Social Ranks in Cynalon

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Classes of Cynalon Society:

Here's a rundown of the various social classes that I use in the game, starting from the lowest level to the highest. In some cases those in the priesthood and in the military are accorded the same courtesy as a noble rank, but are not nobles themselves. This is merely a respect paid to them. Likewise, only those priests of gods popular to the people are given this respect. No Priest of Hextor will ever be treated nicely in Cynalon!

Convict:

A convict is someone of Freeman rank who is current serving a sentence for performing some crime. Noblemen can become Convicts too, but are stripped of their titles. When they have finished their sentences they become Freemen. Convicts in Cynalon are typically put to work in some fashion. It depends on the area of the country they were captured in.

An ordinary Soldier in the army or a Seaman in the navy have the same social rank as convicts as they are bound to their duty and without rank. But since they have voluntarily entered into the service and work to protect the population, they are not vilified as true Convicts may be.

Slaves would be in this class too, but slavery is illegal in Cynalon.

Freeman:

Freemen make up the vast majority of the population. They are the ordinary folk, ranging from dirt-poor farmers to wealthy untitled merchants. Freemen are addressed by their names. Freemen in some position of importance may be addressed as Master (name or family name) or Mistress (name or family name) as the case may be. Such important Freeman can include town mayors, ambassadors, well-known heroes, and so on. Courteous nobles will also address exceptional Freeman by those titles.

Priests of popular faiths from levels 1-5 are treated like exceptional Freemen. All priests tend to be called (name) of the God/Goddess they serve. Higher-ranking priests may have other names, and these tend to vary depending upon the faith in question.

Sergeants in the army and Ensigns in the Navy have this social rank, but are usually addressed by their military ranks.

Court Lord/Lady:

This is the lowest level of nobility that is typically granted by the Crown. It does not confer any lands upon the recipient and is usually granted as an award for service. The spouse of a Court Lord does not automatically become a Court Lady and their children do not gain any titles. When the husband dies, the titles dies with him. Court Lords and Ladies are addressed as Lord (name or family name) and Lady (name or family name).

(This is the rank awarded to Argent, Chareos, Ivy, Lyonessa, and Sherra by the King.)

Untitled Squires are treated this rank upon entering into service with a Knight. They can be addressed as Squire (name or family name) or Lord (name or family name).

Priests of levels 6-10 are typically treated like a Court Lord/Lady, but are addresses as Priest of the God/Goddess they serve.

Lieutenants in the army and navy are held to be gentlemen and are given the title of Court Lord. They are usually addressed as Lieutenant, but can also be called Lord/Lady (name or family name).

Landed Lord/Lady:

This is the lowest rank of landed nobility in Cynalon. When this is awarded, the recipient is given lands to rule for a higher noble. Those living in the designated area are subjects of the Landed Lord/Lady. The spouse of a Land Lord automatically becomes a Landed Lady. Their children are automatically Court Lords and the Land Lord title is inherited.

Landed Lords/Lady are generally treated the same as Court Lords/Ladies. They just have land that they rule. Lord Cavius of Rennydale is a Landed Lord.

High-level priests, 10+, are accorded the courtesy of this rank. Captains in the military are also accorded the courtesy of this rank and while they are also Court Lords, they do not gain any lands. This is merely the measure of respect paid to them.

Knight:

Knighthood is a rank of great respect granted to men and women who have fought long and well in the service of the Crown. The spouse of a Knight is automatically granted the rank of Court Lord/Lady. Squires of the Knight are automatically Court Lords. The children of a knight become Court Lords when they turn 21. Knighthood can only be granted. It cannot be inherited.

There are two types of Knights in Cynalon. Those granted knighthood by the King are automatically members of the Order of the Griffon. (The Cynalonian equivalent of the Knights of the Round Table.) Other Knights are those given the title by those nobles of higher rank, a Baron at minimum. These Knights are better known in their local territories.

Knights gain certain rights and responsibilities in Cynalon. They do no have to obey any local city weapons restriction. They can demand shelter from anyone of any social rank for himself and a small party of companions for the night. The Knight does not have to pay for this shelter, but it is in good taste to do so or at least do a service for the shelterer. It's against the King's Law to refuse shelter to a Knight. However, this balances out as people will always be coming to the Knight to ask for help. There are monsters to be killed and other evils that the Knight has a responsibility to perform for the public.

Knights are addressed as Sir (name) for men and Dame (name) for women. Sir Knight or Dame Knight is also acceptable.

The most powerful or famous of priests are granted the respect given to a knight. Such priests are either the leader of their order in the area or the high priest of temples in larger cities. The same applies to Generals in the Army or Admirals in the Navy.

Landed Knight:

A Landed Knight is essentially a Knight who has the responsibilities of a Landed Lord; he rules over land. The spouse of a Landed Knight is a Landed Lady. His children are Court Lords at birth. Rulership of the land is inherited, but unless the heir is a Knight himself, then they are only a Landed Lord. Landed Knights are addressed the same as Knights, but you can add the name of their territory too.

There are currently no Landed Knights in Cynalon.

Baron/Baroness:

A Baron controls large areas of land containing several Landed Lords for the King. The spouse of a Baron is automatically a Baroness. Their children are automatically Court Lords from birth. The title is inherited. A Baron can grant the rank of Court Lord, Landed Lord, and Knight to worthy individuals.

Barons are properly called Baron (family name) or Baroness (family name). My Lord or Your Lordship is also acceptable.

Viscount/Viscountess, Count/Countess, and Marquis/Marquesa:

While these noble rankings are not currently in use in Cynalon, they would fit in here. A Viscount controls two Baronies and rules one of them himself. Otherwise he has the same status as a Baron.

A Count rules over at least three Baronies. The greater realm is called a County. A Count may name Barons.

A Marquis controls at least four Baronies and can name Barons.

All the titles are inherited and all their spouses are given the same status. Their children are Court Lords from birth. Titles for all are similar to a Baron. Count (name) is the norm, but My Lord or Your Lordship is acceptable.

Duke/Duchess:

Duke the highest rank any noble not born of the Royal Family can hold. His greater Domain is called a Duchy. His spouse is automatically a Duchess and their children are Court Lords from birth. The title is inherited. A Duke can grant titles of any noble stature below his. Only the King can name a Duke.

A Duke or Duchess are properly called "Your Grace", but other nobles can call them Duke (family name) or Duchess (family name).

The Royal Family:

The King is the ruler of the entire nation. His wife is automatically Queen and their children are Princes and Princess from birth. A Crown Prince is the direct heir to the King's Throne. Some Princes may also be Barons who rule smaller territories before becoming King's them self. These Baronies are called Principalities.

A Prince or Princess is properly called "Your Highness". The Crown Prince is properly called "Your Royal Highness". The King and Queen are "Your Majesty", although both "Sire" and "My Liege" is acceptable.

For those nobles who have multiple titles, it is proper to use the higher-ranking title when addressing them. While it is acceptable to call Validar either Baron Validar or Sir Validar, a Baron has a higher rank so that is the title that should be used.

To carry this example out further, above the title of King would be Emperor. An Emperor rules over an Empire composed of multiple kingdoms. His children are Imperial Princes and would be called "Your Imperial Highness". The Emperor or Empress is properly addressed as "Your Imperial Majesty".