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BattleMaster => Locals => Dwilight => Topic started by: Ironsides on June 06, 2013, 07:44:35 AM

Title: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 06, 2013, 07:44:35 AM

It is my great pleasure to finally introduce Dwilight to the Order of Aristocrats; a new social order bound to make great waves across our continent!

Have a look see: http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Order_of_Aristocrats#Aristocracy (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Order_of_Aristocrats#Aristocracy)

Huzzah! Hurray! Hail the new wave!
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Perth on June 06, 2013, 08:26:50 AM
Care to explain this some more? I'm a little confused.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfsong on June 06, 2013, 08:49:11 AM
From the skimming I did, you can form Great Houses (think: realms without borders) if you have 6 or more nobles. Leaders are declared, laymen, etc. You can expand these Great Houses through other Houses joining, marriages, alliances, other political things, and can have them diminished to the point where they cease to be Great Houses. It'd make the political game more interesting for certain, if it caught on, since that's really where you'd get any benefit from this order. Think of a political party - if everyone tows the party line, you have a hefty chunk of people you can manage and manipulate to further your goals (and, by extension, their goals.)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Perth on June 06, 2013, 08:59:45 AM
Interesting....


Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Glaumring the Fox on June 06, 2013, 03:35:57 PM
So could I just build a guild house and call it 'House Apasurain' and have some people join it and thats my house?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Stabbity on June 06, 2013, 03:45:11 PM
Yea, you're looking for Morrowind, hop back on the silt strider, and take a Left at Beluterra, not a right. :p


Dibs on House Redoran.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Bael on June 06, 2013, 04:28:32 PM
Yea, you're looking for Morrowind, hop back on the silt strider, and take a Left at Beluterra, not a right. :p

I was thinking more like Dune, but ok  :)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 06, 2013, 05:39:50 PM
I definitely had Dune in mind as well, and also Game of Thrones. A realm without borders is a great way to sum it up. It is a multi-guild system, the first of which will be founded in Port Raviel simply for ease of access for all the Dwlight characters.

Still working out some logistics before creating the first guild, however. The location and founder are not set in stone
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 06, 2013, 07:06:27 PM

You have to be an aristocrat first before you can make your own Great House, so come on down to BR and sign up today :)

Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 06, 2013, 07:38:51 PM
so come on down to BR and sign up today :)

I spotted a minor flaw in your concept.  ;)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 06, 2013, 08:00:37 PM
You have to be an aristocrat first before you can make your own Great House, so come on down to BR and sign up today :)

 The location and founder are now set in stone
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 06, 2013, 08:17:13 PM
I spotted a minor flaw in your concept.  ;)

Such as? Did I forget one of the the 'r's in Aristocrat?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 06, 2013, 08:36:48 PM
Such as? Did I forget one of the the 'r's in Aristocrat?

I was pointing at the location, which isn't so easily accessible or there's little reason for people to actually go there (besides, then, joining your guild).
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 06, 2013, 08:41:54 PM
I was pointing at the location, which isn't so easily accessible or there's little reason for people to actually go there (besides, then, joining your guild).

Ohhhh  :P, ya, in the beginning nobles will have to hike to get in, but once it spreads out of Swordfell it will be available en masse. I suppose membership will come in waves, those who really get the idea and want in, then those who join up because it is accessible, and finally those who join because they will miss out if they don't  8)

...Plus, Bowie will personally cook pancakes for anyone who hikes to BR to join the Aristocracy!

Also, I should have added that missing an 'r' could potentially made the spelling "AristoCATS" teehee.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 06, 2013, 09:04:29 PM
Swordfell takes a million years to hike to and from. Rynn will build one in Port Raviel for convenience. Chances are every port city in D'Hara will have one inside a month or two.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfang on June 06, 2013, 10:01:49 PM
It will become the newest rage, for the nobility. Just like that 'Booketh of Faces' that went around from realm to realm and everyone had to add a sketch of themselves in the book. Some nobles looked especially ugly, but that might have been the wear and tear, and all the grubby fingers touching it, during the long voyage the book had to take.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 06, 2013, 10:40:24 PM
So could I just build a guild house and call it 'House Apasurain' and have some people join it and thats my house?

