Editing Nobility (section)

=== Izril System ===
The [[Five Families]] and the lesser nobility of '''Northern Izril''' decided to get away from royalty (be it [Kings], [Emperors] or [Tyrants]) and rely on the [Lord] as the only class to designate [Rulers].<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/05/24/7-24/ Chapter 7.24]</ref> This desire to form a polycentric aristocracic network instead serving under absolute monarchs in their respective nations, has been expressed several times as a principal difference that makes Izril different from Terandria.

:''It is unclear what the actual, original dispute was that caused the Five Families to break away: it may have been motivated by the class system (better class benefits for [Ladies] when not subjected to [Queens]), it may have been a politically motivated power struggle of [Lords] against the overreach of [Kings], or simply being tired of wars. Given that the breakaway happened millenia ago, the Five Families might also have been rebels agains [[Half-Elves|Half-Elven]] Kings.''

As it stands, Northern [[Izril]] is ruled simply by [Lords] and [Ladies] who are rather ranked by their achievements, family lines and position within the family. This more egalitarian system even allows 'commoners' like for example [Merchant Lords] to emerge and amass power, although they are certainly not considered equal to the older, more distinguished [Lords] and [Ladies].

Depending on the rules of each family, the holdings of each family may be split up between inheritors equally, but most observed noble families in Izril ultimately answer to a Matriarch or Patriarch who holds the power over all estates of their noble house and may designate their successor freely from within the family - this is the case in three of the [[Five Families]] at least. All members of a family are called Lady or Lord, although some in fact are [Lordlings] until they come into inheritance.<ref name="7.18M" />

The '''[[Drakes]] of Southern Izril''' have their own system of nobility which varies wildly in their different polities. The most traditional Drakes system is that of a neptocracy of "Wall Lords" and "Wall Ladies" who govern their polity together, like in [[Salazsar]]. Other Drake polities have shifted to a meritocratic system of appointed "Wall Lords/Ladies" ([[Manus]]), and still others have overthrown their traditional nobility and installed a democratic government system - however, the [[Pallass]]ian Wall Lords are still wealthy through their inheritance which they did not give up.