NORTHERN RANKS

• • the royal family
The Aetherius bloodline has ruled over the North for generations upon generations. This family is the highest authority in all of Ithenia.

KING: The supreme ruler of the Northlands. His ruling is final, and his word is law.
QUEEN: The mate to the King. She is the second-most powerful horse in the Northlands and will rule in his stead, if need be.
HEIR: The eldest Aethrius son and the next in line to the throne.
PRINCES: Any younger colts born to the King and Queen. They will not inherit the throne, but they still carry the royal name.
PRINCESSES: Any fillies born to the King and Queen who carry the royal name.
DOWAGER QUEEN: The widowed wife of the previous king; the current king's mother.


• • the royal court
The Court is closely associated with the royal family. Hand-chosen by the King and Queen, these horses hold great power in the North.

LORD OF KING'S BARRIER: Also known as the Lord of the Snows. A trusted adviser and friend of the royal family, this horse oversees a herd in the mountains and maintains the northern border.
LORD OF THE BONELAND: Also known as the Lord of the Sands. A trusted adviser and friend of the royal family, this horse oversees a herd in the desert and maintains the southern border.
NOBLES: Stallions and mares who act as personal servants to the king and queen, respectively. This position is appointed and cannot be requested.
DELEGATES: Messengers and orators for the Northlands. They carry news and deliver speeches all across the region, so it is required that they be good speakers and particularly swift runners.


• • the royal cavalry
These horses make up the Northern army, with each sector being highly specialized. Individuals endure rigorous training throughout their lives, earning them fame and respect.

COMMANDER: Head of the Royal Infantry, he or she is in charge of each and every division. He or she is a practiced fighter and a gifted strategist.
OUTRIDER CAPTAIN: This lightweight horse is fleet of foot. He or she is in charge of all of the Outriders, and reports directly to the Commander.
-----OUTRIDERS: Lightest and swiftest in the Infantry, these stallions and mares act as sentries and spies for the herd. They will fight if necessary, but they usually leave that to the Vanguards and Warriors. Their main jobs are to patrol all areas of the North and to execute espionage missions in the South.
VANGUARD CAPTAIN: This powerful heavy horse directs the Vanguard division of the Infantry. He or she reports directly to the Commander.
-----VANGUARDS: These horses are the first line of defense. The tallest and thickest-set of the stallions and mares are best suited for this position, as they are primarily bodyguards.
WARRIOR CAPTAIN: Sharp-minded and skilled in battle, the Warrior General leads the Warriors when they are called upon. He or she reports directly to the Commander.
-----WARRIORS: The main battalion of the Northlands. These stallions and mares are all shapes and sizes, but each of them is specially trained for combat so to be both agile and strong.
YOUTH REGIMENT CAPTAIN: Generally adept at all three of the other divisions' skills, the YR Captain is a strong, well-rounded horse. He or she is responsible for training all the young would-be fighters of the Royal Herd before they go into their chosen division for more in-depth teachings. He or she reports directly to the Commander.
-----YOUTH REGIMENT: These are the young horses (between one and three years old) who are in training to become either an Outrider, Vanguard, or Warrior.


• • the royal infirmary
All horses in the North can see a Healer when they are ill or injured. Healers are often stationed throughout the Northlands for optimal care. This group sees the most action after battles or wartime.

MIDWIFE: The head of the Healers. She helps mares during the birthing process and is also able to find the right herbs and concoctions to cure many minor injuries and illnesses.
-----HEALERS: These stallions and mares have learned from the Midwife which plants do what for this symptom or that sore as well as the diagnoses that go along with them.
-----AIDES: Young horses (between the ages of one and three) who are in training to become Healers.


• • the royal community
Horses in the Community have no specified duties in the Northern herd, but are welcome to share the land. Many are too young or too old to provide their services, and those that are not can contribute by repopulating the North.

VETERANS: Stallions and mares who have been a part of the Cavalry but, due to age or injury, can no longer participate in battle. They hold a great amount of prestige and deserve the utmost respect.
STUDS: Any male civilians living in the North with no specified rank.
BROODMARES: Any female civilians living in the North with no specified rank.
FOALS: All children born in the North who are not members of the royal family. Once they become yearlings they must decide which rank they wish to train for, or simply become a stud or broodmare.
HONORED DEAD: Those good and faithful Northerners who have passed on.


• • outlaws of the north
These horses are not welcome citizens of the North and are often wanted criminals.

BANISHED: Criminals who have been driven out of the Northlands for disobeying the King's decrees.
CAPTIVE: Any Southerners or banished horses found on Northern soil who are taken prisoner and kept under constant watch.