Carlisle is ruled by the Duke, currently Duke Crey Reinhart. The Duke presides over the Province General, which is made up of the Lunar Barons, and the Carlisle Counts. Carlisle has 34 provinces and a Count representing each, bringing the Province General to 38 members. Until a new Baronship for the moon Kralus is appointed, the planet remains under martial law, controlled by the Duke. The Province General votes on system-wide matters of the state, with each representative getting one vote and most motions requiring a simple majority vote to pass. The Duke’s powers are substantial, given the fact that he can appoint and replace the members of the Province General. However a Duke has never used this option lightly, as doing so would appear reckless and damage his reputation among the nobles.
Noble Titles
Duke- leader of Carlisle, head of the Province General and commander of all standing Carlisle armed forces and the planetary milita. The Dukes have always followed the bloodline of their founder, chosen by a constitution dictated line of assention and a vote of the Province General.
Baron/Baroness, civilian and military leader of one of the five moons of Carlisle. has evolved into hereditary title with Barons owing allegiance to the Duke of Carlisle. Barons often have the authority to appoint or remove a Count in their service. A Baron or Baroness owes (at least outwardly) allegiance to the Duke.
Count-administrator of a province, not hereditary title but appointed and can be removed. Often awarded for dedicated service or acts of sacrifice. Some families have served as Counts for generations, while other Counts have risen from the ranks of commoners. Unless removed, a Count serves for life, is given a land grant, and receives a sizable yearly stipend.
Prince/Princess- any son or daughter of a Duke, Baron. Title comes with responsibilities that often include serving as administrators/defenders/ambassadors of the realm. Often used by family as tools for social functions, and sometimes married away to secure an alliance. On Carlisle there are no gender-biases. A son or a daughter may rise to hold a noble title, which puts Princes and Princesses on equal footing. First-borns are customarily the line of ascension but occasionally a younger sibling has been favored for the line of succession. This often comes at a shameful price for the first-born.
Knight- A title that has changed in purpose and meaning over the years. A knight of Carlisle once was awarded following military success. Today a Knighthood can be awarded to any person of any occupation. Knights are frequently of noble blood, themselves often belonging to noble or former noble families, sometimes used as a reward to a fallen noble to ensure they continue to remain in the society’s upper class lifestyle. A Knight owes allegiance to the Duke, Baron or Count who awarded the title, which can cause conflicting loyalties between the family who awarded the Knighthood and the family in which the Knight belongs. In theory, a Knight is supposed to take up the call to serve the awarding titled noble however they see fit. Some Knights have become so bound that they no longer have any control over their own lives and fortunes and are subservient to their lords. Knights are given a land grant and a yearly stipend.
Profile of a Knight
Sir Devon Kalu, a Knight in the service of Duke Reinhart, has been bound in the Duke’s service for more than 30 years. A younger cousin of the Duke, the title originally served to keep Devon in the noble social circles of which he was accustomed. However the true reason came to light when Devon was called to service during the liberation against the Empire. According to rumor, Kalu himself put the knife to the throat of the imperial moff. Ever since Kalu has become a mysterious agent of the Duke, and it is widely suspected that he is the Duke’s most trusted and capable assassin. This duty has come at a cost to Devon; his wife and children left him seven years ago.