Gantrian Noble Hierarchy

The Royal Family

King|Queen

The hereditary monarch of the Kingdom of Gantrick, inherited by Absolute Primogeniture. They sit upon the Scaled Throne in the Royal Palace in Sutol.

Styled as His/Her Majesty King/Queen _____, By the Grace of the Twelve, Sovereign of the Realm and all its Lands and Peoples

The spouse of the monarch is referred to as the King|Queen Consort.

The current Royal Family is House Damodred, who have been ruling since they came to power in 632 

Prince|Princess

A title reserved for the immediate children of the Monarch.

Styled as Royal Highness for senior Princes and Princesses, while junior ones take on Highness

Further children of Princes and Princesses do not retain titles, though they maintain their status as being members of House Damodred and are still referred to as Lord|Lady for two generations (great grandchild of the monarch)

For an heir apparent to be granted the title of Crown Prince|Princess, they must complete a pilgrimage to Holy Sites to each of the Twelve Prime Deities. Upon returning to the Capital, they are crowned and thereafter addressed as such.  

Nobility

The Doctrine of Renewal

Noble Titles are not automatically inherited by the heir of the holder. Each generation, the title will degrade one step along the following list until nothing remains of the title. This was instituted in an effort to make nobility more responsive to the needs of their demesne, and to encourage them to continually contribute to the realm. In order to establish a line of nobility, each heir must work to maintain the prestige of their House. As such, those families who maintain their station for a number of generations are given more status than those who have just earned theirs.

The direct, recognized children of titled Nobility are styled as Lord|Lady, regardless of their parent's rank, but no further descendants are styled as such.

The Fount of Honor

The Monarch is the Fount of Honor, and from them all Noble titles come. No titles exist save for those the ruling Monarch grants. Nobles have no subjects, for all are subjects of the Monarch. The Monarch's nobles are invested with responsibility, power, and privilege with the express purpose of protecting the kingdom and the Monarch's subjects. They serve at the behest of the Monarch, and only for so long as the Monarch wishes. Should a Noble prove themselves unworthy of continued service, it is the duty of the Monarch to strip them of lands, titles, and privileges and appoint a more capable individual in their place.  

Senior Nobility

Duke|Duchess

Styled as Grace
Ducal Titles are considered the most prestigious noble titles, as they must be directly granted rather than inherited. Thus families who maintain Ducal lines for several generations are regarded with great deference.
Gradations within Ducal titles include Grand Duke|Duchess, which may be granted under certain circumstances, and Archduke|Archduchess, which is given to the monarch's Consort.

Known Dukes|Duchesses

Duke of Obbas

High Lord Mattin Ullman, human Duke of Baran'tar

• Lord Braeden, Second son of High Lord Ullman
• Lord Cedric, Third son of High Lord Ullman

High Lady Eliza Toruum, goliath Duchess of Gwernston  

Margrave|Margravine

Styled as Most Honorable or Grace. Also referred to as Lords|Ladies of the Mark
Titles of the Mark are regarded as great among the nobility of Gantrick, and are given a high degree of deference.

Known Margraves|Margravines

High Lord Serrio Raitan, human Margrave of the Valarin

High Lady Beatrice Redfell, human Margravine of the Canglir Foothills

• Lord Airan, Heir to Lady Redfell

House Orunbaev, dwarven Margrave of Sarkas

• Lord Bekjan, Second son of High Lord Orunbaev

 

Junior Nobility

Count|Countess

Styled as Right Honorable or Lordship|Ladyship Although they are not the lowest rank among nobles, Counts and Counteses are the most numerous. Many administer lands which do not require additional executive authority and therefore oversee no Barons or Baronesses. Most rural Counts

Known Counts|Countesses

House Valda, human Countess of Baldrin

• Lady Evelyn, Heiress of Baldrin

House Debock, dwarven Count of Orlain

• Lord Florian Debock, Heir of Orlain

Lord Theodore Bellestair, Count of Carnen

• Lord Lucien, Heir of Carnen
• Lady Allison

Lord Krimmon Leagallow, dwarven Count of Farwind

• Lady Eodwyn, Third daughter of Lord Leagallow

Lord Thedris Caebrek, human Count of Rimehollow

• Lord Estoc, Second son of Lord Caebrek

Lady Emma Branson, Countess of Solov
House Galpsi, halfling Countess of Ostah'lath

• Lord Fulcaire, Second son of Lady Galpsi

Baron|Baroness

Styled as Lordship|Ladyship
Barons and Baronesses  

Known Barons|Baronesses

House Loraditas, elvish Baron of Pelmalos

• Lord Tamneth, Fourth son of Lord Loraditas

House Kuysok, elvish Baroness of Millburn

• Lady Jasnet, Second daughter of Lady Kuysok