History Main / FantasticRankSystem

* In the ''DragonridersOfPern'' novels, the ranks of dragonrider are Weyrleader, Wingleader, Wingsecond, Rider, and Weyrling, roughly equivilent to Air Marshall, Group Captain or Squadron Leader, Flight Lieutennant, Flying Officer and Cadet.

* In the ''DoctorWho'' story Inferno, the [[PuttingOnTheReich Republican Security Force]] of the MirrorUniverse had ranks that were basically SS ranks translated into English - the Brigadier became the Brigade Leader, Sergeant Benton's counterpart was Platoon Under Leader Benton, and Liz Shaw (a civilian scientist in TheWhoniverse) had the Captain-equivilent rank of Section Leader.

** The Neyel, a human LostColony, have "Drech'tor" for captain and "Subdrech'tor" for commander, which have obviously evolved from the titles "director" and "sub-director", as well "subaltern", an archaic British term for any commissioned rank below captain.

* The Ankh-Morpork City Watch in the ''{{Discworld}}'' novels uses more-or-less real police ranks. One oddity, however, is the very junior rank of "Lance-Constable".

* In the ''DragonridersOfPern'' novels, the ranks of dragonrider are Wyerleader, Wingleader, Wingsecond, Rider, and Weyrling, roughly equivilent to Air Marshall, Group Captain or Squadron Leader, Flight Lieutennant, Flying Officer and Cadet.

*** One quirk is that Vilani titles were administrative rather then beginning military and becoming honorary, in the manner of the European-Terran noble system imitated in the time of the Third Imperium. The rank system represents the bureaucratic status of the holder. Another point is that instead of primogeniture, titles were inherited by the third child. Because of this, while there were powerful dynasties in the First Imperium, the specific titles they held often shifted. The Third Imperium used a combination of the two systems, though the duties of the highest nobles in the Third Imperium are more like that of governors then like that of princes, just as in the First Imperium.

** Kiduunuuzil = Knight or Baronet. These are low level bureaucratic flunkeys and military officers
** Lishakku = baron, supervisor, etc. Local planetary governor.
** Shakkanakhu = satrap. provincial governor
** Sarriiu = High satrap. governs several provinces
** Saarpuhii = Vizier
** Apkallu Kibrat Arbat = Viceroy
** Ishimkarun = Emperor

* The aliens of ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}''. The Yeerks have Sub-Visser and Visser, both followed by number designations (Visser Three, Visser One, Sub-Visser 56) and the Andalites have Aristh (cadet)P, rince, Prince Commander, War Prince and probably others.

* The aliens of {{Animorphs}}. The Yeerks have Sub-Visser and Visser, both followed by number designations (Visser Three, Visser One, Sub-Visser 56) and the Andalites have Aristh (cadet)Prince, Prince Commander, War Prince and probably others.

** Cardassian ranks, from highest to lowest, are Legate (canonically established) Jagul, Gul (canonically established), Dal, Dalin, Glinn (canonically established), Gil, Garresh, Gorr. Used in StarTrekMillennium, TerokNor, StarTrekDeepSpaceNineRelaunch, and elsewhere.

* The Ferengi rank [=DaiMon=] (like a captain) was canonically established; StarTrekTheLostEra established [=GuiMon=] as the next rank up (similar to an admiral).

** Gorn ranks include the ''Ozuk'', and Warrior Caste units are led by a First Myrmidon (see StarTrekTyphonPact).

* The Ferengi rank [=DaiMon=} (like a captain) was canonically established; StarTrekTheLostEra established [=GuiMon=] as the next rank up (similar to an admiral).

* The Ferengi rank DaiMon (like a captain) was canonically established; StarTrekTheLostEra established GuiMon as the next rank up (similar to an admiral).

**** Bladesman = ordinary soldier.
**** Quicksword = commands ten Bladesmen
**** Captain = commands 6 Quickswords
**** Strikewhip = battle messengers, aides-de-camp and bodyguards
**** Battlemaster = general

* ''ForgottenRealms'': Cormyrean "Purple Dragons" (standing army) has [[http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/cormyrforcesa.htm#A111 their own system]].

