@Fleugs: I agree completely with the idea of Ducal Independence. For historical reasons, and the idea of creating smaller more cohesive realms. Obviously if you were warring, with that kind of political status, all contact between you would be neutralized except for at the very highest levels.
I've a similar concept rolling in my mind lately that I've put up on the wiki in a really rough draft.
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Darkhollow
