This but more "terminally depressed and spends most of her time sleeping."
She is, actually, the legal Baroness of Hawkethorne. It's her dad's statue in the middle of town and all.
The event makes it pretty clear I think that she's just giving you an honorary title; it doesn't really mean anything. it will however get you access to Tychris later!
I have long wanted to actually do that -- use Cait to set you up on random flings in whatever settlement you're in. But I just don't have time. :negativeman:
Correct. You gotta either bootstrap yourself with the help of some very shady people, or else accept the normal hierarchy of authority in the world and become a vassal.