Class & Rank

### **Class**

**Mellyrn:** Literally "Friends". Those who are considered friends of the Fae but have not quite committed their ranks.

**Patron:** Those who have secured their passage beyond the Hedge by becoming a Patron of the Fae. Having put their foot solidly in the Enchanted Realms, they receive with it their commensurate benefits.

**Solitary Fairy:** Securely in the Realm of Fae, but lingering on the outskirts of society and court, the Solitary Fairy are those that prefer to remain aloof rather than in the thick of the activity. Often represented as the House Brownie (tidying and helpful) or Bogart (ties your shoe laces in knots); the Leprechaun (good-natured luck bringer) and Chlurichaun (ill-tempered miser); Sprites (sprinkles happiness) and Imps (hides your keys), Hobs (mend your buttons & socks) and Goblins (replace one sock with an extra hanger). *They receive a monthly stipend of Dross due to their dedicated ties to the realm.*

**Trouping Fae:** Can mean one of two things: A procession of the fae, courtiers and commoners, across the land from one place to another in their full regalia, not unlike you would imagine the procession from Lord of the Rings **OR** such societal fae that are not formally in the courts and court politics i.e. without a gentry title. Trouping Faeries, like all, are still aligned with the Seelie or Unseelie, and are often described as those that accompany the Sidhe (shining host) and Sluagh (the underdwellers) who tend to have courts that can go out in processing and "troupe" across the land.

Though they themselves choose not to take (or have not yet been awarded) titles or formal responsibilities in the courts, they are craft-persons, artisans, gardeners and florists, animal-ken and handlers, miners and lumberjacks, stone masons and bakers, apothecaries, healers, thespians, blacksmiths, soap-makers, mechanics, tech experts and builders, seamstresses and tailors.  Trouping faeries embody as wide a range of skills, talents, professions and hobbies as any other society or culture.

It is important to note that though they do not have rank, they are still a part of the overall society of faerie and give acknowledgement and respects where indicated.  They do not thumb their nose at the roles and responsibilities of others. *They receive a monthly stipend of Dross due to their dedicated ties to the realm.*

**Gentry:** Are the noble classes from Knight to Duke/Duchess/Dukex. Whether born or otherwise adopted or raised up in station, they are the Fae that oversee the day-to-day administration of their granted lands (barony, county, duchy, kingdom). They are organized according to their rank, and usually pledge their service in a Line of Fealty as part of their gentrification.

As with other fae, they are Seelie and Unseelie and often make up the intrigue and "polite society". Should they retire from their days at court, in good favor, they may retain their rank emeritus. Should they leave their office disgraced, they may find themselves stripped of all benefits bestowed upon them by virtue of their rank.

It is their duty to oversee the granting of lands within their Fiefdom, ranks, titles (as high as one below themselves). It is their duty to know those within their fief and should they request the Rite of Saining, to perform it for them, or find one who can. *They receive a monthly stipend of Dross due to their dedicated ties to the realm.*

**Royal:** Are the noble classes from Prince / Princess / Princex to High King / Queen. These fae are the rulers of a collection of baronies, counties, duchies and so forth, collectively understood as a Kingdom. They oversee the day-to-day administration of their realm. They are organized according to their rank, and pledge their service in a Line of Fealty as part of their gentrification, with the exception of Kings and Queens who are pledged to none as they sit at the apex.

It is their duty to oversee the granting of lands within their Kingdom, ranks, titles. It is their duty to know those within their Kingdom and should they request the Rite of Saining, to perform it for them, or find one who can.

Should they retire from their days at court, in good favor, they may retain their rank emeritus. Should they leave their office disgraced, they may find themselves stripped of all benefits bestowed upon them by virtue of their rank. *They receive a monthly stipend of Dross due to their dedicated ties to the realm.*

### **Order of Rank**

**High King / Queen** *(Royal Majesty)*:*(Proper honorific: Royal Majesty)*: All Faerie.

 **King / Queen** *(Majesty)*: Landed. Oversees defined geographical areas (kingdoms) within Faerie

 **Prince / Princess / Princex** *(Highness)*: Landed. Oversees defined geographical areas (kingdoms) within Faerie

 **Duke /Duchess / Dukex** *(Grace)*: Landed. Oversees defined geographical areas (duchies) within kingdoms

  **Count / Countess / Countex** *(Excellency)*: Landed. Oversees defined geographical areas (counties) within duchies

  **Baron / Baroness / Baronex** *(Lord/Lady)*: Landed. Oversees defined geographical areas (baronies) within counties

  **Knight** *(Sir / Dame/ Ser)*: No lands, but in an honored position to a raking noble such as captain of the guard, steward of a small place or thing, scrivener, personal guard, journeyman artist or craftsperson, etc.

  **Squire** *(Squire)*: No lands, but an entry level position in service to a higher rank.  Can also hold other non-noble titles.

 **Page** *(Page)*: No lands, an introductory level position in service to a higher rank (errands, tasks, messenger, etc.).  Can also hold other non-noble titles.