No, it wouldn't make sense to build House Apasurain because you are already a family member of House Apasurain. Your family House already exists. But let's say, for example, that House Apasurain, House Ironsides, House Cheesehead and House Catspaw all shared a common vision or colluded toward a similar goal, or were all just really good friends, we would form Great House Randy Duck (or something like that) together and compete in the Aristocracy. Our family Houses are affiliates of the Great House, not the Great House itself.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: cenrae on June 06, 2013, 11:42:33 PM
Cool idea, however I think the titles should be more neutral in name, not everyone is male.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Meneldur on June 06, 2013, 11:53:10 PM
If a group of nobles from different realms all wanted to scheme together, why would they join a guild where all their ranks and membership will be known to rival factions rather than found their own private guild/secret society? And even if they didn't mind it being public, wouldn't it still make sense to have their own guild where they could make full use of the guild treasuries without fear that rival factions may take the gold, not to mention the ease of being able to use the full members channel rather than having to scroll down and select your own faction members every time you want to send a message.

Am I missing something here? What possible motivation would multi-realm factions have to join the Order of Aristocrats? What advantages does it confer?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Gustav Kuriga on June 07, 2013, 12:01:48 AM
You could always form the guild in Golden Farrow. I've got plenty of money to support it.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Glaumring the Fox on June 07, 2013, 12:26:10 AM
Ok i feel this will be the vogue thing to do this summer.  8)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 07, 2013, 01:47:16 AM
Cool idea, however I think the titles should be more neutral in name, not everyone is male.

Ya, it was just too much work to keep putting backslashes every five seconds in the wiki. When the Great Houses are started the titles will be reflective of the person wearing them.

....
Am I missing something here? What possible motivation would multi-realm factions have to join the Order of Aristocrats? What advantages does it confer?

The Order of Aristocrats is one guild for everyone. It is for the Aristocrats to chat and boast etc. The Great Houses are other guilds separate from the aristocracy and specific to the aristocrats who inhabit them. So first, a noble has to join the Aristocracy. Then, a bunch of like minded aristocrats form their own Great House and try to snuff out the other Great Houses.

Advantages are contacts, prestige, honor, wealth, privilege and ultimately the world! We have Kings, but now we have the chance to make a King of Kings.

Is a new era of Dwilight :)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Stabbity on June 07, 2013, 02:26:11 AM
Ohhhh  :P, ya, in the beginning nobles will have to hike to get in, but once it spreads out of Swordfell it will be available en masse. I suppose membership will come in waves, those who really get the idea and want in, then those who join up because it is accessible, and finally those who join because they will miss out if they don't  8)

...Plus, Bowie will personally cook pancakes for anyone who hikes to BR to join the Aristocracy!

Also, I should have added that missing an 'r' could potentially made the spelling "AristoCATS" teehee.

Bowie better not dare to cook Pancakes. Some Crimson clad ruffians will come in and beat him half to death with trout.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Meneldur on June 07, 2013, 03:20:37 AM
The Order of Aristocrats is one guild for everyone. It is for the Aristocrats to chat and boast etc. The Great Houses are other guilds separate from the aristocracy and specific to the aristocrats who inhabit them. So first, a noble has to join the Aristocracy. Then, a bunch of like minded aristocrats form their own Great House and try to snuff out the other Great Houses.

Advantages are contacts, prestige, honor, wealth, privilege and ultimately the world! We have Kings, but now we have the chance to make a King of Kings.

Is a new era of Dwilight :)

Ah, that does make much more sense. It will be interesting to see whether this truly takes off, and even if it does it will be hard to make people break out of the "realm as a team" mindset.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Indirik on June 07, 2013, 04:21:18 AM
They'd have to put up with Bowie, though, and that would be too much, for many people. Not to mention that you'd always be subservient to the guild founders. Realms, at least, hold the prospect of turnover, change, renewal, decay, being conquered, conquering others, etc. Guilds tend to get stale because there's no way to actually oust those at the top out of their positions. That's why guilds are so poor at making that kind of power structure. They require willing subservience, just like religions. So few people are willing to play along with that, except where required, such as in realms.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tiridia on June 07, 2013, 06:17:46 AM
Indirik,

There is certainly that to consider. Such a guild might work if those joining would feel that the one leading it is putting very strong effort in making it worthwhile for the members. There is a genuine problem just like you described. The one on the top can never be displaced. The only way around this that I can think of is that the top dog eventually chooses a role of an administrator who makes the promotions, demotions, expulsions and such based on some other functionality by the lower ranking members.

