Boyar

A Boyar is a hereditary Barovian noble rank, granted to the eldest child of a Boyar. Boyars are allowed to vote for, and be appointed to the position of Burgomeister, as well as having several other minor privileges and rights.
Other children of a Boyar may also be granted Boyar status on condition that they can prove sole ownership over a household. Given the primogeniture inheritence of Barovians — that is, "all for one" to the eldest child — this is a rare event.

Appointment

A "Boyar" (m. & nb.) / "Boyarina" (f.) is ostensibly the head of a noble House, whilst their children are "Boyarinyi" (m. & nb.) / "Boyarinya" (f.), so long as it is presumed they will inherit land (or be married off to one who will inherit land). Additional scions are known simply as "Herr" or "Frau(lein)" respectively, depending on marital status.

History

The title of Boyar is an ancient Zarossian rank, typically denoting a frontier-dwelling Noble, who is in charge of a holding as part of a March. Though hereditary in nature, Boyars typically descend from elevated Yeomen, as opposed to even more ancient Noble lines. When Strahd von Zarovich conquered the lands that became the County of Barovia, he elevated many of his troops to Boyar status through parcelling out its lands.

Type

Nobility, Hereditary

Form of Address

Boyar / Boyarina