Nobility of Kolios

The Nobility of Kolios is an institution as old as Kolios itself, with the first nobles being named on 20 September 1995, the day the nation itself was founded.

History of the Nobility

There were initially five noble ranks within Kolios: King/Queen, Prince/Princess, Duke/Duchess, Margrave/Margravess, and Baron/Baroness.

When Kolios was restructured as a Principality within the Empire of Agber in early 1998, the rank of King/Queen was removed. Sometime after this, additional nobles were named, and mediatization was added to Kolios.

On 26 February 2022, there was a massive overhaul to the form and function of the Nobility. These changes included the creation of Counts, the elimination of gendered titles, the adoption of the nobiliary particle "von," and the introduction of "generational relegation."

Mediatization under Princess Arlene

Principality of Kolios - Princess Arlene

Cramer - Duke James

Flak - Margrave Maximillian

Grunkachen - Baroness Samantha
Nemeta - Baroness Olivia
Raeta - Baron Jeremy
Schwarzvogel - Baron Lukas

Gelblowe - Margravess Kendra

Blauschien - Baron Matthew
Haunsett - Baroness Nicole and Baron Trevor
Weissweld - Baron Hal

Vemyr - Margrave Franz and Margrave William

Forndran - Baroness Jeanine
Mahntel - Baroness Amber
Wilkes - Baroness Lauren

Fryar - Duke Thomas
Reese - Duke Stephen
Sulli - Margrave Jordan
Sheridan - Baroness Lacey Marie

Structure of the Nobility

The Nobility of Kolios does not hold any official function in government. The total number of nobles is limited to 1 Prince, 4 Dukes, 12 Margraves, and 40 Counts, with no limit on the number of Barons. All holders of titles are officially titled with the base version of the title. Any Koliosian Noble may elect to be referred to by the commonly used female version of the title in daily use and correspondence. The only place they are not permitted this flexibility is on official government documents.

Titles in Kolios are not locked into a specific rank. Whenever a title is passed on, the new noble inherits the title at the next rank down. For example, if the title of Duke von Weltenberg were passed on, the new noble would be the Margrave von Weltenburg. The Prince von Kolios can then choose to elevate the noble of their choosing into the Ducal vacancy, even if they elect to immediately raise the title that previously held the slot. This system is intended to balance meritocracy with traditional notions of aristocracy. All childern of those holding titles will be afforded the courtesy of being referred to by the informal title "Hochbünd," and the accompanying honorific of "Geehrt."

Rules of Funfundzwanzig and Zehn

On 26 February 2022, Prince Gariblad unveiled the Rule of Funfundzwanzig (German for twenty-five). This rule allows for administrative actions in the cases of those holding titles or honors within Koliosian society in cases where they have not had contact with the community or government for a period of at least twenty-five years.

Initially, the Rule of Funfundzwanzig carried no burden to try and contact an individual and removed noble titles and status as a member of the Sanctified Order of the Crucifix, even if the person was known to be living. New parameters were implemented on 6 January 2025 that shifted it to be used to treat an individual as if they are deceased. The change now requires the Prince to take efforts to try and verify the living status of the individual before implementation.

When the changes were made to the Rule of Funfundzwanzig in 2025, the Rule of Zehn was announced. This rule allows for the lowering of a noble's title when they have had no contact with Koliosian society for at least ten years. Once the rule has been used in this way, it cannot be used again for that individual for another ten years. This change was made to balance the fact that all noble ranks except for Baron have a limit on the number of individuals who can hold that rank.

Adelshäuser

In January of 2025, Garibald announced a pathway to having recognized noble houses inside of Kolios' nobility, calling the collective houses the Adelshäuser (German for noble houses). The aim of the initiative was to cultivate future generations of Koliosians. Benefits of being a noble house include the entitlement to a house motto device for arms, higher prestige in the Koliosian community, advancement of titles, streamlining of inheritance of titles, potential exemption from the automatic relegation of inherited titles, and recognition of a single Häus Orden for each noble house.

