Noble

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Noble was a term often used as a category for those individuals that served as the dignitaries of the galaxy. Nobles were typically members of the upper parts of galactic society. Sometimes, they were born into the upper classes and were from families of noble or similar status on their home planets. Others worked their way up the social ladder via their political, diplomatic, military, commercial, artistic, media, and sometimes even criminal careers.

Description

The galaxy's noble class were a diverse and often divided body.^[1] While there were true noble classes in some regions such as the Tapani sector, where generations of families ruled over the population through the power conferred by their lineage,^[2] the term "noble" also came to refer to a diverse group bound together by status rather than hereditary. The noble class included members of traditional monarchies and aristocratic houses, but also included elected officials such as senators, ambassadors, military commanders, corporate magnates, and even crime lords, merchants, and holovid stars.^[1]

Nobles were good leaders who commanded respect from others either through inspiration or intimidation. Often relying on their intelligence and natural charisma, they were able to easily cultivate friends and influence people. This gave nobles access to a number of contacts and resources that were not readily available to others, as well as the ability to call in favors when they needed them. They were powerful orators, able to foster feelings of good will with little more than a confident smile or a convincing argument, or at least project the illusion of such. Nobles were more inclined to attempt to talk, bluff, or negotiate their way out of dangerous situations before resorting to violence, but they would take up arms if needed. While they could be found across the galaxy, nobles were more at home in areas of space that they considered to be "civilized."^[1]

Nobles who ventured into the galaxy often did so because of their chosen career, of because they found a cause to champion and believe in. Others simply sought to make a profit. Some nobles were honorable, believing that they should live up to their name and station and that it was their duty to both lead and serve. These nobles were often altruistic and felt responsible for the fate of others,^[1] such as Bail Prestor Organa.^[3] Other nobles were the complete opposite, being sly, treacherous, and dishonorable. They believed that they were better than those around them and sought wealth, power, and fame, taking advantage of the systems of power and twisting it to benefit themselves.^[1] This type of noble was embodied by the young Palpatine.^[4] Some nobles, like Count Dooku of Serenno, even became Jedi.^[5] Many nobles wore notable rings or bore other artifacts that signified them as members of the aristocracy. Nobles from the planet Kilia IV used Marker Rings bearing the sigil of their house.^[6]

History

Jedi Civil War

From 3959 to 3956 BBY, Darth Revan's Sith Empire fought the Galactic Republic. At that time, nobles were more likely to be drawn to leadership and action, due to the fewer opportunities for peaceful negotiation and rhetoric in this area. Many of them served as inspiring officers were required to bolster the spirit of the war-weary galactic citizens in their fight against the bellicose Mandalorians and the Sith. Many nobles decided to create successful careers by serving major interstellar corporations, either to keep themselves from the war, or to preserve a high degree of autonomy.^[7]

The Clone Wars

The Clone Wars, a galactic conflict between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, ran from 22 to 19 BBY. This period was a difficult one for nobles too, as their resources were likely to be drained by either the Republic or the Confederacy ; some of them even saw their homes completely destroyed and pillaged when the conflict reached their home planet. Some fled their homeworlds with nothing left to lose, hoping to find safety, while others decided to play their part in the war on either side.^[8]

The Dark Times

When the Clone Wars ended, the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Republic, revealed his true agenda. Palpatine dismantled the government, turning it into the first Galactic Empire. Members of the nobility were urged to decide their allegiance quite quickly. Those who were close to the Imperial power would either support the New Order wholeheartedly or work in secret as rebels. For the nobles of the the fringe, that new era known as the "Dark Times" offered many new possibilities, as governmental confusion allowed more discretion for less than legal activities.^[9]

Rebellion era

Following the signing of the Corellian Treaty in 2 BBY, the Rebel Alliance was created, with the intention to defeat the Empire and restore the Republic. In that era, most nobles were tempted to embrace the philosophy of the Empire, especially Human nobles, as it could be a fast track to wealth and increased power due to the Human High Culture. Privileged noble youth were expected to enroll in the New Order's programs, such as the Sub-Adult Group of COMPNOR, in order to better prepare themselves as future Imperial leaders, such as future Moffs, or join the ranks of the Imperial Military. However, some young idealistic nobles just couldn't follow the edicts of the Empire and decided to support the Rebel Alliance—often in secret, but sometimes overtly. The ones who chose the latter option would be socially disgraced, sometimes exiled or murdered.^[10]

Some nobles joined the ranks of the Alliance, although for some it was more a case of believing that Palpatine was an upstart and undeserving of his place as ruler of the galaxy than being truly in line with the goals of the Rebellion. Those nobles found being in the Alliance challenging, as the notion of having members of lower classes and aliens being their equal was tiresome. However, due to the responsibilities that came with being a noble, these individuals steeled themselves to work within the system as best they could.^[11]

After the destruction of her homeworld, Leia Organa of Alderaan was still addressed to as "Princess," despite the de facto dissolution of Alderaanian monarchy.^[12]

Second Imperial Civil War

With the rise of Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire, nobles who previously served as administrators in the Galactic Alliance soon found themselves unemployed, as their Imperial masters eliminated redundant or unwanted positions and services. Noble families that had been heavily allied with the Galactic Alliance suddenly saw their political power greatly reduced and their economic fortunes reversed. Some of the nobles who retained their positions and status discovered that the expectations of the new Imperial system ran counter to their own moral views.^[13]

Many displaced nobles were forced to the fringes of society. Some offered their skills to minor governments or crime lords on remote worlds, while others became crime lords themselves. A few idealistic nobles joined the Imperial Mission, though the effort was later subverted by the Sith for sinister purposes.^[13]

Noble titles

Titles of sovereignty

Emperor^[14]/Empress^[15]
King^[16]/Queen^[17]

Titles of other nobility

Behind the scenes

The "Arrogant Noble" was one of the original twenty-four character templates used by the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, first published in the first edition rulebook.^[11] Noble is one of the eight starting heroic classes in Wizards of the Coast's Star Wars Roleplaying Game. Arani Korden, a Human, served as the character example for the class.^[1]