Nobility in Calerim is defined by recognition, not land alone.
Authority is granted only through office.
Valborn — Noble Without Office
Valborn refers to any recognized noble who does not currently hold a ruling seat.
A person is Valborn if they are:
- Born into a noble house, or
- Elevated from commoner status by imperial or noble grant,
and they do not yet possess land or formal authority.
Valborn status grants:
- social recognition
- legal protection
- ceremonial respect
Valborn do not command territory, troops, or law.
Offices of Authority (By Seat)
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- Valecrown — Emperor
Supreme sovereign. Source of imperial mandate. - High Valer — Duke
Grand regional rulers. Near-imperial authority. - Terraval — Marquis
Provincial governors. Full civil and military control. - Marchval — Earl / Count
Frontier and strategic lords. Emergency authority in war. - Holdval — Viscount
City or fortress rulers. Urban law and defense. - Landval — Baron
Rural domain holders. Local governance. - Oathbound — Landless noble (knight-equivalent)
Authority derived solely from sworn service.
Key Principle (Unstated In-Story)
- Nobility ≠ Authority
- Authority exists only while holding office
- Losing land or seat returns one to Valborn status
This allows:
- rewarded commoners to enter nobility cleanly
- fallen houses to persist without power
- noble bloodlines without political inflation