyrangel. Adventurers usually earn respect among the common people because of their heroic deeds and the fact that they usually have a bit of money.

For the common people and adventurers alike, just because we are commoners does not mean that we are cattle to be controlled by nobles, as many petty warlords of outlying lands would speak of our fair kingdom. The nobility is so empowered with duty because they love the Land and all her people. Each noble owes certain responsibilities to commoners upon their lands. In return for part of the profits of the commoners' labors, the noble who governs the land is expected to protect them from crime, invasion, and help them when they need it. The noble is expected to provide leadership, an example of proper behavior, and to improve the lot of his or her peasants over time.

The commoners' responsibility is to be willing to pay fair taxes, join the militia in time of need, help their Lord administer justice by reporting crimes and providing testimony, defend their Lord or Lady's name, and address and treat nobles with the respect and the title that they are due. Such respect to the nobility is expected of all people who traverse through Evendarrian lands, be they citizens of this kingdom or visitors.

Matters of Address and Title

In the heart of the kingdom, it is expected that a commoner will bow while in noble presence. Ladies of court will curtsy and gentlemen will fall at one knee. Ladies who take arms will generally also bow at one knee if their dress is befitting of such a thing. No means of brandished weapon should be displayed at this time. Weapons should be turned with point toward the floor. Magical energy should be released. Vials of poison should be put away. In strictest tradition, this position should be maintained until the nobleman acknowledges the commoner and delivers his permission for the commoner to stand, or until the noble departs the area. In frontier areas such as Tyrangel, the slightest observance of tradition with a quick curtsy or bow is usually considered to be a sign of great respect in itself. A simple nod of the head and quick, polite acknowledgment of title is more common.

On the battlefield, matters of chivalry of this nature are rarely observed. Indeed, it is the preference of many noblemen that their lessers not kneel to them lest the enemy discover be better able to identify our leaders and concentrate their strikes upon them. When fighting a noble enemy, this is rarely a difficulty. When fighting elemental creatures of creatures of the wood, however, it is probably best not to observe chivalric custom on the battlefield.

Proper titles are always observed in the older parts of the kingdom such as Evendarr, Kitheria and Rotaria. On the frontier, they are more rare. In Tyrangel, there is only very casual observance of proper title. The use of proper titles is generally considered to be good courtesy and manners in Evendarr, however, and is a good habit to begin if you are new to the kingdom.

The following titles are used by persons of all stations, including those of the nobility when addressing commons. It is not appropriate to curtsy, kneel or bow to any of the following persons in most cases:

Commoners
The name of a man without any title at all is preceded by “Goodman”; such as Goodman Serdahnia. A lady would be address as Goodwife, Goodlady, Mistress or Ladymiss Raverra. In the case of men and women, it is appropriate to use the person's first name rather than their family name if the surname is not known, or if you are more familiar with the person being addressed.

Commoners of Note and Adventurers

Men and women who have earned themselves a respectable reputation in their craft or with some other deed are often addressed through the title of their occupation, such as, “Good Barrister Serdahnia”. In the cases of persons who have performed heroic deeds, they may be addressed such as, “Good Casca the Riftsbane”.

Commoners With Military Rank
The military rank of a commoner is always used in place of another common title. Military ranks are usually specific in their form of address, and creativity should not be applied to the address. The military rank generally precedes a person's surname in formal address, but on the battlefield, the rank precedes the person's most commonly used name. For instance, Master Sergeant Hassan Deathforge of the Stormguard would be addressed as “Master Sergeant Deathforge”, in formal circumstances, but as “Master Sergeant Hassan”, more commonly.

Commoners of Courtly Station
Nearly every noble court of the realm has commoners who hold respected positions such as Sheriff, Magistrate, Guildmaster, Chamberlain, etc. Although these positions may often be held by noblemen, in the case of commoners, the honorary title of “Lord” for men and “Lady”,for women is often conferred. These titles, while noble in origin, do not confer the status of nobility, only great respect. In formal address, the surname of the person is attached to the title as, “My Lord Magistrate Mishanter,” or “My Lady Guildmistress Tenshi”. In common conversational address, however, the person's name is not used at all, only the title, “My Lord Sheriff,” “My Lady Chamberlain.”

