Manual of Etiquette: XII - Titles and Precedence
From FiranMUX
Whenever one speaks with, to or about another individual, it is a matter of respect to dignify their name with their appropriate title. The title has been earned, and to deliberately address an individual by an incorrect title, or worse yet no title at all, is to insult their name and character. It should be noted that within the privacy of one's own home, with close friends and family, one may if one wishes dispense with these formalities, but one should be absolutely certain that to do so should not cause offence before addressing any individual by first name alone or even nickname. Should an individual hold a great number of titles, it is usual for the sake of brevity to address them only by the ones appropriate to the setting, thus a man might be addressed as Priest or Brother while in temple, but as Captain while on military duties. Royal, noble and sharanir titles, as they are always appropriate, are always included, thus a nobleman in the above example should be addressed Lord Priest, or Lord Captain.
The Ranivor is addressed to his face as 'your majesty' initially and 'sire' thereafter, and when referring to him as 'his honour, the Ranivor' or more informally as 'Ranivor <name>'. In formal letters or invitations, the correct form of address is 'His Honour, <name>, Ranivor of the Firan Realms' and one should not deviate from this. The Ranivor takes precedence over every mortal individual.
The Queen is addressed to her face as 'your majesty' initially and 'ma'am' thereafter, and when referring to her as 'her majesty, the Queen' or more informally as 'Queen <name>'. In formal letters or invitations, the correct form of address is 'Her Honour, <name>, Queen of the Firan Realms' and one should not deviate from this.
Next in order of precedence is the clan leader. A clan leader is addressed to his or her face as 'your honour', and when referring to him or her as 'his/her honour, Clan Leader <name>' or more informally as 'Clan Leader <name>'. In formal letters or invitations, the correct form of address is 'His/Her Honour, <name>, Chieftain of the <clan> Clan'. Should two or more clan leaders be present, the clan leader who holds the staff of the high priest/ess of the Firan Realms takes precedence, after which each is accorded precedence according to the order in which they were afforded the title.
As royal regent, the next in order of precedence is the viceroy. The viceroy is addressed to his face as 'Lord Viceroy', and when referring to him as 'the Lord Viceroy', 'Lord Viceroy <lastname>' should he be the head of his household, or 'Lord Viceroy <name>' should he not. Formal letters and invitations should address him as 'Lord Viceroy <lastname>' or 'Lord Viceroy <name>' as above.
Next in order of precedence fall the clan proxies, whose individual precedence within this group is dependent upon the precedence of their respective clan leader, and then usually upon the order in which they were afforded the proxyship of their clan. A ruling proxy who holds the clan medallion is always ranked higher in precedence than a proxy who does not. A clan proxy is usually addressed to his or her face as 'Lord/Lady (or Prince/Princess) Proxy' initially and 'my lord/lady' thereafter, and when referring to him or her as 'Lord/Lady Proxy <lastname>' should they be the head of their household, or 'Lord/Lady Proxy <name>' should he or she not. Formal letters and invitations should address him/her as 'Lord/Lady <lastname>' or 'Lord/Lady <firstname'> as above, except in the case of a ruling proxy who holds the clan medallion, who should be addressed 'Lord/Lady <name or lastname>, Proxy of the <clan> Clan'.
Royalty, by which we mean those individuals who hold the Elianik name, are next in order of precedence, ordered by their relationship to the Ranivor, and then by age. Those who are born Elianiks take precedence over those who take the name later in life, and those who take the name later take precedence according to the precedence of their respective spouse or family. A prince afforded the title of Deputy Viceroy and then a princess appointed Acting Queen take precedence over all others. To their face, they should usually be addressed as 'your highness', and they should be referred to as 'Prince/Princess <name>'. An Acting Queen is addressed 'Lady Acting Queen', and is referred to as 'the Lady Acting Queen' or 'Lady Acting Queen <name>'. Formal letters and invitations should address him/her as 'His/Her Royal Highness, Prince/Princess <name>', followed by 'Deputy Viceroy' or 'Acting Queen', should they also hold either title.
Nobility holding the title of Deputy Viceroy or Acting Queen are next in order of precedence. The acting queen is addressed as 'Lady Acting Queen' as above, while the Deputy Viceroy, while holding precedence, is not usually afforded any additional titles in speech.
Next in order of precedence fall the nobility in general, given precedence within that group according to the age of the noble family name, then by that family's head of household, followed by those who were born to the family name in order of their relationship to the head of household, then by age, and then to those who were not born to the family name, according to the precedence of their spouse or family. Common wards of a noble household hold no special precedence. A noble is addressed as 'Lord/Lady <lastname>' should they be the head of household, or 'Lord/Lady <name>' should they not. When referring to an individual noble who is not the head of household one may, or when writing invitations or letters one should, include the family last name after his or her title and name. It is usual to address the spouse of the head of household as 'Lord/Lady <lastname>' as one would the head of household.
Next in order of precedence fall the Sharanirs and Sharanis in order of the granting to them of their title. A sharanir is addressed as 'Sir/Dame <name>' or 'Sir/Dame <lastname>' should they be their family's head of household. In letters and invitations, the correct form of address is 'Sir/Dame <full name>, Sharanir/Sharani of the <clan> Clan/Republic.
Every Firan individual, should he or she be bereft of any other title, should be addressed as Mer or Mes, regardless of age, social class or clan. Even the basest of criminals may be afforded this dignity, your courtesy reflecting not upon their own honour but upon yours. Those commoner individuals who head their households, should their family have a given last name, should be addressed as 'Mer/Mes <lastname>', as above. For the titles below, one does not include the title of Mer or Mes, as they are instead replaced by the given title. Contrast this with royalty, nobility and sharanirs, who append the appropriate below title to their title of rank. Clan leaders and above, except where stated, do not usually append any title to their title of social rank. Clan proxies drop the word 'proxy', replacing it with the appropriate title below when acting in that capacity.
Should one be dealing with a court of law, a judge is titled and addressed as 'Judge'. In a military court of law, the military rank may be appended to this also, for example 'Judge Commander'.
Should one be dealing with military matters, a senior officer is addressed as 'Sir/Ma'am', and usually referred to by rank and name. A junior ranking individual should usually be addressed by rank and name. Exceptions to the above may be found on the scroll in this collection which details military etiquette more fully. In matters of a military nature, precedence is usually established by military rank, and then by the time one has served in that rank.
Should one be dealing with temple matters, an initiate is addressed and referred to as 'Initiate <name>', a full priest or priestess is addressed as 'Brother/Sister <name>' and referred to as 'Priest/Priestess <name>', and a high priest/priestess is addressed as 'Father/Mother <name>' and referred to as 'High Priest/Priestess <name>' or 'the High Priest/Priestess of <deity>'. Formal letters and invitations may be addressed to '(High) Priest/Priestess <name> of the Temple of <deity>'. The high priest/priestess of the Firan Realms, as a clan leader, is addressed as 'Your Honour', but may be referred to as 'the High Priestess' without an associated deity, and has ultimate mortal precedence in religious matters, followed by the high priests of the temples in the order in which they were awarded the title, followed by the priests of the temples in the order in which they were awarded the title, followed by the initiates in the order in which they were awarded the title.
Despite the apparently baffling array of titles and precedences which should be used, should one be in any doubt whatsoever, afford an individual the benefit of the doubt and the more dignified title of those you feel might be appropriate. One may also observe the behaviour of those around one, and mimic the titles they use for the situation. It should be clear to see that under no circumstances but the most extreme should a gentleman or lady fail to include when referring to somebody's name, or when addressing them to their face, a title of some form.
