In the Dragon Lance Setting, the Aristocrat Class is replaced with the Noble NC Class.  The Noble Class would rate as an N1, similar to the Adept Class.  The primary differences are that the Noble class has some limited bard abilities to reflect the leadership requirement.

My suggestion:  Allow both classes to be used, but make the Aristocrat a "Merchant" class or "Explorer" class. (Personally, I'm in favor of the Explorer name).  This will let us re-brand the class.  The main reason for this?  Aristocrat is the only logical gestalt for many T3 and T4 classes.  I think that this will constrain the RP a little less.  Otherwise, we require most gestalt warblades and crusaders to be noble born.  Thoughts?

Noble Class Details:

Base Chassis:
d8 hit Die
Skills: 4 + Int
BAB: Rogue
Strong Saves: Reflex, Will
Weak Saves: Fort

Class Skills: Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, Knowledge (all skills taken individually), Listen, Perform, Ride, Sense Motive, Speak Language

Weapons and Armor:  All Simple weapons, All Martial weapons, Light Armor, All Shields

Class Features:
Level 1: Bonus Class Skill:  Desinate one cross-class skill as in class

Level 1: Favor (Ex): The noble has the ability to call in favors from those he knows.  By making a favor check, the noble can call upon contacts to gain important information without going through the time and trouble of a Gather Information check.  Favors can also be used to acquire the loan of equipment or documents from influential acquaintences.  To call in a favor, the noble makes a favor check.  Roll a d20 and add the character's favor bonus (+1 at level 1, +2 at level 3, +3 at level 7, +4 at level 12, +5 at level 20).  The DM sets the DC based ont eh scope of the favor being requested.  The DC ranges from 10 for a simpel favor to as high as 25 for highly dangerous , expensive, or illegal favors.  The noble may not take 10 or 20 on this check, nor can he retry the check for the same (or virtually the same) favor.  Favors should help advance the plot of an adventure.  A favor that would enable a character to circumvent an adventure shoudl always be unavailable to the caracter, regardless of the results of a favor check.  A noble can call in a favor once per week for every 2 class levels.

Level 2: Inspire Confidence (Ex): A noble can use oratory to inspire confidence in allies bolstering them, and improving their chances of success.  An ally must listen to and observe the noble for a full round for the inspiration to take hold.  The effect lasts for 5 rounds.  A noble can inspire a number of allies equal to half his noble levels, round up.  He cannot inspire himself, only allies.  An ally who is inspired gains a +2 moral bonus on saving throws, and a1 moral bonus to attack and damage rolls.  A noble may do this 1/day at level 2, and one additional time per day at level 5, 9, 13, and 17.

Level 4: Coordinate (Ex): A noble has a knack for getting people to work together.  When a noble can aid others and give directions, he provides a bonus to the task at hand by making an "aid other" check.  This bonus is in addition to the normal aid other bonus of +2, and it increases as the noble gains levels.  The coordinate bonus is +1 at level 4 (for a total of +3), +2 at level 8, +3 at level 13, +4 at level 18, and +5 at level 20.

Level 11: Inspre Greatness (Ex): Beginning at 11th level, a nobel can inspire greatness in an ally, granting exceptional fighting ability.  this works similar to inspire confidence except it affects but a single ally.  An inspired ally gains +2d6 temporary hit points, a +2 competence bonus on attacks, and a +2 moral bonus on saving throws.  The effect lasts for 5 rounds.  The noble can inspire greatness once per day.  For every three levels beyond the 11th, the noble can inspire greatness in one additional ally (2 at level 14, 3 at level 17, 4 at level 20).  The noble cannot inspire greatness in himself.

Tier Discussion:  I believe this classes boost abilities make it an NPC class on par with Adept (N1).  It can be gestalted with any T5 or T6 class, and with all NPC classes (save for Commoner, for RP reasons).

Thoughts?

Sure, I like it, and I think it does fall at N1. The only thing I don't agree on is the rename of aristocrat. It seems unnessisary, as it is just a refrence to what we the players call it, not what it is called in game. As a plahyer, I would call myself what I did or what I was: as determined by backstory or class. But for us, the player, I would rather not rename it because that adds confusion when you are refering to it. I will know what the Aristocrat is. Merchant? not as much.

Does it really matter to me? no. I will get used to it. It just might take some time and I may or may not bitch about it