Sharliv
Above the Annar is the highest civilian position the military of Kanda may award to any man upon finishing his service to the Empire; The Sharleev
The lowest of what might be called conventional "Nobility" in Kanda, The "Leev," as it is often called, is a somewhat recent addition adopted by the people just across the water from the Ducky Isles. (Longo 29 On The Map)
So Recent, In Fact, Is The Addition Of The Title That Its Name Has Remained Unchanged From Its Mother Tongue. Only about four hundred years ago was the area properly pacified and, with that, parts of their language and systems were adopted and altered to suit Kandia needs.
At the time there were no universal definitions for the parcels of land typically handed off to those finishing their "Quarter Cent." Instead men were given a certain number of Annia based on their merit.
Over the course of time these became loose, many named conglomerations of land that informally represented a sort of halfway point between Annia and Gallia. Roughly four hundred years ago, however, the Kandia annexed the "lower" northeastern regions of the continent and the people they overtook happened to have a more precise system for land management at that scale.
The Kandia, as with all good things, adopted this and solidified it in their culture.
Now it sits and the standard reward for a Quarter Cent of service to The Empire. While the words "Shar" and "Leev" are adopted words meaning "Shire" and "Lord" respectively, they mostly stand alone in Kandia; having little context outside the official titling.
Over the course of time the Kandia "Ia" has been added to both words to fulfill the same role it does in all other words. Thus more than one shar are "Sharia" and more than one Leev are "Leevia."
Naturally the plural of "Sharleev" Is "Sharleevia."
The lowest of what might be called conventional "Nobility" in Kanda, The "Leev," as it is often called, is a somewhat recent addition adopted by the people just across the water from the Ducky Isles. (Longo 29 On The Map)
So Recent, In Fact, Is The Addition Of The Title That Its Name Has Remained Unchanged From Its Mother Tongue. Only about four hundred years ago was the area properly pacified and, with that, parts of their language and systems were adopted and altered to suit Kandia needs.
At the time there were no universal definitions for the parcels of land typically handed off to those finishing their "Quarter Cent." Instead men were given a certain number of Annia based on their merit.
Over the course of time these became loose, many named conglomerations of land that informally represented a sort of halfway point between Annia and Gallia. Roughly four hundred years ago, however, the Kandia annexed the "lower" northeastern regions of the continent and the people they overtook happened to have a more precise system for land management at that scale.
The Kandia, as with all good things, adopted this and solidified it in their culture.
Now it sits and the standard reward for a Quarter Cent of service to The Empire. While the words "Shar" and "Leev" are adopted words meaning "Shire" and "Lord" respectively, they mostly stand alone in Kandia; having little context outside the official titling.
Over the course of time the Kandia "Ia" has been added to both words to fulfill the same role it does in all other words. Thus more than one shar are "Sharia" and more than one Leev are "Leevia."
Naturally the plural of "Sharleev" Is "Sharleevia."
Qualifications
With exception, when a boy becomes a man at sixteen years of age he has two years to sign himself into military service. Thereafter the young man will serve no less than ten years as a Leconis.
After ten years that man may choose to reenlist for ten more years. After a second term of ten years he may choose to reenlist for five more years OR may retire and become an Annar.
Those men that reenlist for five more years to formal, professional military service are doing so with the goal in mind of becoming a Sharleev! After a third term of military service the man will retire from professional military service with honors and be granted a Shar from which he might continue his family, manage Annaria businesses and take part in the lower imperial politics of Kanda.
After ten years that man may choose to reenlist for ten more years. After a second term of ten years he may choose to reenlist for five more years OR may retire and become an Annar.
Those men that reenlist for five more years to formal, professional military service are doing so with the goal in mind of becoming a Sharleev! After a third term of military service the man will retire from professional military service with honors and be granted a Shar from which he might continue his family, manage Annaria businesses and take part in the lower imperial politics of Kanda.
Requirements
Having served no less than 25 Years in service to The Empire Of Kanda, it's generally accepted that most Sharleevia must be no less than 41 years old.
However, there are exceptions. Due to the nature of one's third term of service and the command potential such a tenure requires, most Lackluster Leconia are weeded out before they reach their the end of their second term; with profligates having dropped out when faced with the elongated service brought on by potential personal debts, the directionless losing motivation long before they get the chance to reenlist and general rejects eventually falling to Permanent Reprimand somewhere along their service and thereafter losing most reason to serve. Thus, a Sharleev must have had a stellar service record, be entirely free of debt, have stated plans and understand proper decorum on the military and civilian level.
