Kalnach goverment is extremely divided. There is a small royal family that holds the capital, Northpoint and the lands around. They still hold the most power in Kalnach. Each lord must swear featly to his king when he inherits his late father’s titles, lands and honors. All nobles also need to pay taxes based on the income of your land.

Under the kalnachian King you have the noble houses. These constantly strive for power, lands and gold. These houses are often ruled by the family who’s last name is the name of the house. (For example: House Aurelion is ruled by the Aurelion family). Only for this fact blood lines are very important. Great families will often try to retrace their line to great heroes of old. Houses mostly gain power through gaining favors, buying land or arranging marriage with other houses.

Marriage is entirely controlled by the father of the girl that is to be wed. Sometimes the brothers might object and another suitable proposal is found. However, most women are married to older, cruel or boring men. Singers and tales might fill their heart with the concept of ‘true love’. Which makes them flee their father’s hold. If this would occur, the father mostly sends out forces to find her. If she is found by a lesser house, there is a reward. If the girl if found by another house, that house has 2 options: Force the girl into a marriage or returning her to the father (and gain a favor). If she would be able to cross the border to another land, the father must denounce her and forever refuse her as a daughter. Most men have no trouble with this.

Lesser Houses are noble houses sworn to greater houses. Most own holds and keeps and the land around it. They pay taxes to the greater house above them. Lesser houses often gather as much favors from their greater house in the hopes of gaining more power and land. Unruly houses are often punished (by taking their sons or raising taxes). However, it has happened that, when the lesser house would no longer obey its greater house, that said greater house would summon its banners and march down on the lesser house, destroying the bloodline.

Knights are often the second and third born son of a lord. The lord’s title and lands go to his first born son (or second born if the firstborn dies. Women cannot inherit land or power). Second born sons take up knighthood under their father’s banner. Though sometimes their skill is good enough to be called into service of the greater house. Conquered land or land without a true heir (bastards can never inherit land) can be given to a knight, effectively raising him to lord.

Bastards half noble born are often left with the none-noble family, as they form a disgrace for the family. When both the mother and the father are nobles, things get more troublesome. When neither are married, they will be forced to. Even if neither of the houses like it. If one or both are married, both families gather and discuss the issue. In this discussion it is decided which family will take in the child. Mostly the less powerful will be forced to. It is forbidden by royal law to disband or kill a noble born baby. Even if he’s a bastard. Bastards have no rights, meaning they cannot use neither family name, nor banner, nor can they inherit land. However, they can be raised to knighthood and acknowledged as a true born son. From there they can be given a lordship. But he still cannot inherit land.