** Preator: probably close to an Army Captain, Fenix held this rank

* In ''RatchetAndClank Future: A Crack In Time'', Alister Azimuth is a "Four Bolt Magistrate"

* In the ''AoNoExorcist'', the ranking system of Excorcists is as follows:

** At the very bottom is the Worker Caste, which consists of regular Workers, non-Yuuzhan Vong slaves, and Shamed Ones, who are the lowest of the low.

** Dwar = Captain
** Odwar = General/Admiral

->"In their military organizations," I said, "six such beasts constitute a Hand, and its leader is called an Eye. Two hands and two eyes constitute a larger unit, called a "Kur" or "Beast," which is commanded by a leader, or Blood. Twelve such units constitute a Band, commanded again by a Blood, though of higher rank. Twelve bands, again commanded by a Blood, of yet higher rank, constitute a March. Twelve Marches is said to constitute a People. These divisors and multiples have to do with, it seems, a base-twelve mathematics, itself perhaps indexed historically to the six digits of one of the creature's prehensile appendages."
->"Why is the leader spoken of as a Blood?' asked Samos.
->"It seems to have been an ancient belief among such creatures," I said, "that thought was a function of the blood, rather than of the brain, a terminology which has apparently lingered in their common speech. Similar anachronisms occur in many languages, including Gorean."
->"Who commands a People?" asked Samos.
->"One who is said to be a 'Blood' of the People, as I understand it," I said.

Indexes: Military And Warfare Tropes, Speculative Fiction Tropes Rolling Updates.

Works of fiction with a military setting often use real ranks. However, sometimes, these just don't fit right. Maybe the aliens have to seem more alien, or maybe the setting is so completely different that real ranks just wouldn't fit, maybe it's a result of bad translation, regardless, the ranks are not the same as they are in Real Life.

For real ranks, see Common Ranks, (usually) has nothing to do with Rank Inflation. Related to Random Power Ranking, which is for ranking Power Levels. Also related to Space Navy, which often uses one of these.
Examples:
Anime and Manga

* Humankind Empire Abh from Crest Of The Stars ranks:
** Enlisted
*** Follower
**Officers
*** Trainee Flyer
*** Flyer by memorial to the throne
*** Flyer by His Majesty's decree
* Nobility
* In the Ao No Exorcist, the ranking system of Excorcists is as follows:
** Paladin
** Arc Knight
** Honorary Knight
** Exorcist (which is split up into...)
*** Upper First Class
*** Upper Second Class
*** Middle First Class
*** Middle Second Class
*** Lower First Class
*** Lower Second Class
** One of 5 different titles, depending on mastery (however, Paladins must master two). Choices are Knight, Dragoon, Tamer, Aria, and Doctor
*** Exwire
*** Page

Film

* The Galactic Empire in Star Wars has "Moffs" and "Grand Moffs" which are sorts of military governors.
** The Star Wars Expanded Universe has Grand Admirals and Supreme Commanders, though many Imperial warlords kept giving themselves even more ostentatious ranks, up to Omnipotent Battle Leader.

Literature

* The alien race the Kur in Gor have a military organization described thusly:

"In their military organizations," I said, "six such beasts constitute a Hand, and its leader is called an Eye. Two hands and two eyes constitute a larger unit, called a "Kur" or "Beast," which is commanded by a leader, or Blood. Twelve such units constitute a Band, commanded again by a Blood, though of higher rank. Twelve bands, again commanded by a Blood, of yet higher rank, constitute a March. Twelve Marches is said to constitute a People. These divisors and multiples have to do with, it seems, a base-twelve mathematics, itself perhaps indexed historically to the six digits of one of the creature's prehensile appendages."
"Why is the leader spoken of as a Blood?' asked Samos.
"It seems to have been an ancient belief among such creatures," I said, "that thought was a function of the blood, rather than of the brain, a terminology which has apparently lingered in their common speech. Similar anachronisms occur in many languages, including Gorean."
"Who commands a People?" asked Samos.
"One who is said to be a 'Blood' of the People, as I understand it," I said.

* Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter Of Mars stories.
** Padwar = Lieutenant
** Dwar = Captain
** Odwar = General/Admiral
* In A Song Of Ice And Fire, the King's advisors have titles like "Master of Laws" (i.e. attorney general or justice minister), "Master of Coins" (i.e. secretary of trade or finance minister), and "Master of Ships" (i.e. secretary of the navy). In A Feast For Crows, Cersei prefers a more grandiose approach, and so changes the titles to be unique; Master of Ships, for example, becomes Grand Admiral.
* In the New Jedi Order, the Yuuzhan Vong have an elaborate ranking system among their castes; the Supreme Overlord, a God Emperor, is at the top, followed by the four main castes (castes are equal, ranks go from top to bottom):
** Warrior Caste:
*** Warmaster
*** Supreme Commander
*** Commander
*** Subaltern
*** Warrior
** Priest Caste
*** Most-High Priest
*** High Priest
*** Priest
*** Acolyte
** Shaper Caste:
*** Shaper Lord
*** Master Shaper
*** Shaper Adept
*** Initiate
** Intendent Caste
*** High Prefect
*** Prefect
*** Consul
*** Executor
*** Attendant
** At the very bottom is the Worker Caste, which consists of regular Workers, non-Yuuzhan Vong slaves, and Shamed Ones, who are the lowest of the low.

Live Action TV

* In Star Trek, several races have non-standard ranks for ship captains.
** Romulan ships are typically commanded by "Commanders" or "Sub-Commanders" ("Commander" may be a higher rank in the Romulan military than in Real Life). Furthermore, in Star Trek The Original Series, they used "Centurion" as a non-commissioned officer rank.
** Cardassians captains are called "Guls" which may act as governors as well, "Glinns", which often act as first officers, and "Legates" which are basically the admirality.
** Ferengi captains are called "DaiMons".
* In Stargate, the Goa'uld have the rank of First Prime, which is comparable to a Real Life Field Marshal.

Tabletop Games

* In Warhammer 40000, the Imperial Guard have several additional ranks, such as "Lord General Militant" and "Colonel-Commissar".
** Also from Warhammer 40000, the Tau's system (Shas'ui and Shas'O, for example).
** Warhammer 40 K's Space Marines get a lot of mileage from adding "Brother" in front of ranks (Brother-Sergeant, Brother-Captain) though it's not clear whether or not it's reserved for the Grey Knights, along with the ubiquitous "Battle-Brother".
** Various Chapters have variation on this as well: the Space Wolves replace Scouts with Blood Claws, Devastators with Long Fangs, Librarians with Rune Priests...
* Task Force Game's Starfire. Nexus magazine #8 and #12 had articles on the militaries of the Khanate of Orion and Protectorate of Rigel, including their rank structure.
* Forgotten Realms: Cormyrean "Purple Dragons" (standing army) has their own system.
* Dungeons And Dragons
** Basic D&D supplement Gazetteer 12 The Golden Khan of Ethengar. The military of Ethengar has these positions:
*** Akan - Leads an argam of 10 men
*** Dakan - Leads a dagam of 100 men
*** Orkhan - Leads a mingam of 1,000 men
*** Orkhan of the Golden Hordes - Commands the tribal hordes as a whole in the Golden Khan's absence
* In Traveller Vilani noble titles don't translate on a one to one basis with Terran but there is a rough adaptation and many nobles of Vilani heritage prefer the Vilani rendering to the Terran. Vilani titles come from the days of the old First Imperium:
** Kiduunuuzil = Knight or Baronet. These are low level bureaucratic flunkeys and military officers
** Lishakku = baron, supervisor, etc. Local planetary governor.
** Shakkanakhu = satrap. provincial governor
** Sarriiu = High satrap. governs several provinces
** Saarpuhii = Vizier perhaps.
** Apkallu Kibrat Arbat = Viceroy
** Ishimkarun = Emperor

