Honor, the Final Decision

Nobles fallen on hard times desperately try to save face and maintain their social status. They eventually turn to usury. When they cannot get a loan from merchant organizations anymore, they go to citizen banks and take on higher interest rates. They feel they have no choice. After all, those nobles who fail to attend the lavish "banquets with Elion" held by the church are no longer consider a part of the nobles, as far as the rest are concerned.