That is to say, if could work if the alpha does not join or make a house himself, nor participate in any of the intrigue personally. The moment he does either, the guild will be seen as corrupted and serving only the interests of the leader. It could work if the leader is widely respected and if he chooses a life resembling that of a hermit, to whom the cause is important enough to make the necessary sacrifice. Then people might join him and stay with him. Not a bad way to retire a character.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Perth on June 07, 2013, 06:43:10 AM
They'd have to put up with Bowie, though, and that would be too much, for many people. Not to mention that you'd always be subservient to the guild founders. Realms, at least, hold the prospect of turnover, change, renewal, decay, being conquered, conquering others, etc. Guilds tend to get stale because there's no way to actually oust those at the top out of their positions. That's why guilds are so poor at making that kind of power structure. They require willing subservience, just like religions. So few people are willing to play along with that, except where required, such as in realms.

Everyone can just leave and make a new Great House (or join someone else's), however, if they get tired of that leading guy. Pretty simple, and not nearly as drastic as having to leave a realm if you don't its leaders and don't have much of a way to change the leadership.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: vonGenf on June 07, 2013, 09:21:53 AM
That is to say, if could work if the alpha does not join or make a house himself, nor participate in any of the intrigue personally. The moment he does either, the guild will be seen as corrupted and serving only the interests of the leader. It could work if the leader is widely respected and if he chooses a life resembling that of a hermit, to whom the cause is important enough to make the necessary sacrifice.

Are we talking about the same Bowie Ironsides?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 07, 2013, 03:10:24 PM
Recall that this system is more complex than simply one guild. Each Great House founds a guild of their own, the Crown Prince being the master (or mistress) of said guild. The Leader of each great House is raised to the eldership position on the Order of Aristocrats.

Furthermore, each Great House is an entity unto themselves, leaving it entirely up to its players how one rises. Me, I prefer a more dynamic approach. It will be interesting, that much I can promise . And as soon as I think up a good name, I will found that House and show you all!
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 07, 2013, 05:30:28 PM
I was just wondering this on IRC, but is the concept of this guild SMA appropriate?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Frostwood on June 07, 2013, 06:06:47 PM
Very much so, I'm surprised that someone would bring up SMA.  Games of Thrones has it, which has houses like house Stark which is composed of smaller houses. You could also consider this a form of clans, like the Scottish clans which had their rivalries and alliances as well.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tandaros on June 07, 2013, 06:12:34 PM
I really like the idea of following an avenue like this to focus on personal and family relationships, as well as vows of fealty. If you want to talk abut SMA, this concept is super-SMA since medieval politics was primarily about these kinds of private associations, and governments and dynasties tended to form in their wake. For a while I've thought  the intricacies of Dwilight could use an extra vehicle for deep personal connections that could span realms.

So, I'm pretty excited to see what might unfold with this  :)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfang on June 07, 2013, 06:17:22 PM
Very much so, I'm surprised that someone would bring up SMA.  Games of Thrones has it, which has houses like house Stark which is composed of smaller houses. You could also consider this a form of clans, like the Scottish clans which had their rivalries and alliances as well.
Game of Thrones has families like the family stark Stark. Which is referred to as a house. Which is not the same thing as a great house bowie is referring to.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 07, 2013, 06:21:24 PM
Very much so, I'm surprised that someone would bring up SMA.  Games of Thrones has it, which has houses like house Stark which is composed of smaller houses. You could also consider this a form of clans, like the Scottish clans which had their rivalries and alliances as well.

Houses and Clans are related by blood.

This is purely based on politics, and who you want to be working with.

This is why I've occasionally fantasized about a version of BattleMaster wherein families were not linked directly to players, but rather there were large sprawling family trees that every character belonged to...that would really change the dynamic...*sigh*
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 07, 2013, 06:22:49 PM
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfang on June 07, 2013, 06:24:23 PM
Houses and Clans are related by blood.

This is purely based on politics, and who you want to be working with.

This is why I've occasionally fantasized about a version of BattleMaster wherein families were not linked directly to players, but rather there were large sprawling family trees that every character belonged to...that would really change the dynamic...*sigh*
An option to have characters be born into other people's families would be cool.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 07, 2013, 06:26:52 PM
An option to have characters be born into other people's families would be cool.

Unfortunately, it's not going to happen within BattleMaster.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tandaros on June 07, 2013, 06:40:10 PM
  • Game of Thrones is in a medieval setting, but let's not forget here that it is fiction. Unless you will argue with me that medieval Europe had White Walkers, Wargs and whatever else Game of Thrones has to offer. That being sait, please, it pains me to see someone take Game of Thrones as their example for what the middle ages were like. It remains fiction.
  • From what I get this guild inspires to create "official" political bonds. So it imitates a current day political party. I love the idea, really, but I'm just wondering here if it is SMA.

