Erlèn

Grenderl this, Aderl that...was being called Erl not enough that they had to get fancy?!

— disgruntled commoner from Marmark

As the quote illustrates, the title of Erl of Galeo is more of a category of noble rather than a concise definition. In fact, none of the Erlèn are just known as "Erl" - they have each adopted a longer title of which Erl is simply a part. Hailing from all corners of the Richterland of Galeo, each rules over thousands of Galvans and helps keep the balance of power - or upset it, as the case may be.

Government by Hierarchy

Only the Galeorichter themself ranks higher than the Erlèn; in fact, it's their allegiance to the Richter that keeps all of them from slaughtering one another. They, in turn, exercise their rights of Erlntum over the various minor lords, who control the smaller keeps, holds and villages dotted across the plains and forests of the nation.
There are four main categories of Erlèn, each with their own titles:

• the Grenderlèn are the most powerful of the Erlèn, of which there are only two: the Grenderl fè Finster and the Grenderl fè Iseling.
• the Markerlèn are the northernmost of the Erlèn, forming the nation's entire northern border on the Hemtal Mountain range. There are three in total: the Markerl fè Blatval, the Markerl fè Korberg and the Markerl fè Riesberg.
• the Aderlèn live along the great rivers and lakes of the nation. There are nine of them: the Aderl fè Nenhuzè, the Aderl fè Trovagèn, the Aderl fè Zeslendy, the Aderl fè Marmark, the Aderl fè Jalech, the Aderl fè Djeskel, the Aderl fè Waldleft, the Aderl fè Rotleleng and, most recently, the Aderl fè Diefhel.
• the Banderlèn are the smallest of the Erlèn and are usually lesser nobles serving under other Erlèn or the Richter. There are twenty-seven official Banderlèn at last count, although two of them are often disqualified for owing service to the Galvan Church of the Crossroads instead of the Richter. 

Type

Nobility, Hereditary

Length of Term

Life

Reports directly to

Galeorichter

Related Organizations

• Richterland of Galeo

What the fè?

Language purists will note that the titles of the Erlèn use fè instead of the more common fèl or fèr (all meaning "of"). This is because the usage of fè predates these much more recent forms and there is a traditional ligature used to denote this word on official documents of the realm.

All images in this article where created by me, EmperorCharlesII, unless otherwise credited.