Count

The rank of Count is the second level of hereditary titles recognized in most of Kyrn and in particular the Empire of Kyrnia. It ranks above Baron and below Marchon in the order of precedence. Counts are addressed as "Count", and "Your Lordship". The title of Count, like other titles in the Empire is associated with a land grant. It is the passing of the land that passes the hereditary title. The spouse of a Count is given the honorific title of Countess. The female form of Count is Countess.
There are some people given the rank without any land. These "court" Counts are often awards for service to the granter, and since there is no land associated with it, then the spouse does not get the corresponding honorific, and the title does not pass down to the next of kin.
Some kingdoms in Kyrn use the title of Earl, or Jarl instead of Count, but they are equivalent in precedence to Count.

Heraldic shield style for this rank:

Type

Nobility, Hereditary