The Empire Does Not Afford Leevia Who Are Not Self Sufficient If one desires the Shar of their father they must first be the appropriate heir in line (typically the oldest child that has not inherited) and have served twenty-five years in the Military with the above conditions having been met.
Assuming this, one may apply at the end of their third term of service to receive their father's land as payment for their labors alongside whatever non-land related rewards they have gathered in their time as a soldier. (Slaves, extra money, horses, potential political/social promises, etc)
Despite the seemingly secure nature of this exchange, most aspiring Leevia are encouraged to relinquish considerable compensation to keep certain lands under the influence of their house for as many generations as possible. If one's family, as with all other parcels of land, has owned a Shar for five generations, the sixth generation may choose to only serve for a single term and thereafter inherit the land in perpetuity; passing from lease to ownership.
The Family may thereafter refer to the Shar using their own House's Name. (e.g. Shar Essaro, Shar Unama)
However, there are exceptions. Due to the nature of one's third term of service and the command potential such a tenure requires, most Lackluster Leconia are weeded out before they reach their the end of their second term; with profligates having dropped out when faced with the elongated service brought on by potential personal debts, the directionless losing motivation long before they get the chance to reenlist and general rejects eventually falling to Permanent Reprimand somewhere along their service and thereafter losing most reason to serve. Thus, a Sharleev must have had a stellar service record, be entirely free of debt, have stated plans and understand proper decorum on the military and civilian level.
The Empire Does Not Afford Leevia Who Are Not Self Sufficient If one desires the Shar of their father they must first be the appropriate heir in line (typically the oldest child that has not inherited) and have served twenty-five years in the Military with the above conditions having been met.
Assuming this, one may apply at the end of their third term of service to receive their father's land as payment for their labors alongside whatever non-land related rewards they have gathered in their time as a soldier. (Slaves, extra money, horses, potential political/social promises, etc)
Despite the seemingly secure nature of this exchange, most aspiring Leevia are encouraged to relinquish considerable compensation to keep certain lands under the influence of their house for as many generations as possible. If one's family, as with all other parcels of land, has owned a Shar for five generations, the sixth generation may choose to only serve for a single term and thereafter inherit the land in perpetuity; passing from lease to ownership.
The Family may thereafter refer to the Shar using their own House's Name. (e.g. Shar Essaro, Shar Unama)
Appointment
Merely finishing one's third term of military service to The Empire Of Kanda entitles them to the opportunity to own their own personal Shar!
Unlike lesser retirements, Third Term Retirements involve great ceremony and fanfare; with entire units of three term Leconia brought together to receive their honors in large communities so as to showcase the finest and most dedicated of The Kandia Military!
At this level most soldiers have higher commanders and chroniclers to do the bulk of the Parchmentwork for them, however, there are still all manner of bureaucratic hoops to jump through before the rugged, elite soldier gets his proper reward for a quarter century of service; his LAND! In order to accept the proper Parchmentwork and sign the correct contracts a potential Sharleev must travel to The Core and meet with Imperial Kensaria and Skurrilia in The Capital itself, wherein they sometimes spend months or even years jockeying for potential land against other potential Leevia.
While there are no shortage of Sharia in Kanda, many of them are held by long standing families that jealously guard the fruit of the land for their own houses and have complex networks of their own design set up even before they retire due to literal decades of traveling the Empire and the inclination toward generational planning.
Because of this, many Potential Leevia have extremely specific desires for their land, assuming they aren't just trying to get the family plot.
Even if this happens to be the case the Imperial Skurrilia must go through extremely heavy research on the individual in question to ensure that they have no outside ties to potential enemies of Kanda, are not attached to any shadowy organizations not endorsed by Ta Thinal and do not have any familial attachments that would indicate potential treason down the line. If all of this checks out the Leev in question may go on to properly haggling with the Imperial Kensaria over EXACTLY how much of their slated reward they need spend to retain this most cherished family plot! Unlike lesser positions, Sharleevia looking to get new land rather than directly inherit do not consult Imperial Kensaria and ask for certain perks or resources but rather jockey, with money and trade value, on parcels of land in certain categories:
Rural / Mountain / Pastoral
City / Port
Fortress / Castan
Temple Grounds / Holy Groves / Divine Sites
A Few Other Types Of Property Not Normally Listed As with previous positions, a soldier may choose to relinquish some of his military rewards for the sake of purchasing power.