Yes it's SMA. The War of Roses was a war between royal houses.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Frostwood on June 07, 2013, 06:44:28 PM
  • Game of Thrones is in a medieval setting, but let's not forget here that it is fiction. Unless you will argue with me that medieval Europe had White Walkers, Wargs and whatever else Game of Thrones has to offer. That being sait, please, it pains me to see someone take Game of Thrones as their example for what the middle ages were like. It remains fiction.
  • From what I get this guild inspires to create "official" political bonds. So it imitates a current day political party. I love the idea, really, but I'm just wondering here if it is SMA.
1.  Dwilight has 'unique' items, undead and monsters-I don't see your point.
With a one noble character limit and everything being linked to one family per player, this is a good compromise.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: cenrae on June 07, 2013, 06:51:55 PM
And as soon as I think up a good name, I will found that House and show you all!

Khari will be there.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Gustav Kuriga on June 07, 2013, 06:54:58 PM
  • Game of Thrones is in a medieval setting, but let's not forget here that it is fiction. Unless you will argue with me that medieval Europe had White Walkers, Wargs and whatever else Game of Thrones has to offer. That being sait, please, it pains me to see someone take Game of Thrones as their example for what the middle ages were like. It remains fiction.
  • From what I get this guild inspires to create "official" political bonds. So it imitates a current day political party. I love the idea, really, but I'm just wondering here if it is SMA.

People, please remember that SMA stands for Serious Medieval Atmosphere, not Serious Medieval Simulator. Not everything needs to be the same as medieval times, as long as it keeps the atmosphere of the medieval era.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 07, 2013, 06:59:03 PM
People, please remember that SMA stands for Serious Medieval Atmosphere, not Serious Medieval Simulator. Not everything needs to be the same as medieval times, as long as it keeps the atmosphere of the medieval era.

The difference being?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 07, 2013, 07:35:33 PM
The difference being?

The difference being, that even though it may not simulate medieval times accurately, A Song of Ice and Fire has Serious Medieval Atmosphere in spades. (One might even go so far as to call it Morbid Medieval Atmosphere...)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 07, 2013, 07:36:02 PM
Yes it's SMA. The War of Roses was a war between royal houses.

Royal houses. Which were actual families, actually related by actual blood.

Not just loose coalitions of nobles who were working toward some common purpose.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Gustav Kuriga on June 07, 2013, 07:37:40 PM
The difference being?

If you have to ask that, you were never arguing for SMA in the first place. The reason Game of Thrones is such a good comparison is that it keeps the atmosphere of the medieval time period (especially if you consider that on the main continent there is no evidence of magic until the dragons come back) along with the fantastic legends of witches, magic, and so on that sprinkled the period irl.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Glaumring the Fox on June 07, 2013, 08:11:25 PM
The way I have always seen BM is close to the Conan books ( Robert E Howard) or Richard Adams Shardik, and Game of Thrones, all very serious medieval fantasies with a low medieval setting and a but of magic thrown in, not LoTR as much. The gritty weird fantasy, BM is a pretty cool sandbox and Dwilight has some pretty cool player made fantasy that veers far away from being a medieval simulator, like Bloodstars, Bloodmoon fruit, and other oddities that do not detract from the believability of the world but add that extra bit of whimsy and spice to an interesting world. We are writing a low fantasy novel everytime we play and I am so glad we can mix certain aspects of fantasy into the game without it being full on orcs and wizards.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfang on June 07, 2013, 08:23:13 PM
Are Mercenary bands allowed?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 07, 2013, 10:01:09 PM
Royal houses. Which were actual families, actually related by actual blood.

Not just loose coalitions of nobles who were working toward some common purpose.

Besides, close political associations often resulted in family alliances sealed by oaths or marriage. This is so in pretty much every culture right around the globe and is super SMA. Consider the merchant family with eyes to landing noble titles, or the Noble Lord who wants his daughter to marry the prince so that his line might become blood royal?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 07, 2013, 10:17:02 PM
They'd have to put up with Bowie, though, and that would be too much, for many people.

Bowie's not such a bad guy once you get to know him, and if you meet his high standards, and if you can tolerate his frequent cursing, and his quick temper, and his unpredictable behaviour, and his lechery, and his alcoholism, and his demonic interior, and his all around roguery.

Not to mention that you'd always be subservient to the guild founders. Realms, at least, hold the prospect of turnover, change, renewal, decay, being conquered, conquering others, etc. Guilds tend to get stale because there's no way to actually oust those at the top out of their positions. That's why guilds are so poor at making that kind of power structure. They require willing subservience, just like religions. So few people are willing to play along with that, except where required, such as in realms.

