Marquis

While Marquis are not unique to the empire, the Emperor has one, as do most Dukes. The ranks below Emperor and Duke are less likely to have a Marquis due to the social standing for having one hired and the power a Marquis hold for their noble. Marquis are also very expensive, and often a way for someone of a lower rank to rise up - even from commoners.
A Marquis is typically the representative of their noble and the noble's personal bodyguard. Most will carry a form of their noble's crest that has been modified to signify the person is their Marquis, and therefore able to fully represent their noble. While a Marquis cannot declare war on behalf of their noble, they can call for an army on their noble's behalf or be a participant in negotiations.
Most of the "lesser" nobles can count a Marquis as a House founder, allowing for the descendants of that Marquis to gain political, economic, or the military status to elevate their rank further.

Table of Contents

Type

Nobility, Hereditary