Ranks (Lowest to Highest):
Baron → Viscount → Count → Marquess → Duke → Grand Duke/King/Archduke → Emperor
Now Here's the Twist:
Anyone below Duke? Screwed.
Pay taxes to the Crown. Obviously.
Get "inspected" by Imperial lackeys (who take bribes like they're breathing).
Host Court Nobles—Emperor's pet snakes with titles but no land. Their job? Spy. Sabotage. Suck up. Their loyalty's bought with gold stipends, so they'll gut their own mothers if the Emperor whispers please.
Dukes and Up? Less screwed.
No inspectors. No sniveling court nobles crawling up their #*$. But taxes? Oh, those never stop.
Grand Dukes/Kings/Archdukes? Now we're talking.
Want to carve out your own little kingdom inside the Empire? Do it. Call it "Kingdom of Elantra" or "Archduchy of Blood and Ego"—whatever strokes your pride.
Pay half taxes… but the Emperor owns your leash. Diplomatic work? Raising armies? You're his attack dog when he snaps his fingers.
The "Oh, You Don't Wanna Play Along?" Clause
Refuse a mission? Sure! You could tell the Emperor "No thanks, I'd rather not raise an army to fight your latest tantrum war."
But guess what? Now your taxes double. That's right—double.
Why? Because the Emperor loves petty revenge, and nothing says "I own you" like bleeding your coffers dry.
"But that's unfair!" Oh, sweet summer noble, since when was fairness part of the deal?
Kicker? Some of these "kingdoms" exist outside the Empire too—fully independent. But the ones inside? They've got all the shiny autonomy… until the Emperor says kneel.
Why It Works:
1)The lower nobles are drowning in bureaucracy and backstabbing.
2)The Emperor? He's busy counting his gold while the Dukes fight for scraps of power.
3) The Emperor's No-Rebels-Allowed Policy (Or: How to Keep Nobles in Line with Greed and Paranoia)
Oh, you're thinking of rebelling? Adorable. Here's how that plays out:
You raise your banners, shout some grand slogans about "freedom" or "justice."
The Emperor yawns.
He then casually tells every noble near you: "Hey, that guy's stuff is now free real estate. Have fun."
Result? Your "allies" suddenly remember how much they love the Emperor—and how much they'd love your lands, your gold, and your head on a pike.
But wait! Before they divvy up your life's work, the Emperor takes his "Victory Tax" (because of course he gets his cut first).
Final Lesson?
Rebel = Your neighbors get richer.
Stay loyal = You might get to keep your kneecaps.
Genius? Yes. Brutal? Obviously. Fair? Since when was fairness the point?