Video Games

* In Ratchet And Clank Future: A Crack In Time, Alister Azimuth is a "Four Bolt Magistrate"
* In Halo, the Covenant have a completely different rank system, with different ranks existing for different races.
* The Qunari from Dragon Age. The ranks go, from highest to lowest:
** Arishok
** Sten
** Ashaad
** Karashok
Outside the ranking system:
** Saarebas (Mage Qunari)
* Star Craft: The Protoss have a different rank structure, though only three ranks are ever mentioned in the original game.
** Preator: probably close to an Army Captain, Fenix held this rank
** Executor: probably close to a Brigadier (1-star) General, Tassadar held this rank
** Judicator: probably close to a (4-star) General, Aldaris held this rank
* The Elder Scrolls series has a set of ranks for each faction. The ranks for Imperial Legion and House Redoran in Morrowind are explicitly military, and they are nothing like real-world, medieval or not. The Redoran ranks are, in fact, Dunmer titles of nobility, and they are also fantastic.
* Guild Wars: The tables of ranks of the Sunspears and the Order of Whispers in the Nightfall campaign.

o Enlisted
+ Follower
o Officers
+ Trainee Flyer
+ Flyer by memorial to the throne
+ Flyer by His Majesty's decree
o Nobility

o Paladin
o Arc Knight
o Honorary Knight
o Exorcist (which is split up into...)
+ Upper First Class
+ Upper Second Class
+ Middle First Class
+ Middle Second Class
+ Lower First Class
+ Lower Second Class
o One of 5 different titles, depending on mastery (however, Paladins must master two). Choices are Knight, Dragoon, Tamer, Aria, and Doctor
o Exwire
o Page

o The Star Wars Expanded Universe has Grand Admirals and Supreme Commanders, though many Imperial warlords kept giving themselves even more ostentatious ranks, up to Omnipotent Battle Leader.

o Padwar = Lieutenant
o Dwar = Captain
o Odwar = General/Admiral

o Warrior Caste:
+ Warmaster
+ Supreme Commander
+ Commander
+ Subaltern
+ Warrior
o Priest Caste
+ Most-High Priest
+ High Priest
+ Priest
+ Acolyte
o Shaper Caste:
+ Shaper Lord
+ Master Shaper
+ Shaper Adept
+ Initiate
o Intendent Caste
+ High Prefect
+ Prefect
+ Consul
+ Executor
+ Attendant
o At the very bottom is the Worker Caste, which consists of regular Workers, non-Yuuzhan Vong slaves, and Shamed Ones, who are the lowest of the low.

o Romulan ships are typically commanded by "Commanders" or "Sub-Commanders" ("Commander" may be a higher rank in the Romulan military than in Real Life). Furthermore, in Star Trek The Original Series, they used "Centurion" as a non-commissioned officer rank.
o Cardassians captains are called "Guls" which may act as governors as well, "Glinns", which often act as first officers, and "Legates" which are basically the admirality.
o Ferengi captains are called "DaiMons".

o Also from Warhammer 40000, the Tau's system (Shas'ui and Shas'O, for example).
o Warhammer 40 K's Space Marines get a lot of mileage from adding "Brother" in front of ranks (Brother-Sergeant, Brother-Captain) though it's not clear whether or not it's reserved for the Grey Knights, along with the ubiquitous "Battle-Brother".
o Various Chapters have variation on this as well: the Space Wolves replace Scouts with Blood Claws, Devastators with Long Fangs, Librarians with Rune Priests...

o Basic D&D supplement Gazetteer 12 The Golden Khan of Ethengar. The military of Ethengar has these positions:
+ Akan - Leads an argam of 10 men
+ Dakan - Leads a dagam of 100 men
+ Orkhan - Leads a mingam of 1,000 men
+ Orkhan of the Golden Hordes - Commands the tribal hordes as a whole in the Golden Khan's absence

o Kiduunuuzil = Knight or Baronet. These are low level bureaucratic flunkeys and military officers
o Lishakku = baron, supervisor, etc. Local planetary governor.
o Shakkanakhu = satrap. provincial governor
o Sarriiu = High satrap. governs several provinces
o Saarpuhii = Vizier
o Apkallu Kibrat Arbat = Viceroy
o Ishimkarun = Emperor

o Arishok
o Sten
o Ashaad
o Karashok

o Saarebas (Mage Qunari)

o Preator: probably close to an Army Captain, Fenix held this rank
o Executor: probably close to a Brigadier (1-star) General, Tassadar held this rank
o Judicator: probably close to a (4-star) General, Aldaris held this rank