The etiquette of Terre d'Ange can be a complex thing - But once you understand the foundational principles of it, things become a lot simpler. Thus, this is your all-in-one primer on the different forms of etiquette in Terre d'Ange, especially that of nobility and the Night Court. While players, obviously, will mistakes and do not live in a culture bound in such rigorous social rules, we do expect people to read and follow this primer. Failure to follow the laws of etiquette does have consequences in society, after all, not behaving by these rules is how you show someone disrespect or insult. So please study them - Mistakes happen, and people should be reasonable, but the game isn't very much fun if every time someone slips up it's just because they 'didn't know.' A lot of the social drama of this kind of setting is facilitated by the intentional breaching of these rules.
Nobility
Social decorum and etiquette is the backbone of d'Angeline nobility. Most nobles have at least two different sides, their public facing side, or mask, and their private one. In private, they are people just like anyone else, of course - But in public there is the expectation that they perform the appearance of nobility. The day to day job of the nobility is as a performance piece - It's why fashion is so important, it's more than just a way to pass the time, but it lets people know social station, and gives the appearance of grandeur to the common folk. A noble's public performance depends greatly on where they are from, but a few things are always true; They should be just, true, wise, and dignified. From place to place any expectations on top will vary, Eisandians might expect gentleness, while Camaelines demand a tactical mind, and the Azzallese a proud countenance. Nobles are the living representations of the places and people over which they rule, they bear the blood of the Companions, keep in mind who and where they are representing when playing and creating their public performance.
Terms of Address
The list of different titles and their terms of address can be found here: Titles
Here we go over the ins and outs of how to use those terms of address.
- Someone's title may be used with their holding or family name, but not their given one. For example, one could say Duchesse de Trevalion or Duchesse d'Azzalle for Madeleine, but would never, ever say Duchesse Madeleine.
Exceptions: Prince and Princess, as well as Lord and Lady, may be used with first names. Examples: Prince Seraphin, Lady Marie.
- Someone's honorific is used in place of their title, so follows the same rules as above. Your Grace is fine to address Madeleine as, but never Your Grace Madeleine, or even Your Grace de Trevelion.
Exceptions: Full terms of address. Her Grace Madeleine de Travelion, Duchesse d'Azzalle is acceptable but highly formal.
- Capitalization is key. As a general rule of thumb, honorifics that begin with 'your' (Your Grace, Your Highness, etc), are capitalized, and those that begin with 'my' (My lord, my lady, etc) are not. This is because 'Your' is a replacement for a name, whereas 'my' is a statement of relationship and submission.
Exceptions: When My Lord/My Lady stand alone, such as addressing a letter, they may be capitalized.
- Holdings belong to a title, not to a person. Thus, one never pairs a given name with the name of a holding. Lucien de Ferraut, Marquis Regent de Grenoble is fine, Marquis de Grenoble is fine, but never Lucien de Grenoble.
Exceptions: When the holding shares the name of the person's family which uses the same conjunction, such as with a Duché, this rule is different. You aren't referring to a holding, but to a name, but the form is the same. For example, Madeline de Trevalion is fine.
Introductions
An introduction in Terre d'Ange is an important thing. First impressions can make or break a person, after all. How an introduction is given or received, however, depends very much on the setting. Some may choose to give a casual introduction, simply names without titles, in highly informal settings. Most of the time, however, someone's title should be given with their introduction.
Exceptions: It is considered crass for a Prince or Princess of the Blood to include this title in their introduction save in highly formal situations. It is assumed Terre d'Ange knows its Prince and Princesses of the Blood by name. However, we do not expect players to know them all by name, so please include this detail in your pose meta unless your character is actively hiding who they are.
Those of higher station should acknowledge those beneath them with a respectful nod of their head, or in highly formal settings or when they are guests, with a shallow bow or curtsy. Those of lower station should offer bow or curtsy to those of higher station. Yes, this means you should rise from your seat. Yes, for every noble of higher station that is introduced to you, though if their are multiple at one time, only one bow or curtsy, held for the duration of your acknowledgement of them, is sufficient. However, this only needs to be done once, not every time the person is introduced.
Departure
This is a subsection because it should be very simple. Polite goodbyes. respectful bows of the head, and perhaps quick bows or curtsies in highly formal settings are all that are necessary.
Exception: The departure of the Queen or King requires another formal bow or curtsy in most circumstances.
Badges of Office
All nobility is permitted their house colors and the wearing of a sword to denote their station.
Chevalier are additionally granted a chain of duty to mark their station, as well as any insignia of their Order or House.
Landed nobility are additionally permitted a chain of office and a coronet befitting their station.
Women holding the title of Comtesse or above are additionally permitted a tiara that may be worn if the coronet is too formal for an occasion.
Royal women, such as the Queen, Princesses of the Realm, and Princesses of the Blood are permitted day to day tiaras. Princes of the Realm and Princes of the Blood who bear no other title are permitted a specific chain of office for this denotation. All members of House Courcel and Prince and Princesses of the Blood are permitted to wear Courcel Blue.
General Behavior
It is expected that nobility be polite but not dull with one another. Conversation regarding politics, intellectual theory, sport, fashion, matters of State, responsibility, and pesonal wellbeing are all safe enjoyable topics of conversation. Almost all nobility has at least a basic understanding of some form of art to entertain with, or at least to be able to speak on intelligently. Gossip, while a common pastime, is actually not considered 'polite' conversation. Of course, not everyone is always polite, it's just more a topic one would bring up with friends as opposed to passing acquaintenances.
Greetings are warm and friendly. All d'Angeline nobility refers to one another as 'cousin' from time to time, a mark of the Scions' blood all having close ties. Additionally, with those that are peers or are common companions, Naamah's Greeting (a chaste kiss to the corner of the mouth) is not uncommon. Think of this greeting like a hug - You don't hug a total stranger, or somone not of your social strata, and some people just aren't huggers.
Disagreements and Disputes
To think that d'Angeline nobility always gets along would be foolish. Most of the time such things are handled with witty, catty remarks and then moving on. Sometimes a quipping joke at someone's expense which is traded in turn. These displays rarely lead to long term animosity and are more a way to show displeasure without outright insult.
Outright insult can, of course, be given, but this is a swift way to make an enemy.
Additionally, Terre d'Ange does have a duel culture. What does that mean? Well, sometimes the only way to settle something is with a little bloodshed. Duels should only take place with those of your social strata. High nobility with high nobility, lesser nobility with each other, royals with royals, etc. Anyone challenged to a duel with someone beneath their station would be obligated by honor to refuse the challenge. Challenges may be refused, of course, but it means the issue remains unaddressed. Traditionally, one party levies the challenge and the challenged party lays the terms. A duel is a matter of finality, however. Once it is done, the victor of the duel is deemed 'correct' and the matter should be dropped lest someone want to sully their good name.
Exceptions: Duels may breach the normal expectations of social strata for very grievous insult or threat your person or your immediate family. Remember, with the complex love lives of d'Angelines, what someone qualifies as their 'immediate' family may vary from what their family tree says. Think carefully before reaching to extremes.
Night Court
TBC
Average Patron Gifts
The average patron gift is between 3 and 7 Resource Points (300 - 700 ducats), but this may be greater depending on the social station of the patron.