Becoming an Aldin Noble

Becoming an acknowledged noble of Aldin society, a citizen of Aldis must pass the Tests and the Trail.

The Tests

The tests are academic in nature, although they are not solely written. Tests in both written and spoken form are required to successfully accomplish this part of the process.

Literacy

The First Test is the test of Literacy. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to read at an advanced level, and to understand what they have read sufficiently to explain it to others. A candidate must demonstrate the ability to write in in a clear, legible hand, with sufficiently advanced grammar and composition to be entrusted with legal and historical documentation.

• The Written Introduction (TN 7 Intelligence [Writing]): An extremely simple formal test, the Written Examination is simply the means by which the would-be candidate introduces themselves to the Noble Assembly.
  • This is kept by the Assembly in the candidate's file, for anyone with access to refer to. It is considered an essential work, as it is supposed to reflect the candidate's history and personality, as well as acting as a simple means of judging penmanship.
  • These Introductions may be written by anyone interested in testing, and turned over to a noble. It is part of a noble's responsibility to read over and help the would-be candidate form their introduction to the Assembly's expectations, and to send the Introduction along once it is complete.
• The Candidate's Thesis (TN 9 Intelligence [Any Lore]): There is an accepted library of written works referred to as the Noble Canon. These works are expected reading for Aldin nobility, and every few years, a small handful of books are added to it, while others may be removed.
  • A candidate is expected to read three of these works within a given field and not only describe their importance but their relevance to one another and to the candidate's own world view and experiences, using them to frame and inform the candidate's written desire to become a noble.
  • This check is made with one of the Lore Focuses (Arcane, Cultural, Historical, Military, Musical, Natural, Nautical, Religious), and the candidate must have had the opportunity to read three of the Noble Canon that fall within that Lore (a task that can sometimes require traveling and meeting other nobles, most of whom keep at least a modest library with up to a dozen of their favorite such works).
  • The Thesis is expected to be written while the candidate goes about their normal, daily lives. The tradition is for a candidate who has already handed over their Introduction to then begin work on their Thesis.
  • When finished, this Thesis is also handed over to a noble, who is expected to send it to the Noble Assembly immediately.
  • The Noble Assembly then reads through the Thesis, often asking for expansions or addenda of a candidate; these works are also Lore focus Intelligence tests, continued until the candidate has accomplished three extra TN 9 tests, or accomplished a single TN 13 test.
  • Once final acceptance is noted to the candidate (through the noble who submitted the Thesis), they are given permission to begin working on the Test of History.

History

The Second Test is the test of History. Candidates must demonstrate a working knowledge of Aldean history up through the founding of the Kingdom of the Blue Rose, and must demonstrate an extremely thorough and exhaustive knowledge of the kingdom's history.

• The Historical Examination (TN 11 Intelligence [Historical Lore]): The Historical Examination is a standardized test, created by academics from the Royal College, and revised yearly. When a candidate has received word that their Thesis is accepted
• The Historical Lecture (TN x): x

Philosophy

The Third Test is the test of Philosophy. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the various philosophical modes that have informed Aldean culture, as well as demonstrate skill with associated abilities such as rhetoric and debate.

• The Philosophical Examination (TN x): x
• The Philosophical Debate (TN x): x

Ethics

The Fourth Test is the test of Ethics. Candidates must utilize their demonstrated skill in both history and philosophy, citing precedents and theories, to demonstrate a mastery of ethical conceptualization. This is the basis of Aldin culture's trust in its nobility to rule wisely and well.

• The Ethical Examination (TN x): x
• The Ethical Debate (TN x): x

Law

The Fifth Test is the test of Law. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of Aldin law that is supported by the "tripod of law": historical precedent, philosophical rigor, and ethical foundation. Only those who are capable of demonstrating an understanding of Aldin laws will ever be permitted near enough to governmental power to establish new ones or strike down old ones, so this testing is of the sort that makes or breaks Aldin nobles.

• The Legal Thesis (TN x): x
• The Legal Lecture (TN x): x

The Trial

x