Post by Wargamer on May 13, 2005 9:36:20 GMT -5
Evadian society is layered into several "ranks". Each rank has its own meaning in Evadian society, and an Evadian's rank can change quickly based on personal circumstance. They are split into three sections: Core, Free and Knight ranks.
The Core, or "Common" ranks:
Peon:
Also known as "Unshielded" or "Whiteshields", Peons are the lowest social rank in Evadia. Peons are, technically, anyone who has not earned their Colours, but it is normally only applied to those of thirteen or over.
Peons have few rights under Evadian law. They belong to their parents, partner (if married to a Serf or higher), or an approved social superior if neither of the former are present. They may not choose who they marry, or what work they perform, they may not own property, and anything they do own is, by law, the property of their "owner". In short, a Peon is little better than a slave.
Peons below the age of seventeen are generally accepted. Whilst Whiteshields are encouraged to earn their Colours at thirteen, the people have respect for those who prefer to train longer, thus improving their value on the field. However, those who dally too long from earning their Colours are frowned upon.
In Evadian religion, a Peon who dies (save dying whilst seeking to earn their colours) will never enter the halls of Alyx. However, the partner of an Armsman or higher is also allowed to enter the Halls, though their soul must wait for their partner if they die first.
A Peon who dies before the end of their thirteenth year is believed to be reborn again so that they may earn their Colours in the next life. It is widely believed that orphan children brought to the Knight Orders are the reborn spirits of such individuals.
Serf:
Also known as a Shieldsman, or Coloured Man, a Serf is an Evadian who has earned their Colours. They may own property, and are no longer bound by the ties of ownership they had as a Peon. They are not required to fight for Evadia, however, save if recruited in times of dire need. Most Evadians are Serfs.
Armsman:
Sometimes called Men of Arms, or Swordsmen, Armsmen pledge their sword to the cause of defending Evadia. They represent the Men At Arms of the Knight Orders, or the troopers that form the Free Evad Military.
In recent times, the distinction between a Serf and an Armsman has become vague. However, Armsmen are usually given seats closer to the main table in the village hall, better cuts of meat and fresher bread at feasts, and are generally admired by the people. Indeed, because of the Evadian religious beliefs, there is usually at least one family per village hoping to marry off a young boy or girl to a passing Armsman, ensuring their child passage into the afterlife.
The Free Ranks:
Yeoman:
A Yeoman is someone who owns a significant portion of land, usually two or three farms. In smaller settlements, a Yeomen may act as village leader.
Generally, Yeomen form a "middle class" of worker; too important for menial tasks, but not important enough to avoid physical labour completely. Not many Evadians aknowledge this rank in any way except for formality and tradition. Technically, a regimental sergeant or lieutenant would also be a Yeoman. However, this position long ago lost any meaning in Evadian military heirarchy.
Esquire:
Esquires are a form of "upper class" Evadians. They generally own considerable tracts of land, such as an entire village, or may own a large merchant enterprise, such as trade routes to Bretonnia, or a merchant ship. Equires are also, technically, captains of regiments. However, the rank of Esquire is no longer applied to Evadian armies, save by more traditional (some would say backward) Evadians.
Duke:
The rank of Duke does still, technically, exist within the Evadian people. However, there is no living bearer of this title.
The most obvious applicant would be Tom Hawk, who commands an entire city, trade agreements worth millions of gold coin, entire fleets of commercial and military vessels, his own mercenary army, and a state-army for his city. Whether the title of Duke will be revived and presented to Hawk is still unknown, but doing so would undoubtedly increase his efforts for financial domination of the Old World and beyond.
Knight Ranks:
Errant:
The lowest rank of Knight. Errants are bound to remain within the walls of their Order, or a garisson-fort thereof, save when ordered to battle by a superior, or given leave. Most Evadian knights are Errants.
Esquirant:
Sometimes known as "First Errants" or "First Knights", Esquirant is a rank little-used now by the Orders. However, they do exist. Esquirants are given the rights and responsibilities of a Questor, without the requirement to quest. Esquirants are usually found commanding small outposts, or as part of crusade forces.
