Among Sartarites, what exactly is a "noble" and how is it different from the "warrior", in terms of occupations?

[Jeff]

OK, a few points.
Orlanthi society has four basic social classes:

Noble. Standard of Living-wise this is just wealthy freeman, BUT all nobles have illustrious kin that give them a higher status. They are descended (or related) to tribal kings, heroes, Rune Masters, embodied spirits, etc. For the community to accept your claim of being noble, you need to be able to present yourself as noble, and that means a noble standard of living. As a practical matter, most chieftains come from kinship groups that are already noble or are closely tied to nobles. And almost all tribal kings fall into this category. The highest nobility in Sartar are members of the Sartar dynasty, who have the divine charisma that comes from that family connection.

Free. That's most people. You are not going to see the word "Carl" in any RQ books. Free people can be comparatively poor or rich, but as long as they can support themselves and their family without needing to become someone else's dependent, they have the status of "free".  They need to be able to support themselves, own their own weapons, etc. They are the default for how Orlanthi society imagines itself.

Semi-free. That's people who are dependent upon another family group for support. Tenant farmers are the most common - this is crop-sharing. You are not going to see the word "Cottar" in any RQ books. The "semi-free" are like discounted "free" people. They are theoretically the same, except the semi-free get less respect, are expected to loyally support their patrons in all community matters, etc.

Slaves. People who have no community rights or privileges, whether they are viewed as property or not. There aren't many slaves in most Orlanthi societies, and those few are mainly prisoners captured in war who have not been ransomed. You aren't going to see the word "thrall" in RQ books. 

[Shiningbrow]

So... when it's raiding season, who is expected to risk their lives? Everyone? Or are the slaves allowed not to? (presumably, those not yet ransomed will not be going anywhere). Is anyone else (other than some of the more obvious individuals) allowed to stay back?

Are all Semi-free expected to fight as enthusiastically? Both when defending a raid, and when initiating one? For that matter, are semi-free even allowed to leave the land to go on a raid? (could a slave go on a raid against a mutual enemy?)

[Techpriest]

7 hours ago, Shiningbrow said:

So... when it's raiding season, who is expected to risk their lives? Everyone? Or are the slaves allowed not to? (presumably, those not yet ransomed will not be going anywhere). Is anyone else (other than some of the more obvious individuals) allowed to stay back?

Are all Semi-free expected to fight as enthusiastically? Both when defending a raid, and when initiating one? For that matter, are semi-free even allowed to leave the land to go on a raid? (could a slave go on a raid against a mutual enemy?)

Are we talking full on military raids, or cattle raids? 

Cattle raids seem like something anyone with an inclination for it can end up doing, as long as they aren't slaves or thralls. You just get a bunch of other daring young lads and lasses, get a plan made up, cross over the stones, and spirit away cattle. You're likely to have a thane or warrior coming along for extra protection but not always - after all, half the point is to not get caught, and if you are caught, both sides likely let the other go after some posturing of 'we could totally take you but we have better things to do'.

Full on military raids work at least in my opinion like this. The chief says, "We're doing a raid, gather men" to his ring, who then contact the thanes who then contact the carls that contact their tenants and cottars. Not everyone will go along, but might do things like send a cousin in either another clan or animals for sacrifice for the success of the operation in their stead - probably a sheep or three per man who can't show up because of other obligations. This could be because they're a new parent, on business elsewhere, are oathbound not to participate, or are married to a member of the clan being raided - after all, kinstrife is a big deal among the Orlanthi. Still, the network of family obligations, honor, and so on would be able to rally probably 80 to 90% of the potential military power of the clan, with the rest staying back to protect the steads.

Nobody can make you do anything, but the social pressure to go along can be strong. For semi-free (cottars and tenant farmers) and even the lowliest stickpicker with just a sling, valor and prowess in battle can and will directly lead to rewards in social standing and wealth. Orlanthi chieftains have to be seen as generous, so do thanes and carls. Gifts are an important part of that, along with splitting shares of what's acquired. The better you fight, the better the chance your group wins, and the better the chance you personally benefit and get a larger share of the spoils. So fighting on an offensive raid with real enthusiasm is going to be a thing the semi-free do regularly. Fight well and prominently, and someone is likely to gift you things or help set you up as a favor.

As for slaves, I wouldn't be surprised if occasionally they do participate in military actions, either as helpers to carry their master's arms and armor, or even active combatants! Slave soldiers and warriors aren't super unusual historically and to discharge a debt, a master might request their slave fight, especially if they're a known warrior. Their honorable conduct might be assured through oaths sworn and reinforced with the Oath rune magic, in that in exchange for fighting, seasons of service or even their entire service will be considered repaid. Otherwise though, there's no obligation for them to fight and it isn't expected. 

On the defense, I want to note that those without much often fight as hard or harder than those with a lot of wealth. Their little is also at stake, and for a cottar or tenant farmer, losing a fight might mean losing their fields alongside their own herds. The incentive to fight hard is also of course, there for the free like carls, and especially for nobles like thanes or members of the ring - their social expectation is to be warriors for the clan when needed and failing to live up to that could result in the end of their life, or position of power. Chiefs who lose raids will likely face backlash and calls for new leadership if it's a regular occurrence for them and have trouble keeping warriors in his retinue. 

[Darius West]

I think there are several types of Nobles in Sartar, but Richard S. has a good take on it.  A noble in Sartar is someone groomed for leadership, but there is also a measure of inheritance about it, though Sartar is pretty meritocratic and inclined to offer nobility to anyone who is a proven leader or a wise enough counsellor to warrant the attention of the local Ring.

Clearly anybody with a lineage that can be traced to the Royal House of Sartar is a capital "N" Noble, and has likely been chased by Lunar assassins their entire life by 1625.  Post 1625 they may be running from Argrath's assassins too, after his coronation.

A Hero is likely considered a noble regardless of birthright or lack thereof.

Any child of a Tribal King would be classed as a noble.

Any member of the Clan Ring of a Tribal King is a noble.

A Clan Chief is a noble.

Members of a clan ring are also nobles, but of a lesser variety.

Rune Lords and sometimes Rune Priests are lesser nobility.

Clan weaponthanes, thanes in general, and godspeakers are the lowest rung of nobility.

It seems fair that you can choose a spouse of noble status to have a measure of that status conferred upon oneself too, but that doesn't count for much if you are proven incompetent, foolish, intemperate, or profligate.

Edited November 3, 2023 by Darius West

[Jeff]

Most cattle raiding is done by young Orlanth Adventurous initiates during their ordeal period after initiation. They steal cattle - and try to avoid combat and starting feuds. You have these bands at the edge of clan or tribal lands. Think the Indo-European *kóryos.

The tribal militia assembles each Fire Season. This coincides with the tribal assembly. Militia members participate in athletic competitions and mock sparring contests to learn how to fight or to maintain their military training. In the past there might be semi-ritualistic battles with another tribe over control of a sacred place or whatever. Since 1622, the militia was more likely to engage in banditry and rebellion against the Lunar occupiers. Starting 1625, the militia is now expected to follow the Prince into war.

[Rodney Dangerduck]

Many of our PCs made some money, and two decided to live it up in Clearwine as "nobles" by paying 200L a year.  They had a nice house in the good section of town, had parties, and could hire a few staff, including Asmara and Arlanda from a couple of the scenarios. 

Arlanda ("Rat Girl" from Dregs of Clearwine) eventually got shipped off to Apple Lane for detox...

So we treated it as just a noveau riche "higher standard of living", not anything very socially or politically meaningful.  Now, maybe after a few more years that might change.