Imperial Mistress Of Conduces: Basic Conduces

[canaaa]

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ᴛʜᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴇʀɪᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴛs

ʙᴀsɪᴄ ᴄᴏɴᴅᴜᴄᴇs

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A late spring blooms, and with it, the Imperial Court again lays out the standards expected of all of us as Nobility, as those chosen by His Imperial Holiness to rule with the grace and mercy that He extends to all. Our conduct must come into line with His expectations, and the conduct we expect of one another. Thus - Conduces.

Accommodation requests, as always, can be penned to the Mistress of Conduces. Dispensation will occur on argued grounds, and a solution agreeable and satisfactory to both the Imperial Court and those who seek it will be found.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Mistress of Conduces if this is necessary for you.

OOC Note: A lot of this is going to seem familiar, and there's a reason for that! I did my best to recover and keep a good bit of the old Etiquette pages, but there are new things as well. I know it's a lot to read over all over again, but make sure you do! All currently in-effect etiquette is listed on this page, with some things linked for ease or clarification, or further information. If it's not on this page, it's not in effect. If you've got any questions, ask and tag me or DM me so I can help!

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• 《 ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ ᴇᴛɪᴏ̨ᴜᴇᴛᴛᴇ 》
  • General etiquette applies equally to everyone, except where culture or law dictates that some rules are overruled. There is no longer a Core or a Calemberg or a Souvereine Code. Just etiquette.
  • With regards to servants,
    • When accompanying a noble, servants must always be identified in some way, shape, or form.
      • This may occur in a variety of ways, including armbands, uniforms, hair adornments, name badges, or other such items that would indicate at a glance whose service they are in.
      • For the purposes Conduces, Court Mages are counted as servants.
      • First Attendants and Palests are exempted, due to their hiring and names being announced publicly. They must be uniformed while attending formal events, Assemblies, and the Imperial Palace, however.
    • Nobles must always announce the hiring and firing of Palests and First Attendants, due to the special nature of these positions. Reasoning must always be given for when a Palest or First Attendant is fired or released. After a grace period of two weeks from hiring, removing one without proof of valid reasoning (dishonor, severe neglect, or technical incompatibilities) is prohibited. Such reasoning should be made public to the entire nobility.
      • Palests, also referred to as junkers, are for-life bodyguards and attendants, expected to accompany the noble they serve as their sword and shield, and as their final line of defense. They may only leave the service of a noble if they are fired; Palests may not resign of their own volition.
      • First Attendants, also referred to as First Lady (if female) or Chamberlain (if male), are favored, close servants of the nobles they serve. Much like Palests, First Attendants are expected to accompany the noble they specifically serve in their daily lives and hold their positions for life. Whereas a Palest is expected to defend a noble's life, a First Attendant is expected to make a noble's life easier, and act as a constant companion that attends to the work that is below a noble while out and about.
        • There is an exception to the for-life clause of the First Attendant and Palest positions: that being if the noble engages in truly egregious conduct that the First Attendant or Palest cannot abide by, they may voluntarily dissolve their own service if and only if they provide evidence of misconduct to the Mistress of Conduces for consideration. If the Mistress of Conduces agrees that such conduct is past what is expected of the Peerage, the reasoning and the announcement of the Palest or First Attendant's departure will be given to the wider Noble Peerage, so that the noble may be held to the higher standard demanded of their station.
      • OOC: Please post these in #high-society-events. Do not put these in #progression-pings. Hiring/firing just need Discord messages, but if a Palest/First Attendant quits, they can either put up a forum thread and link it in the channel or just air their grievances there after the necessary discussions with me have gone on.
    • Family heads or their chosen representatives are hereby requested to submit lists of currently-serving Palests and First Attendants of their families. This list requires the name of the Palest or First Attendant, who they serve, and the date they were hired. Please have these lists submitted within two weeks of this notice.
      • For example, Milena Cadieux would submit that Alban Koning and Bellamy Raphellia are in service as her Palest and First Lady respectively and that they were both hired on April 11, 309 AC, as well as all the other Cadieux Palests and First Attendants.
        • OOC: Do this over Forum PM or I'll lose it. <3 You only have to do this once so I have it, and I'll keep an eye on it as things change. Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
    • Nobles must keep a professional distance from their servants in public; referring to them with polite titling (miss, mister, etc.) and either their first or last name. Familiarity may be shared in private. This rule does not apply to Palests or First Attendants.
      • Servants must always title nobles in public, no matter how close they are. Closeness address is subject to the closeness between a noble and a servant (see below).
