Hierarchy of the Ramal Nations

The highest rank among the Ramal Nations is the Ramaltas. They are powerful dictators who answer to no one. From there, their direct subordinates are usually close family and friends whom make up the elite aristocracy that controls each city-state. Of these aristocrats, some are given the titles of Dubtas - Head of the Scribes, Tarentas - Head of the Guilds, and Gestas - Head of the Stewards. Kasentas is another honorary title, created for the strongest of fighters in the nation and is the only title that is not appointed by the Ramaltas but rather earned through combat.

The core activities of the Ramaltas' aristocracy center around protection of the city state from raids, the arbitration of disagreements among the leaders of different city states, and oversight over the financial transactions in the nation.

The Ramaltas is directly supported by the Dubtas, who is considered second in command for all purposes, and is usually the next successor, beyond family, unless the Ramaltas declares it otherwise. The Dubtas is supported by multiple advisers known as the Dubne. These advisers are overseers of the financials of each city state and are selected from the aristocracy. The Tarentas and the Gestas are technically ranked just under the Dubtas and are considered beyond the authority of anyone except the Ramaltas and the Dubtas. These two other positions also have advisers whom are scattered among the city. The final position of the Kasentas is seen as the lowest authority level but still only answers to the Ramaltas or the Dubtas.

Along with the advisers, many aristocrats have, loosely translated, "Enforcers," a selection of close familial ties whose job is to ensure the leadership's orders are carried out. These Enforcers are often well known by the denizens of the Ramal Nations due to their constant interaction with them.

Under the Enforcers are the associates. This is not an official title but instead an understood relationship. These people are simply tools to the Enforcers, and are not part of the aristocracy. This can include members of the Unbodied, the Blood Cults, and Desert Raiders, as well as the normal Ramal denizen.

Members of the aristocracy are appointed by their superiors and will be replaced quickly for incompetence or misconduct. The Dubtas is ultimately the one who manages their actions and ensures that all matters, especially financial ones, are handled appropriately.

## Promotion

A person who works for the Ramaltas can be any age and relative experience level. When it is decided that the potential initiate has proven his commitment and value, the Ramaltas takes a knife and pricks the appointee's hand. Then, a Blood Mage steps forward and smears the blood on a white cloth and places it in the appointee's hand. Then, the Blood Mage places his hand over the appointee's hand and the cloth ignites into a flame. As the appointee holds this small flame, the Ramaltas says to him: "If you betray me, your body will burn entirely as your hand now does."

This ceremony is spoken about by outsiders as strange and unorthodox, but there is no doubt that the appointee remembers the moment. The only position who is not promoted in this way is the Kasentas. This type of ritual burn would be likely to leave his hands too scared for combat.

**Back to** Ramal Nations Back Story

--Neil (talk) 17:07, 19 October 2016 (AST)