#I like to think about the potential dichotomy of Wyll not really fitting in either world whether noble or commoner

[the-magpie-collective]

I don't really think Wyll qualifies as a member of the nobility.

(For clarity, I will be using nobles/nobility, gentry, and patriars interchangeably. The term patriar is Baldur's Gate specific.)

Wyll isn't a patriar. His father is the son of a blacksmith. We don't really get a clear explanation of what it takes to be considered nobility in Baldur's Gate (if you have a source that details this please please share) but we do know what it takes to be considered nobility historically.

First, what is required for one to be considered a noble? Generally speaking nobles are usually landed or titled or both. These are pretty straightforward terms. Landed means that a person owns land. Historically, owning land was not as easy as it is today. It also wasn't very clear cut. Depending on the location owning land could be a super huge deal. Not only did it require lots of money, but it also often required extensive connections. In some places if you weren't the reigning Monarch it was illegal to make any kind claim to land. (chop your head off kinds of illegal).

Is it possible Wyll's father owned land even while Wyll was growing up? I think it's extremely unlikely. While Ulder Ravengard did rise through the ranks of the Fist quickly and was therefore a respected member of the upper brass, he probably wasn't rich enough to buy land within Baldur's Gate and he is described as “lacking sophistication and tact” when it comes to matters of politics. Would he have managed to create the connections necessary to even be allowed to buy land? Doubtful.

The other option is being titled. Simple enough, it means someone possesses a noble title. Most titles are inheritable, but 'Duke' is not an inheritable title in Baldur's Gate. Dukes are elected by the Parliament of Peers.

A quick aside to explain how the government works in Baldur's Gate. Baldur's Gate is controlled by the Council of Four: four elected Dukes whose votes are what allow policy to pass into law. The Grand Duke is able to decide in the case of a tie-breaker being necessary. The Dukes are elected by the Parliament of Peers, those seats are held by patriars. There is one sort of exception. One of the positions of Duke is traditionally held by the head of the Flaming Fist, i.e. the Marshall. The Marshall of the Flaming Fist still has to be elected to Duke, they don't just get that position automatically, but most people don't like to go against tradition. (Though I've seen some sources point at Ulder Ravengard's not being immediately elected Duke? And it was tied to him not being a patriar/well liked? I haven't been able to find which DnD source book this comes from yet grrrr so I can't confirm)

So Wyll's father is likely elected Duke after Abdel Adrian's assassination (see previous post) on Returning Day in 1482 DR. Baldur's Gate takes place in 1492 DR, when Wyll is 24. So yeah, some quick math and Wyll wasn't the son of a Duke until he was around 14. He's banished at the age of 17. A grand total of three years where he has some political standing.

But Wyll was the son of a military man his entire life. A man who was known for being extremely strict. A man who often had to travel for his work. A man who, in spite of his best efforts, was distant from his son. Yeah.

Wyll's not a noble. Wyll is a military brat.