Systems · Combat/ Warfare · General
Fantasy Military Rankings
Sometimes I think that a new rank system is in order, but am unsure how complex it should be. This is a simple fantasy military rank system(insignias are described) that should be fun to just contemplate.
1.Page
This is the lowest of the low. Pages normally are personal servants or runners,messengers, or even armed guards at times. They are usually assigned to a certain important official, who can do with them what they wish. Status is indicated by the number of Pages you have control over. Age level is usually 12 to 15 for this rank in most societies. There is no pay in this position. The insignia is a strait horizontal bronze bar.(Insignias are worn on sleeves while in uniform.)
2.Rook
The Rook is regarded with more respect within this system, though not much. They are always simple foot soldiers who are given tedious tasks and are made to patrol bases and camps. Pay is 2 Crowns per week(about 50$ in current money) and until a promotion, Rooks are not allowed on horseback or on wagons, nor a seat at any table. This is different from the Pages, as their master usually gives them an unusual amount of respect. The insignia is a diagonal silver bar.
3.Legger
The Legger is regarded with much more respect, as the promotion shows that they have endured and passed the cruelness of being a Rook. The pay is 6 Crowns per week(about 150$) and they are allowed on horseback, and to seat themselves at a table. Duties are now demanding, however, as each Legger usually has a score of Rooks to command. The insignia is a diagonal silver bar over a golden torch, making an x shape.
4.Bladerunner
The Bladerunner is the last Lower Class Rank. They command much respect from everyone, as they have now proved themselves in battle several times over. The pay is 11 Crowns(about 275$) and they have their own company, which consists of 4 scores of Rooks with their Legger commanders. The insignia is a gold Diagonal bar over a silver five point star.
5.Surge
The Surge is the only officer rank; however, there are three levels, 3rd Class, 2nd Class, and 1st Class, in that order. The pay is 20, then 35, then 50 Crowns(about 500$, 875$, and 1250$), and they are in charge of entire battalions. The insignias go from 1 to 2 then 3 gold stars.There are only 15 Surges in an entire army.
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Links to this article 1
- Rank Systems Strolen linked by Moonlake
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A nice fantasy world rank insignia.
Nice idea, ranks and insignia are fun and help develop the world. We do get an indirect sense of the setting ( money economy, assocation of horses with social rank). But I would be much more interested to hear about these ranks and titles in historical in game context. We can always shave a way specific to use in our own settings, but you passed on a lot of world building opportunities here.
Firstly, welcome to the Citadel! This is a solid system, could use a bit more details but as is, it provides a good overview of the this specific ranking system.
Nice concept! I like the simplicity and the fun names, especially how speed increases with responsibility.
A gripe and a fun fact: 'Rook' comes from the game of chess, which originally came from a game called Chaturanga. Back then, the corner piece was not a tower/castle, but a chariot, and was referred to as 'ratha', or in arabic as 'rukhkh'. Rooks are the 2nd most powerful pieces, after the queen. Having a rook be your 2nd lowest rank and be footsoldiers (as opposed to siege towers or chariot-riders) seems somewhat counter-intuitive from that standpoint.
`Rook` also can refer to the crow-like bird. I would make their insignia a bird-rook if I left it at that level.
There are many rank systems in the real world to draw inspiration from.