As earl of a new county, you will have a lot of obligations and authority. First it should be noted that earls generally owe their fealty to a duke. In your case, you are the vassal of General Walbert Rendel, Supply master chief of the Morcron Military. As an Earl, you will have all of the earls' standard responsibilities to your vassals. It is at this level that a vast majority of law enforcement, courts of law and tax collection occur. Earls busy themselves in seeing that civil demands are meet. They manage building of roads, construction of bridges and negotiating of trade. Most earls appoint a sheriff & magistrate in their courts who manage law enforcement efforts. Most have a chancellor, who over see tax collection. Because General Walbert Rendel is not a duke and your county is a new colony not part of any established duchy, to you will fall most of the obligations a duke generally incurs. Fortunately the primarily responsibility of a duke is to provide a military for the defense of the duchy and kingdom, and that should not be needed any time soon. Beneath an Earl are his Thanes and Barons. These are minor nobles who rule manors and a couple dozen commoners. As the earl of the new county, it shall be at your discretion whom you shall make thanes and barons.

Please note that all people in this game have lived their entire lives in a feudal system. To this end, few truly understand or embrace the idea free markets or commerce. A great number of people in your population will demand orders and direction given them by their lord. Nearly all of them know nothing else but that of a command economy in which a central authority figure tells them what to do and when to do it. Do not expect the invisible hand of Adam Smith to save you. Peasants and serfs do not yet yearn to be free, and often are completely ignorant of the ways of the world. As the lord you will need to micromanage who is doing what. Few are those who have personal ambition, insight and skills needed to function very independently. Thinking for and organizing others are what the lords are for after all, aren't they?

Here is a list of some things you will want to establish information about the governing of your county.

• What will you name your county?
• Who will have police powers?
• How will you collect and distribute goods?
• What kinds of legal proceedings / courts will you set up?
• What punishments will you set for what crimes?