That is unless you suppose realms are the end all be all of power. What happens if the Aristocracy inverts that? Then whoever rules the most powerful Great House could rule more than one realm and issue titles and land as they see fit.

Royal houses. Which were actual families, actually related by actual blood.

Not just loose coalitions of nobles who were working toward some common purpose.

True, but only so far as the characters in the Great House do or do not marry each other (or their family members). This past few months have seen some high profile weddings, isn't that part of the purpose of the Great Houses? Maybe everyone should start thinking of their characters as members of a family and start aiming to connect their family with others.

On that note, Bowie is single and eligible! Any women crazy enough to share his bed and his name? Maybe we should host the first ever Dwilight version of The Bachelor?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Indirik on June 07, 2013, 11:04:59 PM
Bowie's not such a bad guy once you get to know him, and if you meet his high standards, and if you can tolerate his frequent cursing, and his quick temper, and his unpredictable behaviour, and his lechery, and his alcoholism, and his demonic interior, and his all around roguery.
I don't think I've ever played with any of your other characters, so I can't say how I might react to them. But reading Bowies letters often makes me want to claw my eyes out.

Having said that, I will readily admit that his actions (when safely viewed from afar) often make for some interesting situations, and keep life from getting too dull.

Quote
That is unless you suppose realms are the end all be all of power. What happens if the Aristocracy inverts that? Then whoever rules the most powerful Great House could rule more than one realm and issue titles and land as they see fit.

Interesting ambition. And, hey, everyone has to have a goal to shoot for, but that doesn't solve the base problem of how everyone playing along is still, in the guild, subservient to the guild founder. The guild, therefore, exists to serve the aims of the guild founder, who *can't* be kicked out or removed from his position, ever. He remains at the top, watching over everything. Again, it seems like you're trying to play realm politics, without the dedicated realm infrastructure and mechanics. How are you going to keep it dynamic enough to prevent it from getting stale, or preventing people from just leaving or losing interest?

The maintenance o guilds is also a PITA, and expecting people to form subsidiary guilds, and maintain them as well... I just don't see this ever gaining much traction as anything other than a big messaging system. Not to mention that having more than handful of nobles as full members will require a LOT of guildhouses for a rather significant expenditure in infrastructure, and a continual drain on guild funds due to regional taxes and maintenance fees. Your first few levels of guildhouses add quite a few members, but that quickly levels off. A guild that could hold half the nobles on Dwilight would be ... prohibitively expensive. (Proably requiring well over 1,000 gold a month in maintenance fees, not counting taxes.) The largest guild ever in BattleMaster, the Darkan Mercenary Company, peaked at 104 members (not all full members), and we always had problems shuffling people in and out of full membership due to membership constraints.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Dante Silverfire on June 07, 2013, 11:39:32 PM
The difference being, that even though it may not simulate medieval times accurately, A Song of Ice and Fire has Serious Medieval Atmosphere in spades. (One might even go so far as to call it Morbid Medieval Atmosphere...)

And yet, A Song of Ice and Fire also involves mercenaries being led by a noble house seeking to gain the throne. (book 5)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Gustav Kuriga on June 07, 2013, 11:49:37 PM
And yet, A Song of Ice and Fire also involves mercenaries being led by a noble house seeking to gain the throne. (book 5)

Nobles commanding mercenaries wasn't uncommon. And if I'm not mistaken, said noble was the one who had to be hidden away lest he be caught up in the rebellion that was taking place at the time...
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 08, 2013, 02:06:47 AM
And yet, A Song of Ice and Fire also involves mercenaries being led by a noble house seeking to gain the throne. (book 5)

I haven't read book 5 yet, but the earlier books certainly have nobles hiring mercenaries.

They just don't have nobles who act as mercenaries.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tiridia on June 08, 2013, 04:29:58 AM
The concept has some merit, especially if it encourages roleplaying relationships between families by marriages of NPC or and/or PC characters. Though it might very well happen that the actual master guild is not required in the long run. Regardless, I hope it will work out. It might if care is taken as to not let it turn into an empire for one man.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tandaros on June 08, 2013, 06:14:50 AM
The concept has some merit, especially if it encourages roleplaying relationships between families by marriages of NPC or and/or PC characters. Though it might very well happen that the actual master guild is not required in the long run. Regardless, I hope it will work out. It might if care is taken as to not let it turn into an empire for one man.

