Laurefindel
Legend
I'm not surprisedMarshal is winning. Interesting.
A Herald announces someone else; not a leader. Same with Harbinger (not on the list but often used in fantasy).
A Banneret is the son/descendant of a knight (who may not even be a warrior); too narrow and associated nobility. Can equally be a leader or a brat.
A Captain can be translated by "head man" (well, kind of). I could see that one work
A Warlord, 4e baggage aside, fits for leading an army (one bigger than a 4-adventurer party) and connotes warmongering. Still, it could work.
A Marshal is a term associated with horses but in the modern sense it's a military leader. Fitting.
A Mark is some kind of chamberlain or seneschal right? Like Kay in Arthurian Legends? Could work, but implies a more sedentary lifestyle, and implies vassalship to a liege.
A Commander is someone who commands. A bit "in-your-face!", but it works.
A Warden protects a ward. It doesn't really implies leadership, and isn't neutral on the defense/offence scale (for what its worth...)
A Sentinel is also someone who watches or stands guard. Again, doesn't scream leadership, and is closely associated with a place/person, a particular enemy, or a region/nation.
So in all those terms, Captain, Warlord, Commander could work for a leader-type class, but Marshal stands as the best term for someone who is called to lead either small or large groups, and has a military connotation. Captain is close behind IMO.
Last edited: