The Standings

The Standings, a racial caste system, lies at the core of imperial cultures. While the various cultures put differing emphasis on the Standings, it is observed by all.
== The Imperials ==
Though in the distant past Humans and High-Elves once were a different people, during the time of the Old Empire they interbreed to such a degree that they can no longer be distinguished and are simply called “The Imperials”. Imperials are by far the largest and most influential race on Anu. 
They view themselves as the very pinnacle of power and perfection, pointing to the unparalleled power of the Old Empire as proof of their superiority.
== The Civilised Races ==
What the Old Empire saw as “Civilised Races” were usually allowed a normal life within society with many of the same rights as the Imperials, yet always second to them. Amongst the civilised races are the Dwarves and the Shortfolk. While most members of these races are content in their position or even find pride in being part of Imperial society, others have dreamt to overcome the legacy as second-class citizens by deimperializing themselves. These effortes were always small in scale and almost always unsuccessful.
== The Beastfolk ==
The many races thought to be so far below the Imperials that they were not deemed worthy of being citizens of the Old Empire. The Orcs, Ogres, Goblins, Starfallen, Birdfolk, Merfolk and other such races were used only as cattle slaves and battle thralls. Since the Beastly Torment, Beast Folk are rarely systematically kept as slaves but attitudes to them have not changed much and most societies, will view Beast Folk with open distrust, suspicion, and hostility. Beast Folk are usually pushed to the fringes of society, used for hard labour or unsavoury work, reinforcing the self-fulfilling prophecy which causes the Imperials to view them as dangerous brutes.
== The Lizardfolk ==
The Lizardfolk are native to Ferra and were unknown to the Old Empire before their arrival on Ferra. Though they were slowly pushed all the way to the western parts of Ferra over the ages, the Lizardfolk never lost their ferocity. They are highly spiritual, their leaders being priests or skilled spiritual warriors. If a god fails to grant them strength or proofs too weak, the Lizardfolk will look for a new god to worship. 
The Lizardfolk on Ferra, before the arrival of the imperial settlers, lived in Kingdoms and Empires, each with a Dragon as their patron. After the dragons proved incapable of defeating the imperial settlers, the Lizardfolk rose up and slaughtered their former masters. 
The Lizardfolk are hated by all races of imperial heritage. The Lizardfolk are seen even below the Beastfolk. Something most Beastfolk hold on to. Though they hate the system which deems them little more than cattle, most Beastfolk are unable to overcome the racist ways of thinking instilled on them since ages past. Many find comfort that there is a race that is seen as even lower than themselves and show open hostility to the Lizardfolk, much like the Imperials and Civilised Races do.