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The
Methoria Campaign
The
Four Classes and Status Levels in Society
Official
Titles for each Position in Gray
Average Fortnightly Income Levels in Green
Average
Fortnighly Cost of Living in Red
| Level | The Military | The Church | The Guild | The Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | The King (Your Magesty, Your Highness, Sire) $5000-$10,000 |
The Patriarch The Matriarch (Your Eminence, Lord Patrona, Lady Matrona) (PI=3) $3,000-$8,000 |
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| 6 | Prince, Duke (Lord...Duke of..., Sire) $2000-$5000 $1000-$3000 |
Archbishop (Father, Mother, Patrona, Matrona) (PI=2/CI=7,8) $1500-$3000 $500-$2000 Saint (PI=3) $500-$3000 $0-$1000 |
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| 5 | Baron (Count) (Lord, Baron (Count), Sire) $1500-$3000 $1000-$2000 General (Sir, General) (Rank=7,8) $1000-$2500 $500-$1000 |
High Bishop (Father, Mother, Patrona, Matrona) (PI=2/CI=5,6) $1000-$2000 $400-$800 |
Guildmaster (Guildmaster, Master Merchant) $2500-$5000+ $2000-$3000 |
Dean of a
University $2000-$5000 $2000-$3000 |
| 4 | High Commander (Rank=5,6) $750-$1500 $400-$800 |
Bishop (Father, Mother, Patrona, Matrona) (PI=2/CI=4) $750-$1500 $300-$700 |
Guild of Trade
Council-Member (Councilman, Councilwoman) $1500-$2500+ $1000-$2000 |
Dean of a
College $1000-$2500+ $1000-$2000 |
| 3 | Commander
(Rank=3,4) $500-$1000 $400-$800 |
Archpriest (Brother, Sister) (PI=2/CI=3) $500-$1000 $200-$400 |
Great Merchant (Master Merchant) Guild Member (Lord Merchant) $1000-$1500+ $500-$1000 |
Doctor of
Magery $500-$1500+ $400-$1000 |
| 2 | Comissioned Knight (Rank=2) $400-$750 $300-$500 Captian (Rank=2) $400-$750 $300-$500 |
High Priest (Brother, Sister) (PI=1/CI=2) $400-$750 $0-$300 |
Guild-Recognized
Merchant (Lord Merchant) $500-$1000+ $200-$500 |
Master of
Magery $400-$1000+ $200-$500 |
| 1 | Knight
(Rank=1) $350-$500 $100-$300 Sergeant (Rank=1) $350-$500 $100-$200 |
Priest (Brother, Sister) (PI=1/CI=1) $350-$500 $0-$200 |
Merchant (Merchant) $250-$500+ $150-$300 |
Mage (College Graduate) $250-$500+ $150-$300 |
| 0 | Squire
(Rank=0) $150-$350 $50-$150 Soldier (Rank=0) $150-$350 $50-$200 |
Cleric (Cleric, Neophyte, Acolyte, Disciple) (PI=0/CI=0) $100-$750 $0-$300 |
Shopkeeper $150-$250 $50-$150 Apprentice $100-$200 $0-$100 |
Citizen (Graduate of Young Citizen's School) $100-$500 $50-$400 |
| -1 | Paige
$50-$150 $0-$100, Bondsman $0-$50 $0-$50, Thief (marked) $50-$300+ $50-$200, Non-Ralian, Youth $0-$50 $0-$50 |
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| -2 | Criminal $50-$500+ $50-$300, Beggar $0-$100+ $0-$50 | |||
The table above lists the Status that each position holds within Society in Methor, organized by the 4 classes which exist. Also listed are the Ranks (Military) and levels of CI (Clerical Investment) and PI (Power Investiture) that these positions hold within their specific organization. Other positions may exist within each area that are known only to that specific organization. High status carries various privileges, but also costs money to maintain. Status can also affect reaction rolls.
