Nobility

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An aristocratic social class founded by Rudolf von Goldenbaum in 9 IC (318 UC / 3118 CE) to serve the Galactic Empire, the nobility held most of the political and economic power in the Empire during the rule of the Goldenbaum Dynasty.

High Nobles

The High Nobility was the upper echelon of the Noble social class in the Goldenbaum Dynasty's social hierarchy. High Nobles were men and women from the oldest and most powerful noble families in the Galactic Empire. It was from the High Nobility that most of the Empire's most powerful political leaders hailed from, not because of merit but because of blood.

Ironically, when Rudolph von Goldenbaum first established the aristocracy, it was something of a meritocracy: men and women of exceptional ability could, at times, be elevated to noble rank. This provided early Imperial society with a degree of upward social mobility, allowing the culture of the Empire to stay dynamic. Eventually, however, the nobility became a stagnant social class, which could only be inherited through blood. This gradually increased the resentment of the lower classes, and eventually led to the Exodus of Arle Heinnesen, and a rise in republican protestors and social reformers. The High Nobility, however, was ruthless in destroying anything that might endanger its authority.

In the Imperial Civil War, most of the High Nobility sided with prince Otto von Braunschweig. At the end of the civil war, Reinhard von Lohengramm abolished the aristocracy, stripping the nobles who rebeled agienst him of their titles, positions and property.

Low Nobles

Nobility in name only, low nobles were poor aristocratic families of limited economic means. They did not necessarly posses titles, own land, or hold positions of power within the government. These lower-class nobles were considered something of an embarassment by the high nobles.

Reinhard von Lohengramm was born into the von Musel family, of the low nobility.

Reformer Nobles

Ostensibly drawn from both the high and low nobility, reformer nobles were aristocrats who advocated the democractic reform of the Empire and, possibly, the abolition of the aristocratic class. During the Imperial Civil War, the reformer nobles were persuaded to side with Reinhard von Lohengramm by Hildegarde von Mariendorf, the head of the Mariendorf family.

After Reinhard seized power, All the reformer nobles expressed praise for Reinhard's reforms,