"A man with blood on his hands might still be doing the dirty work of justice. But a man with clean hands and a full belly while his people starve? That’s not a lord. That’s just a parasite with a title."
— Sir Sorek Redmarch, moments before the silence got dangerous
"A baron with a shovel gets more done than a duke with a seal."
– Frontier proverb, common in Gorundia’s border counties
Across the kingdom of Gorundia, nobility is not a monolith. While the image of a silken-robed lord reclining in luxury persists in song and satire, the reality for many noble houses is far more grounded—often quite literally in the mud.
The Practical Houses
Among the most respected and quietly admired noble families are those like
House Durathen and
House Thralen, known for their grit, humility, and unflinching pragmatism. Small in size and often cash-poor, these houses uphold their duties not through delegation but through direct labor. Their daughters are as likely to be found in boots and peasant garb as armor or formal silks—sometimes all three in a single day.
-
Braga "the Brazen" exemplifies this ethic. Though a noble by birth, she dressed and worked like a commoner for years, having grown up in a household with few retainers and no tolerance for idle hands.
- Myra Durathen, her cousin, is known for her seamless adaptability. She can transition effortlessly from ballgown and painted lips to scullery maid or stable hand without a second thought—and without complaint. For her, dignity is found in usefulness, not attire.
- House Kendal—despite considerable wealth—follows a similar ethos, believing that hard work is not beneath nobility but is essential to understanding leadership.
Regional Variation by Duchy
While the ideal of the laboring noble is celebrated in some circles, it manifests differently depending on geography and tradition.
In Ravenster, hierarchy is observed and ceremonial propriety is respected—but so is
noblesse oblige. Nobles are seen as guardians and stewards of the people, with the role of “father and mother” to their citizens. Rolling up one’s sleeves may be rare, but neglecting the welfare of the common folk is seen as a failure of duty and honor.
Here, nobility is measured by
endurance and restraint. A blend of stoic resilience and disciplined self-control defines noble behavior. Nobles are expected to endure the same winters and privations as their people—though not necessarily shovel the same stables. Publicly forgoing luxury is considered dignified, especially in times of hardship. A lord who suffers with his people earns their respect.
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Blending elvish patience and courtesy with
Human ambition, Araisal presents a
balanced cultural fusion. Rank is observed, but talent is rewarded. A well-spoken stable hand may become a knight, and an elvish lord might end the day with dirt on his sleeves. Ambition is tempered by decorum; all will rise—if they are worthy.
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A study in contrasts.
Duke Wilhelm Vogel has officially reinstituted
serfdom, declaring that lesser folk have only the rights their lord chooses to grant. His rule is cold, transactional, and hierarchical. Yet not all in Grevandar agree:
- Countess Zara Vallytrex holds that happy workers are productive workers and runs her county accordingly.
- Baron Cadaras Kendel, perhaps the most egalitarian noble in the entire kingdom, blurs the lines between peasant and lord. He works alongside his people and holds open courts where all may speak.
The Broader Pattern
Many noble families in Gorundia are
land-rich but coin-poor, a legacy of war, economic disarray, and divided inheritance. As a result, lords and ladies often pitch hay, haul water, and personally oversee building and harvest.
This practicality, far from diminishing their station, often
earns them deep loyalty. In Gorundia, the people remember who shared their burdens—and who only added to them.
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