Yeofolk of Dawn

This is a placeholder page for content that PD are actively working on.

Technically, anyone in Dawn who has not passed a Test of Mettle is a yeoman, whether they are a farmer, a merchant or the daughter of an Earl.

Aspiration

Most yeomen in Dawn absolutely accept that if they petitioned a noble house for a Test of Mettle they would be offered it, and if they passed it they would be embraced by the noble house as a fellow noble. Many are put off by the danger inherent in the tests, or lack confidence that they are glorious enough to join a noble house, but that belief in the system helps tie the nation together.

Many yeomen spend their entire lives looking for a chance to be ennobled. The more glorious the deeds they perform before they attempt their Test of Mettle, the reasoning goes, the better the chance that the noble house will set them an achievable task.

It is not unknown for a yeoman to refuse the offer of a Test of Mettle, although it is extremely rare. On a very few occasions, where the glorious nature of the yeoman is clear to all, such an individual may be declared to be the founder of their own noble house - although this is exceptionally rare and requires the support of a large number of Earls. If a yeoman refuses this unique honour, it is usually taken a sign that they would be happier elsewhere, probably in the Marches. While it is rare for the people of Dawn to exile a yeoman, it is not unknown, but usually only when the individual has proved to be so uniquely un-Dawnish that even the Egregore will not turn a blind eye any longer.

Ennobling Retainers

It is a common practice in Dawn to ennoble Seneschals and trusted retainers on their deathbeds, to offer them a simple Test of Mettle so that they might be rewarded for their service.

Less commonly, but perhaps more effectively, an Earl might offer to adopt the child of a yeoman couple in return for some service. A well known tale that exists in numerous versions through the Nation tells of an Earl who is protected from their enemies by a virtuous old couple and returns some time later to offer to bring the elder yeomen into their house. The wise yeomen instead ask the Earl to adopt their eldest child, claiming that the Test of Mettle and all it entails would be wasted on those whose lives are already half-over, wheras their child will be able to make the most of the opportunity to seek glory. More than one noble has gained a fresh start in life due to incidents like these.

Leaving Dawn

The Imperial Constitution extends certain basic rights and responsibilities to all citizens, whether they are nobles or yeomen. While most of the political power lies in the hands of the nobles, yeomen are not property. They are free to move around as their inclination and resources allow them.

Some yeomen leave Dawn permanently. Sometimes these are people who have failed their Test of Mettle for one reason or another. Sometimes they have political reasons to wish to leave the Nation, and an occasional few simply want to start a new life far away from everything they know. Many of these self-exiled yeomen end up in The Marches, while others are drawn to the prosperity of one of the cities of The League, especially Holberg.

Playing a Yeoman

The assumption is that most Dawnish characters will be nobles, or at least aspiring nobles. Characters who don't have at least some interest in becoming nobles either find a role for themselves within the social structure of Dawn, or leave the Nation and start new lives elsewhere.

Yeomen have some social mobility, and may prosper in the Bourse or even the Synod, but they will almost certainly never become Generals or Senators. Those yeomen who do well in the arenas of power that are accessible to them will probably find themselves being approached by noble houses and offered a Test of Mettle - after all, if nobles are glorious then it makes sense that they want to make glorious people into nobles.

Roles for Yeomen

The most common roles for Dawnish Yeomen might include:

• A soldier - a warrior who seeks to achieve glory and catch the attention of a noble on the battlefield.
• A Knight-errant - a a noble-born character who has not passed their Test of Mettle, but is either actively engaged on it, or is seeking glory prior to making an approach to a noble house.
• A Seneschal - a skilled professional who oversees elements of the day-to-day running of a noble house.
• A Retainer - a character who serves as the personal aide to a specific noble.
• A member of a Weaver Cabal - a ritual magician who is part of a structure that exists outside normal social rules in Dawn.