Rislandian Titles and Ranks
The Kingdom of Rislandia maintained a system of noble titles and ranks that carried defined duties, privileges, and legal standing. The bestowing of such titles was a royal prerogative, exercised by the reigning monarch. The titles documented below appear in the events of For Steam and Country and The Iron Wedding.
Baroness / Baron
The rank of Baroness (feminine form) or Baron (masculine or preferred alternate form) was a noble title bestowed by royal authority within Rislandia. In For Steam and Country, King Malaky XVI granted the rank of Baroness to Zaira von Monocle. The title came with true ownership of the airship The Liliana and all associated duties and privileges.
Upon receiving the rank, Zaira elected to style herself Baron rather than Baroness, reasoning that the latter sounded less imposing. As she stated: "I think I'm going to go with baron. Baroness sounds funny." This preference appeared to be a personal choice made for purposes of intimidation rather than a formal alteration of the title as conferred.
Baronette
Baronette was an informal title given to Zaira von Monocle by the crew of The Liliana prior to or alongside her formal ennoblement. The designation was not an officially recognized Rislandian rank. In For Steam and Country, James Gentry mentioned it at the breakfast table, noting that "The crew calls her the Baronette." King Malaky XVI acknowledged the term but observed that it was not a real word. The title reflected the crew's affection and recognition of Zaira's authority aboard the vessel before or independent of formal royal sanction.
Foreign Titles
The following title originates outside Rislandia but appears in connection with events documented in the series.
Iron Emperor
Iron Emperor was the title held by Ivan, ruler of the Wyranth Empire. In The Iron Wedding, the title was recorded in reference to Ivan's position as sovereign of Wyranth. The Iron Emperor title was distinct from any Rislandian noble rank and carried no standing within the Rislandian system of titles.
In A History of Rislandia
A History of Rislandia supplements the titles and ranks documented in the novels with additional context on the Baron rank, a Rislandian administrative position, and two senior military ranks of the Wyranth Empire.
Baron (Rislandian)
According to A History of Rislandia, the rank of Baron in Rislandia is explicitly framed as attainable through military service, with the sourcebook noting that Rislandia is a place "where a soldier can become a Baron." This positions the title not merely as a hereditary or purely royal gift but as a potential reward for distinguished service in arms, adding a meritocratic dimension to the rank not detailed in the novels.
Chief of Foreign Relations
According to A History of Rislandia, the Chief of Foreign Relations is a Rislandian administrative position offered by King Malaky XVI to Baron Theodore von Monocle. Theodore accepted the post, retiring from active combat duty to take it up. The sourcebook does not specify whether this position carries a noble title or is a purely appointed office.
Wyranth Imperial Military Ranks
A History of Rislandia documents two supreme military ranks within the Wyranth Empire that do not appear on the novel-based account on this page.
Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal)
According to A History of Rislandia, the Generalfeldmarschall, rendered in the sourcebook as Field Marshal, is the highest officer rank in the Wyranth Imperial Army, described as "Supreme commander (below the emperor)." The rank sits directly beneath the Iron Emperor in the military hierarchy.
Großadmiral (Grand Admiral)
According to A History of Rislandia, the Großadmiral, rendered as Grand Admiral, is the supreme naval commander rank within the Wyranth Imperial Navy. The sourcebook offers no further elaboration on the holder of this rank or its relationship to the Generalfeldmarschall.