[Banestorm] Why is the Cardien Council of Lords full of barons and vicounts?

[Sam Baughn]

I've been reading up on southern Ytarria for a campaign set in Tredoy, which I've never really gamed in before. I noticed something strange in the description of the Council of Lords, it says they are 'the seven greatest Cardien nobles' and lists them as:

• Prince Anthemius Crivelli (Duke of Hadaton)
• Baron Saywell of Alimar
• Count Faramon of Alimar
• Baron Caius of Minder
• Baron Vincent of Calder
• Viscount Guillaume of Tredroy
• Baron Amalric of Ten-Tiri

That's four barons, one viscount, one count, and two dukes.
In a kingdom of several million people, I'd expect there to be something like (order of magnitude):

• Ten thousand barons
• One thousand viscounts
• One hundred counts or earls
• Ten dukes

So either there is a weird shortage of high-ranking nobles, Cardiens titles don't follow the same progression as Megalan (or European) ones, or Cardiel's titles no longer bear much relation to the bearer's actual power.
In GURPS Fantasy: Tredoy, it specifically notes that viscount Guillaume and the baron of Dorilis resent being vassals of baron Bowvrey because of his low title, which kind of suggests that there is still a pretty firm feudal pecking order and barons aren't high on it.