Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fairplay 07-12-04, 04:30 PM	Does anyone have any web resources or know anything about granted titles? In my game, the players are all around 12th level, and upon successful completion of a big job for the local lord, they have been promised land and titles (I figured it would be a good chance to break out the stronghold builder's guidebook). My questions are like this: How does the hierarchy go? What is the lowest rank, how many can there be? Is baron higher than duke, etc? How many barons can there be? What about dukes? Any help would be appreciated.
Mantel_DeMenglamaar 07-12-04, 05:32 PM	Dukes tend to have a higher position, usually they're one step away from nobility itself. Barons tend to be 'Lords' or other landed nobility, usually in command of larger areas of land where they could potentially rule semi-autonomously. The 2e DMG had a scale for nobility, but I find it better if you develop your own, keeping in mind that nobility doesn't follow a 'military guideline'. The Duke of Aribeth might defer to Baron Reichstag, the cousin of the Queen or something similar. As far as appointed nobility, make them a minor 'Lord' or such with Lord ship. Have the baron in quuestion assign them some miserable stretch of land with a command to make it fertile as they are clearly adventurers and good at that sort of thing. Of course, have normal folks call them Sir or Lord, and I would say give them a tiny bonus when interacting with people of similar rank....within reason... Baron Umpdefratz IV: So, adventurers are you? How interesting. Sir Upchuck the half orc barbarian: YAH, it coo'. Where the wemens at?
Dakkon 07-12-04, 06:34 PM	During the use of the feudal system Lords were responsible for raising armies for the King, and leading them into battle. I would suggest having them Knighted by the lord and be in service of that lord. If they choose not to serve that lord during peacetime then you can have them recalled in times of war. Commoners would undoubtably call them "my lord", while nobles would call them "Sir <name>" or whatever their title is. IMO (although this probably isn't historically accurate) their full title could be: "Sir <Name> of <Location of their lord>" Ex: "Sir Arradine of Riverkeep. I would do it this way because their are probably many other Lords with their own knights, or even countries with their own set of knights in your campaign.
Princeoflowlight 07-12-04, 10:48 PM	When in doubt, look to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_and_noble_ranks
danielinthewolvesden 07-12-04, 11:23 PM	Serf Peasant Freeman/ Fryd (here are most merchants). (In Merchants however- there are also "Syndics and "Guildmasters"- they were usually considered "Gentlemen") (the above are "commoners") Gentleman/ Squire Knight (several ranks here) Knight Bannerette, Thane (Landed Knight) Baronette (Modern) (The above are "The gentility") Baron Viscount Count/Earl/Jarl Marquis Duke (The above are "nobles" or "Lords") Grandduke/Archduke (Archduke outranks a grand duke, unless the GD is soveriegn- Archduke is "son of the Emperor, but not heir") Prince Soveriegn Prince King High King Emperor (These last are "Royalty")
Pongolyn 07-13-04, 02:04 AM	"Baron" or "Baronet" is a good non-specific title for a king to grant. It's a posh-sounding title that really just means you own a plot of land somewhere, which may or may not have people living in it. If a king is the President and a duke or an earl is a governor or mayor, then a baron is basically a landlord with a few (or a few hundred) acres of lakefront property.
Glak 07-13-04, 03:13 AM	Duke is pretty high up, sometimes just as powerful and independant as the king. Probably under half a dozen dukes per kingdom, sometimes fewer. Baron is pretty low, just a knight with some land. There can be a lot of them.