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I'm doing some world-building, and I've created a small town that has some martial types as the leaders. These leaders are levels 6, 5, and 5. They are not the most powerful characters in town in terms of sheer class levels, but they are the ones who rolled up their sleeves and turned a small tent-town into a real settlement that has a population of about 800. Real houses, a couple of temples, an inn, and so on.
What would a military leader call himself (or herself) after defending a village, setting up a militia, and taking over day-to-day town-running duties? Mayor seems very wrong, even though that is essentially the position. I know there are other titles in the fantasy domain that have more martial implications, but I've no idea what those titles might be. Clues? Help?
Commander
Captain
Marshal
Colonel (sp? i always spell that wrong...)
Sir (<-- as in, he has no formal title but since everyone else is "beneath him" he must be addressed as sir by all, even outsiders -- "I am in charge here, call me Sir").
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Constable is the title for the commander of the army in a medieval state. Marshal is a slightly lower rank for the officer in charge of the camp and of supplies. Captain is the commander of a company. Not that medieval armies are particularly noted for using these ranks consistently. Sherriff is perhaps plausible, since they're involved in law enforcement, tax collection, and organisation of a militia. Possibly governor, especially if there's the implication that you also command the local military forces as was the case throughout much of the Roman republic and early empire.
To some extent it depends on where they are and what they're claiming to be. If it's outside a recognised kingdom they can probably get away with claiming anything, although someone controlling a territory with at most a few thousand residents who claims to be a king is likely to be laughed at by most people. Baron, or simply lord, might be most plausible, since it doesn't imply extensive territories but does imply you're the local ruler. Although it would also be possible to use one of the many equivalent titles in other languages. Within a kingdom, claiming any sort of title without the consent of the king is a good way to be shortened by one head's length.
Last edited by Bluenose; 6th November 2009 at 09:57 AM..
Reason: spelling
Reeve could be a good title for a non-noble leader.
Elderman does not always mean someone who is the oldest in a village, but a leading figure of the community.
Captain is good. Literally the head of something or other. Was used by anyone who had his own troops, like a mercenary captain.
Sergeant (or if you want a more military touch; sergeant-at-arms).
Squire could work, though it these days always makes one think of knights-to-be. And it has rather distinct noble connotations.
(Marshal is really a master of horse, and only later became military - and then appointed by a superior noble.
Colonel is purely military, the leader of a column of soldiers.
Sir is either a honorific for a lesser noble, or (generally as 'sire') literally used for one's father (or possibly other elder male realtive). )
You could always use a hyphenated title, like Mayor-protector or something like that. Then, maybe in the future if the town grows into a city, you could split that position into two, with a civilian Mayor and a military Protector that both run the city.
...
Matter of fact, I think I might do that for my own world.
Thane might work in a somewhat clannish society. Master is another alternative, if you can check your other connotations at the door.
For reference, Sam, Merry and Pippin became (respectively) at the end of The Lord of the Rings: Mayor of the Shire, Master of Buckland, and the Took and the Thain.
EDIT: Wikipedia throws up another good possibility - Warden (if you can get past the fact that it is also the name of a class in 4E).
Thank you guys so much! I do like Marshal, but I note that it is a rather insignificant title in some cases. One definition I saw put it as "the master of a house." So, it sounds & feels right to me, but I dislike that some definitions diminish it.
I think I will go with Captain, and he will have a 1st Lieutenant & 2nd Lieutenant. There will be 6 guards for the town of 768, with a volunteer militia of 33.
If you wanted, you could also just create your own fantasy military titles. For instance you could take a page out of Steven Erikson's novels and call your military leader a "Fist" or something like that. Using new titles could help to richen the city with flavour.
So assuming your military leader's title is "Fist", or "High Fist" then maybe your two lieutennants can be "Sworn Swords" and play with the imagery that its the fist that holds the swords. Or something like that.
Anyway, just an idea to change up the military terms. Its your own world after all.
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Colonel = Kentucky colonel, an aristocrat/militia leader.
Captain = Leader of Company of troops. Generic default medieval military rank. The only ranks I ever refer to are:
- Captain-General (leader of several captains/several companies)
- Captain (leader of a body of men or a ship)
- Lieutenant (literally French for a place holder -- for what? a captain)
- Sergeant (don't call me sir, I work for a living)
- Corporal (junior sergeant)
Imperator = Latin for general
Dux = Latin for leader, generically
Marshall = French or British for a senior general
Sheriff = British for the King's justice in a county
Margrave = feudal ruler of a March (borderland)
Earl = Anglo-Norse leader title
For ranks in general, check this on Wikipedia, and related links you'll find off these pages:
<SNIP>
- Lieutenant (literally French for a place holder -- for what? a captain)
<SNIP>
Dux = Latin for leader, generically
Dux - is also the bastardization and root of the word Duke.
Lieutenant - is derived from a time when units had individual flags, today they are called guidons, but then they were ensigns (yes like the naval term). When a unit's ensign was killed the person that held their place until a new one was assigned was called a ... lieutenant. (BTW this is one reason the ranks are equal in many world military organizations.)
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If you wanted, you could also just create your own fantasy military titles.
Thats probably the best idea.
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Lieutenant - is derived from a time when units had individual flags, today they are called guidons, but then they were ensigns (yes like the naval term). When a unit's ensign was killed the person that held their place until a new one was assigned was called a ... lieutenant.
Actually lieutenant was the guy serving in lieu of the owner of the estate (tenant), that is a non-noble manger of a noble's estate. When he went to war instead of his lord he was still called a lieutenant.
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