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Court Positions and their Jobs:
Well, this is pretty much what it sounds like, and will also include other positions of power within the Blood Hierarchy.
Rulers:
Territory Rulers: Territory Rulers are either Queens and Warlord Princes (though for sake of some plot exceptions will be made), though generally such a position of power is given to a Queen unless no suitable one can be found. This person is the fundamental heart, center and decision-maker for a Territory. For the most part their word is law. Not that people can't oppose them of course - where's the fun in it if no one does after all? Generally they're Dark-Jewelled, but this is of course not a requirement (though, theoretically, would me more important for a Warlord Prince or non-ruling caste wanting to take power since Queens are the traditional leaders). Power can be attained several ways, the most traditional being voted in by the Province and likely District Rulers. You can also be named heir by the previous ruler, though, if found unsuitable, likely removed by the other rulers in the Province. Those would be the traditional, and less argued ways of taking power - but if you're willing to put up a fight, there are many other ways of gaining the power. Most Territory Rulers who gain power through the way of vote have experience ruling already at a lower level, be it Provincial or District.
Territory Rulers in RP: To put it bluntly it's a large (but also very rewarding) job on a board. You are the defacto person for running plot in the Territory and driving timelines. On boards like this one, you will inevitably see more Warlord Princes then Bishop may have intended in her world simply to accommodate male players who would like to play a territory ruler but don't want to play a Queen. But that doesn't matter so long as you do the job well.
Province Rulers:
Province Rulers are, like Territory Rulers, are generally either Queens or Warlord Princes. This person is the heart of their Province and the top decision maker if the issue is to not be brought to the Territory Ruler. Gaining power as a Province Ruler legitely would involve voting from the District Rulers in the Province, the other Province Rulers and possibly the Territory Ruler as well, and even if they aren't involved in the voting process itself, such a position would likely require they're approval anyway. You could also be put in place by the Territory Ruler, or be passed the Rulership by a previous ruler. A Province Ruler would be expected to decide which issues to be taken to the higher Territory Court. Most Province Rulers would likely have previous experience as a District Ruler.
Province Rulers in RP: While not as big a job as the Territroy Ruler, it is still a job as you'll be responsible for the RP in your Province and making sure that timeline keeps pace with the over-all timeline of the Territory. You'll be expected to keep in regular contact with the Player who plays the Territory's Ruler, or the admin team should the Territroy Ruler be an NPC.
District Rulers:
District Rulers, like the two higher ruler positions are either Queens or Warlord Princes. You would be the heart and center of the District and expected to deal with most problems. Unlike Territroy and Province Rulers, where generally the individuals have previous ruling experiences, most District rulers are likely individuals still in the spring of youth and barely old enough to set up their own courts. While these positions may be held throughout a ruler's life, this is generally where most will start off when they are young. You would traditionally gain power through appointment by either the Territory Ruler or Province Ruler - possibly both. Or a vote of the Province Ruler and other District Rulers.
District Rulers in RP: Generally these roles wont be terribly huge, though you will still be expected to keep up with the Territory's plot and keep in contact with the other rulers within the Territroy to keep as fresh and exciting a plot as there can be.
Overall:
The highly stratified society that is the Blood requires each of these positions within a Territory, or it would likely collapse or be in a constant state of anarchy without it as there is no way a single Territory Ruler would be able to keep track of everything without these lower-ranked rulers reporting things to them. Also, it's how tithes would work, all the wealth would end up in the coffers of the Territroy, and be redistributed and some taken care of until times of need. Court Positions:Triangle:
Steward:
The Steward is part of the Male Triangle that surrounds the Ruler (theoretically you could see a Female Triangle around a male ruler since the Male Triangle is designed as a balance to the female/Queen power). Generally Stewards are older males that a ruler has known for a great deal of their lives and trust. Often an older male relative such as a father or uncle would be common, though of course not a rule. Once made a Steward of a court, it is likely a position the individual will hold until they die, baring other circumstances. In short, the Steward does the court's paperwork. They handle most of the requests to be a part of the court, and pass on the promising applications to the Ruler themselves. They'd deal with the treasury and book-keeping. Considering their wisened nature, Stewards likely act as a mediator in court disputes that don't require (or it isn't wanted) the attention of the ruler themselves. They also probably hear a lot from their often younger rulers when the ruler is upset and looking for advice. Perhaps one of the most notable and important distinctions of the Steward from the others of the Male Triangle is that, in absence of the ruler, the Steward runs the court.
Master of the Guard:
Like the Steward, the Master of the Guard is part of the Male Triangle, though their job is very different. Master of the Guards are likely older, though still very physically fit males, probably often still in their prime. Their job, in a nutshell, is the protection of the Ruler and the court, though the ruler before the court. They train the guards, and are the head of any other militaristic endeavors of the court. If the ruler is planning an outing, it would be the Master of the Guard's job to plan the security measures. During court audiences, the Master of the Guard is likely never far from the ruler themselves in case of assassination attempts. They would be experts in the art of weaponry. This position, like the Steward, is for the most part permanent service.
Consort:
Also part of the male Triangle (though in certain cases may not be male), though is a part of the Triangle that, with some Rulers, probably changes quite often. The Consort's job is to escort the ruler to various functions and to see to their sexual needs. While the bed might be the most famous part of a Consort's duties, they also fulfill all the other aspects of an escort. The escort or Consort will see that things go smoothly, that the Ruler eats and drinks rather than ignoring herself. The Consort will entertain in an idle hour and is expected to be proficient in everything from chess and cards to ballroom dancing. The Consort also ideally would provide emotional support.
