Caste System

The Caste System was devised by the Iveleen Pavlon after the Fall of Haskar. It was invented as a means to prevent the people of Vastire from returning to their savage ways before the Rise of the Iveleen.

There are seven Castes.

## The Seven Castes

### The Iveleen

The Iveleen considered themselves the top caste, a caste set aside for only the gods that no mortal can ascend to.

### The Virin-leen

The Virin-leen represent the highest caste of mortals, composed of the Lords and Ladies and their family members. The Virin-leen govern Vastire, led by the King of Vastire. It is very rare over the history of Vastire for anyone to be raised into this caste; you essentially have to be born or marry into it.

### The Elite

The Elite caste is made up of the pure families of Vastire that have not ascended to the level of Virin-leen. They are generally wealthy and can often be found in high positions, such as high-ranking Shard agents, Militia, government officials, and clergymen.

The Elite can live wherever they want and work in any industry they're interested in, and may also travel off-world without permission.

### The Middle

The Middle caste consists of the average people of Vastire. They generally have some crime in their family history, but nothing major like murder or sexual assault.

Middle caste people are allowed to do most things, but usually require permission. For example, a Middle caste family could live in a wealthy area generally reserved for Elites, if they can afford it, if they get the blessing of the local Lord. They are also allowed to hold most any job, though rarely will they gain a high position. They are allowed to travel off-world, with the blessing of the local Lord.

### The Poor

The Poor caste is made up of families who have a long history of crime, but generally of the minor variety. The Poor are restricted in where they can live and what jobs they may have. The Poor cannot leave Vastire, except under very rare circumstances.

### The Olan-Har

The Olan-Har caste is the lowest mortal caste. When a family either has a long history of wicked crimes, or an ancestor has committed a crime so heinous as to taint the blood of all descendants, that family will be lowered to Olan-Har.

The Olan-Har are forced to live in specifically sanctioned areas and can only get the worst jobs: sanitation workers, hard labor, and risky work. They are never allowed to travel off-world and they're not supposed to leave the slums unless they are on their way to or from work.

From the Vastirian Law Code:

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> Olan-Har residence: may only live in the designated Hargonla areas of a city.
> Olan-Har curfew: may only be outside of Hargonla between sunrise and sunset.
> Olan-Har employment: may only take jobs sanctioned by the local Cardinal.
> Olan-Har property: all property from previous caste, if applicable, must be forfeited upon Olan-Har designation. Other castes may not sell property other than basic necessities to Olan-Har. Donations to Olan-Har must be made through the local church.
> Olan-Har tattoo: must be displayed at all times regardless of clothing or weather.
> Olan-Har education: all formal education must be sanctioned by the local church. At the local priest’s behest, certain Olan-Har may be allowed a limited University education as a means to raising their caste.
> Olan-Har health: healthcare may only be provided by designated doctors.
> Olan-Har transportation: may not use public transportation.
> Olan-Har DataAxis access: may not access the DataAxis or own personal DataAxis Access Links.
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### The Haskar Demons

This caste is where evil souls go after they die. Haskar and his top lieutenants are the founders of this caste. Mortals cannot be lowered to this caste; it can only occur after they die.

## History

The caste system was designed by Pavlon in 43 ARI after Haskar's War ended. Haskar died in the war and was deemed the first of the Haskar Demons caste. His son, Olan, was believed to have the same wicked blood in his veins, and therefore was the first of the Olan-Har and all of the restrictions that went with that.

The Tale of Pavlon describes the creation of the caste system.

The original Virin-Leen were selected by Pavlon and the Iveleen, and their families have endured as the royal families ever since. The Clergy took the mantle after that, dividing families into their original castes. No one was designated Olan-Har until a major crime was committed, so the Olan-Har caste was originally very small.

As time went on, Caste Raising Ceremonies became rarer, meaning that the lower castes grew much faster than the upper castes. By 500 ARI, the Poor caste was by far the most populous, followed by Olan-Har, Middle, Elite, and the Virin-leen.

### Pavlon's Decree on the Caste System

> Henceforth, all Vastirians will be divided into five living castes: the Virin-leen, the Elite, the Middle Caste, the Poor, and the Olan-Har. My Iveleen brethren occupy a caste above the Virin-leen, while Haskar and his Demons inhabit a caste beneath the Olan-Har.
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> The Virin-leen shall rule Vastire in Our Name. The Elite, under the direction of the Virin-leen, will uphold and advance civilization. The Middle shall not be restricted, but are expected to act as righteous citizens. The Poor shall perform limited tasks as befit their rank. Olan-Har will be confined to the slums, forced to live amongst their evil brethren, with only the worst of tasks to perform.
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> At the clergy’s behest, the wicked may fall from higher castes to lower and the virtuous may rise to higher castes, though never higher than Virin-leen and never lower than OlanHar.
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