Title & Rank Template
Restructuring the Codex
We are currently moving articles around and changing the general structure of the Codex. Please come back later if you get lost!Titles and ranks are two closely related concepts. They both usually come with a set of responsibilities and privileges. Sometimes, a title is tightly linked to a character and sometimes it is something many characters carry. Ranks are usually specific positions within an organization. Be it the village chief, a city guard, guild master or a trainee cadet.
Use this template to expand on those responsibilities and privileges. You can write about former wearer or occupants.
The example used in this template is the real-world title Marquess, but this is just one very specific use of this template!
The template has many prompt boxes which can be filled in. Use them for inspiration and to help format your article. Do not feel like you have to fill out all of them!
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
Rank / Title Organization Chart
The hierarchy of titles or ranks of an organization can be visually represented by the automatically created organization trees. All you need to do is fill in the Reports To... prompt in all of the relevant ranks and title articles. This organization tree is added to the bottom of each article in the metadata section.Qualifications
(GENERIC TAB > QUALIFICATIONS)
What qualifications does someone need to be promoted to this rank? What achievements does someone need to be granted this title? Is there an exam? Slaying a dragon? Setting a record in a speeder race? Is this title or rank hereditary?
What qualifications does someone need to be promoted to this rank? What achievements does someone need to be granted this title? Is there an exam? Slaying a dragon? Setting a record in a speeder race? Is this title or rank hereditary?
A marquess is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies.
Requirements
(GENERIC TAB > REQUIREMENTS)
Some ranks or titles might have some specific requirements. These are often used to ensure the exclusivity of a rank and might be rooted in the culture of the organization this rank belongs to.
Some ranks or titles might have some specific requirements. These are often used to ensure the exclusivity of a rank and might be rooted in the culture of the organization this rank belongs to.
Appointment
(GENERIC TAB > APPOINTMENT)
This is the perfect place to describe a promotion ritual or award ceremony. If this gets long consider making this a tradition/ritual article and link it here!
This is the perfect place to describe a promotion ritual or award ceremony. If this gets long consider making this a tradition/ritual article and link it here!
Duties
(GENERIC TAB > DUTIES)
What moral obligations are associated with the rank? For example, taking care of the morale of your men, giving to charity, telling new students the social cliques of your university.
What moral obligations are associated with the rank? For example, taking care of the morale of your men, giving to charity, telling new students the social cliques of your university.
Responsibilities
(GENERIC TAB > RESPONSIBILITIES)
The tasks associated with the rank. For example, day-to-day maintenance of engines, calculating corporate tax, mucking out the stables.
The tasks associated with the rank. For example, day-to-day maintenance of engines, calculating corporate tax, mucking out the stables.
As a result of this, a marquess was trusted to defend and fortify against potentially hostile neighbours and was thus more important and ranked higher than a count.
Benefits
(GENERIC TAB > BENEFITS)
What kind of benefits does the holder get? Special access to information? Does the rank or title come with land? Do they get paid handsomely? Or maybe the benefits aren't actually that great, but people who hold this rank or title do not have much choice in the matter.
What kind of benefits does the holder get? Special access to information? Does the rank or title come with land? Do they get paid handsomely? Or maybe the benefits aren't actually that great, but people who hold this rank or title do not have much choice in the matter.
Accoutrements & Equipment
(GENERIC TAB > ACCOUTREMENTS & EQUIPMENT)
Describe the uniform of this rank or specific items that mark holders of this title. The item template would be perfect if you want to expand on this!
Describe the uniform of this rank or specific items that mark holders of this title. The item template would be perfect if you want to expand on this!
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
(GENERIC TAB > REMOVAL OR DISMISSAL)
On what grounds may someone be dismissed from their rank or title? Is there a specific procedure? And who or what rank has the right to take away this rank or title?
History
(HISTORICAL DETAILS TAB > HISTORY)
What history does this rank or title have? Use this if its just a short summary. When expanding on the history you should create historical events or even a timelines and link them here.
What history does this rank or title have? Use this if its just a short summary. When expanding on the history you should create historical events or even a timelines and link them here.
Cultural Significance
(HISTORICAL DETAILS TAB > CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE)
How do the ethnicities of your setting view this rank or title? What kind of impact does it have on them?
How do the ethnicities of your setting view this rank or title? What kind of impact does it have on them?
Notable Holders
(HISTORICAL DETAILS TAB > NOTABLE HOLDERS)
Put names of characters who held this title here. Use the mention system to link existing character, but sometimes it can give flavour if you just drop a name without any more context!
Put names of characters who held this title here. Use the mention system to link existing character, but sometimes it can give flavour if you just drop a name without any more context!
Title & Rank Types - Click to Expand
Academic, Honorific
Academic, Professional
Academic, Qualification
Civic, Citizenship
Civic, Diplomatic
Civic, Honorific
Civic, Law
Civic, Political
Civic, Military, Generic
Civic, Military, Commissioned
Civic, Military, Not Commissioned
Civic, Professional
Familial
Informal
Magical, Honorific
Magical, Professional
Medical
Nobility, Hereditary
Nobility, Honorific / Ceremonial
Nobility, Household
Nobility, Military
Nobility, Non-hereditary
Professional
Religious, Beatified
Religious, Clerical
Religious, Military
Religious, Special
Religious, Political
Self proclaimed
Scientific, Honorific
Scientific, Professional
Academic, Professional
Academic, Qualification
Civic, Citizenship
Civic, Diplomatic
Civic, Honorific
Civic, Law
Civic, Political
Civic, Military, Generic
Civic, Military, Commissioned
Civic, Military, Not Commissioned
Civic, Professional
Familial
Informal
Magical, Honorific
Magical, Professional
Medical
Nobility, Hereditary
Nobility, Honorific / Ceremonial
Nobility, Household
Nobility, Military
Nobility, Non-hereditary
Professional
Religious, Beatified
Religious, Clerical
Religious, Military
Religious, Special
Religious, Political
Self proclaimed
Scientific, Honorific
Scientific, Professional
Type
Civic, Law
Status
Is the title or rank still being used?
Creation
A document or act which created this rank. Use the mention system and link that document here if you want to expand on it!
Form of Address
How do others address individuals who wear this title or rank.
Alternative Naming
Other names for the rank or title.
Equates to
Use the mention system to link other ranks in different organizations which are similar or fill a similar role in that hierarchy.
...The term (marquess) is also used to translate equivalent Asian styles, as in Imperial China and Imperial Japan. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (Margrave).
Source of Authority
Who gives you the power to do what you do? For example, a king may be authorized by his people or his deity.
Length of Term
Is there a minimum or maximum length of term? Is there a limit of how many times the title can be given to a person during his lifetime or consecutively?
Reports directly to
Related Locations
Related Organizations
Related Professions
Related Military Formations
Related Prompts
The prompts listed below are part of the Worldbuilding Prompts that can be found under the Community menu. These prompts use the template discussed in this article. Using these prompts is a great way to expand your worldbuilding!
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