Zamorian Nobility

[rgrove0172]

In a recent conversation the honorable Vincent remarked how one of my game personaes' (A Zamorian noble living in Shadizar) title didnt sound appropritate. I had named the fellow a Baron and I must agree the term doesnt carry with it the proper image. However, after some research Im finding it hard to replace. None of the typical European terms such as Count or Duke seem to fit either, but nor do the Middle Eastern Satrap, Shiek or Shah. Im finding the peculiar culture of Zamora a hard fit. Ive always considered Zamorians to be Eastern European, almost Slavic but their titles of nobility, although in a different language, are pretty much the European norm.

Are there any suggestions? How might the Zamoran nobility hierarchy be set up and what do they call themselves?

 

[sbarrie]

Try "Cacique", or variation thereof. It's the title of a central american tribal chief or a corrupt official. I've always seen Zamora as a mix between Eastern Europe and Mexico.

If you want to stick to Europe, I'd go with the Polish term "Szlachta".

Stealing historic names and giving them a twist is what Hyboria is all about.

 

[Lord Jolly the Scribe]

sbarrie, what about voivode? I heard that used before in another game I play as a Eastern European term for a local lord.

(Don't tell anyone, but it's in my other favorite game :twisted: )

 

[Padre]

If you want to stick to Europe, I'd go with the Polish term "Szlachta".

"Szlachta" (singular "Szlachcic") is not a title you can just attach to a name. "Szlachcic Olgierd Vladyslaw" sounds silly in Polish. You can go with "Pan" ('lord' or 'sir') - "Pan Olgierd Vladyslaw" sounds proper

 

[kintire]

How might the Zamoran nobility hierarchy be set up and what do they call themselves?

Zamora's structure isn't set out in the REH books, so any conclusions are guesswork. Still we do know a few things about the place. One of these is that it is not a feudal or decentralised kingdom, its an absolute despotism. It may well not have a nobility in a hereditary sense, rather appointed offices dependent on the King's favour. After all, the only other important Zamoran we know of was a priest, not a noble.

 

[JohnLokiBeard]

This should be useful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_and_noble_ranks

 

[Etepete]

Well, if he's the equivalent of a baron, Voivod or Bojar might fit. I think that Count is quite fitting as well, concidering it's classic connoctation with transylvania and pale romanian gentlemen in cape and fangs.

If you feel that Count is to common, the Romani Cont might be an alternative.

 

[rgrove0172]

Thanks for the help! Ill probably go with something exotic, fitting with the oddity of the Zamoran culture. Bojar may be a conventional term but my players wont know the details of its origins and it seems to fit. Bojar it is then.

 

[sbarrie]

"Szlachta" (singular "Szlachcic") is not a title you can just attach to a name. "Szlachcic Olgierd Vladyslaw" sounds silly in Polish. You can go with "Pan" ('lord' or 'sir') - "Pan Olgierd Vladyslaw" sounds proper

Heh. Only a problem is you have Polish players. Hyboria is already has plenty of borrowed and misused words. I'll keep "Pan" in mind the next time I need an exotic title, though.

Bojar and Voivod also both sound good. Mind you, I have a player with the last name Voivod. I don't know if that will make me more or less likely to reuse it.

On a related note, does the new Stygia book have Stygian noble titles in it?

 

[Lord Jolly the Scribe]

Speaking of Zamorian nobility, what would you call crime family heads and such? Do they go by certain names, like Capo or Don, but that seems more Italian?

 

[FailedSpotCheck]

Speaking of Zamorian nobility, what would you call crime family heads and such? Do they go by certain names, like Capo or Don, but that seems more Italian?

I would go with Don, since the Godfather has been ingrained into popular consciousness (in the US, at least).

JohnLokiBeard: love the sig! Mmm. Anchovy RPG with extra cheese!

 

[Etepete]

I use Don vigurously and shamelessly for Zingarans (as a noblemans title though). For Zamorans... I'm not so sure. It could be kept as an international title, or only transferred to the Zamoran underground. Another thought is using Count or Cont as a title for crimelords only.