Zakalwe
Inactive Member
The Elysian rank system is a rather complex one. It reflects either their formal position in the case of the Temporal and Spiritual ranks, or a more unofficial but nationally recognised position for the Social ones. Calling someone by what they perceive to be their incorrect rank is considered a grievous insult. The most obvious impact of the ranks is how it changes how Elysians refer to different people – they do this by adding a Epithet before the persons name.
An example of this is that if there was Senator Charlius Browna he would be reffered to by a Plebeian as ‘Exalted Master Browna', whereas a Patriach would refer to him as ‘Sir Charlius Browna' or ‘Senator Charlius Browna'.
Temporal ranks:
Senator:
Senators are the only rank of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. They are elected by the Patriarchs and they sit in counsel in order to make all decisions regarding Elysia. It is also from the senate all of the highest military officials are drawn. Each Senator receives only one vote – however the influence of some individuals means that they can sway others to vote with them.
Plebeians refer to Senators as ‘Exalted Master'.
Fellow senators refer to them as ‘Honourable Colleague'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Sir' or ‘Senator'.
Civil Servant:
The Civil servants are the bureaucrats of Elysia. The lower orders consist of talented Plebeians, the higher of Patriarchs – although a Plebeian can become a Patriarch through hard labour. Only the Patriarch civil servants are referred to in a special way.
Plebeians refer to Patriarch Civil Servants as ‘Esteemed'.
Spiritual:
Exarch:
The Exarch's are the highest ranking official and wield ultimate spiritual authority over their jurisdiction – which is suitably huge given that there are only seven of them currently for the entire population of Elysia. They are regarded by Plebeians as being almost living embodiments of the will of God and to be treated as such, and Patriarchs regarded them in a somewhat awed style. They automatically have a place in the senate.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Holy Lord'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Holy'.
Episkopos:
These are the more local overseers of the faith. They are treated with great respect by both social groups, and often are elected into the Senate.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Blessed Lord'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Blessed'.
Priest:
Priests are the ordinary spiritual rank, but they are still regarded with great respect from Plebeians and to a degree Patriarchs, seen above the social rank of Patriarch but below Lord. The actual respect given to a Priest varies greatly, but so do their responsibilities. There is usually one Priest for every Temple.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Ordained Master'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Ordained'.
Social ranks:
Paragon:
Paragon is the ultimate term of respect, the highest social grouping. At one time it is only held by two or three Elysians. To earn the widespread use of this title you must have more than simple material wealth but great and heroic actions to your name. You must be a living legend. Patriarch's treat them with the highest degree of respect whereas Plebeians treat them as Gods on earth.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Peerless Lord'.
Patriarch's refer to them as ‘Peerless'.
Patriarch:
Patriarch is the default social grouping for Archangels (Archangel is strictly the race whereas Patriarch is the social grouping which encompasses all groups above Plebeian). They are the social elite of Elysia, and rule over as an aristocracy the Plebeian's. It is possible to raise from being a Plebeian to a Patriarch, and vice versa, although a body transfer is usually involved.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Master'.
Plebeian:
Plebeian's make up the majority of Elysia's population and are its underclass. As a social group it is indistinguishable from a racial group of genetic inferiors (as the Patriarchs and indeed the Plebeians see it) resulting from a contamination with human genetic material. They do all of the manual labour of Elysia (other than when S-18's are being used) and almost all of the jobs – working under Patriarch masters.
Patriach's refer to them formally as ‘Citizen', although an insulting term such as ‘Helot' may often be used instead.
An example of this is that if there was Senator Charlius Browna he would be reffered to by a Plebeian as ‘Exalted Master Browna', whereas a Patriach would refer to him as ‘Sir Charlius Browna' or ‘Senator Charlius Browna'.
Temporal ranks:
Senator:
Senators are the only rank of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. They are elected by the Patriarchs and they sit in counsel in order to make all decisions regarding Elysia. It is also from the senate all of the highest military officials are drawn. Each Senator receives only one vote – however the influence of some individuals means that they can sway others to vote with them.
Plebeians refer to Senators as ‘Exalted Master'.
Fellow senators refer to them as ‘Honourable Colleague'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Sir' or ‘Senator'.
Civil Servant:
The Civil servants are the bureaucrats of Elysia. The lower orders consist of talented Plebeians, the higher of Patriarchs – although a Plebeian can become a Patriarch through hard labour. Only the Patriarch civil servants are referred to in a special way.
Plebeians refer to Patriarch Civil Servants as ‘Esteemed'.
Spiritual:
Exarch:
The Exarch's are the highest ranking official and wield ultimate spiritual authority over their jurisdiction – which is suitably huge given that there are only seven of them currently for the entire population of Elysia. They are regarded by Plebeians as being almost living embodiments of the will of God and to be treated as such, and Patriarchs regarded them in a somewhat awed style. They automatically have a place in the senate.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Holy Lord'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Holy'.
Episkopos:
These are the more local overseers of the faith. They are treated with great respect by both social groups, and often are elected into the Senate.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Blessed Lord'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Blessed'.
Priest:
Priests are the ordinary spiritual rank, but they are still regarded with great respect from Plebeians and to a degree Patriarchs, seen above the social rank of Patriarch but below Lord. The actual respect given to a Priest varies greatly, but so do their responsibilities. There is usually one Priest for every Temple.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Ordained Master'.
Patriarchs refer to them as ‘Ordained'.
Social ranks:
Paragon:
Paragon is the ultimate term of respect, the highest social grouping. At one time it is only held by two or three Elysians. To earn the widespread use of this title you must have more than simple material wealth but great and heroic actions to your name. You must be a living legend. Patriarch's treat them with the highest degree of respect whereas Plebeians treat them as Gods on earth.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Peerless Lord'.
Patriarch's refer to them as ‘Peerless'.
Patriarch:
Patriarch is the default social grouping for Archangels (Archangel is strictly the race whereas Patriarch is the social grouping which encompasses all groups above Plebeian). They are the social elite of Elysia, and rule over as an aristocracy the Plebeian's. It is possible to raise from being a Plebeian to a Patriarch, and vice versa, although a body transfer is usually involved.
Plebeians refer to them as ‘Master'.
Plebeian:
Plebeian's make up the majority of Elysia's population and are its underclass. As a social group it is indistinguishable from a racial group of genetic inferiors (as the Patriarchs and indeed the Plebeians see it) resulting from a contamination with human genetic material. They do all of the manual labour of Elysia (other than when S-18's are being used) and almost all of the jobs – working under Patriarch masters.
Patriach's refer to them formally as ‘Citizen', although an insulting term such as ‘Helot' may often be used instead.
