An Overview of the Social Class System

 

Social class refers to the relative position and status of a profession within a given nation.  Each nation, however, may very well rate certain classes as higher or lower, and may differ as to where in their own structure they count the various subgroups, or which subgroups they maintain formally.  The primary classes or castes are the ruling class, scholar class, warrior class, priestly class, artisan class, and entertainers.  Those who fall outside these categories fall outside the bounds of society.

 

The ruling class is typically the highest, though the Brahla place it beneath their priestly caste, which they maintain as the pinnacle of society.  Members of the ruling class are the leaders of powerful families among the Dayoi, Agaboshi, and Kosuryo nations, often successful military leaders within the Shaozhe and Qintao nations, and hereditary rulers and landowners among the Chosaek, Taekcha, Peouji, and Brahla.  They are typically among the wealthiest if not the wealthiest in their countries, and have a great deal of influence over the law.  Knights are also typically included among the ruling class, as they rule their feudal lands on behalf of their lord or lady, to whom they are sworn.  The retainers and servants of the nobility are also included here.

 

Scholars are the members of the civil service, doctors, and alchemists.  The civil service is highly respected, and in every nation but Brahla, positions within it are determined by performance on an extensive written examination.  Among the Brahla, government posts are typically honours given to the hereditary nobility.  Civil service members are typically very wealthy at the upper ranks, but make only small salaries at the lower.  They too have a hand in the shaping and enforcing of the nation’s laws along with the nobilities and ruling class.  Doctors are considered respected due to the nature of their studies, as they are expected to be knowledgeable on a fairly wide array of subjects, but the Healers are considered to have much more status, as they are able to do their work more quickly, aided by magic.  Alchemists suffer from a similar negative view, as those who can achieve the effects of their potions by their own means instead are considered much more impressive.  Teachers and skilled shapers of the essences are also often considered to belong to the scholar class.

 

Each nation maintains its own army, separated from the knighthood in that its members are common soldiers rather than lordly landowners.  Since the military of the Dayoi is permitted to force those without gainful employment into its ranks, it is not considered a very respectable profession at the lower ranks.  At the command and officer ranks, however, it is honourable enough and members can earn a modest salary.  The warrior class of the Dayoi nation also encompasses the Takaita family, a group of stealthy warriors whose refusal to adhere to the honour code of the knighthood has earned them a poor reputation among the ruling class and in the eyes of the law.  However, they enjoy the support of the common people, who see them as standing against oppression.  They use many secret techniques and ways confusing to those outside their ranks, and are gifted users of magic.  Independent warriors are also considered to belong to this class, especially those who teach others their arts.  They are limited by law in many cases, however.

 

The priestly class consists of the priesthoods and religious leaders of a given nation.  Perhaps the one with the widest following is the Laharti faith, which exists throughout the known world.  The Quendrin faith has also gained a wide following, though it is banned within the Empire and therefore at the bottom of their social hierarchy, condemned should they be discovered.  Among the Brahla and within the Eastern nations, however, they enjoy status equivalent to any of the other religions.  The Kamutsu religion is predominant as the state religion of the Dayoi, and practiced widely in Agaboshi and Kosuryo as well, but rarely outside the scope of those nations, while the Gaveena faith is the very pinnacle of Brahla society, as it is their state religion, and their priestly caste rates as their highest.

 

Artisans enjoy prestige for the sake of their skills, but are more likely to amass wealth than honour.  A master craftsman may command a great deal of respect in their village or city, however.  They include weapon smiths, armor smiths, jewelry smiths, weavers, tanners, woodworkers, bookbinders, and animal breeders or trainers.

 

Entertainers or performers are usually accepted only if attached to or patronized by a noble house.  Flute girls and dancing girls are not known for their outstanding morals, and other forms of entertainers such as acrobats, jugglers, and other musicians are viewed as lazy, as many could easily turn their attention to another trade instead.  This said, the higher levels of this class, such as courtesans, command a great deal more respect, and are at times sought after by wealthy men of high status as concubines.  This class includes instrumental musicians, dancers, singers, and actors as well as acrobats and street performers.

 

Thieves fall outside the class structure, and are looked down upon and shunned by upstanding members of the community, whether a village, town, or city.  They live on the edge of danger, pursued and hunted by the authorities as a result of their illegal activities.  Their lack of honesty has made them no friends, and they are typically viewed as parasites living on the money honestly earned by the work of others.