Amethyst

An Amethyst woman

The people of the Amethyst caste live in a gated district in the south of the city. Their ancestors were the politically minded people of Versayse and were able to easily establish a government structure that worked to their benefit. They are known for being charming and beautiful. They are politicians, judges, and administrators. Many have large collections of art, books, and historical objects, though all just for the sake of outdoing their neighbors. They are typically highly skilled at recognizing and utilizing the subtleties of human interaction, the good and the bad.

## Basics

### **Physical Description**

The people of Amethyst typically have purple eyes, ranging from red-violet to indigo. Their skin is very light, often with freckles. Their hair is coarse in texture and is almost always curly. It is usually red, ranging from strawberry-blonde to auburn, though it would not be unusual for a blonde or light brown haired child to be born. They are typically of a medium build and their heights are usually between 5’0” and 5’10” with men typically being taller than women.

### **Trait**

The people of the Amethyst caste are known for their ability to bring people together. When making a Diplomacy skill check using the Make an Impression action, the attitudes of affected creatures are considered to be one step closer to Helpful.

## Common Careers

Amethyst caste citizens typically favor jobs where they can use their sharp wit and public speaking abilities. They can be found in all parts of the government and law. They are politicians, judges, lawyers, and administrators. They are often collectors, musicians, and patrons of the arts.

 All members of the royal family are considered to be officially of the Amethyst caste, even if their blood says that they are technically part of another caste. When a member of the royal family does not inherit the typical Amethyst genetic traits, they are often stylized in portraits as if they have them and are then encouraged to marry within their caste.

Even those who are not politically-minded are often appointed to positions of leadership within their organizations. The legendary figure Max Gallagher was a known thief whose charisma pushed him to the top of the ladder in his crime ring. It is said that his words held such charm that he was still welcomed by the king at court, despite being a convicted criminal.

## Names

### **Surnames**

Like all of the castes of Haven, there are twelve surnames in Amethyst, each of them stemming from one of the original founding families of the city. These surnames are: Byrne, Calloway, Connor, Collins, Flynn, Gallagher, Kennedy, Moore, Murphy, Reilly, Sullivan, and Walsh.

### **Male Names**

**Examples**: Argyle, Boyd, Callan, Emerson, Galvin, Kalem, Keanan, Owen, Perry, Rhys, Rory, Shane, Teague, Torin, Winnford

### **Female Names**

**Examples:** Ansley, Deirdre, Erin, Fergie, Finley, Keely, Kenna, Malvina, Morrigan, Orla, Rhona, Shannon, Shaylee, Tara, Winry

## History

### **Pre-Fall**

The people of the Amethyst caste originally hailed from the city of Versayse. They were high-society urbanites whose community valued strong laws and had strict rules for what was and was not acceptable. They held frequent council meetings to decide on laws for every new thing that came up. It was said that there was not a fathomable situation that the people of their city had not made a law for.

## Religion

### **The Way of Life**

Those of the Amethyst caste generally find the Way of Life agreeable, especially the parts that focus on free choice. Many in this caste do their best to live by the tenet that balance is essential to life. Some can find conflict, however, in the fact that this Way says that your place in the afterlife is based on your actions in life. These people generally would like to believe that being special in life should mean that you will be special in the afterlife, regardless of actions.

### **The Way of Elements**

Members of the Amethyst caste typically feel neither conflict nor fondness with the Way of Elements. They are not usually environmentally conscious, spending very little time in nature, and therefore do not encounter it enough to form major opinions.

### **The Way of the Physical**

Many in the Amethyst caste find themselves extremely drawn to the Way of the Physical. The aspects that its deities hold dominion over are core to the belief systems of the majority of Amethyst citizens. Many religiously inclined members of this caste find themselves practicing law or writing the laws as members of the government.

### **The Way of Philosophy**

There are many aspects of the Way of Philosophy that those in the Amethyst caste could latch on to, but it is uncommon. Though they as a culture hold one another to a certain standard, they often find themselves at odds with the idea that success can look different for each person.

### **The Way of Information**

There is much about the Way of Information that those in this caste can rally around. Being cautious about sources of information and being purposeful with your words are ideals that they naturally ingrain in each of their children. There are many, though, who find themselves at odds with the cold, logical aspect of this Way, preferring instead to let emotions and intuition guide their actions.

## Society

### **General**

People of the Amethyst caste organize themselves into family units that typically consist of two parents of either gender, one to three children, and any elder family members that may need to be cared for. It is not uncommon for unmarried adult men or women to live with their older siblings. Orphans are seen as the responsibility of remaining family members, though it is not unheard of for a teacher, mentor, or childless couple to take them in.

### **Male Roles**

Males are seen as more dominant than women in Amethyst. They are typically viewed as emotionally stronger and are usually the heads of their households. They hold the most important jobs and are leaders in their communities.

### **Female Roles**

Females are typically seen as more submissive than men in Amethyst, but not always. Women are known as caretakers and for being detail-oriented. They usually hold support roles, though there are many women who are able to prove themselves. If a woman wants a more dominant role, she is usually able to earn it, though it very often includes adopting more traditionally masculine traits.

### **Children**

Children in Amethyst are educated with both genders together. Their lessons from ages 5 to 10 are called “general studies” and cover basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. From 11 to 14, they participate in “civic and career preparation” classes. From 15-16, students shadow an adult in an apprenticeship called “work studies” and are given a score by their mentor. At any time, a child may be retained for a lack of aptitude or effort, though this would be seen as very shameful for their family.