The Four Classes
The Military
The Military has always attracted the masses, especially those who want to make more of a mundane life by serving King and Country. Anyone can sign up for duty as a Soldier of the Kingdom and there have been times in the past when commoners (below Status 2) were temporarily drafted into the service of the king as a Soldier during a Time of War. Many who fail to pass the test to become a Knight choose to stay employed as a Soldier for his or her entire life. Gaining the Knighthood offers the benefits of respect, power, and a career that one can continue throughout one's life and a status that one retains after their retirement. Those showing themselves superior in battle can attain a Commission from the King, or for a select few, the rank of Commander, High Commander or General.
The society of Methor is based on the structure of the Military Class. The Royal family as well as the King are considered to be a Subclass of the Military. The King is Supreme Commander of the Military and his Dukes direct the Generals that are assigned to them.
The Church
Those who wish to attain to spiritual heights in their life traditionally chose a career in The Church. It has also traditionally attracted those that have not the funds to seek Knighthood or the magical aptitude for the Colleges. The Church has traditionally accepted any applications for those who wish to be Clerics, just as the Military accepts Soldiers. Those who show a deep understanding of the concepts of the Ralian Faith are ordained as Priests once they prove themselves. Once a member becomes a Priest he is believed to gain a personal connection to Ral, of which he will always maintain unless he goes against his faith. In any event, he is always a priest unless excommunicated. As a priest grows in knowledge and power, his relationship with Ral becomes stronger and if he reaches the level of Bishop, he enters into what is called a Marriage to Ral. No member of the Church hierarchy above the level of Archpriest can be bonded in marriage to another as it has always been believed that a leader of The Church should be totally committed to Ral.
The level of respect that is held by Society towards its priests are somewhat higher than that held towards the military. Most of society (90%) claim to be members of The Church and over half of them claim to have had personal experiences that cause them to be true believers. The Church acts as the law for many legal issues, and there are more inquisitions brought about by Church inquiry than that of the Military.
The Guild of Trade
The guild of Trade, often called simply The Guild, has existed even before the establishment of the Kingdom of Methor. They seek to control every facet of Trade between, outside and within every city, town, and village of the Kingdom as well as between other Kingdoms. If one seeks to sell goods, he cannot do so legally without a permit from the guild. The Guild even has the authority to assess fines to those who break their Laws of Trade and convene Courts to see to it that justice is served. Guild members hold status in the same respect that members of The Church or the Military does, drawing their power and authority from King and his Dukes.
After a merchant maintains a business for a period of time and continues to be successful, he is recognized by the guild. Once a merchant is recognized, he gains certain benefits from the local guild. Each Duchy has a Council of the Guild of Trade and a Guildmaster. There is also a Royal Guild Council that meets in The Royal City which regulates trade between the Duchies and other Kingdoms.
Other guilds do exist in Methor, but everyone knows which one is referred to when The Guild is spoken of.
The Colleges
Since the beginning of the Age of Pendular, there has been an Intellectual Revolution of Science, Development, and Discovery and the Colleges have been behind it. It was due to their influence that every young citizen of Methor must complete training in a Young Citizen's School before the age of 16. Until one completes this course, he is not considered a full Citizen. It is also due to their influence that popular belief maintains that unless one wants to enter adulthood as a Cleric or Soldier, study at one of the colleges is a must. The title of Mage does have it's benefits in society and many of the professions will not allow entry unless a certificate of magery can be produced. Many apprentices are encouraged to be students at the same time as their apprenticeship.
The Colleges are also a way of bypassing The Guild of Trade. One leaving the Colleges with a degree of Master or Doctor is encouraged to establish a business to serve the public. In fact, one has only to put a sign outside his residence claiming his credentials to draw a mass of customers. This has unfortunately led to the shunning of mages as Guild Members, though. Many other opportunities exist for a competent mage. Many large businesses are always hiring mages and there is even a demand for mages in The Military. On the other hand, some mages stay in The Colleges throughout their lives and gain a higher status by doing so. The Colleges are continuously researching better spells and closely guarding others ones that might be too powerful for public use. The office of Dean holds great prestige, within and without The Colleges.
Anyone using magery in an unjust way comes under the jurisdiction of a Mage Court.