Thread:Recludam/@comment-16241899-20161211100835/@comment-16241899-20161211174904

I see this whole conflict stems mostly from the fact that you, Recludam, use a more modern and also wider definition of the word aristocrats which would include each and any person that was wealthy and/or influential, while the others including myself are leaning towards a more archaic definition of the term which originates from a time where monarchies were the common form of government, and in which aristocracy was clearly distinguished from the common folk. In that sense of definition, aristocracy is something you are born into, marry into, or are granted a (hereditable) title by the ruling monarch.

And since the world of the Dishonored Franchise is an Empire with a ruling monarch, which clearly has aristocrats in the very old-fashioned sense of Dukes, Kings, Lords and Ladies, and an archaic society model overall, in which is frowned upon foreigners and upcomers (people were not happy about a low-born Serkonan as Royal Protector, remember?) I think that older, admittedly more narrow, definition should be used here.

According to that definition however, Sokolov is NOT an aristocrat. An influential member of the court, yes, but not an aristocrat.

Edit: And btw., Grizzhly is right, the royal family is considered above aristocracy.