I agree completely.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 08, 2013, 08:15:33 AM
..Interesting ambition. And, hey, everyone has to have a goal to shoot for, but that doesn't solve the base problem of how everyone playing along is still, in the guild, subservient to the guild founder. The guild, therefore, exists to serve the aims of the guild founder, who *can't* be kicked out or removed from his position, ever. He remains at the top, watching over everything. Again, it seems like you're trying to play realm politics, without the dedicated realm infrastructure and mechanics. How are you going to keep it dynamic enough to prevent it from getting stale, or preventing people from just leaving or losing interest?

Not unlike a King-Duke combo? Not unlike a realm in general? The Aristocracy is another layer, a new arena/playing field. It will offer everyone exactly what they want to take from it - not unlike Battlemaster in general.

The maintenance o guilds is also a PITA, and expecting people to form subsidiary guilds, and maintain them as well... I just don't see this ever gaining much traction as anything other than a big messaging system. Not to mention that having more than handful of nobles as full members will require a LOT of guildhouses for a rather significant expenditure in infrastructure, and a continual drain on guild funds due to regional taxes and maintenance fees. Your first few levels of guildhouses add quite a few members, but that quickly levels off. A guild that could hold half the nobles on Dwilight would be ... prohibitively expensive. (Proably requiring well over 1,000 gold a month in maintenance fees, not counting taxes.) The largest guild ever in BattleMaster, the Darkan Mercenary Company, peaked at 104 members (not all full members), and we always had problems shuffling people in and out of full membership due to membership constraints.

I guess we will find out? I've never managed a monolith guild before, plus the second tier of guilds that will have to come with it.

Fun fun fun til her daddy takes the t-bird away!

The concept has some merit, especially if it encourages roleplaying relationships between families by marriages of NPC or and/or PC characters. Though it might very well happen that the actual master guild is not required in the long run. Regardless, I hope it will work out. It might if care is taken as to not let it turn into an empire for one man.

Then it's up to the aristocrats in the Great House to see to it that they are not taken advantage of, unless they choose to be in that circumstance (which we've seen in several cases in Battlemaster). Really, the aristocracy is only as effective or as dangerous as it is allowed to be.

The one thing it isn't designed to do, however, is cause every realm to form their own indigenous Great House to protect their own borders (like what used to happen with religions). That defeats the purpose of interconnecting the individual noble to a wider web of nobility.

I'm surprised this idea hasn't hatched somewhere on Battlemaster already? Or maybe it did but in a different guise?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Vellos on June 08, 2013, 05:44:58 PM
I'm surprised this idea hasn't hatched somewhere on Battlemaster already? Or maybe it did but in a different guise?

It did; just we usually call it a "clan."
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Gustav Kuriga on June 08, 2013, 11:42:39 PM
It did; just we usually call it a "clan."

Wrong. If this were the case then any guild or secret society made by in-game means would be a "clan"
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Lefanis on June 09, 2013, 03:21:31 PM
They just don't have nobles who act as mercenaries.
Second Sons.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 09, 2013, 04:06:36 PM
Second Sons.

...went into the priesthood.

And third sons went on the Crusades.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Lefanis on June 09, 2013, 04:42:45 PM
...went into the priesthood.

And third sons went on the Crusades.

http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Second_Sons (http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Second_Sons)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 09, 2013, 09:45:37 PM
It is getting a little ridiculous if ASOIAF/GoT should serve as the reference series for what is SMA and what is not. I liked how the explanation of SMA was referenced as "Look at Game of Thrones, it's set in a medieval setting, that's what SMA is about". However the argument of whether or not mercenaries are SMA is pointless regardless of them being in GoT or not. It serves just as an example, not as the example. That being said, I think the re-found definition I now have of SMA allows for many more ideas to actually be okay.

Ironically for Ironsides I had long been considering doing something similar in Luria Nova, and I may still go ahead with it. At first I was aiming for some sort of political parties but now I'm considering some form of a League of Lords, you know, to unite lords so they can defend their feudal rights and demand more privileges.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 09, 2013, 10:40:52 PM
...

Ironically for Ironsides I had long been considering doing something similar in Luria Nova, and I may still go ahead with it. At first I was aiming for some sort of political parties but now I'm considering some form of a League of Lords, you know, to unite lords so they can defend their feudal rights and demand more privileges.

We were thinking of ways to make political factions in Swordfell, since it is a Republic, but it is harder to create artificial divisions between a common nobility. At the end we pretty much all wanted the same things, so why split up?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Fleugs on June 09, 2013, 11:15:36 PM
We were thinking of ways to make political factions in Swordfell, since it is a Republic, but it is harder to create artificial divisions between a common nobility. At the end we pretty much all wanted the same things, so why split up?

