These nobles rank just below dukes and duchesses, but are nevertheless accounted as powerful lords. Their lands are known as counties, and occupy signifigant portions of a city or smaller rural areas. Counts and countesses hold the fealty of one or two barons and a few powerful knights. Since they occupy a middle ground amoung the nobility, they have a reputation for being schemers and plotters, ever envoius of those above them and ready to manipulate those below them. Kings and queens usually keep a close watch on their counts and countesses. In wartime, these nobles act as subcommanders, regimental organizers and coordinators of rear-support activities. They do not normally take the battlefield themselves, unless they are personally renowned as warriors.
Counts and countesses are addressed as "Your Excellency." Counts are occasionally called earls, although women holding this title are still called countesses.
County Treasures: Counts and countesses possess pennons that they use to identify their counties. Their rule is superseded only by dukes and kings. Counts also have potent hearths. Each count or countess carries a weapon used in service to her superiors.
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