First Escort:
The First Escort position is in many ways an alternative part of the Triangle to the Consort position. The choosing of a Consort who will be so intimate with the ruler is a tricky and delicate business, and yet in between Consorts, an Escort is still required—hence the First Escort. The First Escort would do everything the Consort would do, excluding the bedroom duties. Thus it is perfectly acceptable to have a family member such as a brother or cousin fill the role of First Escort. Once again, the duties would be to provide companionship and entertainment and to see to the smooth running of private matters such as making sure the ruler remembers to eat. While Protocol only requires a ruler to have either a Consort or a First Escort, a ruler may choose to have both. This usually occurs when there is a First Escort whom the ruler is close to and does not want to dismiss or demote when she chooses a Consort. In the case of both a Consort and a First Escort, the Consort outranks the First Escort and would be the first choice for escort duties. Since the male Triangle provides a male balance to the female power of the Queen, then in the event of a non-male Consort, the First Escort will still make up the Third male of the Triangle
First Circle:
The First Circle comprises the people—both male and female—who are, after the Triangle, closest to the ruler. A ruler is required to find at least twelve males willing to join her court in order to officially set up court. Customarily these twelve make up the males of the First Circle, and thus it is advisable, when possible, for a ruler to wait and find males whom she can trust to fill out her First Circle before setting up court. There can up to twelve females in the First Circle as well, but there needn't be that many. The First Circle will advise and aid the ruler, each bringing their various talents to serve. They are not required to attend court at all times and may well have homes and responsibilities away from court, though their duties in the First Circle will be considered their highest priority.
Other Circles:
The court hierarchy may be pictured as concentric circles, each a bit further from the ruler in the center. Those who serve on the Second and lower Circles will still be trusted and valued members of the court, but the lower the circle, the less personal contact with the ruler, the less prestige, but also in general the less duties required.
Court Widow:
Courts may optionally appoint a member from the other specialized female castes to serve the court with their talent. Highest ranked among these, if the position is used, would be the Court Widow, sometimes called the Court Seer or various other such names. Such a person might well also serve on the First Circle, but the title of Court Widow would highlight her role in using her Black Widow's Craft in service of the ruler, spinning Tangled Webs to look for information to aid the ruler, using her knowledge of poisons and antidotes likewise to help as needed.
Court Healer:
A court would always be wise to be supplied with Healers much as it is supplied with guards. These Healers would deal with the wounds and illnesses of the ruler and the court, and the Court Healer would head up such efforts in the same way that the Master of the Guard would organize and see to the training of the guards. The Court Healer would also likely take personal responsibility in the eventuality of the Queen becoming pregnant, since Blood pregnancies are tricky and will leave the female vulnerable, unable to use Craft.
Court Priestess:
The Court Priestess would, like the Court Widow and the Court Healer, simply be a Priestess who would use her unique Craft and knowledge for the good of the ruler and the court. She would officiate at any rituals or ceremonies taking place at court and would likely handle such things as the Birthright Ceremonies of children born to the ruler or higher court members. She would also act as an organizer for any other Priestesses serving on the court.
Hierarchy of Black Widows, Healers and Priestesses:The four highest female castes of the Blood all entail a certain role or vocation and special talents as part of that caste. The hierarchy among Queens is dealt with above, regarding Queens of Territories, Provinces, Districts, etc. with the Queens of the smaller sections voting in the Queen who will be above them (at least in ideal circumstances). A similar system likely exists in the other three of the highest castes, though modified somewhat both by the absence of courts, tithes and people being ruled, and at the same time by the political interference of rulers and their courts. Also, in times of turmoil or in the event of a specific crisis (in in the case of a particularly heavy handed tyrannical ruler) the ruler may appoint the leader of another caste for her Territory.
High Priestess of the Hourglass:
The High Priestess of the Hourglass, sometimes known as the High Black Widow or the Head of the [insert Territory name here] Hourglass, is the highest ranking Black Widow in a Territory and should not be confused with the High Priestess, despite the title.
The hierarchy among Black Widows is notoriously tricky. Some like to form into tight-knit covens while others prefer solitude. To the extent to which the Black Widows of a Territory are organized, they will see that young Black Widows are found and trained, that they advance through the ranks of apprentice and journeymaid before becoming a fully trained Sister of the Hourglass. Whole covens may jockey for power with other covens. And no doubt the covens and individual Black Widows organize some means of voting for the High Priestess of the Hourglass. Assuming this individual is not one of the more solitary types, her coven will instantly become one of the most important in the Territory.
Note that the role of the Court Widow is in a sense off to one side from the Hierarchy that culminates with the High Priestess of the Hourglass. The Court Widow would likely see herself as answering first to her ruler rather than to the leader of the Hourglass, however nor would the High Priestess of the Hourglass have to defer to the Court Widow.
High Healer:
The High Healer of a Territory would be responsible for organizing the efforts of the Healers, seeing that young Healers are matched with experienced ones to train with, etc. Again, local Healers would vote in a regional leader and those regional leaders would select the High Healer. Tradition will often lead to on of the most powerful Healers getting the appointment and thus the High Healer will often end up dealing with some of the hardest or most politically crucial healings in addition to keeping up with mountains of administrative paperwork--although of course approach to such things will vary from culture to culture to some extent.
High Priestess:
The High Priestess of a Territory (not to be confused with the High Priestess of the Hourglass) would be responsible for organizing the efforts of the Priestesses of the Territory and would be ultimately responsible for ensuring that the dark alters are being properly tended, that the ways of the Blood are preserved and passed down, that young Priestesses are matched with experienced ones to train with, etc. Again, local Priestesses would vote in a regional leader and those regional leaders would select the High Priestess.
~ They spiralled into ebony, catching stars with their tails ~
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