Classes of Society

Like many medieval societies, Karameikos has
classes of citizens, stratifying the people and determining
their behavior toward one another. Such classification
often is a result of birth – the son of a
baron gains the familial benefit without necessarily
having done anything to earn it.

In some more established, decadent empires (like
Thyatis), class is effectively caste – position within
society remains permanent. Karameikos, however, is
a frontier community in many ways. Individuals with
talent and ability can rise within the power structure,
finding themselves earning political appointments,
being regarded as heroes, receiving awards from the
king, and other benefits.

Rough equivalents for members of an organized
church or military rank are provided.

The typical social classes of Karameikos are listed here.

Freemen are addressed by their names. A freeman in a position
of importance is usually called Master or Mistress. Such freemen
include townmasters (mayors), ministers, ambassadors, wellknown
heroes, and so forth; if they have no other titles, they’re
called “Master (Name)” or “Mistress (Name).” Courteous noblemen
also address these people by these titles; a noble (other than
one of the royal family) who does not do so is probably being
rude.

Freeman have the following privileges under the King’s Law: the
right to own property and will it to heirs; the right to be tried for
accused crimes (instead of being punished without trial); and the
right to travel freely (so long as national and community laws are
not broken).

In game terms, having this title means that the character is considered
nobility (even though of a lower class). When traveling,
the court lord or lady receives more respectful treatment from local
nobles, perhaps gaining a meal and a bed for the night.

The family and heirs of a court lord or lady do not benefit from
this award. The husband of a court lady, for instance, does not
automatically receive a title. Unlike a landed noble, when a court
lord dies, it is not inherited by his family. A court lord who buys
property does not automatically become a landed lord. Anyone can
buy property; to make a landed noble, the crown must grant a fief.

Court lords and ladies are addressed as “Lord (Name or Family
Name)” or Lady (Name or Family Name).” For instance, Zogrev
Yarol may be addressed as “Lord Zogrev” or “Lord Yarol.” Court
lords have similar rights as freemen.

The spouse of a landed lady automatically becomes a landed
lord, and vice versa, over the same fief. The heir of landed nobles
automatically receives the title if both parents die or step down
from their rulership.

In game terms, landed nobles deserve the same respect owed to a
court noble. However, the title is accompanied by the fief; the
landed noble controls (and remains responsible for) a population
of normal men and women. Numerous adventures can form
around defending the subjects against troubles, staying on guard
against criminal plotters among them, and holding onto the fief in
the face of enemy conspiracy and political maneuverings.

Landed lords are addressed as “Lord (Family Name)” or “Lady
(Family Name).” However, other nobles may address a landed lord
by the name of his fief. For instance, Lord Lev Dromilov of Dmitrov
may be addressed as “Lord Dromilov” by anyone or as
“Dmitrov” by another noble.

The landed noble has all of the rights of a lord, and also the
rights to assess taxes on the subjects of the fief and levy troops
from the fief in time of war.

The landed knight has the rights and responsibilities of both the
landed lord and the knight, as described above. Where rights
overlap, those of the knight take precedence.

Landed knights are addressed in the same manner as ordinary
knights are. However, other nobles may address a landed knight
by the name of the fief. For instance, Halia Retameron of Verge
may be addressed as “Dame Retameron,” Dame Knight,” or even
just “Verge” by other nobles.

The children of a baron or a baroness are court nobles from
birth. At the time of inheritance, the new baron must be confirmed
to the rank by the king. If the king confirms the title, the
heir becomes the new baron. If the king does not, the heir becomes
a landed lord (and a very unhappy one).

Nobles at baronial level are addressed as “Baron (Family
Name)” or “Baroness (Family Name)”; by other nobles, they may
also be addressed by the name of their fief. For example, Baron
Sherlane Halaran of Threshold may be addressed as “Baron Halaran,”
“Patriarch Sherlane” (because he’s a cleric of the Church of
Karameikos), or, by other nobles, just “Threshold.”
Duke or Duchess: The rulers of Karameikos were formerly
known as the duke and duchess. While the nation has no current
dukes or duchesses, it may in the future.

Members of the clergy and military are accorded the courtesy
normally given to specific social ranks. For instance, an active
captain of the army or navy is treated as a landed lord by the rest
of Karameikan society.

Members of the clergy and military are accorded the courtesy
normally given to specific social ranks. For instance, an active
captain of the army or navy is treated as a landed lord by the rest
of Karameikan society.

When a character is granted knighthood in the course of a campaign,
certain rights and responsibilities accompany the title. The PC does not have to obey local city weapons regulations and can
demand one night’s shelter from anyone, including the king, for a
small party of not more than six people. The knight doesn’t have
to pay for this shelter, but it is best to do so – or to perform a favor
for the host. It is against the King’s Law to refuse shelter to a
knight. However, people will always be coming to the knight for
help – to kill beasts ravaging their homesteads, to put down a
knight gone bad, etc., and the knight has a responsibility to perform
these tasks for people in need. As with the court lord, a
knight who buys property does not automatically become a
landed knight.

A knight is addressed as “Sir (Name)” or “Dame (Name).” A
knight may also be addressed as “Sir Knight” or “Dame Knight.”

### General and Admiral

Commanders of army and naval forces are
treated as landed knights, whether they hold land or not.

In theory, the children of a duke and duchess are court nobles
from birth. Persons with a ducal title are addressed as “Duke
(Name)” or “Duchess (Name)” or “Your Grace.” In Karameikos,
they also may be addressed as “My liege,” and the duke only may
be addressed as “Sire.”

### Royalty

This final category comprises King Stefan and his immediate
family, including his grandchildren and son-in-law.
These are known as princes and princesses, and his eldest, Adriana,
is the heir apparent. She will take the title of queen upon
Stefan’s death.

Princes and princesses are addressed as “your majesty.” The
king and queen may be addressed as “Sire” or “My liege.”

### Absent Social Ranks

Several common social ranks are not present in Karameikos – mostly because Stefan has personal or political reasons for avoiding them. They are:

Slave: Duke Stefan does not approve of slavery and thus has
outlawed it within Karameikos. The convict, the closest thing to
this rank, must work in the manner of a slave during his sentence.
Once his sentence is up, however, the convict becomes a
freeman. Slaves brought into Karameikos are not considered
property; if they can escape their owners, they are free. Slaves are kept in the Black Eagle Barony, and are used
today in a number of other nations, including Thyatis. The Iron Ring thieves’ guild does a brisk business in slaves and is hunted
by the authorities for that reason.

Serf: Stefan also does not approve of the practice of binding
people to the lands that they work, so he allows no serfs – men
who cannot leave their homes without the approval of the lord of
the area.

Count: This noble rank is greater than a baron but less than a
duke. Because Karameikos has so small population, Stefan has
not yet instituted the rank of count. When more of the nation is
colonized and more baronies established, he will begin elevating
the more loyal barons to the rank of count.