'COUNT' 'EARL' 'COUNTESS' Not all members of the Serin nobility are beholden to Valour, and many of the less-scrupulous members have shifted allegiance away from the Knights in favor of the more concrete promises of wealth and power offered by Darkhaven and the power of undeath. Earls and Countesses are those wealthy and powerful enough to help fund the war effort against Serin from Xanthaks enemies through sizable coin donations. Countesses and Earls are beholden to the interests of the Justice, and frequently engage in political maneuvering and subterfuge against its enemies. A Justice will normally not defend a Count whose life is at stake, preferring to let the threat of reprisal act as the sole deterrent. Aggression by Earls and Countess may be mildly frowned on, based on the whims of the Commander, for if one protected by the Justice slays or is slain by a Count the situation quickly erupts into a political nightmare. Like coteries, they are prohibited from invading enemy cabals and must distance themselves from cabal warfare. To become an Earl or Countess, "PAY" 100, 000 gold to Vinnie in Darkhaven (this money enters the Justice cabal coffers, it isn't lost). Becoming a noble is permanent, unless the Commander decides to end the relationship (at his or her discretion).
17.5. SUMMARY > COTERIE > COUNT EARL COUNTESS