Officers command members of the Army, Navy, Civil Guard and any other military or para-military unit. This list combines 'modern' army and naval ranks, into a simple and straightforward system, and includes both commissioned and non-commissioned officers.

In the following descriptions, the numbers of troops commanded by each rank are much lower than might be expected in a modern military organization. In some respects this represents the smaller sizes of early armies, although the numbers given represent regular troops - and are can be swelled by support, irregular and militia troops.

Overview: Many Squad Officers have come up through the ranks and have the same basic stats and skills as the men they command, however they may have PC or Aristocrat levels. They are the most able people who have been singled out for command, and may expect further promotions. Sergeant is the most common rank name, although this section covers Junior Officers of all types. On a ship, for example, a Squad Officer might be known as a Petty Officer

Sergeant: A sergeant controls a single unit of troops, of up to ten troops, in day-to-day activities. They ensure discipline and that orders are carried out, but they are not expected to take any serious leadership decisions. A Sergeant might take control of a unit of watchmen, a military patrol or the crew of a ship's boat, but they always serve a more senior officer directly.

Senior Sergeant: A Senior Sergeant's rank is indicated by a solid bar, and is generally appointed to a semi-independent command (such as a watch tower or a Local Patrol Boat) or an overseer's role in a large unit. A Senior Sergeant might have 15 people under their command, although some will be auxiliary troops (Cooks, clerks, stable hands etc). On a ship, a Senior Sergeant might be known as a Senior Petty Officer

Ensign: Some people (often from wealthy or noble families) are singled out for early promotion. These trainee officers often have a level of Aristocrat or a PC class in their makeup, although they are generally at the same level, and of similar ability, to their troops. They are often posted to larger units, where they serve as an Ensign and are given responsibility for the unit's flag and “staff” personnel. In training establishments, Ensigns often get their first taste of command as 'Sergeant' to a unit of trainees.

Generally known as a Lieutenant, their rank is indicated by two bars. If there is more than one Lieutenant in a unit they are known 1st Lt, 2nd Lt, 3rd Lt etc in order of seniority.

A Lieutenant can command three sergeants and their troops as well as up to ten other staff (this could be about 50 people all together). A Ship's Officer might take control of a landing party, command a captured vessel on the trip back to port, or take a watch on a larger ship. On land a lieutenant might be in charge of the castle's Barbican, an Outpost, a town district or even just one watch. They can meet limited objectives (such as patrol rosters, and unit management) without direct supervision.

Unless you are a Landed Noble, or leader of a large mercenary company, this is probably the highest ranking officer you will need to employ - as you will be able to fulfil the Commander's role.

A Lieutenant is generally one level higher than any of the troops they command, and often have a level of expert, aristocrat, or a PC class, in their build. However, all troops expect their officer to have at least one level of a full BAB combat class. A lieutenant will expect to earn about 4x what their men earn.

Examples

Lieutenant Commander: A Lt Cdr is a Senior Lieutenant who can command up to five Sergeants and a Lieutenant, as well a support unit of Auxiliary staff.(Potentially up to 90 people). They are designated by 2 solid bars topped by a broken bar, and expect to earn about 6x what their men earn. A Lt Commander's Staff Section could include an Ensign, Batman (personal servant), Messenger, Chaplain and secretary. A Lt Commander might be responsible for a Rural Fort, a small vessel acting independently, oversee a sub-command for a senior officer or command the garrison of either a small town or a large Noble House. Note (This is the equivalent of a Captain in the modern Army)

Commander: A commander is generally in charge of something significant, takes a lot of responsibility and command up to 3 Lieutenants (and their sergeants) as well as their own troops (Potentially up to 150 people). They are designated by three solid bars and expect to earn up to 8-10x what their men earn. A Commander's Staff Section could include an Ensign, Batman (personal servant), Messengers, personal guards and a secretary or two. A commander might be responsible for all troops in a fairly large town or large castle, or command one type of troops in a large city's army. Note (This is the equivalent of a Major in the modern Army)

They will always be at least one level higher than the highest level lieutenant in their command and often have levels of aristocrat, or PC classes, in their build.

Captain: A captain (or rarely, a Colonel) is represented by four solid bars and commands all the troops that come within one company. The company could be a mercenary company, all the troops of a small nation state, one troop type for a regional army, a major warship or a small flotilla of ships. As well as a personal command, this could encompass the troops of up to three Commanders and their junior officers, or about 500 troops all together. However, many Captains have do not that many troops under their command - most Mercenary Companies, for example, and even a Great Galley are smaller, and their 'Captain' might have fewer troops and lower prestige. Note (This is the equivalent of a Lt Colonel or Colonel in the modern Army, or Captain in the Navy)

Captains expect to earn something like 100gp per month.

Generals are very rare, and only the largest nations have a general in charge of their forces. It takes a significant nation to have more that one general in charge of their troops. However, when smaller armies come together, one of the Captains is often 'promoted' to the position of Captain-General. In extreme cases, when large armies, each with their own general, come together - a Lord General might be appointed. If every you have that large an army - you need to be incredibly wealthy to employ a general. Generals wear stars to signify their rank.

Generals might be known as Generals, Marshals, Commodores, Admirals, or some other equivalent military title.