Landed characters can be rulers or vassals. Unlanded characters can be guests, courtiers, wanderers, or Lowborn.
What Are Landed Characters?
Landed characters currently hold land. That means they own a title, either by inheriting it from family, conquering land, or being granted it by a ruler. A landed character rules over counties directly, often upgrading individual holdings like castles and churches. They can also control armies. Landed characters belong to a dynasty, and they must have heirs in order to pass on their titles properly. Players without heirs will lose the game. There are also characters with higher tier titles, like duke, king, or emperor. At these tiers, characters may have vassals, who are all minor landed characters themselves. In CK3, you always play a landed character!
What Are Unlanded Characters?
Unlanded characters do not currently own any land. This includes heirs who will inherit titles in the future. Unlanded characters may have a dynasty or they may be Lowborn. This depends on their parents. These characters usually exist at the courts of landed characters as Courtiers. Courtiers can be involved in events, hired as councilors, married, or a range of other options. Unlanded characters have no land, no holdings, and most of the time no armies. You will never play an unlanded character in CK3 without modding.
Wandering Characters
Wandering characters are always unlanded, although they can be dynasty members or Lowborn. Wanderers are not tied to a specific court and can move around. They will ask rulers to help them press claims or provide other services. Wanderers visiting your court are called guests. You can pay them to stay as courtiers and give them a role, like councilor, champion, or antiquarian. If you don’t give your unlanded heirs anything to do, they may become wanderers too! Be careful, because they can return with armies or stir up other trouble.
