King/Queen - Royalty. The Ruler of the land and their spouse.
Prince/Princess - Royalty. The direct children of the Ruler of the land.
Gran Dux - There were once five kings in Arascon and the High King was the Ruler of the land. Eventually, the 'low kings' evolved into the Gran Duxi. There are five of them in Arascon: House Magen, House Abernathy, House Marino, House Illem, and House Pastin. Only the first born (or named successor) of these houses may gain the title of Gran Dux.
Dux - The Dux are direct descendants of the Gran Dux. To have the title of Dux, you must be a child of a Gran Duxi. This title is not passed on to the children of a Dux, rather the title of Marxes is.
Marxes/Marxessa - Children of a Dux are called Marxes. This title is passed on to children of pairs of Marxesi. Both mother nad father must have the title Marxesi for the children of the union to have the title. Otherwise, the title passed on is Conte unless the Marxes is married to a commoner, then the title passed on is Comte.
Conte/Contessa - The offspring of a Marxes and a lesser noble. Two Contessi may also pass on the title of Conte.
Comte/Comtessa - The title of a Marxesi and a commoner. This is still a respected title and it is passed down to children if the parents are both Comtessi. If not, the title of Patri or Matri is passed down. Comtessi are considered 'lower' nobility.
Patri/Matri - This is the title of a Contessi or a Comtessi and a commoner. This title may also be granted by Royalty or a Gran Duxi. Like Comtessi, Patri/matri are considered 'lower' nobility.
Lord/Lady - A representative of the Sodality is referred to as a Lord or Lady. This is also a title granted to a person by Royalty or a Gran Duxi. This is a title of respect and acknowledgment that the person is respected by the Crown.
Knight (Sir/Dame) - A knight is someone who serves the Crown. They are generally soldiers who have been granted special honors by the Crown for their service.
The five Gran Duxi were once known as the five 'low' kings. They served on the council of kings and acted as advisors to the Crown on matters pertaining to the country. Each house represented a different arm within the country. Over time, the five Gran Dux houses each based the purpose of their house on the role that they served on the Council of Kings. The Five Gran Duxi get along with each other on a limited basis. Some houses like each other more than others. Old rivalries and prejudices against each other are commonly passed down from generation to generation.
Current Gran Dux: Abernathy Joseph Cor Moisa
Current House Location: Abernathy
The House of Abernathy was founded by the strongest of Wilhelm's Knights. He was made a low king and given the duty of ensuring that Arascon had a strong Army. This was before the Red Dawn became the country's army. Before the Red Dawn became the army, it was called the Abernathy Militia. The House of Abernathy founded all the teaching of land warfare in Arascon and their teachings are still used to this day. Traditionally there is at least one Abernathy acting as a General in the Red Dawn.
As the House of War and Strategy, it prides itself on the strength of the Arascon Armies. They believe that a strong army means a strong country. They give make sure that strategy is taught in the Army and Navy by the finest teachers. They also make sure that a standard of service is ensured through a series of different training exercises.
The crest of the House of Abernathy represents their loyalty to the crown, their strength of heart and their warrior spirit. Their traditional lands include everything north of Abernathy on the main continent.
Current Gran Dux: Illem Rosilyn Mirelia
Current House Location: Lilurline
The House of Illem was once ruled by the low king who advised the crown on policies of magic. It was the House Illem who advised the building of the first Magic Institute. The House Illem created the foundation of magical teachings in Arascon with the first of the Books of Magic - The Grimoire Magistus, The Grimoire Divistus, and the Chronicle of Vertumnus. These books are still used as the foundation of all magical teachings in Arascon. Traditionally, the Head of the House of Illem is also one of the three High Sorcerers of Arascon and the Headmaster of the Magic Institute of Lilurline.
As the House of Magic, it prides itself on being the most powerful Sorcerers in the land. They believe that magic fosters imagination and strength of will.
The crest of the House of Illem represents the twin Suns of A'a and Minol. This shows their connection to the Gods and Magic. Their traditional lands include everything from Lilurline east to the Red Druid Woods and North to the Sienna Mountains.