List of Nobles

Prince

The Prince von Kolios is the head of the Nobility, and retains all rights to name, manage, and oversee the Nobility. Princes use the honorific "Your Highness"

Preferred Style	Date of creation	Notes
His Highness, Prince Garibald von Kolios	7 January 1998	Role is a direct successor of the King/Queen of Kolios 2nd person to hold the title

Dukes

Kolios may not have more than 4 Dukes at any time. Dukes are addressed as "Your Grace." There are currently 3 Ducal vacancies.

Preferred Style	Date of creation	Notes
His Grace Maximillian, Duke and 1st Meister von Flak	2017	Created as Margrave, elevated to current rank on 26 February 2022

Margraves

Kolios may not have more than 12 Margraves at any time. Margraves are addressed as "Your Exzellenz." There are currently 8 Margravate vacancies.

Preferred Style	Date of creation	Notes
Her Exzellenz Brianna, Margravess and 2nd Meister von Gelblowe	2018	Held by Duke Kendra (2018 to 2022)
Her Exzellenz Samantha, Margravess and 1st Meister von Grunkachen	2019	Created as Baron, elevated to current rank on 26 February 2022
Their Exzellenz Nic, Margrave and 1st Meister von Abraxas	26 February 2022
His Exzellenz August, Margrave and 1st Meister von Rehmburg	26 February 2022

Counts

Kolios may not have more than 40 Counts at any time. Counts are addressed as "Your Exzellenz." There are currently 32 County vacancies.

Preferred Style	Date of creation	Notes
His Exzellenz Franz, Count and 1st Meister von Vemyr	2005	Created as Margrave, moved to current rank on 23 January 2025 via Rule of Zehn
Her Exzellenz Amber, Countess and 1st Meister von Mahntel	2009	Created as Baron, elevated to current rank on 26 February 2022
His Exzellenz Jeremy, Count and 1st Meister von Raetia	2018	Created as Baron, elevated to current rank on 26 February 2022
Her Exzellenz Andrea, Countess and 1st Meister von Fernweh	26 February 2022
Her Exzellenz Ashleigh, Countess and 1st Meister von Pix	26 February 2022
His Exzellenz Benjamin, Count and 1st Meister von Tiberius	26 February 2022
His Exzellenz James, Count and 1st Meister von Braubar	26 February 2022	Created as Baron, elevated to current rank on 21 September 2022
Her Exzellenz Samantha, Countess and 1st Meister von Dunkelhölzer	4 June 2022

Barons

Kolios has no limits on the number of Barons in existence, of whom there are currently 43. Barons are addressed as "Altere."

Preferred Style	Date of creation	Notes
Altere Matthew, Baron and 1st Meister von Blauschien	2006
Altere Lauren, Baroness and 1st Meister von Wilkes	2012
Altere Olivia, Baroness and 1st Meister von Nemeta	2016
Altere Jeanie, Baroness and 1st Meister von Forndran	2017
Altere Hal, Baron and 1st Meister von Weissweld	2017
Altere Nicole, Baroness and 1st Meister von Haunsett	2018
Altere Tryson, Baron and 1st Meister von Altenbauer	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Kayley, Baroness and 1st Meister von Altenkuss	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Lyle, Baron and 1st Meister von Anagger	26 February 2022
Altere Elizabeth, Baroness and 1st Meister von Brechtburg	26 February 2022
Altere Benjamin, Baron and 1st Meister von Datschi	26 February 2022
Altere Quentin, Baron and 1st Meister von Diesel	26 February 2022
Altere László, Baron and 1st Meister von Drusus	26 February 2022
Altere Jonathan, Baron and 1st Meister von Erntestadt	26 February 2022
Altere Brendan, Baron and 1st Meister von Esselbrooke	26 February 2022
Altere Bryce, Baron and 1st Meister von Graulff	26 February 2022
Altere Kurt, Baron and 1st Meister von Hochzoll	26 February 2022
Altere Ella, Baroness and 1st Meister von Holbheim	26 February 2022
Altere Sterling, Baron and 1st Meister von Inningen	26 February 2022
Altere Chris, Baron and 1st Meister von Kriegshügel	26 February 2022
Altere Michael, Baron and 1st Meister von Massias	26 February 2022
Altere Sandra, Baron and 1st Meister von Menacher	26 February 2022
Altere Christian, Baron and 1st Meister von Messenburg	26 February 2022
Altere Aydan, Baron and 1st Meister von Mittearras	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Nicholas, Baron and 1st Meister von Mittegrannt	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Olivia, Baroness and 1st Meister von Mittelech	26 February 2022
Altere Easton, Baron and 1st Meister von Neubauer	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Loyd, Baron and 1st Meister von Neukuss	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Isacc, Baron and 1st Meister von Oberarras	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Jasmyne, Baroness and 1st Meister von Obergrannt	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Spencer, Baron and 1st Meister von Oberlech	26 February 2022
Altere Kristina, Baroness and 1st Meister von Oberwolfram	26 February 2022
Altere Joni, Baron and 1st Meister von Perlach	26 February 2022
Altere Jonas, Baron and 1st Meister von Somme	26 February 2022
Altere Luis, Baron and 1st Meister von Sturmstadt	26 February 2022
Altere Khairul, Baron and 1st Meister von Sudennales	26 February 2022
Altere Rikki, Baron and 1st Meister von Tigerhaus	26 February 2022
Altere Destinee, Baroness and 1st Meister von Unterarras	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Noah, Baron and 1st Meister von Untergrannt	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb
Altere Jackson, Baron and 1st Meister von Unterlech	26 February 2022
Altere Shannon, Baron and 1st Meister von Unterwolfram	26 February 2022
Altere Sean, Baron and 1st Meister von Wertach	26 February 2022
Altere Halie, Baroness and 1st Meister von Zinterburg	26 February 2022	Member of House Bärenhalb