  • With regards to conduct,
    • Adoptions and other changes to a family's lines must always be publicly announced as soon as they are carried out.
      • Family heads are asked to submit listings of their current family members to the Mistress of Conduces within two weeks, to further ensure that every noble is recognized as such and held to our shared standard of conduct.
      • OOC: Have the family heads announce adoptions in #progression-pings. Do not ping the entire community, just stick it there. If you want to be extra helpful, tag me (@canaaa). Please do not tag anyone else. For the family lists, just a list of names and players sent to me over forum DM like so would be ultra-helpful:
        • This can be done in the same DM as the Palest/First Attendant listing. Just as long as I get them over Forum DM - I'm going to lose anything you send me over Discord. Not worth the headache.
        • Example
          • Milena | canaaa
          • Roul | essentialess
          • Fabien | Halsi ... etc.
    • A noble must always address titled nobles with the correct form of address, even if they are below them, and may never refer to commoners as titles used for titleholders, or neutral terms for nobility. Intentionally omitting a title altogether is permitted for political purposes, but is universally recognized as a serious insult to the other's legitimacy.
      • Any noble who carries a title but continually refuses to be titled by said title must be reported to the Mistress of Conduces and the Violet Order for flagrant breach of Imperial Crown Law.
      • Imperial and Royal Blood are immune to this as per the Blueblood Court Honneurs Law Code.
    • Nobles may address each other according to closeness, so long as titles are respected. If one is corrected in referring to a noble, that correction must be abided by except until mutual agreement that one is close enough to refer to them
      • For example's sake, we will look at the Imperial Mistress of Ceremonies. Generally, she ought to be referred to as Countess Peirgarten, or her Ladyship. However, those closer to her may call her Countess Amelina, but only if she permits it. Finally, family or her husband may refer to her as simply Amelina.
      • Nobles may use nicknames for other family members in informal settings and events. Full names are required for places like the Imperial Palace and serious situations.
      • Courtiers and betrothed persons may also refer to their significant other informally, but only if their courtship/betrothal has been announced in the proper channels (see below).
    • A noble may never look the Emperor in the eye, regardless of their political status or standing with the Emperor, or personability with Him. The correct way is to look at the Emperor's chest, or neck, never to his side, or facing away from Him. A noble may never turn their back on the Emperor until they have fully left His direct presence, defined for the purposes of this code as twenty paces. The proper way to leave His direct presence is to bow or curtsy low indeed, back away ten paces, and then turn to make one's way off into the night or elsewhere in the event.
    • A noble may never make gestures with their tongue or lips to another noble, aside from to wetten one's lips in between lengthy conversations.
    • A noble is never permitted to remove any articles of clothing in front of another noble save for gloves, or to remove additional items added recently like an overcoat to shield from the rain, or a hat to shield from the sun.
    • A noble may never relieve gaseous substances from their self, or make humor or reference to such commonly deplorable things.
    • A noble should never point, beckon with their hand, or otherwise make gestures with their hands towards another noble, unless this is required, for example during an auction. Exceptions are made for greetings, detailed below. Gestures may be made via the use of a fan, as well.
      • The Mistress of Conduces recommends another cursory glance over the previously published guide to fan language for those wishing to glean meaning from or participate in fan usage.
    • When greeting a noble, one must always call them by title and the name permitted (see name rules above). This can be paired with one of four gestures, based on personal persuasion and closeness:
      • A single, unmoving raise of the right hand for men.
      • Waving via the 'queen's wave' styling for women.
      • An Imperial Salute for men.
      • Air kisses, one to each cheek - but one must take special care to never actually touch.
    • A noble must endeavor not to bare their teeth during dining or soirees, and avoid allowing other guests to see the food contents of their mouth while eating.
    • A noble must always endeavor to use the appropriate method of eating or drinking any given substance.
    • A noble may never physically insult the host of any soiree, or the owner of any particular place where such a soiree would take place, or the place itself, but they can do so verbally.
    • A noble must never speak ill of the comforts provided, for example, drinks and foods at a soiree or dining party, or cigarettes or liquor when in closer comforts.
    • Unmarried men and women are not permitted to stay at the residence of another family overnight, unless this was under the guidance of their patriarch or matriarch, or when it is required such as during a late-night soiree.
    • All nobles must wear clothing as set out by the Mistress of Conduces in terms of how much skin is permitted to be seen, and what styles are banned. Anyone found not in compliance with Hotiers will be asked to leave a gathering and change, either into their own clothing or a provided incredibly unflattering outfit.
