Eisen Social Classes

There are four classes in Eisen. The first is the nobility, or Adel (AH-del). They live in grand castles left to them by their forefathers and continue to squabble among themselves, arguing over each acre of land as though it were an entire kingdom.
The second class is the mercenaries, or Söldner (ZOELD-ner). Next to the Adel, the Söldner are the wealthiest people in Eisen. They often form academies to train young Söldner when they grow too old to battle any longer.
The third class is the peasants, or Bauern (BOWern). They still cling to their lifestyle, eking out a living on Eisen’s increasingly infertile land. They have weathered a great deal of hardship and pain, and there is an undercurrent of anger among them that steadily grows stronger.
The last class in Eisen was created during the War of the Cross. They are called the Waisen (VY-zen), or “the orphans.” Their homes were destroyed and their families killed by the soldiers fighting in the War of the Cross. They wander the ruined fields of Eisen with walking sticks, searching for edible roots and other meager supplies. Most of them die of disease or starvation before long, and those who survive are often slain for trespassing on the lands they once called home. The Adel say, “You can identify them easily. They don’t shield themselves when you beat them.”

Noble Titles

Noble titles are largely nominal in the years following the War of the Cross. Nobles aregue and politick over acres of land but the titles themselves are more a matter of court than they are a formal hierarchy of landowners. The only excepttion to this is the title 'Herr' which is often given as an award for service like a knighthood.

Eisenfürst

Eisen has collapsed into seven königreiche, or “citystate kingdoms.” Each is ruled by an Eisenfürst, or “Iron Prince.”
Each Iron Prince rules his kingdom differently. Some, like Elsa Pösen, maintain strict control of all trade and troops. Others, like Roswitha von Wirsche, allow their subordinates to run the kingdom. The most extreme example of this hands-off attitude is Niklas Träge, who collects no taxes or tariffs, and only occasionally becomes involved in politics.

Herzog

A Herzog is the rough equivilent of a Duke. They historically ruled over a region of a Königreiche.

Markgraf

A Margraf is the equivilent of a Marquis. The historically ruled over the borders of the Königreiche.

Landgraf

A Landgraf was historically, the lowest rank of land-owning noble in Eisen.

Herr

An Herr is a title given for service to a noble. It is roughly equivilent to a knight.