Squires
Squires are commoners who hold courtly station. Men and woman are addressed formally as,”Good Squire”, and then their first name. More conversationally, the word “good” is not applied, and an address as simple as, “Squire Lyria”, is appropriate.

The following are the titles of nobility. Persons of lower stations should always curtsy or kneel to persons of higher stations. Noblemen do not commonly observe such rites with persons of lower station, though it is sometimes done as a sign of tremendous respect. Except in the most unusual of circumstances, such as the honoring of a hero of tremendous renown, nobles of higher station never curtsy or bow to nobles of lower station in formal situations, such as the holding of court. The other exception to this is that a husband and wife will usually curtsy/kneel to each other, regardless of rank, even in the most formal occasions.

 Lords and Ladies
Depending on local traditions of Dueling, in some areas of the kingdom, Lords and Ladies are expected to choose champions in honor duels and may therefore be of lesser rank to Knights, who are obligated to defend themselves. The title of Lord or Lady is also that given to a person of honorary station, such as a noble's husband or wife who did not earn the title personally. In most areas of the kingdom, Lords are of equal ranking with Knights. Persons of this station are to be addressed by the title, “My Lord” for men, and “My Lady,” for women. A nobleman's preferred name usually follows, and that can be either the person's first or last name. In formal situations, it will be both. Conversationally, a name is not used, but the nobleman is addressed merely as, “My Lord,”; or “My Lady” The mis-pronunciations of, “m'lord”, and “m'lady”, are not to be used with the nobility. They are expressions of respect among commoners.

Knights
In all areas of the kingdom, Knights are obligated to defend themselves in honor combat, rather than choose champions. The conference of knighthood is always an indication that the person earned the title personally, and it is not an honorary title. Knights are commonly addressed by title and first name, but sometimes the preferred name is used. Men are addressed as “Sir” and ladies are addressed as “Dame”, In formal situations, the full title of knighthood, such as Knight Protector, Knight Champion, etc. is. Formally, a man would be addressed as, “Good Sir Knight Captain Red,” or “Good Dame Knight Protector Amaris.’ Less formally, “Sir Red,” or “Dame Amaris,” is appropriate. All knights are appropriately addressed in all situations as, “Good Sir Knight” and “;Good Dame Knight”. It is rarely appropriate to address a knight as, “My Lord,” or “My Lady,”  as the Knight's address is preferred.

 Barons and Baronesses
Barons and Baronesses may choose to be addressed by either their first or last name. Use of the last name is more formal, however, and should always be used when in doubt. Barons and Baronesses who gained their title through marriage should be addressed by their family name, indicating that is the source of the title. The titles of “His Excellency,” and “Her Excellency”, are used for Barons, Viscounts, and Counts. In formal situations, the titles of Excellency and Baron are both used, such as, “Her Excellency Baroness Rosalind Frederick”, and “His Excellency Baron Beowulf Durendall,” Conversationally, these gentlepersons should always be addressed as, “Your Excellency” or “My Lord Baron,” or ”My Lady Baroness.” For the members of their personal households, “My Lord”, and “My Lady” may be used, but only in private conversation.

Nobles of higher station and other Barons and Viscounts will not use the term, “Your Excellency”; when addressing one of lower or equal station, but will address the person as, “My Lord Baron,”  or “My Lady Baroness.”

In all parts of Evendarr, Barons have the option to take the name of their land as their own. It is always appropriate to address a noble as such, regardless of how they name themselves. When the name of the Land is used, the personal pronouns are dropped. “Baroness Marentha”,”Baron Wulfshire” and “Baron Thornbriar” are appropriate in all situations.

