Lore friendly Title : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Thu May 03, 2012 8:46 pm

Hello,

I am in the process of creating a player house mod that has now developed into a "lord of the manor" quest mod.

Basically, what I am planning is that when the player completes the civil war campaign (for either imperials or stormcloaks), after a couple of days they are presented with a letter declaring that in appreciation for their role in the war, it has been decided that the player is to inherit a large manor that includes a small upgradeable town as part of the lands that the player is now lord of.

In order to tie it all into the world a bit better, I have decided that the player will be presented with a new title that befits this new position (in game terms, this will function as basically making the player a thane of every hold in skyrim).

What I am asking you guys to help with is coming up with a good Title that fits with the world and language used in skyrim. At the moment my best idea is "Thane Protector", but if you guys can think of something more fitting then all the better. Perhaps two different titles depending on whether it's the Imperials or the Stormcloaks presenting it?

Thanks in advance,
- Hypno

» Thu May 03, 2012 2:02 pm

whats wrong with the initial thane/jarl stuff we already have?

the imperials just use their legion ranks, and the stormcloaks use whatever cheesy title they come up with

» Thu May 03, 2012 7:51 pm

1. Try Wikipedia. Maybe some Nordic titles will work. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_ranks)
2. Why not make the player patriarch of a new clan?

» Thu May 03, 2012 1:21 pm

The way I look at it (correct me if I'm wrong), a Jarl is the king of his own region who then appoints people as his Thanes (lords).

What I want is a new title that is basically a thane of the whole of skyrim who will only be answerable to the high king. Pretty much making the player a lesser-jarl as it were, but not outright calling him a jarl so as not to annoy the other Jarls

- Hypno

» Thu May 03, 2012 7:20 pm

To be honest, titlewise there is only the system of High King > Jarl > Thane > Housecarl. So you couldn't really use a title already established in the lore...

However, you could introduce a title such as High Thane, similar to how the High King is a Jarl of Jarls but just doing it for the lower line of nobility. Otherwise there is Hertig/Hertug which is the scandanavian version of a Duke.

» Thu May 03, 2012 10:11 am

That's the kind of thinking I was looking for Coming of the Dawn, thanks for the suggestions. High Thane has a nice ring to it, and fits with what is already there. I think I'll probably go with that unless anybody else has something more poetic to throw into the mix

- Hypno

EDIT: or maybe "Grand Thane" after having a little browse of Wikipedia as per Apophis2412's suggestion

» Thu May 03, 2012 8:12 pm

If you were to go with the Empire you should give him a more civilised Latin name but if you were to go with the Stormcloak maybe go with a fiercer Nordic title.

» Thu May 03, 2012 5:24 pm

Vikomte

Norwegian Viscount. I kinda like it.

» Thu May 03, 2012 8:46 pm

Viscount would fit best, I think. It ranks below a count (the equivalent of a jarl) but above a baron (the equivalent of a thane).

Edit: Plus, its a non-hereditary title awarded by the monarch. So, it would definitely fit.

» Thu May 03, 2012 8:59 am

Einherjar

» Thu May 03, 2012 9:57 am

Yeh I like the sound of that. Vikomte if presented by the stormcloaks and Viscount for the imperials. Thanks for the help guys, I would have never thought of that.

- Hypno

PS: what does Einherjar mean?

» Thu May 03, 2012 9:55 am

PS: what does Einherjar mean?

Look it up on wikipedia. Its pretty cool.

» Thu May 03, 2012 4:59 pm

Einherjar wouldn't make any sense, the Dragonborn isn't a dead warrior.

» Thu May 03, 2012 9:14 am

Look it up on wikipedia. Its pretty cool.

As they say: "You learn something new every day". That was indeed quite interesting mate, but maybe too mythical for what I want. I like how viscount sounds really formal/official.

I'm going to draft up the letters in a bit. If anybody fancy's proof reading, I'll post them in this topic

- Hypno

» Thu May 03, 2012 2:34 pm

Einherjar

It would make sense if there was a Draugr faction mod.

» Thu May 03, 2012 9:20 am

It would make sense if there was a Draugr faction mod.

Or if someone built a player home in Sovngarde.

» Thu May 03, 2012 4:02 pm

I have made my first draft of the declaration letter. Let me know what you guys think, feel free to suggest additions/edits

Spoiler

Let it be known that the words contained within this parchment are that of Royal Proclamation, redeemable only by the one known commonly as the Dragonborn.

As a show of gratitude for your role in our glorious victory over the Imperials, it has been agreed to bestow upon you a title, of which you are to be the first to hold: Vikomte

You are hereby granted the status of Thane of all Skyrim. Letters have been dispatched to every hold declaring the validity of this claim.

From this moment on, you will take the name Wyrmsbane. A coat of arms has been commissioned and you are hereby given the right to bare these arms. May your sons wear your colours with pride and your name live on for generations.

As a seat for your new house, you are hereby granted the estate of the recently deceased Thane Sirius Laenius, for you to rule as you see fit. This includes a vast amount of land, a walled-in Manor and the nearby small town known as Lumberton.

You are hereby given the right to recruit others under your banner, to fight and to serve you, however you see fit. Furthermore, you have the right to grant these men the authority to enforce the common laws over any Citizen found within your borders.

You are hereby given the right to enforce Taxes of any nature from all Citizens taking residence in your lands. The crown will receive a non-negotiable cut of 1 out of every 4 gold pieces collected. Failure to comply will incur consequences including voiding this proclamation.

In accepting these terms you are also agreeing to one obligation:
Should there come a time that the crown requires the use of your unique wartime expertise, you will answer the call. Failure to comply will incur consequences including voiding this proclamation.

To accept the terms, write your signature in the space specified on the attached copy of this declaration. Present this to Janus Mercius, your new Steward and Advisor, who has taken temporary residence in a campsite just outside the walls of your new manor

Signed:

Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm and future High King of Skyrim

- Hypno

» Thu May 03, 2012 9:46 am

Just thought I'd chip in with this. Swedish nobility titles (if you want more Scandinavian alternatives) ranked from highest to lowest, male/female versions:

Furste (or furst)/Furstinna - This one is for monarchs though, you might want to avoid that.

Hertig/Hertiginna - However this title is very close to the earlier Jarl, which it more or less replaced, and was originally reserved for royal children.

Greve/Grevinna - Equivalent to Count.

Friherre/Friherrina - More or less equivalent to Baron (however that title has been used as well, at least as the formal way to address a "Friherre". The female version of Baron would be Baronessa.)

» Thu May 03, 2012 6:25 am

I'd go with: thane