Honorary Titles

Kolios has a number of honorary titles. These titles may be hereditary or follow the rules of a life peerage in Westarctica, meaning that they are absorbed back into the authority of the Prince von Kolios when the holder dies. There is no limit to the number of honorary titles, but care is taken not to name so many that their existence diminishes the honor of the rank, or the Nobility in whole. For honorary titles that are hereditary, they may be fixed at a specific rank (as is the case with the Duke von Vogelland), or be subject to mediatization (as is the case with the Duke von Lingen).

These titles are considered to be wholly valid for use by their holders. These Nobles are ineligible to stand for or vote in the matter of selecting a new Prince von Kolios, should the line of succession fail.

Title	Date of creation	Current Holder	Notes
Duke von Lingen	26 February 2022	Former Princess Arlene	Hereditary honor, tied to the head of the House of Mendoza-Vega. Subject to relegation.
Duke von Vogelland	26 February 2022	Grand Duke Travis of Westarctica	Hereditary honor, tied to the role of Sovereign of Westarctica. Honor fixed at Duke.
Margrave von Anneskirche	26 February 2022	Emperor James of Greater Hanover	Honor bestowed for life
Baron von Drachen	26 February 2022	Prince Stephen of Dracul	Honor bestowed for life
Baron von Manyo	1 January 2025	Shogun Devon of Tenshukyō	Honor bestowed for life

Succession Titles

Those in the line of succession for the role of Prince hold a title specific to their place in line. Each of these three titles was formerly held by a founder of Kolios before being absorbed via the Rule of Funfundzwanzig. Unlike most titles that use the nobiliary particle "von" (of), the succession titles use "zu" (to).

Title	Place in Line	Current Holder	Held Since
Duke zu Reese	1st	Tryson, Baron von Altenbauer	26 February 2022
Margrave zu Sulli	2nd	Spencer, Baron von Oberlech	26 February 2022
Count zu Sheridan	3rd	Maximillian, Duke von Flak	26 February 2022

Inactive Titles

Kolios currently only has three established titles that are not in use.

Title	Established	Inactive Since	Last Holder	Notes
Cramer	20 September 1995	26 February 2022	James (1st Meister)	Last held as a Duchy. Founding noble title. Revoked under Rule of Funfundzwanzig
Schwarzvogel	1999	30 December 2024	Lukas (1st Meister)	Last held as a Barony. Revoked under Rule of Funfundzwanzig
Singold	20 September 1995	1995	Arlene (1st Meister)	Last held as a Duchy. Founding noble title. Went into disuse upon holder becoming heir to Koliosian throne.