Questor:
An Evadian Knight who wishes to become become a Paladin must first prove themselves by questing for battle. They may come and go from their Order freely, and are expected to answer the call to arms whenever possible. They often travel far from Evad to find worthy foes, and whilst there are no hard and fast rules as to what they must defeat, it is widely agreed it should be suitably heroic.
Some Questors, due to a love of the Questor's freedom, but fearing increased responsibility from promotion, never aknowledge their successes. As such, there are many Questors who have earned the right to become Paladins many times over, but never have.
Questmaster:
Questmasters are Questors who arrange and find truly challenging foes for others to fight. They normally lead bands of Questors against foes they could not overcome alone, such as Giants, Dragons, or entire clans of Ogres. Questmasters are often those who do not wish the burden of responsibity Paladinship brings, or simply believe themselves to lack the leadership qualities required.
Warden:
An Evadian Knight who, through age or injury, is unable to fight on the field becomes a Warden. They are technically whatever rank they held prior to "retirement", although many of the Eldest Wardens, even those who were only Errants, are respected by all, and their words are considered by even the proudest Barons.
Wardens are tasked with training the Men At Arms, and ensuring the security of the Order.
Paladin:
Paladins are the first "command" rank of the Orders. They are heroes, admired by their men and the people of Evad. They lead the armies of the Knight Orders into battle, and their skill and bravery is beyond question.
Baron:
Leaders of the Order, Barons are the knights who "own" the Order and its territories. They are charged with commanding all aspects of the order, from leading them to battle to balancing the books. As such, every Baron tends to gather a considerable entourage of accountants, clerks and similar hangers-on.
Lord Baron:
More of a formality than a true rank, a Lord Baron is the supreme ruler of the Order. There are only four Lord Barons at any one time; one for the Dragon, Mercury, Atlas and Templar Orders respectively.
King of Arms:
The highest position in Evadia, the King of Arms is charged with leading the kingdom of Evad "until Alyx returns". He is widely viewed as an avatar of Alyx, and his words and actions are beyond question. However, Evadia being a military state, he can be easily removed by force should those beneath him believe he serves himself, and not the ideals of Alyx and the Evadian people.
The Core, or "Common" ranks:
Peon:
Also known as "Unshielded" or "Whiteshields", Peons are the lowest social rank in Evadia. Peons are, technically, anyone who has not earned their Colours, but it is normally only applied to those of thirteen or over.
Peons have few rights under Evadian law. They belong to their parents, partner (if married to a Serf or higher), or an approved social superior if neither of the former are present. They may not choose who they marry, or what work they perform, they may not own property, and anything they do own is, by law, the property of their "owner". In short, a Peon is little better than a slave.
Peons below the age of seventeen are generally accepted. Whilst Whiteshields are encouraged to earn their Colours at thirteen, the people have respect for those who prefer to train longer, thus improving their value on the field. However, those who dally too long from earning their Colours are frowned upon.
In Evadian religion, a Peon who dies (save dying whilst seeking to earn their colours) will never enter the halls of Alyx. However, the partner of an Armsman or higher is also allowed to enter the Halls, though their soul must wait for their partner if they die first.
A Peon who dies before the end of their thirteenth year is believed to be reborn again so that they may earn their Colours in the next life. It is widely believed that orphan children brought to the Knight Orders are the reborn spirits of such individuals.
Serf:
Also known as a Shieldsman, or Coloured Man, a Serf is an Evadian who has earned their Colours. They may own property, and are no longer bound by the ties of ownership they had as a Peon. They are not required to fight for Evadia, however, save if recruited in times of dire need. Most Evadians are Serfs.
Armsman:
Sometimes called Men of Arms, or Swordsmen, Armsmen pledge their sword to the cause of defending Evadia. They represent the Men At Arms of the Knight Orders, or the troopers that form the Free Evad Military.
In recent times, the distinction between a Serf and an Armsman has become vague. However, Armsmen are usually given seats closer to the main table in the village hall, better cuts of meat and fresher bread at feasts, and are generally admired by the people. Indeed, because of the Evadian religious beliefs, there is usually at least one family per village hoping to marry off a young boy or girl to a passing Armsman, ensuring their child passage into the afterlife.
