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Chapter 4 - Chapter 3: The Aristocratic Structure

Knight Level: Governs 1 to 3 villages. (A village comprises approximately 4,000–10,000 mu of land; for example, in the infertile Grey Marsh Territory, a village requires around 8,000 mu.) Their military obligation is to provide 1 fully-equipped Knight and 1 to 3 armed squires (equipped with chainmail and lances). In times of war, they can conscript 20 to 50 peasant soldiers. Their privileges include local judicial authority, the right to levy taxes, and the power of corvée labor. They pledge allegiance to their direct Baron. Official paths to promotion include ennoblement for military merit or the legitimization of an illegitimate child.

Baron Level: Controls 3 to 10 villages and 1 stone fortress. Maintains a force of 2 to 10 Knight vassals and 5 to 15 professional household soldiers (crossbowmen and spearmen). Can conscript 100 to 300 peasant soldiers. Possesses the right to mint Copper Coins, mining rights, and the privilege to establish merchant guilds. Pledges allegiance to a Count.

Count Level: Governs 1 to 2 towns and their affiliated villages. Their core military force is 200 to 400 elite household soldiers (including Level 4 and higher Transcendents). In times of war, they hire 50 to 200 Mercenaries. Privileges include levying trade tariffs and constructing basic Magic Workshops. Pledges allegiance to a Marquis.

Marquis Level: Governs an entire province (containing 3 to 5 Earl's Domains). Maintains a standing army of 500 to 1,000 soldiers (a force composed entirely of Transcendents) and 3 military fortresses (each with a garrison of 100).

Duke Level: (This rank does not exist in the Duchy of Haiti, whose ruler is a Grand Duke.) Controls a Duchy that spans several provinces. Their military foundation is a standing army of over 3,000 elite soldiers. They command all noble armies within their domain and possess High Tier forces. Privileges include legislative power, the right to form treaties, and a monopoly on rare materials. They pledge allegiance solely to the King. Promotion requires a royal bloodline or special dispensation from the Pontiff.

Note: The 'mu' is a standard unit of land measurement.

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