The Lanbe Ruling Caste

The Lanbe Caste is the ruling caste of the Telvan Empire They make up the upper ranks of Telvan society and hold most of the land and wealth.

The members of this caste are hereditary aristocrats with many also being trained as bureaucrats or scholars. The women are often used in political marriages, rather than career politics.

The Telvan Imperial Family is also considered to be of the Lanbe caste but are also of a higher status than the other Lanbe. There are also unofficial ranks within the Lanbe caste, typically determined by titles, ranks, and familial relations to the imperial family.

Originally only relatives of the imperial dynasty were members of the Lanbe caste. However, over time the raising of new members from the upper ranks of the Citizen castes became necessary as their original numbers were stretched thin across the empire. This raising of new members is quite rare and can only be done with the approval of the emperor.

Role in Society

As the hereditary noble caste, the Lanbe are the dominant caste in the Telvan empire and fill up the bureaucratic positions in the government and military as only Lanbe are permitted to fill those high ranking roles.

Due to the expectation that they contribute to the state and imperial family, they are often highly educated and skilled so that they may better the Telvan empire as well as bettering their family’s status.

The Emperor also may give out ranks and titles to Lanbe individuals for their merit and is a way for the emperor to show favor and make political ties. These ranks may be hereditary or may decrease in status over the generations. People with these ranks get special statuses and privileges. This functions similarly to the raising of a family to Lanbe status.

How are They Viewed?

To the low ranking untouchable castes who are discriminated against and used as scapegoats, the Lanbe are the unfeeling elite who are responsible for their oppression. There is often a sense of apathy and inability to do anything about their situation due to the high level of power the Lanbe possess.

To the common Telvan people the Lanbe are often seen as fair and just, in part due to their own privilege in being Telvan’s of citizen status as well as due to the high level of pro-Lanbe pro-Imperial propaganda that is distributed among the population. Some may have some awareness of corruption of discrimination perpetrated by the Lanbe but rarely are they able to speak out without retribution.

Among the civilian classes of the Telvan population, which tend to make up the middle class, tend to see the Lanbe as something to aspire to be. Seeing the ability to be raised -however rare- as a reason to be loyal to the empire.

When it comes to the justification of their position, the Lanbe are seen as somewhat sacred and holy especially due to their relationship with the imperial family. They are seen as the rightful rulers who have earned their positions through their service in the government. Those who fall short of Lanbe ideals or otherwise disgrace their position are seen as weak and disgraceful, if not traitorous. If their conduct is severe they may be punished, executed, or stripped of their rank as Lanbe being made Pakumbe untouchable caste.

Political Marriages

The Lanbe families often use arranged marriages to their advantage, using it to seal alliances, gain favor, or otherwise gain power socially or politically. 

Engaged couples -or more likely their parents- often ask permission for the engagement and marriage from the Emperor, who may block any marriage from happening without his permission or otherwise declare the marriage null. The Emperor may also order a marriage to be done. These strategies are often used by the emperor as a means of controlling political alliances at court.

Arranged marriages are especially present among the newer Lanbe families who have only recently been raised to the Lanbe caste. This is commonly done between the son of the new Lanbe family and the daughter of an old Lanbe family, and is done to solidify the position of the new Lanbe family and gain allies on both sides.

Marriage to members of the imperial family -this includes through concubinage- are especially coveted, but can only be instigated by the emperor who needs to approve the marriage beforehand. These marriages position a Lanbe family closer to the emperor and the workings of the imperial court, and are thus extremely politically charged.

Planet of Origin
Telva
Culture of Origin
Telvan - Ethnicity

Fashion

Legally, the Lanbe can wear whatever clothes -apart from those restricted to certain ranks- they wish but due to their status and wealth they often wear the more extravagant pricy clothing in the Empire.

There are articles of clothing or symbols that only the Lanbe caste are allowed to wear, and among the Lanbe there are even regulations with certain articles of symbols being restricted to Lanbe of a certain rank, the imperial family, or the Emperor’s use.

Childrearing & Education

Lanbe education is very much privatized with some families sending their children to elite academies and others hiring private teachers and tutors to teach their kids from home. There are also universities and programs the Lanbe go to for higher education.

Members of the Sumpa caste find it very hard to get into the schools and universities that the Lanbe go to, and often need some sort of Lanbe benefactor to get in. Members without wealth, or those of Pekumbe status, find it especially impossible to get often being forced and bullied out very quickly. The government allows them in, to keep the illusion that upward mobility is possible, and the Lanbe tolerate it for the same reason.