I could've sworn there was an in depth conversation about these very things when we were rewriting the Act of Definitions..
A normal Duchy compromises of a minimum of three (3) counties. Counties are essentially impossible to define, at least one definition is impossible all together, as many people have different ideas of what a county is. A person ruling a normal duchy would be a Duke or Duchess.
My personal definition for what a COUNT is below, but you can get a basis of what a county means to me based off it.
Quote:
Build Requirements
1. A settlement of around 15-20 buildings, 15 at a minimum. If quality exceeds quantity, these numbers can be lowered. Flavor buildings (such as an isolated logging camp, or a small house in the woods, etc) within one's general borders for a county are also taken into consideration.
2. Assistance in work around the realm or Empire. 'Work' can vary from building buildings for people, constructing over world & nether infrastructure, co-builds and more.
Lore & Activity Requirements
1. At least one consistent(with Laghiman lore) lore story about your character or settlement posted in the Laghiman Realm sub-forum.
2. Being active in game on a consistent basis.
A Grand Duchy is simply a minimum of two (2) duchies put together with a minimum of 6 counties across both. I use the number two as a reference as it's what constitutes the King ascension. I bring up King ascension as one would think that a regular Duchy wouldn't apply for Kingdom status, but a Grand Duchy, essentially a pseudo Kingdom just lacking the name but has the builds and influence, would. A person ruling a Grand Duchy would be a Grand Duke or Duchess.