*Central Kingdoms*
Unpublished manuscript
D. M. Lawson
Everyone in Lantry, member of a House or common sailhand in the street, has a name. The sailhand will have only one, a common form of address (Wil, Alex, Lina) and the name signed to all records. No title or address is used with a commoner’s name.
If that commoner excels in a trade, s/he will eventually be allowed to seek a guild membership. If that membership is granted, s/he is granted the right to use their profession as a surname. This right is granted only as long as the holder remains a member in good standing of the guild. If advancement is made in that guild, the right to an address is granted. Thus, Prentice Wil Tanner, who may eventually become Master Wil Tanner. However, if Journey Alex Chandler marries Prentice Lina Brewer, their children will take their own surnames if they choose different professions. Lina might sign her bank notes ‘Lina, Prentice Brewer’ or ‘Prentice Lina Brewer.’ If a document is signed concerning property owned by both Lina and Alex, both signatures must be present for the property to be common. In the event of the death of a spouse, all property held by both is granted to the survivor. Property owned by the deceased is given equally to offspring if there is no debt in the deceased’s name. If there is debt, that property is liquidated, profits divided among his creditors, and the debt is considered discharged, at least monetarily….
All guilds keep careful records of their members. Impersonating a professional by laying claim to a false name is punishable by flogging. Earning a name is a cause of celebration. Losing one is a cause for desperate action….
For a member of a House of Lantry, a name is an ornament. Often given names are passed down. It is common practice to name a child by given name, the names of then-living grandparents of the same sex, and the House name. (Richard Aldan CyrKrysto.) Even among the very rich, professions are common; it is a mark of honor to carry the House trade forward. If a member of a House follows that House’s trade, s/he may add the profession after the House name. If the trade is carried forward in the service of someone of higher rank, that is also indicated. Any member of a House of Lantry who achieves Master rank may use “King’s….” as these are the members of a profession sent to the service of the King if called upon. (Branluc Tolevar-Henri VinRath, King’s Physician) Members of Houses who marry may use either House name, or both, but only their own profession. Which they are addressed by varies with the situation and the speaker. (Mistress Adra Jenvar-Mari VinRath Narathan, Weaver; Adra VinRath) Children of House marriages carry the name of the highest-ranked parent. (Gareth Bandevar’s daughter Greeta inherits her mother Lecia Mauri’s name, as Mauri is the higher ranked House.) Some couples who marry agree in advance which House the children will carry forward. This is especially useful for near-commoners and professionals who marry into a minor position in a House. Commoners do not marry into Houses of Lantry. See below.
Lord and Lady are forms of address reserved for the most senior members of a House. Lady+Title+ Given Name is correct liege address. ( M’lady Duchess Anne) House names (Agrino) in this address situation are optional, but often helpful in tracing the current political webs.
Among gentlemen one may be addressed by his profession or a diminutive derived from it, implying the entire web of connections he has under his control at that moment. Few will cross Cambist CyrKrysto, or “Treasure” Manreith.
Profession names implying proficiency with a weapon are considered poor form. Every member of a House of Lantry is expected to be familiar with basic weaponry. Fewer have a talent for it and continue their studies. Very few actually earn, or deserve, titles like Brightblade except in jest. Commoners who attain proficiency with a weapon (which implies they could afford one in the first place) sometimes carry names like Archer or Swordman into the forming Lantry military forces. If they live long enough for them to become common use, they get to keep them.
For the Hoard 