Looking for a Term

[aldersprig]

I've started writing Inner Circle. ("...and a gladiator on top..")

They like their titles (because I like my titles), and in the case of those who shortcut the Ladder (which is social upward mobility with a system), they gain a title/name showing that service.

Gladiator is easy.

What do you call someone who does it by agreeing to essentially debt/bond servitude for a period of xx years?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

(this is inventrix)

What is "it" that people are doing? Being gladiators? Are you looking for an adjective to add to a title or a unique title for a specific role?

[aldersprig]

(hi Inventrix)

The "it" is shortcutting the Ladder by serving as gladiators.

A unique title for a specific role.

[(Anonymous)]

*thinks hard*

Is this generally considered a positive thing, negative or neutral?

[aldersprig]

Both-at-the-same-time?

It is skipping out on hard work for different hard work, taking a position with no status for the opportunity of a lot of status. So people see it both ways. rarely neutral.

[(Anonymous)]

Oooo, controversial! So probably a fairly positive-sounding title with popular slur alternates.

I like ___swords as a format, like sellswords but not. Bound swords, sold swords, oh! What about something based on the idea that you're fighting under someone else's name or authority, like name bearer or shield bearer except a shield bearer is already a thing so not that specific term. Maybe a construction similar to byname.

[aldersprig]

Hrrrm, neat.

But less swordy (looking back at the original question I think I phrased it badly; Gladiator and thing-I-am-looking-for-term-for are two different things)

[(Anonymous)]

That's why I asked what you meant! :P

Well, the last bit is still a relevant idea... *starts thinking process over*

So is this someone currently contracted to someone else? (how about something like contracted, or the word for someone who is under a contract? Like a debtor but not that word.)

[aldersprig]

I misunderstood your ask! :-P

Contacted-idea works well, yes.

[inventrix]

I keep wanting to suggest "cheater". xD;

[aldersprig]

Ah-ha-ha!

[aldersprig]

ehhehheheeee

[clare_dragonfly]

You could go with something related to "indenture," since presumably they are indentured servants before they jump the ladder...

[anke]

Gladiator describes what they are doing. Could the other be related to what exactly the people in question do, or is the spectrum too wide?

[(Anonymous)]

From the ladder idea, basic idea is Rung-Jumping, I think?
If you moved to stairs, High-Stepping?

Grease will often let things move faster, but greasing a ladder doesn't seem like it would move the right direction, though it might be quick.

Not sure any of this leans towards any sort of Title though.

[natf]

Bondsman and bondswoman?