While this may seem superfluous, all land is invariably leased from the central Imperial Kensaria so "Buying" Parcels of land ultimately amounts to the same thing for a Prospective Leev as it does for any Annar or Gumar.
However, unlike with lower titles, Sharleevia directly compete with each other for the potential of better land; an Auction system encouraging greater sums to be dedicated to the Empire At Large by way of potential Leevia fighting it out with their money and merits instead of jockeying through the bureaucracy for marginally better gains in potential land productivity. In Land, Leevia Get What They Pay For!
And They May Relinquish Whatever They Have Earned To Pay For More!
At this level most soldiers have higher commanders and chroniclers to do the bulk of the Parchmentwork for them, however, there are still all manner of bureaucratic hoops to jump through before the rugged, elite soldier gets his proper reward for a quarter century of service; his LAND! In order to accept the proper Parchmentwork and sign the correct contracts a potential Sharleev must travel to The Core and meet with Imperial Kensaria and Skurrilia in The Capital itself, wherein they sometimes spend months or even years jockeying for potential land against other potential Leevia.
While there are no shortage of Sharia in Kanda, many of them are held by long standing families that jealously guard the fruit of the land for their own houses and have complex networks of their own design set up even before they retire due to literal decades of traveling the Empire and the inclination toward generational planning.
Because of this, many Potential Leevia have extremely specific desires for their land, assuming they aren't just trying to get the family plot.
Even if this happens to be the case the Imperial Skurrilia must go through extremely heavy research on the individual in question to ensure that they have no outside ties to potential enemies of Kanda, are not attached to any shadowy organizations not endorsed by Ta Thinal and do not have any familial attachments that would indicate potential treason down the line. If all of this checks out the Leev in question may go on to properly haggling with the Imperial Kensaria over EXACTLY how much of their slated reward they need spend to retain this most cherished family plot! Unlike lesser positions, Sharleevia looking to get new land rather than directly inherit do not consult Imperial Kensaria and ask for certain perks or resources but rather jockey, with money and trade value, on parcels of land in certain categories:
Rural / Mountain / Pastoral
City / Port
Fortress / Castan
Temple Grounds / Holy Groves / Divine Sites
A Few Other Types Of Property Not Normally Listed As with previous positions, a soldier may choose to relinquish some of his military rewards for the sake of purchasing power.
While this may seem superfluous, all land is invariably leased from the central Imperial Kensaria so "Buying" Parcels of land ultimately amounts to the same thing for a Prospective Leev as it does for any Annar or Gumar.
However, unlike with lower titles, Sharleevia directly compete with each other for the potential of better land; an Auction system encouraging greater sums to be dedicated to the Empire At Large by way of potential Leevia fighting it out with their money and merits instead of jockeying through the bureaucracy for marginally better gains in potential land productivity. In Land, Leevia Get What They Pay For!
And They May Relinquish Whatever They Have Earned To Pay For More!
Duties
Sharleevia are the lowest titles wherein societal duties become a major factor!
Able to coast by on the taxes and projects of their subordinates, Leevia have a duty to themselves only to climb socially and gain extra wealth and resources!
This is the stage where a Kandia man can afford to start living "The Good Life" if he plays his proverbial cards right! Their duties to society, however, are much more vast and broad!
First of which, it is the duty of a Leev to get along with those Sharleevia closest to him... and to serve his direct Gallar to the fullest extent of his abilities... within the confines of reason and law, of course!
While many Leevia simply don't get along with their Gallaria that doesn't mean they are allowed to shirk the chain of command and simply turn against the wishes of their superiors. Typically a Sharleev is also the lowest station that will regularly deal with reasonably powerful deities!
While any Enthiros of any level in society knows how to and may be inclined to make contact with lower deities, like The Deity of a Gume's largest tree, even the least magically or divinely inclined Sharleev will invariably have to contact and maintain good relations with their respective "Shar God."
Some Shar Deities are particularly distant and aloof as long as the status quo is maintained while others take personal interest in the goings on of their land and ensure that the mortals under their jurisdiction are doing as they are required and/or properly cared for!
