Rank Description Pages [COMPLETED]

[Komako the Hawk]

The project can be found here:

http://www.duchyofwessex.org/forum/showthread.php?t=452

I'm posting the pages here, for editing and proofreading.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/DescriptionArchercopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/DescriptionFootmencopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/4aa63875.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/DescriptionMilitiamencopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/DescriptionMarinecopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/DescriptionSeamancopy.jpg

Newest:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/DescriptionSergeantcopy.jpg

For more information, or if you'd be interested in getting involved, bug Fenris.

[Komako the Hawk]

http://www.duchyofwessex.org/forum/showthread.php?t=392&page=2 has avatars.

An attachment for anybody that wants to take a shot at this:

[Manus Dei]

For the section listed under Tier 8 : "Footmen rank just above villeins" please change that to "Footmen rank just above militiamen in military matters". It's important to continually stress that a footman is not a higher rank than a villein, but merely a villein who has joined the army. Militiamen, however, are forced conscripts, so the footman does outrank the militiaman in the military arena.

[Nira Nathair]

I do a lot of copy editing and I'm very picky, so I'll help with this. ;) I'd make the following changes:

First I'd change the title of each to the singular rather than the plural, simply because it emphasizes that this is an individual choice, and people like that sort of thing.

For the rest I'll just post the updated text since there are quite a few changes.


Militiaman
The true Villein of Wessex, an unenlisted Villein, is not normally required to fight in warfare. However, when a Ducal Levy is declared, all Villeins are required to serve as Militiamen. These fearsome fighters use any and all weapons at their disposal. Freeman citizens of the duchy who have not enlisted also serve as Militiamen.
-Tier 9
Militiamen hold the lowest possible rank within the Wessex military. They hold no command, and must follow the orders of any officer.
-Commoner
Commoners of Wessex are required to pay taxes to their respective lieges. This may take the form of money and/or gathered resources.
-Trial Member
To become a Villein, one must first attain Trial Member status.


Footman
When a Villein or Freeman who prefers melee combat first elects to enlist as a soldier, he or she will be considered a Footman. Footmen exist in both the ducal garrison and under the personal garrisons of knights. Footmen have just enlisted and have little combat experience.
-Tier 8
Footmen rank just above Militiamen in military matters, and below any other military rank. They receive orders from their respective officers and are expected to carry them out.
-Enlisted Commoner
Enlisted commoners of Wessex are required to pay tax to their respective lieges, with a slight deduction. This tax may take the form of money and/or gathered resources. All enlisted commoners are required to attend drills regularly.
-Villein
To become a Footman, one must first achieve Full Member status, and then enlist in the military.


Archer
Those Villeins or Freemen who prefer the bow or crossbow to melee weapons may elect to become Archers. These ranged troops exist in both the ducal garrison and under the personal garrisons of knights. Archers have just enlisted and have little combat experience.
-Tier 8
Archers rank just above Militiamen in military matters, and below any other ranged military rank. They receive orders from their respective officers and are expected to carry them out.
-Enlisted Commoner
Enlisted commoners of Wessex are required to pay tax to their respective lieges, with a slight deduction. This tax may take the form of money and/or gathered resources. All enlisted commoners are required to attend drills regularly.
-Villein
To become an Archer, one must first achieve Full Member status, and then enlist in the military.

[Manus Dei]

Yes, they must achieve full membership to enlist. I imagine that ingame, full membership will be much easier to come by than it is here.

[Nira Nathair]

I edited my above post accordingly. Duke, are the parts about Freemen clear and correct?

[Manus Dei]

It says "footman" on the right side of the seaman graphic.

Also, you should match the singular/plural form of each of the ranks. We have seaman, but then militiamen, for example.

[Miles Dei]

For the love of GOD, I'd REALLY LIKE TO URGE His Grace to consider LEAVING POPEYE.

It's just so...fitting and awesome.

[Gregor Cleggane]

Komako, just a quick heads up. In Nira's post for Archers, there is an error in the first sentence. It should read elect not elec.

[Dafur Gewissae]

Archer at the bottom says
Villein:
while footman says
Full Member:

^-- Nira's post :P.

[Tagrun Urit]

On the militiaman (http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/Emeriss/2a0e305b.jpg) page, Setles brought to my attention that a freeman shouldn't be drafted into the Army and have to serve as a Militiaman.

