Ranks

This article is a master list of ranks and different positions. These titles are meant to be used universally in my setting and not meant to be historically accurate or culturally accurate. This is meant so when people are in an RPG and they meet an NPC that is a Count that they know what that means, whether the NPC is from fantasy China or fantasy Spain.

Feudal ranks

Feudal ranks are for people who own land under a feudal system. There are two major types of ranks, hereditary for members of peerage and non-hereditary which are granted by the members of peerage.

Non-Hereditary

People of the land. The common stock.

1. Goodman - A civilian who has been recognized as a member of good standing. "Master/Mistress"
2. Gentleman - A member of the landed gentry. "Master/Mistress"
3. Hedge Knight - A warrior without any land that has been generally recognized by the public. "Sir/Dame/Ser"
4. Squire - A person aspiring to become a member of peerage and has been taken under the wing of a knight. "Master/Mistress"
5. Baronet - Same as a Baron but non-hereditary. Lower than Baron in rank. "Your Lordship/Ladyship"
6. Viceroy - Same as a Count but non-hereditary. May rule over land equivalent in size of a Duke but is between Count and Duke in rank. "Your Grace"

Peerage

Peerage and Nobility have the right to rule. The Saints have seen fit to elevate some to rule over the many. Such is their divine right. To be a member of peerage is to have your bloodline be noble. Nobles are also expected to heed the call to battle to defend their lands.

1. Unlanded Knight - Lowest ranked member of peerage. Knightly titles can be inherited. "Sir/Dame/Ser"
2. Landed Knight - Rules over a town or village. "Sir/Dame/Ser"
3. Baron - Rules over a barony. A Barony is usually little more than a defensive position, such as a tower or castle, and its surrounding area and cities. "Your Excellency"
4. Viscount - Assistants to Counts. Often given to children of Counts who preside over large amounts of land. "Your Lordship/Ladyship" or "Lord/Lady"
5. Count - Rules over one or more counties and has domain over one or more Barons. "Your Lordship/Ladyship"
6. Marquess - A Count that rules over a border territory. "Your Lordship/Ladyship"
7. Duke - Rules over a duchy and has fealty of one or Counts. "Your Grace"
8. King - Rules over a kingdom and has domain over one or more Dukes. "Your Highness"
9. Emperor - Rules over an Empire and has domain over one or more Kings. "Royal Majesty"

Children of peers

Titles and names given to the children of nobility.

• Page - A child of a knight of peerage. No formal form of address.
• Earl - Heir to a county. "Your Lordship/Ladyship"
• Prince - A child of a king or emperor. "Your Highness"
• Crown Prince - Heir to a kingdom or empire. "Royal Majesty" (except in the presence of the King/Emperor)

Religious Ranks

Ranks for people who have been ordained by an organized religion.

Polytheism

1. Deacon - An ordained minister, lower than that of a priest. "Reverend"
2. Priest - A priest has been ordained by their religion and presides over a church. "Father/Mother"
3. Bishop - A bishop presides over a bishopric and many priests. "Your Grace"
4. Archbishop - A bishop that has been granted "first among equals." They are considered for the role of religious leader if the religion has one. "Your Eminence"
5. Patriarch - Not all religions have this rank, but this is the highest rank for those that do. "Your Holiness"

Druidism

1. Initiate - Equivalent to a Deacon, performs clerical duties and aspires to become a Druid.
2. Druid - Equivalent to a Priest. A Druid has been ordained by their religion and presides over a grove.
3. High Druid - Equivalent to a Bishop. A High Druid presides over a circle and offers leadership to six or more Druids.
4. Archdruid - Equivalent of an archbishop, but presides over one of the six planar circles.
5. Hierophant - Highest ranked Druid.

Other Druid Ranks

• Greenkeeper - Someone who cares for and uses the Green. Works for Archdruids and established High Druids.

The Pale Lady

1. Apprentice - Equivalent to a Deacon. An aspirant of the Pale Lady and assistant to a Necromancer.
2. Necromancer - Equivalent to a Priest.
3. Pale Necromancer - Equivalent of a Bishop.
4. Necromancer Judge - Highest ranked priest of the Pale Lady.