The Free Ranks:
Yeoman:
A Yeoman is someone who owns a significant portion of land, usually two or three farms. In smaller settlements, a Yeomen may act as village leader.
Generally, Yeomen form a "middle class" of worker; too important for menial tasks, but not important enough to avoid physical labour completely. Not many Evadians aknowledge this rank in any way except for formality and tradition. Technically, a regimental sergeant or lieutenant would also be a Yeoman. However, this position long ago lost any meaning in Evadian military heirarchy.
Esquire:
Esquires are a form of "upper class" Evadians. They generally own considerable tracts of land, such as an entire village, or may own a large merchant enterprise, such as trade routes to Bretonnia, or a merchant ship. Equires are also, technically, captains of regiments. However, the rank of Esquire is no longer applied to Evadian armies, save by more traditional (some would say backward) Evadians.
Duke:
The rank of Duke does still, technically, exist within the Evadian people. However, there is no living bearer of this title.
The most obvious applicant would be Tom Hawk, who commands an entire city, trade agreements worth millions of gold coin, entire fleets of commercial and military vessels, his own mercenary army, and a state-army for his city. Whether the title of Duke will be revived and presented to Hawk is still unknown, but doing so would undoubtedly increase his efforts for financial domination of the Old World and beyond.
Knight Ranks:
Errant:
The lowest rank of Knight. Errants are bound to remain within the walls of their Order, or a garisson-fort thereof, save when ordered to battle by a superior, or given leave. Most Evadian knights are Errants.
Esquirant:
Sometimes known as "First Errants" or "First Knights", Esquirant is a rank little-used now by the Orders. However, they do exist. Esquirants are given the rights and responsibilities of a Questor, without the requirement to quest. Esquirants are usually found commanding small outposts, or as part of crusade forces.
Questor:
An Evadian Knight who wishes to become become a Paladin must first prove themselves by questing for battle. They may come and go from their Order freely, and are expected to answer the call to arms whenever possible. They often travel far from Evad to find worthy foes, and whilst there are no hard and fast rules as to what they must defeat, it is widely agreed it should be suitably heroic.
Some Questors, due to a love of the Questor's freedom, but fearing increased responsibility from promotion, never aknowledge their successes. As such, there are many Questors who have earned the right to become Paladins many times over, but never have.
Questmaster:
Questmasters are Questors who arrange and find truly challenging foes for others to fight. They normally lead bands of Questors against foes they could not overcome alone, such as Giants, Dragons, or entire clans of Ogres. Questmasters are often those who do not wish the burden of responsibity Paladinship brings, or simply believe themselves to lack the leadership qualities required.
Warden:
An Evadian Knight who, through age or injury, is unable to fight on the field becomes a Warden. They are technically whatever rank they held prior to "retirement", although many of the Eldest Wardens, even those who were only Errants, are respected by all, and their words are considered by even the proudest Barons.
Wardens are tasked with training the Men At Arms, and ensuring the security of the Order.
Paladin:
Paladins are the first "command" rank of the Orders. They are heroes, admired by their men and the people of Evad. They lead the armies of the Knight Orders into battle, and their skill and bravery is beyond question.
Baron:
Leaders of the Order, Barons are the knights who "own" the Order and its territories. They are charged with commanding all aspects of the order, from leading them to battle to balancing the books. As such, every Baron tends to gather a considerable entourage of accountants, clerks and similar hangers-on.
Lord Baron:
More of a formality than a true rank, a Lord Baron is the supreme ruler of the Order. There are only four Lord Barons at any one time; one for the Dragon, Mercury, Atlas and Templar Orders respectively.
King of Arms:
The highest position in Evadia, the King of Arms is charged with leading the kingdom of Evad "until Alyx returns". He is widely viewed as an avatar of Alyx, and his words and actions are beyond question. However, Evadia being a military state, he can be easily removed by force should those beneath him believe he serves himself, and not the ideals of Alyx and the Evadian people.