Current Gran Dux: Magen Yohan Francis
Current House Location: Keth
The House of Magen was once ruled by the low king who advised the crown on policies of science and peace. The house of Magen prides itself on its knowledge of various sciences including Anatomy, Medicine, Engineering, Astronomy and Alchemy. Most of those born into the House Magen are educated to become scientists of some sort. Many become Doctors, Alchemists or Engineers. The House frowns on the use of magic but not as much as it frowns on those who become soldiers. Because of this, they have strained dealings with the House of Abernathy and the House of Illem.
As the House of Logic, it prides itself on the avocation of peace and diplomacy. They reason that it is the only way to truly have positive growth. They give money to schools to teach the sciences to students and have founded several libraries and Institutes of Science.
The crest of the House of Magen represents intellect, ingenuity, peace and logic. Their traditional lands include everything on the Isle of Amero west of Keth.
Current Gran Dux: Marino Raphael Marco Lasal
Current House Location: Marino
The House of Marino was once ruled by the low king who advised the crown on policies of trade and seafaring. The first low king Marino was known for his skill at selling the ships his family built to the Navy and to merchants alike. The House Marino is still known for its skill in seafaring and adept merchants. Of all the houses, this one is seen as closest to the people.
As the House of Trade, it prides itself on being well traveled. They believe that by learning about the world, you come to understand it and the people within it better. This leads to a strong country. By fostering trade between countries, they come to rely on one another and the homeland can grow stronger and richer through beneficial trade arrangements.
The crest of the House of Marino represents the sea and the travels upon it as well as the ambition of trade. Their traditional lands include everything on the main continent from the eastern coast to Redbend, all of the Red Druid wood and the Sienna Mountains.
Current Gran Dux: Pastin Narayan Rama
Current House Location: Amberlin-Pastine
The House of Pastin was once ruled by the low king who advised the crown on culture and the arts. They own many theaters, stages and music halls as well as support many libraries. They pride themselves on their fashion sense, their cultural taste and philanthropy of in the arts. Many in the House Pastin become musicians or poets. The House of Pastin is almost single handedly responsible for collecting the stories and myths from before the Second Dark time and getting them bound and recorded for posterity.
As the House of Art, it prides itself on being at the forefront of style, culture and traditions. In general, they tend to be trend setters of the country in fashion, art, music and theater. They believe that any work of art that is lost is a loss for all of Arason.
The crest of the House of Pastin represents beauty and the arts. The crest is a symbol of both tradition and trendsetting. Their traditional lands include everything on the Isle of Amero east of Keth and all the islands between it and the mainland.
Here is a brief list of the known titles of nobility of Gildensol. They do not have quite as many as Arascon, but there are more High Nobles in the Country of Gildensol than there are in Arascon.
Royalty
Emerant - Royalty. The Ruler of the land. The ruler's spouse, does not take their title.
Emett/Emetti - Royalty. The direct children of the Ruler of the land.
The High Nobles
Rovon/Rovoni - The Rovoni are those who were once rulers over their portion of land. When the first emerant took power, he made sure these rulers kept their titles. The title of Rovon is passed on to all their children.
Oron/Oroni - The Oron are ranked below the Rovon. Originally, Oron was the title given to the child of a Rovon and lower noble, but that naming convention has fallen out of practice.
Buron/Buroni - The Buron are nobles that have risen above being lower nobles, either through deeds to the Emerant or through wealth. In court, they rank lower than both the Oron and the Rovon. Most Buron are very wealthy and tend to be merchants.
The Low Nobles
Agrafe/Agraffi - This is the title give to the Crüss who have served above the call of duty in the line of duty. Only the Emerant can dub someone a Agrafe. Usually only those who are already Crüss are raised to the rank of Agrafe. This title passes to the children.
Crüss/Crüssi - This is the title give to the knighthood of the land. Only the Emerant can dub someone a Crüss/Crüssi. This is usually through service to the crown and valiant deeds. This title passes only to the children who serve in the Gildensol Armies.