Death Maiden

The Symbol of the Death Maiden

### Insignia

The Symbol of the Death Maidens could be described as; A thin dagger pointed downwards, with a snake warped around it and three roses around it as well.

## Death Maiden

The Death Maiden Ranking Structure within the Imperial court.

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## **Ranks**

From highest to lowest this would be the rank of the Death Maidens

* **The Empress:** *Current: ...*
* **Queen:** *Current: ...*
* **High Lady:** *Current: ...*
* **Disciple:** *Current: ...*
* **Consort:** *Current: ...*
* **Loyal Servants:** *Current: ...*
* **Slaves:** *Current: ...*

#### **Empress**

At the top of the Hierarchy within the Death Maids is the Empress. This is normally a woman who is chosen from already existing Death Maidens and a woman whom had already gone though extensive trails and training throughout the course of at lest three years. However, it is still possible for a Empress to be appointed from outside the already appointed Death Maidens; if a woman is seen fit to take this place by the Emperor.

The progress of becoming a Empress required first that the ‘Empress to be’ not only partake in a ritual in which most other Death Maidens also partake in but that she also gain trust a support of those she planned on leading, the other Death Maidens; during this time she is required to meet with her fellow Death Maidens at lest three times, along with their entourages, which mostly consisted of high servants.

The final choice is made by the Emperor himself; however rejection from the other Death Maiden more so to one whom was brought in from outside their ranks could greatly influence this choice and make things harder for a Empress. It should be well noted that For a Empress to be without the blessings or loyalty of her fellow Death Maidens could lead to her downfall, even if she manages to gain the favour of the Emperor her word will only go so far without any loyalties which is why it is taken into great consideration for the Emperors final choice.

#### **Queen**

Just under the Empress was the Queen. The Queen was a Consort whom was chosen from within the ranks of the Death Maidens. She was required to be well trained in court mannerisms as well as forms of combat, due to her role in not only directly training the other Death Maidens but guiding them though their trials as well.

To be The Queen; or sometimes referred to the Imperial Noble Consort, required a set ritual which was close to the ritual preformed with the other Death Maidens, though less lengthy then the ritual and procedures of becoming a Empress, due to the fact that she would have

already been known to her fellow Death Maidens. Even though The Queen was a woman whom climbed the ranks of the Death Maidens before chosen she was still required to meet her fellow Death Maidens at lest once to establish loyalty from them.

#### **High Lady**

Sitting under the Queen’s was the Emperor’s High Ladies. Also Known to the other Death Maidens as The Elder Sisters; they where considered well trained Death Maidens and could hold each two Loyal Servants to company them. The only requirements to become a High Lady was to partake in a Ritual to become an official member of the Death Maidens and to be chosen by the Emperor himself.

#### **Disciple**

A Standard member of the Death Maidens, a Disciple was required to partake in training events more so than the higher ranked Death Maidens in order to prove herself among her sisters. A Lady of this rank could also be a Loyal servant to a Queen or the Empress. The only requirement was to partake in a ritual in order to become a full Death Maiden.

#### **Consort**

Considered the newest members of the Death Maidens, a consort was required to not only partake in a Ritual to become an official member but to train and answer to the higher rankings. A Lady of this rank could also be chosen as a Loyal Servant to the Empress or one of the Queens.

#### **Loyal Servant**

Servants where not official members and often where just high servants to the higher ranks of the Death Maidens. However lower ranked Death Maidens could also become Loyal servants. Loyal Servants where required to take part in a pack to bind themselves to the Death Maiden they serve under.

#### **Slave**

Like a servant a slave was not an official member of the Death Maidens.. Slaves within the Death Maidens are normally there out of punishment or because they where un-willing to serve but where made to do so anyways for whatever the reason may be. Weather they where captives or prisoners, they where spared and placed here. They can rise to be servants at some point but most slaves remain as such.