Origins
The concept of a high/low-class social system was first noted sometime around 1200 TFE, when the first significant and widespread technological achievements were made. The individuals who made said achievements would frequently be acknowledged by
Ilos himself and went on to be idolized by their peers, and that idolization would often spread to the individual's family. Eventually, these families would be seen as "better than" the rest of the surrounding commoners (though still less than a royal family member). Persons with notable battle accomplishments started to join the ranks of the upper echelon when
Tedite began offering similar boons. Over time, more specific ranks of nobility began to be established.
Lifestyle
Suffice it to say, those in the upper echelon of society can experience a vastly different life than one in the lower ranks. While there have been significant improvements in the living standards of the lower classes over the years, the deep-set class system leads many to only offer empathy to those of their caliber. A higher rank (or being
close to someone of a high rank) can grant one access to superior education, quicker civil services, ease of travel, etc.. Access to medicine tends to be equal across all classes, though, as
Gidis' followers are historically ambivalent about the class system.
Disgrace
Those that hold a high title have to upkeep their station in order to ensure their family remains in good graces with society. Should one falter, they could find their title demoted or, in a drastic case, stripped altogether. The threshold for what would constitute a disgrace depends on the class level and circumstances, though in general, it looks something like this:
- Celestial-exalted persons would have to commit a slight against the church or gods.
- Royalty would have to be overthrown by their people (someone who steps down willingly is not considered disgraced).
- See "Celestial Beings" for details on their disgrace system.
- Nobility would have to commit a slight or significant faux pas against society, the church, or royalty. Typically only those who use the main noble name are disgraced; marriages are typically a way high-ranking people avoid this fate.
- Aristocratic persons would have to commit a slight or significant faux pas against society, the church, royalty, or nobility.
Any ranking lower than aristocracy becomes exceedingly specific and circumstantial.
Class Tier Rankings
Gods
The gods rank above all and are the only beings Kings and Queens must bow to.
Royalty
(in order of social rank)
- Celestial Royalty - Royal bloodlines that started with a family member being granted the title by a god. While this once was a fairly common bloodline for rulers, the only persons to hold this title now are Emperor Salem Hail-Tutela III (the Vestus-exalted emperor of Galetthia whose family has held the title for 9 generations) and Empress Harriet Kingsbane (the Atris-exalted empress of White Shore who is the first of her family to hold the title).
- Direct Royalty - Kings & Queens and their direct heirs.
- World Leaders - Those who hold the highest possible office for their country that is not run by a monarchy (Chancellors, Prime Ministers, Presidents, etc.).
- Royal Family - Those in the immediate family of royalty but who are not in the line of succession.
Celestial Beings
While some celestial beings hold themselves higher on the social ladder than others, all should be considered equal to those who rank lower than them.
Nobility
Noble titles extend from the person it was granted to and also applies to their family - typically anyone who holds the family name - indefinitely or until disgraced. Listed in order of social rank:
- Exalted Nobility- Those who have been acknowledged by one of the gods immediately become the highest respected tier of nobility, regardless of their previous socioeconomic status.
- Extended Royal Family - Those who are related to royalty but are in the extended family. The qualification for this tier can be a little vague, but generally this consists of those related to married-in members and distant cousins/aunts/uncles/etc.
The following are considered equal-standing nobility and are simply listed alphabetically.
- Artistically-Earned Nobility - Those who have gained a noble title through their talent in the arts. This includes painters, actors, singers, writers, etc. Fame plays an important part in maintaining this title, a stipulation not many other noble titles require.
- Battle-Earned Nobility - Those who have gained a noble title through their actions in battle. They have typically been acknowledged by their country's leader for their valor and hold a military title no lower than General.
- Charity-Earned Nobility - Those who have gained the noble title through charitable or heroic (non-military) deeds. This is historically the least-populated noble title.
- Economically-Earned Nobility - Those who gained a noble title through business prowess and monetary gains. As of The Glory Era, this is the most common type of nobility.
