>
> > Would nobles move closer to the chief?
>
> No idea, my guess is not hard and fast rule, probably dependent on
> politics as well.
>
Recalling that "nobles" is a pretty loose term in Heortling society, I'd guess that there is a real split here. There are those who are important because they are wealthy/lead major factions, and there are those who are important because they are unique specialists that the clan depends on. The former would most likely specifically not be near the chiefs stead, they'd be heading up their own stead, controlling their own substantial spread of land, so absolutely wouldn't be near the chief (and in fact probably revel in their independance). On the other hand the valued specialists--lawspeaker and clan traders for example--would not generally have time to head up large groups of farmers. They might have their own stead, but would almost always be in the community of either the chief or one of the other powerful factions in the clan. I'm sure there will always be a few oddballs who insist on living in a rundown hut surrounded by a bowshot of fields grazed by two cows in the middle of nowhere in particular however. After all, what is a fantasy world without reclusive wise-men, sword masters, etc.
--Bryan
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