Right, and the concept of Great Houses more or less imitates political parties. But I found that too "specific", since I think most nobles aren't on the same line as political parties nowadays try to be. Hence why I'm opting for a union of people who have their mind set on one common goal but differ on others. But hey, maybe I just create a Great House myself.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 10, 2013, 12:30:41 AM
Right, and the concept of Great Houses more or less imitates political parties. But I found that too "specific", since I think most nobles aren't on the same line as political parties nowadays try to be. Hence why I'm opting for a union of people who have their mind set on one common goal but differ on others. But hey, maybe I just create a Great House myself.

Definitely create a Great House!

But the difference between Great Houses and Political parties in a realm is that there are few things to oppose in terms of realm direction, all the nobles pretty much want the same thing for their realm, but the Great Houses are for the benefit of the individual noble, and the direction is continental direction rather than just realm focused. That's at least how I differed the two ideas. Scale, and focus.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfsong on June 10, 2013, 03:24:31 AM
...went into the priesthood.

And third sons went on the Crusades.

Pretty sure a GoT/ASoIaF reference just whizzed past your head there, bud.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 10, 2013, 03:34:08 AM
Pretty sure a GoT/ASoIaF reference just whizzed past your head there, bud.

That's entirely possible. I'm about 1/10 of the way through Book 3.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Arundel on June 10, 2013, 04:32:17 AM
This goes for all you filthy Capulets out there: don't mess with House Montague.  8)

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m48wmi7a4m1rvtwl1o1_1280.jpg)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 11, 2013, 03:18:28 AM

Dibbs being Leo! Ha! Snooze you lose!

  ;D
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Telamon on June 11, 2013, 09:03:18 PM
Don't forget that Romeo dies, Ironsides.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 11, 2013, 11:15:34 PM
Don't forget that Romeo dies, Ironsides.

You mean this Romeo: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165929/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165929/)? :)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Qyasogk on June 18, 2013, 08:41:20 PM
There already are "great" houses, they're called Duchies.

And virtually all the people playing are nobles and nobles ARE the aristocracy. This whole thing seems pretty silly, but don't let me stop you from continuing on...  8)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tandaros on June 18, 2013, 10:18:10 PM
There already are "great" houses, they're called Duchies.

And virtually all the people playing are nobles and nobles ARE the aristocracy. This whole thing seems pretty silly, but don't let me stop you from continuing on...  8)

Thank you Lord Wet-Blanket, we will indeed continue.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Perth on June 19, 2013, 04:14:57 AM
There already are "great" houses, they're called Duchies.

And virtually all the people playing are nobles and nobles ARE the aristocracy. This whole thing seems pretty silly, but don't let me stop you from continuing on...  8)

Very few people have much attachment/affiliation to their Duchy outside of, well, the Dukes.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Wolfang on June 19, 2013, 05:19:00 PM
Well then that's the duke's fault.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 19, 2013, 08:30:32 PM
Well then that's the duke's fault.

It's a bit of a different story when the realm you play in only has one duchy, tho  :P
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Penchant on June 20, 2013, 07:06:52 AM
It's a bit of a different story when the realm you play in only has one duchy, tho  :P
Honestly it depends, but IMO, it tends to be the opposite more often then not.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Qyasogk on June 22, 2013, 02:35:02 AM
Thank you Lord Wet-Blanket, we will indeed continue.

I know, I know... silly to get in the way of you guys coming up with something that's already supported in game!  ;D
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Penchant on June 22, 2013, 02:40:06 AM
There already are "great" houses, they're called Duchies.

And virtually all the people playing are nobles and nobles ARE the aristocracy. This whole thing seems pretty silly, but don't let me stop you from continuing on...  8)
Not really at all. Great houses are in no way at all like duchies nor do all the nobles in BM act like aristocrats, in fact most don't as its far from easy to attempt.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 22, 2013, 03:13:30 AM
Interesting how there is a cloud around the future of Astromancy and low and behold the Aristocracy is available as a potential alternative. Coincidence? Divine Providence?  You decide 8)

There already are "great" houses, they're called Duchies.