Viscount and Viscountess
These titles are most often honorary titles. Thought they do confer the respect and courtesy due to one of higher nobility, these persons usually rule over little more than one estate, and not a large area such as a barony, etc. A Baron/ess and a Viscount/ess are of equal social standing, though the heroic deeds which earned the Viscountcy may convey a higher station personally. The last name of a Viscount is the most common address, but there is no set rule as to which name should be used. As with Barons, someone who has gained their Viscount/ess title though marriage should generally be addressed by last name to note the origin of the title. The titles of “His Excellency”; and “Her Excellency” are used for Barons, Viscounts, and Counts. In formal situations, the titles of Excellency and Viscount are both used, such as, “His Excellency Viscount Arcevol,” Conversationally, these gentlepersons should always be addressed as, “Your Excellency.” For the members of their personal households, “My Lord”, and “My Lady”, may be used, but only in private conversation.

Nobles of higher station and other Viscounts and Barons will not use the term,”Your Excellency” when addressing one of lower or equal station, but will address the person simply as, “Viscount”, or “Viscountess.”

Count and Countess
Counts and Countesses may choose to be addressed by either their first or last name. Use of the last name is more formal, however, and should always be used when in doubt. Counts and Countesses who gained their title through marriage should be addressed by their family name, indicating that is the source of the title. The titles of “His Excellency” and “Her Excellency” are used for Barons, Viscounts, and Counts. In formal situations, the titles of Excellency and Count are both used, such as, “His Excellency Count Roderick Daleron” Conversationally, these gentlepersons should always be addressed as, “Your Excellency,” or “My Lord Count,” or “My Lady Countess.” For the members of their personal households, “My Lord”, and “My Lady”, may be used, but only in private conversation.

Nobles of higher station and other Counts will not use the term, “Your Excellency” when addressing one of lower or equal station, but will address the person as, “My Lord Count,” or “My Lady Countess.”

 Duke and Duchess

When a commoner gains an audience with a Duke, Duchess, Prince, Princess, or His Majesty the King, the commoner should take extreme care with his manners. This is generally also true of noblemen as well. A commoner should never speak until expressly given permission to do so. At that time, the first words out of the commoner's mouth to begin every sentence should be the proper form of address, even when answering simple questions such as, “Your Grace, no,” or, “Your Grace, yes.” A nobleman of low station should ask permission to speak, but should be equally as observant of titles of address. A higher noble is granted some larger measure of courtesy, but is still expected to use the proper forms of address conversationally.

Dukes and Duchesses may choose to be addressed by either their first or last name. Use of the last name is more formal, however, and should always be used when in doubt. Dukes and Duchesses who gained their title through marriage should be addressed by their family name, indicating that is the source of the title. The titles of “His Grace” and “Her Grace”, are used for Dukes. In formal situations, the titles of Grace and Duke are both used, such as, “His Grace Duke Morten Sarten,” Conversationally, these gentlepersons should always be addressed as, “Your Grace”, or “My liege.” The terms, “My Lord Duke” and “My Lady Duchess” are not appropriate in any situation and are simply not used. For the members of their personal households, “My Lord” and “My Lady”, may be used, but only in private conversation, and even then, “My liege” is truly more appropriate.

Nobles of higher station and other Dukes will commonly use the term, “Your Grace” when addressing one of lower or equal station.

 Princes and Princesses

Princes and Princesses are almost always addressed by their last name, such as “Prince Tegg.” Princes and Princesses who gained their title through marriage are sometimes addressed less formally through use of their first name, however, in the case of “Princess Eleanor.” The titles of “His Highness” and “Her Highness” are used for Princes and Princesses. All situations involving Princes and Princesses are formal, and the titles of Highness and Prince are both used at all times, such as, “Her Highness Princess Lillian Rotari.” In audience, Princes and Princesses are always addressed as, “Your Highness.” The terms, “My Lord Prince” and “My Lady Princess” are not appropriate in any situation and are simply not used. For the members of their personal households, “My Lord, “My Lady,” and “My liege” may be used, but only in private conversation, and even then, “Your Highness” is truly more appropriate.

His Majesty the King may use whatever form of address he chooses with any noble of the kingdom. The other Princes of the realm will commonly use the term, “Your Highness” when addressing one of equal station.