- Intellectually-Earned Nobility - Those who gained a noble title through innovation or particularly high intellect in one of the science or magic disciplines. This is the oldest type of noble title, and one of the highest respected today. There is also a notable overlap between intellectual and economically-earned noble titles.
- Profession-Earned Nobility - Those who gained a noble title through their job or trade (that they do not own the business of, in which case the title would be considered economically earned). Common examples of nobility-granting jobs include politicians, royal advisors, established businesspeople, and high priests of certain religions.
Aristocracy
Aristocracy is largely the same as nobility in terms of family function, just with those in it having slightly lower acclaim than a noble would. The ranks of aristocracy are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Diplomats - Representatives of their respective countries.
- Extended Family of Noble Persons - Those who are in the extended family of someone considered nobility. Typically those who are married into the family but who do not share the same family name.
- High Monetary Gains - Those who have accumulated significant funds through methods that are not defined by a specific tier of the aristocracy (i.e. someone who is rich regardless of their profession).
- High-Ranking Church Offical - High priests of certain religions, church representatives, and second-tier priests of certain religions.
- High-Ranking Medical Professionals - Doctors, surgeons, specialists, etc.
- High-Ranking Military Official - Someone in a military position that is above Major (or equivalent).
- Judges - Highest power in a court of law.
- Moderately-Famous Artists - Artists who have gained a notable amount of fame. Typically models, actors, musicians, craftsmen, etc.
- Notable Engineers/Scientists - Those who have made significant contributions to the field of engineering and/or science.
- Skilled Sportsmen - Those who have gained fame for their skill in a particular sport.
- University Professors - Those who teach highly valued classes at one of the 4 main universities (Aclon Distinguished School of Fine Arts, Halivet University, Orital College of Advancement, and Royal University of Cadax)
Working Class
The working class is the most common class among the population of Alara. While there have been multiple attempts over the years to set up some kind of hierarchy among those in it, none have been successful. Most in the working class will have a strong sense of empathy for others in it, which is the reason any attempt at separating them has typically failed. Though nowhere near an exhaustive list, examples of common professions/status of those in the working class are:
- Alchemist/Magic Arts
- Animal Husbandry
- Artificer/Mechanic/Electrician
- Bankers
- Civil Engineer
- Civil Servants
- Clerical/Administrative/Bookkeeping
- Construction/Carpentry
- Delivery Persons
- Domestic Workers Serving Royalty
- Fishermen/Farmers/Hunters/Butchers
- Historians/Archaeologist
- Homemakers
- Low-Ranking Military Personel
- Miners/Blacksmiths/Factory Workers
- Rail/Ship/Land/Air Transport
- Retail & Food Services
- Tailors/hairdressers/cosmetics
- Teachers/Governess'
- University Students
Common Church Officials
While it would undoubtedly be considered rude to look down on those in these positions, they do
technically fall lower on the social ladder given their general lack of funds and common association with the lower class. Examples include:
- Almoners
- Cantors
- Chaplains
- Domestic Clerics
- Missionaries
- Monks
- Nuns
Lower Class/"The Help"
Those in this class are commonly either born into it and never get a chance to leave or are disgraced higher-class persons. They are specifically defined by their lack of funds and careers directly working under their "betters". While most look down or simply ignore those in this class, their employed status gives them a modicum more respect than those on the disreputable tier of society. Examples of their professions include:
- Butlers
- Drivers
- Horsemen
- Maids
- Nannies
- Pages
- Sanitation Workers
- Scribes
- Sextons
Disreputable
Those in this tier are commonly shunned by society as a whole, being seen as "worthless" and "deplorable". Much like the lower class, many in this class were either born into it or had a fall from grace. The difference is that, unlike some lucky enough in the lower class, those that are disreputable rarely rise through the ranks (and those that do typically hide their past). Examples include:
- Beggers
- Disgraced Celestial Beings (if they do not integrate themselves into society)
- Courtesan/Brothel Girls
- Hermits
- Immediate family of deserters, traitors, spies, and terrorists.
- Peddlers
- Pimps
- Prisoners
- Most Warlocks