### **Animals**

There are very few animals involved in life in this caste. Some people may have a dog, cat, or bird as a pet, but it is unusual and is seen as a personality quirk.

## Attitudes

### **Family**

Those in the Amethyst caste are family oriented and often house members of their extended family who cannot care for themselves. Children will often stay with their parents even after they are considered adults.

### **Work**

Amethyst caste members feel that the work that they do is important and they are dedicated to their jobs. It is common to see those from this district carrying paperwork home with them in the evening.

### **City**

Citizens of this caste are completely loyal to Haven and will do anything that they believe will help their city function smoothly. They are lawmakers and law enforcers.

### **Nature**

People from the Amethyst caste generally believe that nature is nice to look at from a distance, but most would not like to be in it.

## Relations

### **Garnet**

**How they view Garnet:** Amethyst caste members tend to view those in Garnet as brash and uncaring of the feelings of others. Their own sensibilities are easily wounded by the overly honest words of the people in Garnet.

**How Garnet views them:** Garnet caste members tend to view those in Amethyst as too coy and overly sensitive. They believe that half-truths and white lies should have no part in the governing of a city. Their passive-aggressive nature can wear on those of Garnet, who prefer to speak plainly.

### **Topaz**

**How they view Topaz:** Amethyst caste members tend to view those of the Topaz caste as hardworking and loyal. Many of them spend quite a bit of time with bodyguards hired from Topaz, whom they trust with their lives.

**How Topaz views them:** Topaz caste members tend to view those in Amethyst as being overly concerned with things that do not matter. While they usually believe that Amethyst caste members have their hearts in the right place, they would prefer to see them get their priorities in an order that Topaz people could understand.

### **Amber**

**How they view Amber:** Amethyst caste members tend to view those from the Amber caste with suspicion. Though they are quite charming themselves, they find the fast-talking nature of those in Amber to be disturbing. An Amethyst caste member will usually hold their coin purse quite tightly if they visit the Amber District.

**How Amber views them:** Amber caste members tend to view those in Amethyst as silly flirts and as having overly inflated egos. They believe that they make easy marks for business and shadier intents. An old Amber District expression goes, *“Purple eyes, twice the prize.”*

### **Jade**

**How they view Jade:** Amethyst caste members tend to view those in Jade as wise but easily distracted. Oftentimes when called in to testify at court, those of Jade will give lofty, unclear messages about how the gods feel about particular topics. This has led to the idiom *“Give me the Jade report,”* which is used in the Amethyst District to mean “Give me the long version” when a person wants more details.

**How Jade views them:** Jade caste members tend to view those in the Amethyst caste as too quick to move and too strict with their rules. Jade spiritual advisers can be found in all districts, but Amethyst is the only one that makes them file paperwork before entering.

### **Sapphire**

**How they view Sapphire:** Amethyst caste members tend to view those in the Sapphire caste as too shrewd and too slow to act. The people of Amethyst would prefer that laws be enacted quickly and edited later, while those in Sapphire tend to slow progress by insisting that they complete several types of impact reports before anything is done. The people of Sapphire also tend to hold many secrets, even when working closely with someone, which can really rub those in Amethyst the wrong way.

**How Sapphire views them:** Sapphire caste members tend to view those in the Amethyst caste as hyperactive individuals who are easily guided and tricked. They frequently feel that they must ask their Amethyst companions to slow down and think before acting. Though there are several aspects of the other caste that can be annoying to those in Sapphire, they are usually quite fond of Amethyst caste members, as they believe them to be the only other “civilized” caste. They also find a lot of value in having someone around who they believe they can easily lead to follow their plans.

## Norms

### **Laws**

In addition to the laws that apply to the entire city, citizens residing in the Amethyst District must also abide by the following laws:

* At all times, all people over the age of five must have identification readily available upon the request of any law enforcement worker or any government worker.
* If five or more citizens over the age of ten, who are related by greater than three degrees, wish to gather in any public space, a permit must be obtained.
* If a gathering of 26 or more of citizens of any age and relation is taking place, a permit must be obtained and a security detail must be hired. The ratio of security staff members to gathering attendees must not fall below 1 to 25, with a minimum of two staff.
* All animals, without exception for any species, must be kept on an appropriate harness or within a size appropriate container when in public spaces. Career animals that must take exception to this for the purpose of their job are required to obtain a permit and carry it with them at all times.

### **Manners**

Rules that apply to fitting into social situations are almost more important to the people of Amethyst than the actual laws. The most frequently purchased book is the annual publication of **Culture: An Updated Guide to Manners**, which changes based on new situations that are sent in over the past year and what the polite thing to do each of these events would have been. Many passive-aggressive feuds can be tracked throughout the years in these volumes, as high class citizens send in examples of things their neighbors do that they consider to be uncouth.

### **Customs**

Though there are many customs that are universal for the entirety of the city of Haven, there are some that are exclusive to each of the different districts. When two members of different districts meet, it is usual that they will use the custom of the district that they are standing in. Some of those that are unique to the Amethyst District are:

* The customary greeting is a firm handshake while meeting the other person’s eyes.
* Meal customs are as follows - a large breakfast at sunrise, a small midday meal at noon, and a moderately sized meal with wine at sundown.
* When passing another person on the street, both parties should veer to their respective right to avoid collision.

### **Holidays**

Although there are many holidays, festivals, and other events that are celebrated throughout the entire city of Haven, there are some that are unique to only the Amethyst District:

* Law Review Day
* The Dance of Haloo
* Grustophen Day