It is the local Sharleev's duty to do what they can to satisfy the needs of that Deity; to pay them proper respect, ensure his people regularly show public reverence, provide appropriate representatives, the list goes on!
This can often tax a Leev's time quite severely!
Alternatively, it can leave the Shar's leader entirely without any religious duties at all. The Leev also maintains numerous smaller, overarching duties over the Shar as a whole such as but not limited to:
Maintaining a standard level of literacy throughout the population
Regularly consulting the appropriate people on the state of the Shar's "Numbers"
Surrounding himself with an entourage of important skilled and capable people with whom he might consult at a moment's notice when problems arise
Able to coast by on the taxes and projects of their subordinates, Leevia have a duty to themselves only to climb socially and gain extra wealth and resources!
This is the stage where a Kandia man can afford to start living "The Good Life" if he plays his proverbial cards right! Their duties to society, however, are much more vast and broad!
First of which, it is the duty of a Leev to get along with those Sharleevia closest to him... and to serve his direct Gallar to the fullest extent of his abilities... within the confines of reason and law, of course!
While many Leevia simply don't get along with their Gallaria that doesn't mean they are allowed to shirk the chain of command and simply turn against the wishes of their superiors. Typically a Sharleev is also the lowest station that will regularly deal with reasonably powerful deities!
While any Enthiros of any level in society knows how to and may be inclined to make contact with lower deities, like The Deity of a Gume's largest tree, even the least magically or divinely inclined Sharleev will invariably have to contact and maintain good relations with their respective "Shar God."
Some Shar Deities are particularly distant and aloof as long as the status quo is maintained while others take personal interest in the goings on of their land and ensure that the mortals under their jurisdiction are doing as they are required and/or properly cared for!
It is the local Sharleev's duty to do what they can to satisfy the needs of that Deity; to pay them proper respect, ensure his people regularly show public reverence, provide appropriate representatives, the list goes on!
This can often tax a Leev's time quite severely!
Alternatively, it can leave the Shar's leader entirely without any religious duties at all. The Leev also maintains numerous smaller, overarching duties over the Shar as a whole such as but not limited to:
Maintaining a standard level of literacy throughout the population
Regularly consulting the appropriate people on the state of the Shar's "Numbers"
Surrounding himself with an entourage of important skilled and capable people with whom he might consult at a moment's notice when problems arise
Responsibilities
If there is anything a Sharleev is expected to do more than anything, it's moving about!
A Sharleev Must Be In Constant Motion:
Patrolling The Land
Inspecting The Shar's Collective Livestock
Checking The State Of The Businesses Run By His Subordinate Annaria
Regularly Mobilizing And Exercising The Shar's Collective Militia Groups To Ensure They Can Work Together Quickly And Capably
Maintaining Courtly Relations With All Manner Of Nearby Nobles, Who Will Appear At Their Doors At A Moment's Notice
Presiding Over Major Offenses And Criminal Activity; Delivering Punishment Personally If The Crime Warrants
Addressing The Concerns Of The Common Folk
Ordering Subordinates To Help The Common Folk Fix Their Problems After Discovering Concerns
Personally Checking All Kensaria Work Having To Do With Taxes And Economy
Planning, With Their Head Civiandus, New Infrastructure And Border Protection
Speaking At Certain Cultural Affairs
Quelling Potential Rebellion
Answering The Call Of The Empire When It Comes
Managing Any And All International Or Interstate Trade That Goes Through Their Shar This is, of course, to say nothing of the many secret societies and militant orders in the Empire Of Kanda that no soldier can get through their third term of service without joining; each of which impose their own demands on the individual.
All of these responsibilities together tend to represent extremely broad pool of labor, generally requiring a Sharleev to be a flexible individual with a wide and steadily growing arsenal of knowledge and skills to call upon at any given moment.
