Titles of Koppelian Nobility

Important Concepts:

the general term for Koppelian is Lord or Lady. Some terms are gender neutral, because the Koppelians might be racist, but not completely sexist.

Liege refers to a Lord's Lord, the person who granted them their Title, and to whom they owe fealty

a Liege may delegate responsiblities and powers to his vassals

a Lord can have more than one Liege

Typical Titles:

Lord Spiritual (Lady Spiritual): a Bishop that has owns lands and property. Usually has an additional titles.

Prince(ss): The Ruler of Koppelia. His word is law.

Burrgrave: A lord who is allowed to sell permits to specialized industries (mining, spirit distillation, magical teachings, salt production, etc).

Duke/Dutchess: The Highest of the Landed Nobility, a Duke is sovereign in his own land. They can do anything they wish within their own lands, including raising armies. However, they are not allowed to take those armies into the lands of other Lords.

Knight: a title that does not confer land, but does grant noble status, and allows the creation of heraldry

Viscount(ess): Used to refer to the grandson of an Earl

Baron(ess): The Lowest of the Landed Nobility, a Baron owes their liege (who may be any other type of Lord) military service, usually two weeks per year, or the monetary equivalent, at their liege's discretion. They may establish markets, build fortified castles, hire soldiery, and make their own heraldry. In addition, they are obligated to hold civil court and "Uphold the Justice of the Prince." A typical Baron will own a named town and a few hamlets at most.

Archbishop: a bishop that administers to a town in addition to their residence

Bishop: a Bishop owns a residence (usually an abbey or monastery) that contains some kind of industry (wool gathering, mystical aid, spirit distillation). Clerical Orders (and Bishops, by extension) are granted permission for industry by the Prince directly. Bishops do not administer to or own lands.

Edler: an Edler is an advisor to another noble, usually in an administrative or judicial capacity

Grandee(ss): A mostly ceremonial title, relating to costuming and address whilst in the presence of the Prince.

Earl: a high-ranking Landed Noble, an Earl can mint their own coinage, grant Knighthoods, issue guild incorporations, and authorize the import and export of goods.

Count(ess): A rank of Landed Nobility, a Count administers a portion of their liege's lands, usually enough for a named town, multiple hamlets, or a large landmark. Counts may grant or revoke serfdoms, collect taxes, and hold criminal court- levying fines, evictions, and seizures of property. Counts often own land within the area that they administer.

Margrave: A title given to a Lord at the edges of the Principality, usually owns land, and is allowed to raise a larger army than usual.

King: A title not used since the era of Warring Kings. Referring to anyone as a King implies that they are power-hungry or that you don't know what you're talking about.

Marquis(e): A title popular in Southern Koppelia, usually owns land, and is allowed to raise a larger army than usual.

Boyar: a military leader, empowered to muster Knights to the banner of their Liege

Baronet(te): a hereditary Knighthood

Sire: used to refer to anyone who owns or runs a castle

Non-Noble Terms:

Serf: a serf owes fealty to a lord either in labor, goods, or money. In return, they have some kind of privilege or protection granted by their lord. A serf must remain in their village.

Freeman: someone beholden to no one. Often an artisan, merchant, or guild member, a freeman can go where they please and do as they please, but have only themselves to rely upon.

Slave: Koppelians don't have a word for 'slave,' they just use the word 'Orc' instead.