Noble Titles

In Changeling society, five noble ranks are noted and covered by the Title Background. From bottom up, those ranks are Squire, Knight, Baron, Count, and Duke. Above the Duke, of course, is King, and High King above that. But is feudal society, even (especially?) fae society, that simple? Not at all. In addition to accepting alternative terms for some titles, there are also "ranks within ranks". A number of them will be listed below, and the level of the Title Background that they still equate will also be included. For the purpose of using Sovereign, this still holds true. Therefore, just because a baronet is lesser than a baron, a knight could still not Dictum the baronet anymore than he could Dictum the full-fledged baron. Also included shall be feminine versions and titles.

Changing titles within the same level requires no point changes, but is still often accompanied by all the pomp and festivity of any other status improvement.

* Title

• Squire
  
• Squirette
  
  
• Page: Whereas a squire is a knight-in-training, a page is a low-ranked noble with dim prospects of ever climbing higher. Maybe he doesn't even want to; with some practice, he could acquire the skills needed to be considered a squire instead, and eventually move up to the rank of knight.
  
  

** Title

• Knight
  
• Lady-Knight
  
  
• Lady: A lady is a noblewoman of rank above squirette, but lacking in the duties of a knight. Sometimes a female page can rise to the status of lady, whereas a male page is stuck as a page unless he shifts gears and becomes a squire. A lady is more often the child of a baron, count, or duke, and she may be the heir apparent to that title.
  
• Master: A master is a nobleman of rank above squire, but lacking in the duties of a knight. Like the lady, a master is typically the child of a baron, count, or duke, and may be the heir apparent to that title.
  
• Knight-Sergeant: A knight-sergeant is a ranking knight above a common knight; most knight-sergeants are older Wilders with years of experience under their belts. They can give orders to common knights in the same household and expect them to be followed.
  
• Master Knight: All large households have one master knight. These veteran noble warriors are usually Grumps with no ambition but to serve. However, some master knights are landed retainers, with small freeholds to govern and enjoy.
  
  

*** Title

• Baron
  
• Baroness
  
  
• Baronet: A baronet is a step beneath a full baron. He is essentially a landed nobleman with authority above all knights. Baronets are often chosen to officiate freeholds that spring up unexpectedly (such as a reinvigorated holding) within established baronies.
  
• Baronette: A baronette is simply a female baronet.
  
  

**** Title

• Count
  
• Countess
  
  
• Viscount: A viscount is a step below a count but above a baron. The viscount is often a landless title, given to a high-ranking nobleman who serves as counsel to a marquis, duke, or (occasionally) a full-fledged count.
  
• Viscountess: A viscountess is simply a female viscount.
  
  

***** Title

• Duke
  
• Duchess
  
  
• Marquis: A marquis is a step below a duke but above a count. The marquis is often a landless title, given to a high-ranking nobleman who serves as counsel (and often general) to a king or high king.
  
• Marquise: A marquise is simply a female marquis.
  
  

***** * Title

• Prince: A prince is the son of a reigning king and/or queen. A prince is simply the heir apparent to the throne.
  
• Princess: A princess is simply a female prince.
  
  

***** ** Title

• King: A king holds final authority over his realm. There are numerous fae kingdoms throughout the world, and probably ten times as many in Arcadia. This scarcely diminishes the power of such an august ruler, however.
  
• Queen: A queen is simply a female ruler, and they are often as powerful if not more so than their male counterparts.
  
  

***** *** Title

• High Prince: A high prince is the son of a reigning high king and/or high queen. A high prince is simply the heir apparent to the throne.
  
• High Princess: A high princess is simply a female high prince.
  
  

***** **** Title

• High King: A high king embodies rule over several kingdoms, typically based on a major continental or hemispheric nature. For example, High King David rules Concordia (North America). There are only ever one or two of these powerful nobles on Earth at any given time, and probably only a handful more back in Arcadia.
  
• High Queen: A high queen is simply a female ruler, and they are often as powerful if not more so than their male counterparts.
  
  

***** ***** Title

• Emperor: Unknown on Earth, a fae emperor can lay claim to much if not most of the world in which he rules. In Arcadia, a number of kings or high kings claim to be emperors, but that's usually just madness and ego. If there are any genuine emperors in Arcadia now, no fae on Earth can recall.
  
• Empress: An empress is simply a female emperor.
  
  

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