Patrolling The Land
Inspecting The Shar's Collective Livestock
Checking The State Of The Businesses Run By His Subordinate Annaria
Regularly Mobilizing And Exercising The Shar's Collective Militia Groups To Ensure They Can Work Together Quickly And Capably
Maintaining Courtly Relations With All Manner Of Nearby Nobles, Who Will Appear At Their Doors At A Moment's Notice
Presiding Over Major Offenses And Criminal Activity; Delivering Punishment Personally If The Crime Warrants
Addressing The Concerns Of The Common Folk
Ordering Subordinates To Help The Common Folk Fix Their Problems After Discovering Concerns
Personally Checking All Kensaria Work Having To Do With Taxes And Economy
Planning, With Their Head Civiandus, New Infrastructure And Border Protection
Speaking At Certain Cultural Affairs
Quelling Potential Rebellion
Answering The Call Of The Empire When It Comes
Managing Any And All International Or Interstate Trade That Goes Through Their Shar This is, of course, to say nothing of the many secret societies and militant orders in the Empire Of Kanda that no soldier can get through their third term of service without joining; each of which impose their own demands on the individual.
All of these responsibilities together tend to represent extremely broad pool of labor, generally requiring a Sharleev to be a flexible individual with a wide and steadily growing arsenal of knowledge and skills to call upon at any given moment.
Benefits
Among the highest and most worthwhile benefits of being a Sharleev is entering the Mineral Trade!
A Leev may, if their land is leased, keep 15% of all standard minerals drawn from the ground; Salt, Silver, Gold, Iron, Lead, Etc!
In stark contrast, the Average Annar running a mining business more often sells the services of a trained division to the Sharleev's Mines and is paid for the service of his laborers... but does not take any of the metal they draw from the mountain even if the mine is on property that the Annar in question personally owns! A Leev, if they OWN The Land, May Keep 50% Of All Standard Minerals And 15% Of All Jade And Gemstones that come from their Shar.
This can sometimes allow the most frugal of Sharleevia to become wildly wealthy... if their family has played the long game! With Mineral Extraction Laws being so strict in The Empire Of Kanda and revolving around generational land lease and ownership based on service, particularly devoted families have been known to hide great veins of Jade and Diamonds for generations until they properly own the land, only to then mass mine out the gems beneath for fast and easy wealth.
These families are normally discovered by the Imperial Kensaria and ousted. Far more canny families, like The House Of Essaro in The Core Of Kanda, slowly eke out small tax shipments over the course of several years, gradually raising the output of their private Jade mines to make it seem like a newly discovered vein is merely being further explored as time goes by; revealing hidden riches that weren't previously suspected... all the while having gigantic stockpiles of Jade in secret, underground storehouses that they slowly meter out among their local population; enriching the Shar as a whole while also avoiding the prying eyes of the Imperial Bureaucracy. A less tangible but certainly just as pivotal benefit to the average Sharleev is the possession of a sphere of influence large enough to form a personal court!
Composed mostly of Annaria and particularly well to-do Gumenaria, the average Leev has all manner of lesser positions to busy his subordinates with; from Master of Stables to Head Kennelmaster to Master At Arms and the Shar's Top Civiandus! A leev simply presides over too large of a territory to do everything by himself so he gets the benefit of delegation over a personal council; sometimes several dozen strong depending on the kind of Shar in question!
This court not only maintains good relations with the lowest ranks of the people but also solves all of the many issues of any Shar; far too numerous for a single man (or woman!) to manage alone! In the nature of the Imperial Bureaucracy, a Leev is officially the lowest of what we would call Nobility.
For their service of a quarter century to The Empire Of Kanda, any man may be recognized for his service and honor and may present himself to The Capital Of Kanda: Kanda Sentran, to submit reports, requests, considerations, complaints or any such other address to The Imperial Kensaria and Skurrillia directly.
While seldom able to get in contact with the highest Imperial Ranks, the average Shar is often more than welcome in the lowest ranks of the Outer Court, able to properly position themselves for social climbing via trade deals or arranged marriage agreements.
In stark contrast, the Average Annar running a mining business more often sells the services of a trained division to the Sharleev's Mines and is paid for the service of his laborers... but does not take any of the metal they draw from the mountain even if the mine is on property that the Annar in question personally owns! A Leev, if they OWN The Land, May Keep 50% Of All Standard Minerals And 15% Of All Jade And Gemstones that come from their Shar.
This can sometimes allow the most frugal of Sharleevia to become wildly wealthy... if their family has played the long game! With Mineral Extraction Laws being so strict in The Empire Of Kanda and revolving around generational land lease and ownership based on service, particularly devoted families have been known to hide great veins of Jade and Diamonds for generations until they properly own the land, only to then mass mine out the gems beneath for fast and easy wealth.
