Gate-guest

Gate-Guests refers to a social institution, widespread among the nobles of the Realm. It is basically a form of patronage, and a logical extension of the principles of feudalism.

Description
A gate-guest, according to the Record of Rituals and Propriety, is anyone who 'visits a red gate and asks to enter, is invited within and eats three meals.' As most noble houses need men of talent and ability to serve as their retainers, gate-guests fill this role admirably.

Most gate-guests view themselves as gentlemen-knights, and wander the Realm looking for men of ability to serve. Given their semi-nomadic existences, these men serve as important transmitters of information and reputation; a lord who has been generous to a prominent gate-guest will often quickly gain renown among other such talented men.