And virtually all the people playing are nobles and nobles ARE the aristocracy. This whole thing seems pretty silly, but don't let me stop you from continuing on...  8)

Not the way we intend to do it. And ya, you are right, but now this is the new and improved nobility; a nobility above nobility = aristocracy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpCsOnJS0p4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpCsOnJS0p4)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 23, 2013, 03:17:55 PM
Interesting how there is a cloud around the future of Astromancy and low and behold the Aristocracy is available as a potential alternative. Coincidence? Divine Providence?  You decide 8)

Not the way we intend to do it. And ya, you are right, but now this is the new and improved nobility; a nobility above nobility = aristocracy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpCsOnJS0p4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpCsOnJS0p4)

Besides, a player can leave a duchy freely and for no reason with no RP backlash IG. It will not be so with the Great Houses of the aristocracy.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Tiridia on June 23, 2013, 04:37:34 PM
The more spice we throw into the stew the better it gets. I have begun to see the Order of Aristocrats as something that could build up to something as important or more so what the religion game is. The more tangled we can make the web of allegiance, the more likely it is for it to be torn in unexpected places when stressed. Let's spread this experiment all around the place and give it a go. It's simple and elegant, at least on paper.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Penchant on June 24, 2013, 06:22:05 AM
Besides, a player can leave a duchy freely and for no reason with no RP backlash IG. It will not be so with the Great Houses of the aristocracy.
Thats not exactly true, and I expect it would be very similar with the Great Houses. With lords/elders, it matters more and some will care and some won't.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 24, 2013, 06:32:44 AM

Thats not exactly true, and I expect it would be very similar with the Great Houses. With lords/elders, it matters more and some will care and some won't.

A worthy Great House will always care. A lackluster one will be eaten by its competitors or abandoned by its nobles.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 24, 2013, 01:45:37 PM
A worthy Great House will always care. A lackluster one will be eaten by its competitors or abandoned by its nobles.

...Which is exactly the same as a Duchy.

Your point?
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Perth on June 24, 2013, 06:51:26 PM
...Which is exactly the same as a Duchy.

Your point?

A Duchy can't have members spread out across the entire continent, or in multiple high positions of power.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 26, 2013, 08:36:07 AM

Garuck Udor Chamber now open for business! Woo!

Hey Stabbity, I added a little flavour text to the wiki next to the chamber you built. If you don't like it and want to change it feel free to. Or tell me and I can do it, If you prefer something different.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Stabbity on June 26, 2013, 11:16:33 PM
Garuck Udor Chamber now open for business! Woo!

Hey Stabbity, I added a little flavour text to the wiki next to the chamber you built. If you don't like it and want to change it feel free to. Or tell me and I can do it, If you prefer something different.

I'll get to it when things slow down a bit, my plans are kind of coming to fruition atm. *maniacal laighter*
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 27, 2013, 02:11:41 AM
Bowie just had to found this in the single most inconvenient, inaccessible part of Dwilight, didn't he? It would be faster to immigrate to Belutarra and back...
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Ironsides on June 27, 2013, 07:40:02 PM
The more difficult the journey the more worthy the reward :)
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Stabbity on June 27, 2013, 09:47:18 PM
And the only other location is in Luria. No smelly D'harans allowed so nyah. :p
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 27, 2013, 09:54:05 PM
And the only other location is in Luria. No smelly D'harans allowed so nyah. :p

No reward is worth this!
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Anaris on June 27, 2013, 09:55:45 PM
No reward is worth this!

But...I dwell in darkness without you!
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on June 27, 2013, 10:24:46 PM
lol, well at least the whole Lurian army will have a chance to join as they pass through Swordfell to trouble Morek's southern borders.

#silverlining
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on August 02, 2013, 08:54:36 PM
As the newest member of the Order, Rynn has made it a priority to construct a guildhouse in Port Raviel as soon as possible. From there, it will hopefully be a LOT easier for nobles from all over to come, join, and spread this idea.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: cenrae on August 02, 2013, 11:40:46 PM
Great I've been wanting to join but have not had the time to sail there yet.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: Eduardo Almighty on October 01, 2013, 06:19:37 AM
I like some aspects of your idea. I'm always trying to do something this waw, about familiar ties, like I did with Yeux in Beluaterra, when he married and ruled with a Regent Queen in his place, now is up to the player to enforce the name Sarpentis.

And I did the same in Sirion, where we have at least one player playing with a daughter of Erik Eyolf... and he's trying to marry once again. In the past, when I had more people related to him, I tought about open a guild. But, with time, people left the game and he have less daughters, sons and lovers in the last months.

I don't think my character in Dwilight have the same power to start a Great House... and you must consider build a "general" uild where you can gather people from different Great Houses.
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on December 02, 2013, 09:45:47 PM
Just noticed the threads were unlocked. YAY!
Title: Re: Order of Aristocrats
Post by: JeVondair on December 02, 2013, 09:49:20 PM
I feel as though this Order will become a lot more relevant once the war ends.

In the interim, House JeRavosi membership now includes Lords in 3 different countries besides D'Hara. Look out, Dwilight!