Rank

One of the key aspects of Imperial life is societal ranks. There are strategies ranks for just about every aspect existence and they determine much of an individual's quality of life. Thankfully, there is a fair degree of social mobility and it is possible for any to rise to the top no matter where they began, but many find such a journey to be too exhausting or their particular circumstances too insurmountable and they, therefore, suffer the lowliest of being until the day that they die.

## Imperial Denizens

While The Empire accepts all those willing to serve into its embrace, it does not extend full rights of citizenship to all. The primary factor determining one's Denizen rank is their possession of personal and private property.

### Slave

Slaves are members of the lowest caste of Imperial society. They own no property whatsoever, not even their own body. While The Empire ended commercial chattel slavery upon its foundation, it still allows for legal slavery as criminal punishment and allows private citizens to own, but not to trade, such slaves. Under Imperial Law, all children of slaves should be classified as Dregs; however, Dominion laws in the Southern Kingdom, Eastern Kingdom, and the Thousand Isles all allowed for birth slavery up until the Victorious Era, creating a constant point of contention between their local governments and Imperial Authorities.

### Serf

Serfs are the second-lowest caste of Imperial society; they are workers contractually bound to a specific plot of land or position of labor that they are not allowed to depart from until their contract ends. Failure to abide by the contract and meet certain work quotas often leads to imprisonment and subsequent slave labor. Serfdom is at times punishment for debtors, but it is also possible for people to enter into Serf contracts of their own volition, as many colonists do in exchange for land benefits once their contract expires or unskilled laborers do in exchange for a guarantee of continued employment and opportunities to train for higher-wage positions.

### Dreg

Dregs are the lowest class of free people in The Empire. They are Ib who lack any productive skills, are not employed, and own no personal property other than the shirts on their backs. In many ways, they are worse off than Serfs, but even if they have nothing else, they at least have their freedom.

### Yeo

Yeos, sometimes also known as Prols, are impoverished workers who tend to own the beds they sleep in but not the roofs over their heads.

### Peasant

Peasants are Ib who own small amounts of land and property the countryside, typically in Settlements smaller than Burgs. They are primarily subsistence farmers and homesteaders who lead lives that are productive, but not productive enough to generate any excess wealth to contribute anything beyond their own family's survival.

### Commoner

Commoners, also known as Plebs, are Ib who own sizeable real estate in the countryside or decent amounts of property in Towns and Cities. They typically possess some kind of formal education and may possess expert skills, but they either do not own their own business or do own a small independent shop that does not employ anybody outside their immediate family. Many Commoners who do possess the proper skills or own potentially lucrative enough businesses which they could expand to become citizens choose not to in order to avoid the increased taxes and responsibilities that citizenship entails.

### Citizen

Citizens are the second-highest class of Imperial Citizens. They are either highly skilled professionals or successful small business owners.

### Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitans are the pinnacle of Imperial society, being incredibly wealthy individuals and industry magnates.

## Imperial Royals

In addition to its classifications given to denizens, The Empire has a clearly defined strategies caste system in place that it expects its Dominions to abide by. While not all of them follow it exactly, and indeed, some later additions to The Empire do not recognize formal nobility at all, they at the very least need to have ranked officials that they can register as being part of that role for certain required positions such as those involved with the governance of Settlements. How Imperial Dominions determine who is given rank in their system is largely up to their own discretion, but it typically involves a mixture of hereditary rights and personal prestige earned through ability and deed.

### Gentleman/Fair Lady

The royal rank of Gentleman and Fair Lady is bestowed upon all those born of a royal family but can be revoked if they commit shameful enough acts to get themselves disowned.

### Esquire

The rank of esquire is bestowed upon those whose distinguished service has warranted them a high position in either the military or governance. An Imperial Denizen of any rank may be awarded the title of Esquire and, as such, it serves as an entry point for common families into the nobility.

### Baron/Baroness, Thane (Northern)

Barons are the lowest ranking nobility allowed to govern landholdings, usually in the form of small Shires and Burgs. A Baron is only permitted to one individual territory, regardless of its size, and must reside within that territory at all times. While some Barons are the sole holders of their territory of governance, like most nobles, they are still beholden to their higher ranking Lords. Unfortunately for Barons, this tends to be a much more direct form of accountability than other nobles as it is possible that their landholdings is only a dependent piece of a larger Settlement, and as such Barons are very often regulated to roles more befitting of a bureaucrat rather than that of a proper ruler. Be that as it may, many still relish at the opportunity to become landed and have the potential to rise through the ranks.