"The third class, the freemen, is even defined as a class only inasmuch as it is the class that exists "outside" of this all-important feudal bond.
meaning they cant be ordered to do something."

So if that is not correct, doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose of being a freeman?

[Komako the Hawk]

If the Duke calls Ducal Levy it's most likely because the situation is very dire and all people must fight.

Would a freeman stand still as enemys invaded his or her capital city?

"Hey, I'm a freeman of Wessex! I shouldn't have to help prevent the duchy from being completely and utterly destroyed in the next 2 hours!"

[Manus Dei]

Freemen are subject to ducal levy. Levies are called up in emergencies.

[Gregor Cleggane]

There seems to be a little bit of inconsistancy with the titles. Most of the titles end with a tilde(~), such as Marine~ while there are one or two that do not have th tilde (Man-at-arms). This doesn't seem dependent on rank, since both marine and man-at-arms are rank 7. Right now it isn't noticeable, but when they are put together into a final document, the inconsistancy will be much more apparent.

[Nira Nathair]

Marine:
Marine is the highest non-officer rank in the ducal navy. However, Marines still receive orders from their respective officers and are expected to carry them out.

Enlisted Commoner:
...with a slight deduction.
...attend drills regularly.

[Nira Nathair]

Man-at-Arms:
... promoted rank will be know as Man-at-arms.

Just need to change "status" to "rank" get rid of the "a". Same changes are needed in Marine, I missed that earlier.

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

When are we going to see the PDF version of these? Or at least JPEGs where the font isn't too small to read.

[Komako the Hawk]

When are we going to see the PDF version of these? Or at least JPEGs where the font isn't too small to read.

Nira has the .pdfs.

[Nira Nathair]

.psds, anyway. I'll make 'em into .pdfs and upload them in a bit.

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

eh, don't bother until you have them all.

[Komako the Hawk]

eh, don't bother until you have them all.

That'll be a while :rolleyes:

I'm not getting any help on them. What gives?

[Komako the Hawk]

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/720/descriptionrangercopyhx4.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/DescriptionMarksmancopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/DescriptionAssassincopy.jpg

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

i'm lovin' it! it's like mcdonald's without all the grease.

[Protonix]

I would remove the "to some knight" bit.

[Manus Dei]

Not quite right up there, Komako. First, a cavalier won't likely be in charge of a unit of cavalry. Most likely a commander or a lieutenant would. Second, lieutenants are too high a rank to command villeins. Villeins are lead by sergeants or their respective knights. But yes, a lieutenant could be in command of multiple units, as in a division, but we would say soldiers, not villeins.

Also, I think you meant to say "liege personnel".

[Vladius]

I'm not feeling the Ranger/Lieutenant pics.

[Komako the Hawk]

Elaborate on not feeling.

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

the lieutenant looks like a fuckin' blackguard emo poet.

[Vladius]

I think Fishy-kins just elaborated my version of "not feeling" : \

[Sayton Reinhardt]

the lieutenant looks like a fuckin' blackguard emo poet.

I think this one could fit well with the over all theme of the pages. Even though I like them all like they are.


http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8025/knightonwarhorseaj7.jpg

[Komako the Hawk]

Updated and one addition

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/fd04a35e.jpg
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/8347/descriptioncavaliercopyhp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2758/descriptioncommandercopyod0.jpg

[Protonix]

I still think you should remove the "some knight" portion under Esquire as that would be implied, and it doesn't flow.

[Komako the Hawk]

And would you recommend to replace it, Protonix?

The truth be told Esquire is the minimum requirement for Cavalier, and until you can tell me otherwise it is staying.

[Fenris]

He meant grammatically Komako, because it's common sense that to be an esquire you need to be squired to a knight.

[Komako the Hawk]

Hahaha, I see it now.

Good eyes Proto.

[Protonix]

You've already said "One is considered a Cavalier once he or she has been taken as an esquire 'to some knight' if not having already become a knight him or herself."

You don't need the "to some knight" part as that is already denoted by your usage of esquire, which by definition is inherently "to some knight"; because of that you can just as easily say "One is considered a Cavalier once he or she has been taken as an esquire, if not having already become a knight him or herself."

edit: k, good, thanks.

[Vladius]

I fucking love the Commander picture.

I'm still not feeling the Lieutenant pic though! And we all know the purpose of this entire project is to merely impress me, my dear.