    • Those without Royal rank are not permitted to wear a crown, ever. Circlets and coronets must not be gemmed among non-titleholders, ever. Men are permitted to wear a white Calemberger Fox fur cape without black tassels.
    • During a wedding, or the festivities immediately after, everyone must wear neutral colors (white, black, grey, brown, cream, etc), and may not profess own-family loyalty or dedication, or engage in speech that would imply political or personal distaste for any particular guest or participant. Hosting families are exempted, though standard etiquette still applies. Anyone who instigates any hostile act or speech towards any guest or participant may be summarily ejected from the event, at the discretion of the bride and groom. The Mistress of Conduces must be notified of ejections, so that punishment may be levied against those involved.
      • OOC: Not sure if your skin cuts it for a wedding? DM it to me over Discord, and I'll tell you one way or the other - and if it isn't, I'll either suggest edits or try to help you edit it myself so that it is compliant.
    • A noble should always wait to be asked to be seated if a formal host is present, and when seating, should always seat in order of importance, with higher nobles sitting first and closest to the host. During informal gatherings in estates or lounge spaces, one may be seated without permission, so long as those of frail body and higher title are all seated first.
    • Noblemen should always come to stand if seated, if either a higher noble lord, a noblewoman, or an ordained Reverend is entering or leaving the room. If a nobleman or noblewoman is royalty or part of the Imperial Family, a nobleman should also stand, and this should be accompanied by a bow. Those of weak constitution or frailty may remain seated.
    • Noblewomen may not dance without gloves on, and may not be on the dancefloor without dance appropriate silk or velvet slippers for dancing. A noblewoman may also lead the dance if she wishes.
    • Nobles should refrain from the overuse of vulgarity. While not entirely prohibited, swearing may be sparingly used to effectively punctuate an important point, and not frivolously.
    • Nobles, by virtue of birth and status, are obliged to provide and care for those of lower birth, status, or standing. Charity work is a virtue and may be engaged in as long as it is not demeaning.
      • For instance, planting flower gardens, giving out food in soup kitchens, or operating clothing drives are all fine to do. Nobles may not, however, sweep, clean, or otherwise do the work of servants as charity work, but these examples are not all-inclusive.
    • Should a host or hostess approve of such, Knights may wear the armor of their Order to events. Knights may not wear armor to the Imperial Palace but may wear their Order's signature items.
      • For instance, Lion Pelts may wear their pelts to the Palace, but not their armor. Viridians may wear Viridian green, Bloodcasts may wear red capes, and so on.
  • With regards to courtships and relationships,
    • Nobles must always inform the greater Peerage, as well as the Whistledown, of ongoing courtships. This is to be done by public announcement. 'Secret' and 'quiet' courtships are no longer recognized by the Court. If courtship is not announced, it is not binding.
      • OOC Note: Stick these in #high-society-events. It doesn't matter if it's the person in the courtship or a family head announcing it, since it's assumed that if you're announcing it, you have permission. Make sure to tag me (@canaaa) and Whistledown (@Maeovika). Do not tag the entire community.
    • A noble may never exhibit intimacy in public with a spouse or courtier beyond holding hands or draping an arm around the other partner's shoulders. This includes inference, innuendos, or outright erotic speech with regards to intended, past, or current interactions; however, these speech bars do not apply to those under Lois-Penal.
    • A noble exposed for infidelity, where such rules apply, must publicly apologize for slighting the honor of not only their House, but the honor of the House of which their partner belongs, and endeavor to make amends. The heads of each House are expected to meet and negotiate the details of what amends are necessary with an attached due date, and submit such to the Mistress of Conduces. If these are not fulfilled by the specified date, or if there is no set of amends to be made, the Mistress of Conduces will levy a further, far heavier punishment on the offender of her own choosing.
    • A noble should endeavor not to court or wed with a commoner, unless they were both commoners before ennoblement, or have dispensation from the Emperor personally. Those subject to Lois-Penal may have commoner paramour consorts, as long as they never marry, and are discreet.
    • Commoners adopted into the Peerage must wait at least a full month, but preferably three, before entering courtships with blue-blooded nobility. Any sooner, and whispers are invited that they only entered the Peerage to court a noble, indeed shaming their courtier as well as the House said courtier belongs to.
    • During or before Courtship, or outside of Courtship, nobles are not permitted to engage in intimacy beyond holding hands or serenading. Intimacy is reserved for marriage. Those subject to Lois-Penal may never allow any intimacy shared to become public knowledge.
    • More guidelines will follow in the Sweetheart Edition (see upcoming).
  • With regards to locations in the Regalian City,
    • Nobles may not enter New Crookback in its entirety, save for charitable efforts that are recorded and witnessed, or where necessary to fulfill obligations due to Knightly status. Nobles going into New Crookback must bring at least one (1) of either a House Guard, Violet Order guard, or Mercenary guard with them to ensure protection.
