Hello, I'll be preparing to run a D&D 3e game soon. (or rather trying to re-run/re-jumpstart an old one) And thankyou all for the great responses in the "Why is Scarred Lands so popular?" thread. This has convinced me to pick up the 'Scarred Lands Campaign Setting: Ghelspad' book. However, in preparation for my game I want to smooth out some of the flaws in my DMing skills. My players really do like my stories, but I do have one major flaw. I am horrible at using proper names and titles for NPCs and such.
I don't know when to use the title Duke for example. So if you could (and have the time), please help me with some of the following? And yes, you'll be amazed at how little I know. Or amazed how long I was able to fake what I didn't know.
--these are assuming that I'm running a Euro-centric English medieval style world (so I'm not using Csar, Herzog, Daimyo, etc.)
1.) Okay, what is a Duke? Does he rule subsections of a King's kingdom? By the way, what's a Magistrate exactly?
2.) The military: What are the rank names? I may know the modern usage in the Army like private, corporal, lieutenant, captain, etc....but what about for fantasy setting? What is the common foot soldier called? And all the ranks in between? If there is a cavalry unit, does the leader of the cavalry unit use a different cavalry specific rank/title? For instance, what's a Lancerate?
3.) When I go into a small town. What is the name of the guy who keeps the law in the town? I don't want to use Sheriff (although I'm sure that's appropriate) because it pulls up images of the wild west usually. Or at least with my players. So what do I use instead? Constable? Warden?
4.) What's the name of the guys that work the docks? Are they run by a Harbormaster?
5.) Who's in charge of the day to day things that keep a castle running? Y'know...the kitchens, the stables, the cleaning, etc.
6.) What's the store called where you go buy provisions for adventuring, travelling, etc? I almost called it a General Store. But again, thats too Wild West sounding.
7.) What is a Glade exactly? Every beautiful Elf maiden seems to be dancing in one. But what makes a glade be called ..... a glade? Dictionary just says , "an open space surrounded by woods". Is that it or is there more to it?
8.) At what point is a hill too big to be called a hill? When do you call it a mountain.
9.) I'm not sure what the difference between Steppes and Plains.
10.) If the government is a Theocracy, then what are the ranking titles within that governing body?
I know that's a ton of questions. Any help is greatly appreciated. Even if you can only answer one or two. Again, thankyou everyone.
I don't know when to use the title Duke for example. So if you could (and have the time), please help me with some of the following? And yes, you'll be amazed at how little I know. Or amazed how long I was able to fake what I didn't know.

--these are assuming that I'm running a Euro-centric English medieval style world (so I'm not using Csar, Herzog, Daimyo, etc.)
1.) Okay, what is a Duke? Does he rule subsections of a King's kingdom? By the way, what's a Magistrate exactly?
2.) The military: What are the rank names? I may know the modern usage in the Army like private, corporal, lieutenant, captain, etc....but what about for fantasy setting? What is the common foot soldier called? And all the ranks in between? If there is a cavalry unit, does the leader of the cavalry unit use a different cavalry specific rank/title? For instance, what's a Lancerate?
3.) When I go into a small town. What is the name of the guy who keeps the law in the town? I don't want to use Sheriff (although I'm sure that's appropriate) because it pulls up images of the wild west usually. Or at least with my players. So what do I use instead? Constable? Warden?
4.) What's the name of the guys that work the docks? Are they run by a Harbormaster?
5.) Who's in charge of the day to day things that keep a castle running? Y'know...the kitchens, the stables, the cleaning, etc.
6.) What's the store called where you go buy provisions for adventuring, travelling, etc? I almost called it a General Store. But again, thats too Wild West sounding.
7.) What is a Glade exactly? Every beautiful Elf maiden seems to be dancing in one. But what makes a glade be called ..... a glade? Dictionary just says , "an open space surrounded by woods". Is that it or is there more to it?
8.) At what point is a hill too big to be called a hill? When do you call it a mountain.
9.) I'm not sure what the difference between Steppes and Plains.
10.) If the government is a Theocracy, then what are the ranking titles within that governing body?
I know that's a ton of questions. Any help is greatly appreciated. Even if you can only answer one or two. Again, thankyou everyone.