Lords

A lord (gender neutral title) is in charge of a township. To the people who live there, the lord is as good as king, with control over most of the rules and laws. Lords must maintain their land, and although they are not always well liked, usually maintain their position for a significant length of time. Hereditary lordship occurs often, but is not garenteed, and different townships have different rules. It is strictly forbidden for other lords to attempt to interfere with the affairs of another township.

Requirements

Lords, fundamentally, must maintain the support of the local militia. This unit, made up of locals with a small amount of military training, is responsible for keeping the township safe and upholding the laws. They must be at least mostly from the township in question, or the lord who controls them is not a lord of that township (and loses rights at the gathering). The militia is in a position to change their loyalty at any point, as they are the true source of power.

Appointment

Lordship must be conferred by the current King of Tariksan, or someone with the king's direct blessing. Different townships have their own traditions, that usually involve a procession to the town hall of the central town. New lords are announced at the next gathering, to applause.

Responsibilities

Lords have two main roles: to keep their township safe and relatively lawful, and to represent that township at the gatherings. They must pay a tithe to the king, determined by a council appointed by that king, which varies township by township and year by year. If they do not support the king, but find themselves in the minority, they are bound to serve him anyway.

Type

Civic, Political

Creation

Lords are an ancient title, that arrived in Tariksan from Davmire, but their exact role was fully established in 10G

Reports directly to

Kingship