These families are normally discovered by the Imperial Kensaria and ousted. Far more canny families, like The House Of Essaro in The Core Of Kanda, slowly eke out small tax shipments over the course of several years, gradually raising the output of their private Jade mines to make it seem like a newly discovered vein is merely being further explored as time goes by; revealing hidden riches that weren't previously suspected... all the while having gigantic stockpiles of Jade in secret, underground storehouses that they slowly meter out among their local population; enriching the Shar as a whole while also avoiding the prying eyes of the Imperial Bureaucracy. A less tangible but certainly just as pivotal benefit to the average Sharleev is the possession of a sphere of influence large enough to form a personal court!
Composed mostly of Annaria and particularly well to-do Gumenaria, the average Leev has all manner of lesser positions to busy his subordinates with; from Master of Stables to Head Kennelmaster to Master At Arms and the Shar's Top Civiandus! A leev simply presides over too large of a territory to do everything by himself so he gets the benefit of delegation over a personal council; sometimes several dozen strong depending on the kind of Shar in question!
This court not only maintains good relations with the lowest ranks of the people but also solves all of the many issues of any Shar; far too numerous for a single man (or woman!) to manage alone! In the nature of the Imperial Bureaucracy, a Leev is officially the lowest of what we would call Nobility.
For their service of a quarter century to The Empire Of Kanda, any man may be recognized for his service and honor and may present himself to The Capital Of Kanda: Kanda Sentran, to submit reports, requests, considerations, complaints or any such other address to The Imperial Kensaria and Skurrillia directly.
While seldom able to get in contact with the highest Imperial Ranks, the average Shar is often more than welcome in the lowest ranks of the Outer Court, able to properly position themselves for social climbing via trade deals or arranged marriage agreements.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Those who cannot keep up with the demands and responsibilities of being a Leev often fall heavily into debt and must either sell their land back to Kanda or may have their lease terminated by the Imperial Kensaria for not maintaining their end of the societal contract.
Those who can't cut it are often demoted to a Gumar and moved to a much smaller portion of land provided their neglect and potential abuse of the system is not serious enough to warrant greater punishment. While the promise of something around a hundred square miles of land may seem tempting to anyone, many Third Term Retirees refuse the responsibility of leasing a Shar; far more comfortable being Annaria and spending less of their promised rewards on land alone.
There are no shortage of would-be Sharleevia, however, who throw away all their precious payment on prime real estate; forgetting entirely that they'll need to preserve some of that compensation to build themselves a life on this new land of theirs.
Those who can't cut it are often demoted to a Gumar and moved to a much smaller portion of land provided their neglect and potential abuse of the system is not serious enough to warrant greater punishment. While the promise of something around a hundred square miles of land may seem tempting to anyone, many Third Term Retirees refuse the responsibility of leasing a Shar; far more comfortable being Annaria and spending less of their promised rewards on land alone.
There are no shortage of would-be Sharleevia, however, who throw away all their precious payment on prime real estate; forgetting entirely that they'll need to preserve some of that compensation to build themselves a life on this new land of theirs.
Type
Civic, Citizenship
Form of Address
Sharleev / Leev
Equates to
A Sharleev best equates to a "Baron."
Leevia manage sections of larger Gallia and may preside over rural holdings, cities, castles, temple land or whatever happens to be most prevalent on the land they've leased! Considered PROPER Lower Nobility, Sharleevia are the first step into the larger national stage of Kanda's intense political structure; able to afford to take part in the lower Gold Economy and publicly manage larger finances without odd questions regarding their station.
Leevia manage sections of larger Gallia and may preside over rural holdings, cities, castles, temple land or whatever happens to be most prevalent on the land they've leased! Considered PROPER Lower Nobility, Sharleevia are the first step into the larger national stage of Kanda's intense political structure; able to afford to take part in the lower Gold Economy and publicly manage larger finances without odd questions regarding their station.
Source of Authority
The Imperial Kensaria Assign And Deed Sharia To The Leev In Question And Maintain Adequate Records Through The Military System. The Military On The Whole, Of Which The Kandar Is The Head, Provides The Property Itself; The Land Being Gained Militarily!
Length of Term
Most Sharia are leased to the individual for the course of their natural lifetime and often that of their widowed wife and/or male children until said children serve in the military and receive the opportunity to inherit by way of service.
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