The noble ir' prefix

[RealAlHazred]

Originally posted by darkwarlock:

Does the ir' prefix belong exclusively to the human nobility of Eberron, or may an elf or tiefling, for example, hold such an honorific? I haven't scoured the books, but my (admittedly often faulty) memory can only recall human instances of it. Obviously, I realize as the DM of my game I can bestow honorifics to whomever I desire, but I like sticking to canon except in the most interesting and extreme circumstances. Many thanks!

 

[RealAlHazred]

Originally posted by Hellcow:

The 'ir prefix indicates a member of one of the noble families of Galifar. As such, it also indicates that the bearer has a noble title of some form and an ancestral claim to land within the Five Nations. Most are human, because the Five Nations are predominantly human. However, there's no reason that a dwarf, elf, or what-have-you who performed exceptional service to the crown couldn't be raised to the nobility. You might want to consider how they acquired their title, though - how far back does it go? Which ruler bestowed it upon them, and where are their lands?

 

[RealAlHazred]

Originally posted by darkwarlock:

Thanks, Keith. So by this logic it would be rather unusual to have King Boranel bestow such a title to a character (of, say, mid-paragon tier) as a reward for saving Sharn from some grand disaster (perhaps unless the title also came with lands in the Breland hinterland?).

 

[RealAlHazred]

Originally posted by Hellcow:

Thanks, Keith. So by this logic it would be rather unusual to have King Boranel bestow such a title to a character (of, say, mid-paragon tier) as a reward for saving Sharn from some grand disaster (perhaps unless the title also came with lands in the Breland hinterland?).

The title he bestows ISN'T "ir" alone; he bestows the title of Baron of Such-and-Such, Count of ThisVille, or what have you, to be held and protected by you and your heirs in perpetuity. Attaching "ir" to your name is simply a shorthand was of telling people that you are one of the nobles of the land.

So he could certainly grant it to a character who saved Sharn. It would just come with some land - most likely either a region Breland has never truly held (say, frontier territory on the Droaam border) or a region whose nobles were slain during the Last War. It could be very interesting to have the PC have to deal with the troubles of that region - though I'm sure he could hire/appoint someone to serve as his proxy in the day to day business.