Covenant of Light

1. Ember - Equivalent to a Deacon, but less so. An Ember is anyone who has performed the Covenant of Bonding.
2. Smith - Equivalent to a Priest.
3. Doyen - Equivalent to a Bishop.
4. Archon - Equivalent of an archbishop. They are leaders the preside over the Covenant outside of Silverforge.
5. Keeper of Light - The highest rank of the Covenant. The Keeper of Light communes directly with The Holy Light and guides the religion.

Republic / Oligarch Ranks

Ranks for rulers in non-feudal positions, such as independent cities.

1. Mayor - Leader of a city. Similar to a knight.
2. Patrician - Equivalent of a Baron.
3. Doge - Equivalent of a Count.
4. Governor - Equivalent of Duke.
5. President - Equivalent of a King.

Guild Ranks

Guilds are organizations that, while they aren't rulers, are influential.

1. Member - The lowest ranking member of a guild.
2. Officer
3. Senior Officer
4. Guildmaster - Leader of a guild.

Wizard Ranks

Wizards often belong to a society, guild, or other such organization for access to resources and schooling.

Military Ranks

Military levies are more organized than perhaps is appropriately historical.

Army Ranks

Officers of the army are typically the nobility. Assume nobles in an army are of a command rank unless mercenary.

1. Private, Private First Class - Lowest ranked soldiers.
2. Corporal - A Private with a specialization.
3. Sergeant - Commands a party of 8-12 men.
4. Lieutenant - Noble of a lance. Commands 2-3 parties.
5. Captain - Commands a company.
6. Major - Commands a battalion.
7. Colonel - Commands a regiment.
8. Commander - Highest rank of an army.

Naval Ranks

Naval officers of Lieutenants and higher are often nobility, but not always.

1. Seaman - Lowest ranked soldiers.
2. Petty Officer - A Seaman with a specialization.
3. Ensign - Seamen who can be trusted to boss the other Seamen around.
4. Lieutenant - Officers with responsibility, such as managing supplies, maintaining weapons, etc.
5. First Mate - Second to the Captain.
6. Captain - Commands a ship.
7. Admiral - Commands many ships.
8. Fleet Admiral - Commands all of the ships.

Appointed Ranks

Council Positions

These aren't in any particular order, but most members of nobility have these people in these positions. People who hold these positions effectively hold rank one slot lower than the rank of person they work for. i.e. a Steward of a Duke would be considered equal to a Count, but a Count proper would be first among these equals. A councilman of an independent King would have "High" in their title and a councilman of an Emperor would be "Lord High."

• Chancellor - Responsible for the day to day operations. Highest rank of the council and vizier to the ruler.
• Steward - Responsible for the treasury and taxes. Holds the office in which guilds interact with kingdoms.
• Marshal - Responsible for law enforcement throughout the land. Granted military rank when needed. Can arrest any nobleman in a kingdom besides the ruler. (See Law Enforcement section for more ranks)
• Spymaster - Responsible for knowing things.
• Chaplain - Religious advisor to the ruler. Often the bishop of the capital province.

Law Enforcement

Every land with laws has people to enforce them. These are names of ranks and the size of their jurisdiction. Members of law enforcement cannot arrest people they do not have jurisdiction over.

1. Deputy - Jurisdiction over the common folk. Works for a Knight.
2. Low Bailiff - Jurisdiction over Knights and lower. Works for a Baron.
3. Bailiff - Jurisdiction over a Barony, Barons and lower ranked nobility. Works for a Count.
4. Sheriff - Jurisdiction over a County, Counts and lower ranked nobility. Works for a Duke.
5. Warden - Jurisdiction over a Duchy, Dukes and lower ranked nobility. Works for a King.
6. Lord High Marshal - Jurisdiction over Kings. Works for an Emperor.

Judicial Ranks

1. Judge - Judge of matters between the common folk. Appointed by a Duke, Count, or their Chancellors. Rulings can be overturned by Dukes or a Magistrate. "Your Honor"
2. Magistrate - Judge of matters between Barons and lower ranking nobles. Appointed by the King or High Chancellor. Can also settle disputes between guilds, churches, and nobility. Rulings can be overturned by the King, High Chancellor, or an Adjudicator.
3. Adjudicator - Judge of matters between Counts and lower ranking nobles. Appointed by the King or High Chancellor. Can also settle disputes between guilds, churches, and nobility. Rulings can be overturned by the King, High Chancellor, or higher.