Honorific Titles: What are the rules?

[MrSmith]

I poised this question under General Discussion because I was not sure where it best fits. After a quick search of the Forums, I discovered "honorific" is used only four times in forum posts. Two of these posts explained what honorific titles were common within the Thayan community and Auril faithful, the third spoke of the Duke, and the last was an IC post. A handful of characters have honorific titles before their names, which everyone can clearly see as an OOC action.

I ignore the honorific title if I have not met the character out of respect for roleplay. My first question is, what is considered "proper etiquette" when conversing with someone with any honorific title not aligned with royalty? For example, would most characters know the significance of specific honorific titles associated with a guild, etc.?

The notion of "common knowledge" leads me to my second question. What are the rules for using an honorific title before your proper name? Is this DM restricted, or Is it possible to self-identify with a non-royalty honorific title if you explained it in a published biography?

Cheers!

[AsuraKing]

I believe this is the thread you're looking for in your searches:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=75881

As for how characters would react, it's really a matter of your own character really. For example, if I played a local Balduran they'd prob address all of the local Lords as M'Lord or M'Lady and the likes. That said, it's entirely possible a character from outside would not care/know about local Lords, the same way that more people ask Barry what a 'Vigilator' is than people that address him as such.

[Rhifox]

I ignore the honorific title if I have not met the character out of respect for roleplay. My first question is, what is considered "proper etiquette" when conversing with someone with any honorific title not aligned with royalty? For example, would most characters know the significance of specific honorific titles associated with a guild, etc.?

Guild titles, no, and most guild titles would not require any specific etiquette. Guild titles are typically the kind of thing you'd only really say for formal affairs, introductions, or on letters.

Etiquette for addressing nobility though (lords) is typically Milord/My lord/lady, Your Lord/Ladyship, His/Her Lord/Ladyship. On FR there is also the occasionally the use of 'Lady Lord', so you could say My Lady Lord, or Her Lady Lordship. Typically, nobility are referred to principally by their surname, or their holdings if their surname and their holdings are different (eg, Tarina will often refer to Selengil as the Lord Darkhold (or the Lord of Darkhold), and Amos as the Lord Blackrose, despite those not being their actual surnames, because it reflects the holdings (typically land) to which their title is tied to. And as a Tethyrian, she places high importance on land ownership.)

For knights, there's Sir, Lady, or Lady Sir. Unlike with nobility, with knights you would typically use the first name, not the last name, as knighthoods are bestowed on the single person and are not typically inherited. So eg, Sir Jonas, rather than Sir Rokranon.

In FR, 'Saer' is also used for any noble of uncertain rank, or as a courtesy title for the children of the title holder. This will in many cases be used with the first name rather than (or in addition to) the last name.

You can also refer to the following from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting:

[MrSmith]

Wow! Thank you both for those comprehensive responses. I understand the nobility and knighthood-related honorific titles. It is the religion-specific honorific titles that I find difficult, so I will research those offline.

Cheers!

[Steve]

This might interest you, Mr. Smith!

https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Level_title

[MrSmith]

This might interest you, Mr. Smith!

https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Level_title

Yes! This is very helpful. These lists denote the reputation associated with the experience amassed overtime by profession... I can see this in PnP; however, it is much harder to relate when most adventurers are walking avatars of their god, e.g. 30th level.

Nevertheless, these lists help me recognize the level of respect any character should be shown over the course of their hero's journey.

Cheers!

[Steve]

This might interest you, Mr. Smith!

https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Level_title

Yes! This is very helpful. These lists denote the reputation associated with the experience amassed overtime by profession... I can see this in PnP; however, it is much harder to relate when most adventurers are walking avatars of their god, e.g. 30th level.

Nevertheless, these lists help me recognize the level of respect any character should be shown over the course of their hero's journey.

Cheers!

What I do is take those 10 level spreads and further spread it out to 30: 1 = 1-3; 2 = 4-6; etc etc. And then have my toon call themselves that title any chance they get, especially at introductions.

Eventually…the DMs will have to do a name change on your toon! Hahahahahaha! PLAYER EPIC WINS!!

[Planehopper]

Everybody better be reeeeeal careful with introductions as a 9th level magic user.

[Steve]

Everybody better be reeeeeal careful with introductions as a 9th level magic user.

Pfff! What’s a little necromancy between friends?!?

[MrSmith]

The Ranger honorifics are very fitting, especially if you spread them out using a 3:1 as Steve suggested.