The Sumpa Commoner Caste

The Sumpa caste is the commoner Caste of The Telvan Empire. 

Despite being citizens they are still quite restricted, living in a sort of serfdom required to work and pay taxes as well as being restricted in movement and upward mobility.

However, they still have many more freedoms and legal rights than non-citizens in the Empire.

Role in Society

The Sumpa are the backbone of Telvan society, needed for their labor and numbers, and they make up the majority of the Telvan population.

Historically the Sumpa took on more of the menial labor jobs, however since the Pakumbe caste has grown alongside the Empire’s territory and taken on most of the unskilled labor positions, the Sumpa caste has become more of a middle class, often focusing on more skilled labor and becoming more of a middle class.

They typically work the skilled middle and low level jobs of the empire including careers as architects, businessmen, chefs, etc. They are allowed to work in low level government.

They pay mandatory taxes and labor to the government and are subject to the Lanbe nobility. However they also have legal rights to court and due process.

How are They Viewed?

The Sumpa are the most populated of the castes, and as such the smaller elite Lanbe caste value their support, or at least acknowledge their power in numbers. Many of the more conservative and elitist Lanbe also see the Sumpa as lowly and simple-minded, naturally lower than them.

Those on the lowest level of Telvan Society, the Pakumbe, often might see the Sumpa as complacent to the Telvan empire or as just another cog in the machine. They are also often seen as highly propagandized and untrustworthy for the most part.

Legal Status

The Sumpa caste, as citizens of the Telvan empire, have legal rights and are considered free. They can marry and cannot be sold, or individually traded; but they are tied to the Lanbe family who land or city they were born in, so if that land or city changes hand their Lanbe overlord changes.

If this Lanbe overlord mistreats them or otherwise affects their quality of life, the Sumpa commoners have the ability to submit a complaint, sue, or appear as a witness in court.

They traditionally require permission to travel, however this has loosened up over time, however the need for permission still applies to moving to a different Lanbe Noble’s domain, as the Lanbe would be losing a member of their workforce.

They may also be drafted or enlist into the military, and typically make up the bulk of the low level Telvan military personnel.

Upward Mobility

The Sumpa caste is somewhat upwardly mobile, able to amass wealth and status among their peers without special permission. However, in order to get into a Lanbe Elite school or to get a government position, they require special permission from the emperor and often need the support of elite Lanbe families.

Only those who reach the highest ranks in the civil service exams or those who otherwise catch the eyes of the Emperor and his court, are able to be raised to the rank of Lanbe. In order to get the education and time in order to do this often requires wealth and the support of family and Lanbe patrons.

A servant to a Lanbe family may be rewarded with being raised to a member of the Mepa caste for their years of loyal service. This is much more common than being raised to the Lanbe caste, but still requires permission from the higher ranks of the Imperial bureaucracy.

Planet of Origin
Telva
Culture of Origin
Telvan - Ethnicity

Fashion

They are restricted to simpler Telvan clothing, not allowed any of the pomp of Elite Telvan Fashion without special permission or circumstances, like a marriage or special ceremony.

The Sumpa fashions are often seen as low brown by the Lanbe caste but are still just as influential, with their own trends and styles.

Childrearing & Education

The Sumpa as citizens of the empire have a right to education and typically go to government funded public schools to receive their basic education. Higher education is possible, but they are often barred from the Elite schools and most of the more accessible schools do not give as many job opportunities.

Sumpa children typically go into the same profession as their parents.