      • A sole exception is made for the Undercity Representative to carry out official duties.
    • Nobles may not enter Old Town except for the listed approved areas below.
      • Nobles may go to the Salvation Church to pray, seek repentance, confess, or otherwise engage with the Unionist faith.
        • Nobles going to the Salvation Church must bring at least one (1) of either a House Guard, Violet Order Guard, or Mercenary Guard with them to ensure protection.
      • Nobles may enter Arenacourt, due to its popular use as sparring and dueling grounds for entertainment, as well as the Alms Ministry Garrison and Noble-owned businesses like the Bronze Dragonet, the Steak Estate, and the Fate at Hand lounge all being there.
      • Nobles may enter Rosecourt for the sole reason of visiting the Alms Ministry Sanctuary there, and only when accompanied by at least one (1) of either a House Guard, Violet Order guard, or Mercenary Guard with them to ensure protection.
      • Nobles may go to the Mercenary Keep to request or contact mercenaries, though only when accompanied by at least one (1) of either a House Guard, Violet Order Guard, or Mercenary Guard.
        • The Mercenary Commissioner may go freely to the Mercenary Keep to fulfill official duties.
    • Nobles may enter New Town in its entirety.
    • Nobles may enter the countryside where estates are located on their lonesome, or for serenity in nature if accompanied by at least one (1) guard, either of their House Guard, a Mercenary Guard, or a Violet Order Guard.
      • OOC: Not sure what's Old Town and what's New Town? Don't know where the districts are? This map should help! It's slightly outdated regarding some parts of the City, but all the parts mentioned above are still correct. The right-hand side of the map past Imperial Isle is New Town, and the left-hand side of the map past Imperial Isle is Old Town. Countryside mostly refers to the walk paths between estates, or the little campsite areas dotted around.
  • With regards to physicality,
    • Nobles may only incite or engage in violence within their noble right, occupational duties, official duels, training spars, or when presently threatened with bodily harm.
    • A noble may never touch the base skin of another noble unless they are related by the second degree (married, siblings, (grand)children, and cousins, so long as they identify themselves by the same last name). This also includes commoners. An exception is made for dire circumstances (such as medical emergencies) but only when most useful and truly necessary to do so.
      • The sole exception to this is that servants may touch nobles only insofar as their duty demands, and only if consent is freely given by the noble in question.
        • For instance, this could look like a doctor treating a wound, a handmaiden arranging one's hair, or a guard pulling their charge out of harm's way.
  • With regards to duels,
    • The duel between Victane Valitorp and Lord Fabien Cadieux is not recognized. Mister Valitorp is no longer noble, so the duel is no longer necessary.
• 《 ᴜᴘᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴄᴏɴᴅᴜᴄᴇs ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏᴛɪᴇʀs 》
  • Sweetheart Edition, containing some old and trusted as well as some new and improved Hotiers items to express relationships, and new ways to begin courtships. Improvements to current dancing etiquette and specific etiquette for Whistledown events will also follow in this edition, pending coordination with the new Whistledown.
  • Summer Hotiers will be forthcoming. All fashions commissioned in anticipation of the former Mistress of Conduces' Code will be compliant.
    • The Mistress of Conduces will hold meetings in either the Imperial Progress, the Hostesse Noble Estate, or the Noble Lounge to discuss matters of fashion while the Code is being worked on for nobles to contribute ideas, submit personal requests, or bring up cultural necessities so that the Code may fit all.
      • OOC: These will be announced with a @Prog Events tag when I'm doing them. Expect at least three. Also, skinning and getting skins is hard. I get it. Don't worry. If you made/commissioned skins to fit under the unreleased code, those will still be fashionable/in compliance. Let me know if you have any questions or need anything!
  • Beach Conduces and Hotiers will come packaged together to allow for hosted events by the waterside, by private nobles as well as the Imperial Court.

Any questions, comments, or concerns ought to be penned to the Mistress of Conduces. Please also report Conduces violations where they occur, so that they may be dealt with. True violations being reported will confer honor upon the reporters, for holding their Peers to a higher standard.

Spirit bless.

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[canaaa]

An addition has been made to the Code above.

With regards to locations in the Regalian City,

• Nobles may not enter Old Town except for the listed approved areas below.
  • Nobles may enter the Old Gods District to patronize businesses and visit the religious sites at the Helbowen and the Temple.
    • As with the rest of Old Town, nobles must bring at least one (1) of either a House Guard, Violet Order guard, or Mercenary guard with them to ensure protection.

 

[canaaa]

An addition has been made to the Code above.

With regards to locations in the Regalian City,

• Religious protectors (Skorda, Dragon Wardens, Villiers-Eclaire Knights, etc.) and Alms Ministry Brute Squad Members are also available as guarding options when venturing into Old Town.

These additions are simply extensions of the Code above and do not override or overrule any other Conduces guidelines.