system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Skyrim] Is the Jarl like the Mayor, or a King answering only to a higher King?

They obviously rule over their providence but how far is their rule? Do they control which crops get grown, what gets build, what citizens can sell? Its not quite clear since your interactions are simply "go fetch"
gpt
A Jarl is a feudal lord. They have complete sovereignty over their own Hold, however they are obliged by an oath of loyalty to provide tribute and military support to the High King, just as the High King is obliged by the same oath to protect the Jarl's territory if it comes under attack.

So yes, they are essentially a king of their own little kingdom, within a bigger kingdom, inside an Empire (or not inside an empire). But they're called a Jarl.

I should probably clarify that which crops get grown, what gets built and what gets sold is mostly unregulated and left to individual merchants and landowners, though a Jarl or High King can pass declarations affecting various things if they really want to exercise power (most don't bother, especially in a time of war).