[Fenris]

*pokes vlad with a stick* No hitting on female characters played by males, it is forbidden!

[Komako the Hawk]

If you ever call me "my dear" again, I, the Seeker, will report you to another Sheriff for sexual harassment, and contact the Constable in removing you from your position.

[Protonix]

hahahaha

If you're going to play a female character, expect certain remarks, suck it up.

[Vladius]

Whoa, the "my dear" thing wasn't even supposed to mean anything....But I will reinforce that I'm still not feeling the Lieutenant picture! ; )

I'm well aware of my own position, so I won't say anything beyond that, and never do -- if you have a problem, send a PM to Lord Aeneas.

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

hahahahahahaha

[Komako the Hawk]

The complete rest of the set:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/1DescriptionWardencopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/1DescriptionMatecopy.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/1DescriptionDukecopy.jpg
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1503/1descriptioncaptaincopypm6.jpg
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/2037/1descriptionconstablecopywd5.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/Komako/1DescriptionAdmiralcopy.jpg

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

The warden answers to the constable as well. Ehhh, but you might want to get verification on that!

Them's lookin good.

[Beric Veincrusher]

Dang, 10 tiers, now thats just wild!

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

HAHAHA i just noticed hwo the commander "icon" has 2 little medallions with duke faces on them.

[Komako the Hawk]

Dwarves aren't exactly the brightest...

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

would you explain your tier system? i don't get it. i mean, duke is the highest obviously... but what are the rest of them for?

[Komako the Hawk]

The tiers are just to give a basic idea of how high up the rankings each position is, tier 9 being the lowest and tier 1 being the highest, with tier 0 representing the King of Mercia.

If you look at my not so grand scheme of a chart you'll see how the tiers match up with the chart. The tiers would probably look like:

Tier 0 - King
Tier 1 - Palatine Duke
Tier 2 - Ducal Cabinet
Tier 3 - Division leader
Tier 4 - Division lieu / Vessel Captain
Tier 5 - Unit officer
Tier 6 - Superior enlisted / Freemen
Tier 7 - Average enlisted
Tier 8 - Enlisted
Tier 9 - Levied

[Protonix]

Maybe it's just me...the Admiral's picture doesn't look to...Admiralesque, he looks young and...i dunno, inexperienced.

[Komako the Hawk]

It would be a perfect match for you, Proto.

: )

[Protonix]

i love you, infidel!

[Komako the Hawk]

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2425/1descriptioncommodoredv6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I think that's the last one.

[Manus Dei]

This was an excellent batch, Komako. A few typos and things to change - the word "marauders" is maraudors in the mate or captain page. Also, for my Duke page, you used a plural "The Duke is entitled to anything within their Duchy, to be honest". Better just to make it, "The Duke is entitled to anything within his or her domain."

I really like the way your ten tier system breaks everything down so clearly.

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

Tier 7 - Average enlisted
Tier 8 - Enlisted

Redundant.

[Komako the Hawk]

Perhaps I used the wrong choice of words.

Instead of "average," use the word "battle-hardened."

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

Regular?

[Komako the Hawk]

Oh shut up. You know what I mean.

[Surly von Fishbarrel]

Yeah, I know what you mean now. You mean "regular"

[Vladius]

No, she means "battle-hardened" I'm sure!

lol, I like how the Commodore has that sort of...."Useless" look on him.

[Protonix]

The commodore image > the admiral image. Switcheroo!

[Sayton Reinhardt]

Man these rank pages are awesome!

I really like the commodore one. But I agree the image should be switched with the Admiral. And I didn't really "feel" the sailor head as they say.

Again, awesome!

[Komako the Hawk]

Unless there are any more comments which can be sent via PM I declare this project

COMPLETED

[Komako the Hawk]

My thread, no fair!

[Nira Nathair]

Cool, send me them psds!

[Manus Dei]

A truly awe-inspiring accomplishment worthy of the Distinguished Star of Merit, Komako.

Congratulations and thank you.

[Nira Nathair]

The images and the updated imagemap page (currently liked at the bottom of the Muster) have been uploaded. In case you want to work those into the flash menu or otherwise make them more visible.

PDF is at:
http://www.duchyofwessex.org/pdfs/military.pdf (1.5MB, Acrobat 6)
Includes the index chart linking to each page. The lower right corner of each page links back to the chart.