Stadian Nobility Ranks

tadian nobility is rich in titles, ranks and fancy parties. Those in attendance with a higher class should be well versed in these things if they plan to attend any high society event.

King/Queen

The monarch outranks everyone else. Despite the Stadian Royal Family having a long record going back of putting men on the throne, it is always the oldest dragonthorn child who by birthright is expected to rule the country. The current king, King Zadicus Angelus, rules due to the death of his parents.

Crown Prince/Crown Princess

The Crown Prince or the Crown Princess is the oldest child of the monarch and the heir to the throne. By birthright, they take over the throne upon the death of the monarch. In theory, it is possible for a monarch to ley down his or her title and steps down from the throne to make space for the Crown Prince or Crown Princess, though in the last thousand years that has not happened. The title of Crown Prince or Crown Princess is held until they become King or Queen. The current holder of this title is Crown Prince Astaroth Angelus, who was given the title due to his older brother being a runi.

Prince/Princess

The prince or the princess are, like the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the children of the monarch and usually the younger siblings of the Crown Prince or Crown Princess. While they have official duties, most of them stay among the lines of representative attendances. They hold this title until they become of age.

Duke/Duchess

Upon becoming of age, a prince or princess receives the title of Duke or Duchess. Despite carrying the same title, the children of the current monarch still outrank the siblings of the same, who would be holding the title of Duke or Duchess as well. The title is hereditary. As such children of a Duke or Duchess grow up to carry the same title, though until they become of age they are addressed as Lord or Lady respectively.   Historically the Dukes and Duchesses have ruled over the five states of Stadia, though this has become impossible to sustain with the deaths of most of the Princes and Princesses in the last few hundred years. Despite that, the Dukes and Duchesses have the birthright by Stadian law to rule over a Stadian state. In the past, this right went even so far as for states to be split into two to assure all children of the current monarch could take hold of their right.   The Dukes and Duchesses that are the siblings of the monarch would serve the new Dukes and Duchesses as advisors and would receive a plot of land, usually including a few towns, to rule over in the state they previously ruled.

Marquess/Marchioness

Marquess is the highest rank among nobility. They usually own quite a bit of land that includes several larger and smaller towns and an unnumbered amount of villages. As lords of the land they can raise and lower taxes as they want though they are more bound to the law of the state, they reside in than the Dukes an Duchesses are bound to Stadian regulations. The Marquesses of one state form a council that answers to their respective Dukes and has sworn their loyalty to them and therefore the crown. The title is hereditary and is handed down to the eldest son of the Marquess. Any other children hold the title of Lord or Lady of the house and are more often than not referred to as son or daughter of the Marquess.

Archduke/Archduchess

Due to the issues of ruling arising with the lack of Princes and Princesses, King Zadicuz created a new hereditary title that ranks above the Marquess. For this, he chose the most influential Marquess of each state and gave them the title of Archduke. They are allowed to hold this title until a Duke or Duchess claims a state as theirs to rule. The title is hereditary under the same conditions as the title of Marquess and is only hereditary as long as no Duke is in control of a state. If that happens the title of Archduke is to be revoked, though the title of Marquess stays.

Earl/Countess

The title of Earl is the second-highest rank among the nobility and like the title of Marquess, it is hereditary. With the title comes ownership of and jurisdiction over land, their county.

Viscount/Viscountess

Viscounts are appointed to assist the Earls of a region in their running, and they usually take on judicial responsibilities. The title is not hereditary. Among their duties is the collection of taxes and revenues, administering justice and overseeing the court procedures in the region of their Earl.

Baron/Baroness

The title of Baron is the lowest hereditary title of nobility, though the King can also award the title on one person for their lifetime, which is the more common thing to happen. Their duties included providing soldiers to the royal army, while they had the privilege to attend the King's court. The lands they rule usually include some smaller towns and villages.

Below Baron

Un-ranked nobility is referred to by the title of Lord or Lady (usually of something).

Knight

Knight is a non-hereditary title given by the King. It is awarded for outstanding civilian or military services. In Stadia, dragonthorn children are considered to become of age on their 160^th birthday, while runi children come of age by their 80^th birthday.