Generally a rank will increase based on a member's level of involvement in the forum's community; more specifically, their post count.
For example; until a member has made their 50th post, they will have the rank of 'Newcomer'. Upon posting their 50th message, they will become an 'Adventurer-in-training'. Higher ranks do not grant any additional permissions, but they do indicate how involved in the community a member is.
So far I've thought up just a handful of rank titles, but now that some users have passed the 300 post mark, I think a brainstorming session is in order!
Current ranks:
0: Newcomer
50: Adventurer-in-training
175: Veteran Venturer
(Plus a great super-high-level rank which I'll keep secret for now.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
I want to have 'Veteran Venturer' be a more prestigious rank than it is currently, so it would be good to have a bunch of ranks between it and 'Adventurer-in-training'. I also like the idea of providing 'special ranks' for certain members. Some complimentary, others... less so.
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
So please, brainstorm and share your thoughts. Each post edges you closer to your next rank, after all!
Note: Posting for the sake of increasing post count is highly frowned upon, and will not work in your favour.
I should mention:
It may seem obvious, but I want the ranks to be themed around exploration, adventuring, game knowledge, etc... and I think the ranks should be named in such a way that they don't indicate that we are part of the game itself. Jungle Explorer would be fine, although a little specific (as there are many other areas to explore). For the purpose of the ranks, we are humans, rather than other animals; so Adventurous Ape is not the kind of thing I'm looking for. An expression which doesn't indicate a specific race is ideal.
What do you guys think of that approach?