### Viscount/Viscountess

A Viscount is a promotion from a Baron, but one that ensures that they still will not have much in the way of independence in their rule. A Viscount may rule over multiple territories but is still directly beholden to a higher ranking official, typically a Count.

### Count/Countess, Earl (Western), Castellan (Southern)

A Count is the first rank of landed noble that is actually considered to independently govern the territory in his holding, but he is still beholden to the will of his betters, especially Dukes, albeit in a less direct form than a Baron is beheld to himself. Counts typically manage a County which consists of one decently sized core Settlement as well as a number of smaller, economically or militarily dependent Settlements in the surrounding area.

### Marquis/Marchioness, Margrave (Northern)

A Marquis is a promoted Count that typically manages Counties or Settlements in areas surrounded by dangers and ravaged by war, giving him far greater responsibilities than both the Counts beneath him and the Dukes above him. While typically Marquis govern in the border regions, they will occasionally be reassigned to Settlements that increase in population enough to become Grand Cities as a nobility of their rank is required to manage one under Imperial Law. While usually the Count already reigning in the City will simply be promoted to Marquis, much to their chagrin, this is not always the case, and an existing Marquis may be selected for the Grand City in their stead.

### Duke/Duchess, Herzog (Northern)

A Duke is a noble that typically manages one or more Districts or possibly even an entire Province, directly reigning over a few Counties of their own and leaving the rest to Counts who report to him.

### Prince/Princess, Jarl (Northern)

A Prince is a noble that typically governs an entire Province, usually having direct rule over one or more Districts that are individually managed by a league of Counts, and leaving the other Districts to Dukes who report to him.

### Crown Prince/Princess, King/Queen (Northern)

A Crown Prince is the Prince that is next in line to be King. He is typically charged with governing the most important territory that a Dominion owns.

### Archduke/Archduchess

An Archduke is a ruler of a Dominion that is considered to be lower in rank than the core five Dominions of the Empire.

### King/Queen, High King/Queen (Northern)

A King reigns over an entire Dominion and is beholden to none other than the Emperor himself.

### Emperor/Empress

The Emperor indirectly governs all Dominions and manages the Imperial Authorities who operate throughout all of Aum.

## Imperial Church Ranks

### Worship

Many Ib throughout The Empire worship Die, but not all do so with the same level of devotion, and they, therefore, do not always receive the same level of blessing from their Divine Lord.

#### Follower

A Follower of any given Die is a casual worshipper. They may attend religious services on occasion and offer sacrifice unto their Lord when it is convenient for them, but otherwise, they lack serious conviction.

#### Adherent

An Adherent is a more loyal worshipper who regularly attends religious services and performs religious rights. They form the bulk of a Die's church attendants.

#### Acolyte

An Acolyte is a devoted worshipper of a Die that is in the process of achieving a higher level of worship, most commonly through secluding themselves away from many other aspects of life to focus on following their Lord.

#### Apostle

An Apostle is a devout worshipper of a Die that spreads their word wherever they are able, often going through great lengths to do so. They follow all of a Die's teachings without question and ensure that all those around them do the same.

#### Disciple

A Disciple is one of the highest-ranking worshippers of a Die that usually works directly with their Die's Champion or Avatar.

#### Champion

A Champion is a paragon of worship who lives to enact their Die's will on Aum and is very often given divine aid in order to do so.

### Preaching

#### Layman

A Layman is a member of a Church who attends worship services but lacks any rank.

#### Canon

A Canon is a member of a Church who has received an honorary title that elevates them beyond a Layman.

#### Deacon or Curate

A Deacon is a member of a Church who has been recognized as a pillar of their community in faith.

#### Priest

A Priest is a member of Church who has be authorized to preach the faith, often traveling around the world to do so.

#### Chaplain

A Chaplain is a Priest who has been trained for war and works in a military setting.

#### Pastor or Vicar

A is a preacher that manages a mission or small Parish.

