protocol with the nobility...

[Botcho]

As many of you know by now I am new to the Traveller universe. I am consuming the cannon at a good clip but I have found little on the topic of protocol with nobility of the 3rd Imperium.

For instance my character is a crusty old knight who finds himself the only other Noble among a large crew led by a retired Admiral Duchess. It strikes me as a fun little lark to be the annoying old grandfather who is constantly giving the other crew members unsolicited advice on how best to manage her loftiness. I really need more material though if its going to work in the long term.

Are there articals, adventures, or similar canonical sources you can point me at that discusses matters of protocol for those of us with lettered social stats?

Thanks.

 

[aramis]

GT:Nobles is about the best, tho' technically, it's only canon for GT. GT in general adds more ranks of noble, and GT:N explains them in great detail. It also is about the only source for actual protocol.

The Nobles article in CT Sup11: LibData N-Z, pp.34-37 adds Baronet as an alternate Soc 12, and defines archduke as Soc 16 but doesn't really get into the protocol.

The MT IE article on Nobility is an expansion and rework of the CT S11 one. It adds no titles. It vaguely discusses the protocols:

PROTOCOLS
The peerage regulates itself through standard codes of behavior known as protocols, which exist at multiple levels. At the Imperial level there is standardization, but within local peerages one can find a wide diversity in protocols to accommodate variant cultures and their traditions (including alien ones).

At best, violation of the protocols is a breach of taste and ethics; at worst, it may be cause for patent review, which could lead to a recommendation that a patent be revoked. Recommendations from local peerages carry much weight with the emperor.

Protocols aside, nobles have few obligations in terms of provision for each other, notwithstanding the payment of taxes, attendance of summits, and settlement of disputes that fall within each other’s jurisdictions. Members of the peerage are largely autonomous and have few restrictions on their activities, especially if they are in a backwater.

In most cases, the intelligent noble will follow the local dictatesof a peer simply out of respect and courtesy.

The JTAS article on Imperial Justice adds a few hints of protocol. Not enough to matter

 

[Botcho]

Thank you Aramis. I look forward to your suggested reading.

Might I just say it is refreshing to get to know a community so well versed in and willing to share its lore. You Travellers really are a breed apart from the mainstream gamers.