I'd like to share a policy I've always run IMTU.
It goes something like this:
If you own a Jump-capable starship, you can be a Baron.
It really is that simple.
Anyone who owns a starship may style themselves 'Baron', and no one can say otherwise.
A planet-bound Baron with a palace, a legion of servants and half a continent to lord it over might seem more impressive - until you remember that owning a Starship means the whole Galaxy is yours to exploit.
On her own land, a noble's word is law and her rights in the Greater Imperium are legion. She may keep a standing army, armed as she sees fit up to and including nuclear and biological weapons. She may trade freely and speak on behalf of the Imperium, she may deal as an equal with the static aristocracy.
You've got your feudal hierarchy, the Emperor, Sector Dukes, Marquesses, Counts etc.
Barons are the lowest rung of the nobility, but they owe feudal loyalty only to the Emperor - unlike, say, a Viscount, who has a whole chain of loyalty going Count, Marquess, Duke, Emperor (possibly more steps than that).
It is voluntary, one can own a ship and elect not to take up the title.
However, the option exists.
It comes with a host of benefits. The right to keep a standing army (probably just the ship's crew, but y'know...), and own atomic weapons (both rights restricted to the nobility IMTU), not to mention the social benefits (SOC increased to 11 if it should be less).
Oh, and the right to claim any land which isn't owned by someone else. Y'know, like that whole planet you just discovered...
And it comes with the attendant duties. The Baron may be called upon to fulfil his feudal duty by lending his ship, vassals, weapons and such to the Emperor for whatever reason, and he'd better keep up a proper standard of living to go with his SOC 11. He'll also be taxed as a Noble, of course.
I find it adds a lot to the game. Of course, most player ships are owned jointly by several people, so they have to argue it out amongst themselves who gets the title.
It goes something like this:
If you own a Jump-capable starship, you can be a Baron.
It really is that simple.
Anyone who owns a starship may style themselves 'Baron', and no one can say otherwise.
A planet-bound Baron with a palace, a legion of servants and half a continent to lord it over might seem more impressive - until you remember that owning a Starship means the whole Galaxy is yours to exploit.
On her own land, a noble's word is law and her rights in the Greater Imperium are legion. She may keep a standing army, armed as she sees fit up to and including nuclear and biological weapons. She may trade freely and speak on behalf of the Imperium, she may deal as an equal with the static aristocracy.
You've got your feudal hierarchy, the Emperor, Sector Dukes, Marquesses, Counts etc.
Barons are the lowest rung of the nobility, but they owe feudal loyalty only to the Emperor - unlike, say, a Viscount, who has a whole chain of loyalty going Count, Marquess, Duke, Emperor (possibly more steps than that).
It is voluntary, one can own a ship and elect not to take up the title.
However, the option exists.
It comes with a host of benefits. The right to keep a standing army (probably just the ship's crew, but y'know...), and own atomic weapons (both rights restricted to the nobility IMTU), not to mention the social benefits (SOC increased to 11 if it should be less).
Oh, and the right to claim any land which isn't owned by someone else. Y'know, like that whole planet you just discovered...
And it comes with the attendant duties. The Baron may be called upon to fulfil his feudal duty by lending his ship, vassals, weapons and such to the Emperor for whatever reason, and he'd better keep up a proper standard of living to go with his SOC 11. He'll also be taxed as a Noble, of course.
I find it adds a lot to the game. Of course, most player ships are owned jointly by several people, so they have to argue it out amongst themselves who gets the title.