#### Bishop

A Bishop is a preacher that manages a sizeable Parish and oversees the activities in the surrounding Missions

#### Archbishop

An Archbishop is a Bishop that manages and Ecclesia and oversees the activities in the surrounding Parishes

#### Cardinal

A Cardinal is a high ranking church official who works with the Pope in establishing and implementing Church Doctrine.

## Imperial Trade Ranks

### Merchant Rank

#### Peddler

A Peddler is a small-time seller of goods that tends to work directly off the street or cart instead of owning a physical shop of their own.

#### Vendor

A Vendor is a seller of goods with some reputation that typically has an established shop.

#### Merchant

A Merchant is a well-established seller of goods who often owns a significant trade business within a nation.

#### Trader

A Trader is an elite seller of goods that typically runs large trade operations between nations.

#### Capitalist

A Capitalist is a tycoon and a pinnacle of the economy who typically operates multiple businesses across the world.

### Crafts Rank

#### Dabbler

A Dabbler is a craftsman who has just begun to practice their craft and often knows little more than the basics.

#### Apprentice

An Apprentice is a craftsman who has taken up a diligent study of their craft and has learned much of the essential skills but may still be lacking in the practical experience involved in their execution.

#### Journeyman

A Journeyman is a craftsman who has become skilled enough to work independently at their craft and is able to perform it at an acceptable level but may still struggle with their consistency.

#### Expert

An Expert is a craftsman who performs their craft consistently with a professional level of skill.

#### Master

A Master is a craftsman whose skill goes beyond that of many of their peers.

#### Grandmaster

A Grandmaster is a craftsman whose skill is transcendent to the point that everything they create is beyond a masterpiece.

## Imperial Leo Ranks

#### Cadet or Rookie, Deputy

A Cadet is a newly enlisted officer that is still in training whereas a Rookie has completed training but lacks significant field experience to elevate themself beyond the bottom of the totem pole. A Deputy is a member of the public that has temporarily been drafted to serve as a Leo, typically either by a Chief or a Sheriff in need of support in managing a crisis.

#### Constable

A Constable is a regular Leo that performs most of the essential routine duties such as patrolling and responding to alarms.

#### Detective

A Detective is a specialized Leo that works on collecting evidence for crimes to compose case files that are submitted to Judges during trials.

#### Chief

A Chief is the highest-ranking Dominion officer of any given Leo Department and organized local Leo activities.

#### Sheriff

A Sheriff is a special kind of Leo that works directly as an Imperial Authority that outranks any local Leos, but still works with local Leos in enforcing their local laws. In addition to enforcing laws, a Sheriff is also charged with leading the defense of a settlement against outside threats.

#### Marshal

A Marshal is a promoted Sheriff that works in larger Settlements or Settlements in more dangerous locations.

#### Grand Marshal

The Grand Marshal is the head of all Imperial Leos and reports directly to the Minister of Harmony.

## Imperial Lawyer Ranks

#### Attorney

An Attorney is the lowest-ranking professional of the Law. They provide legal counsel to individuals and Guilds and may represent them directly in a court of law as a Defense Attorney or make cases against them as a Prosecutor.

#### Barrister

A Barrister is a promoted Attorney that fulfills the same roles but is allowed to practice in higher courts.

#### Judge

A Judge is a master of the law that hears civil and criminal cases and administers sentencing. They are influential figures among their communities and serve as mediators for both the grandest of debacles and the pettiest of legal disputes. While they are Imperial Officials, they work entirely within the legal confines of their assigned jurisdiction and are not charged with, and are even discouraged from, upholding Imperial Edicts in Dominions with conflicting laws.

#### Magistrate

A Magistrate is a higher ranked Judge of a superior court that presides over appeals trials. In addition to administering local Dominion laws, they are also charged with upholding Imperial Edicts, and while they do not have the authority to overturn local laws, they can end trials in a state of no contest if they have found local laws to be in violation of edict.

#### Justice

Justices are the administrators of Imperial Edicts, allowed full discretion in how to legally implement them into their jurisdiction, even if doing so would require them to overturn Dominion Laws, as such, they may requisition command over divisions of The Imperial Army should they be met with local resistance.

#### Chief Justice

The Chief Justice is the highest-ranking Imperial Lawyer and reports directly to the Minister of Justice

## Imperial Mage Ranks

Fledgling

Apprentice

Novice

Adept

Arcanist

Magus

Archmage

## See Also

Settlements

Ship Classes