Kardian Viscompte

This is an honorary title given to direct descendants of the Kings and Queens of Kardia. Siblings of the King are accorded the title 'Prince' or 'Princess' to reflect their royal birth. However, when a Prince or Princess marries within Kardia and has children, those children are not considered royal. They are of the highest nobility and bloodlines, but they cannot receive the title of Prince or Princess.

For this reason, the designation Viscompte is used. It is given to a child or grandchild of a royal Prince or Princess, and remains his or her title for the entirety of their lives, unless another title can be claimed. Viscomptes are not landed; if they were, they would use the title appropriate to their land grant: Barons, Counts, Marquis, or Earls. Socially, the Viscomptes are given equal status with Counts, and are ranked higher than Marquis and Earls. Politically, they hold no land and therefore their status can be ranked below a landed Earl. Many Viscomptes, upon receiving a Shire or Estate, style themselves as Viscompte-Marquis, or Viscompte-Earls, to show that they are both landed and of royal lineage. Any landed Viscompte will have more prestige and status than another landholder of their rank, by virtue of their personal wealth and close familial relationship with the King.

Landless or not, Viscomptes are excellent marriage material, both in Kardia and abroad. Should a King die without an heir, the bloodlines will be traced to find the closest relative who will then be elevated to the throne.