Kings and Queens
Because the throne of Evendarr is largely a hereditary seat, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen are almost always addressed by their first name, such as “His Majesty King Mykel” and “Her Majesty Queen Katherine.” The titles of “His Majesty” and “Her Majesty” are used for Kings and Queens. All situations involving His Majesty are formal, and the titles of Majesty and King are both used at all times, as above. In an audience, the King and Queen are always addressed as, “Your Majesty.” The terms, “My Lord King” and “My Lady Queen” are not appropriate in any situation and are simply not used. For the members of their personal households, “My liege,” is common, and  “My Lady,” for the Queen and “Sire” for the King may be used, but only in private conversation, and even then, “Your Majesty” is truly more appropriate.

His Majesty the King may use whatever form of address he chooses with any noble of the kingdom, and never bows to any of them. Even the husband or wife of the reigning monarch will address the ruling noble as “Your Majesty.”

Social Customs

In all civilized lands within the Kingdom of Evendarr, there are four basic conventions of good conduct that the people observe. These conventions may as well be law in the older parts of the Kingdom, for the reputation of whole families depends on their strict observance of these things in many cases. In frontier lands such as the County of Tyrangel where travelers come from many other lands which do not hold these concepts as dear as Evendarrians, strict adherence to these precepts is not a foregone conclusion.

The Laws of Hospitality

If you invite a person into your home or holdings and they accept your hospitality, they will be treated as a guest, and the members of the household will do their best to protect the guests from any harm. Conversely, the guest has a responsibility not to abuse the goodwill of the host. In all parts of Evendarr, the nobility, in particular, are bound by this ancient tradition. Many a feud and even some wars have begun when a nobleman offered another hospitality, and the guest came to harm in the host's lands.

The Laws of Loyalty

In older areas of the kingdom, it is generally accepted that a person's word is good. Because of this, if a person swears loyalty to another and that oath is accepted, even if they have been enemies, the past will be forgotten. The person swearing the oath of loyalty will be expected to support and protect their liege, and likewise, the liege is expected to offer the same favor to the vassal. On the frontier of civilization, the courtesy of trust is not so easily delivered, and individuals are not always taken merely at their word. The history of Tyrangel, in particular, is dotted with betrayals of tricksters and liars, and memory of this makes the Law of Oathkeeping often difficult to observe. An older tradition of Evendarr that is seldom observed in borderlands such as Tyrangel, is the branding of oathbreakers. Persons who broke their word were once branded with an O on their face, and set free to eke out an existence marked by shame and betrayal. In more recent times, oathbreakers face any range of punishments from the loss of reputation to death.

The Laws of Kinship

People in the outreaches of the kingdom tend to be very loyal to family members. It is generally felt that you should trust your family over an outsider. In many parts of Evendarr, it is accepted that even the nobility will act for their families before the people of their lands. Some noble oaths specifically cite loyalty to the Land above kin, however.

The Laws of Personal Honor

Most Evendarrians have a very strong sense of personal honor, at least in the sense of defending it against statements and acts of others. In most parts of the kingdom, slights to honor are settled through the ancient practice of Dueling. In lands as fraught with peril as Tyrangel, however, the regard for life and safety is much stronger than in the heart of the kingdom. Tyrangelians are reluctant to shed blood for the sake of honor alone and tend to shy away from honor duels. As such, duels are rare and the strict customs of dueling observed in older areas of the kingdom are little known or cared for here. Duels are illegal in Tyrangel unless witnessed by a noble sponsor. Most disputes of honor, which are frequent, are settled instead through public debate... of course, most such disputes are also begun by public accusation as well.

Acts considered Criminal in Tyrangel are the usual: Necromancy, Theft, Murder, Treason and such. In older times, the outreaches of the kingdom commonly held very simple laws, and the punishments were swift and brutal. Recently, as the kingdom has expanded its borders tremendously within the past ten years, the borderlands sometimes have the most complicated sets of laws in the kingdom. Tyrangel's, in particular, is not as complex as many lands', but the punishments are varied and creative. In keeping with the unusually high regard for life found here, punishments are seldom delivered publicly as a lesson to others. Punishments are most often delivered away from the public eye and civilized areas.