Steamhaven Caste System

Overview
To the people of Steamhaven, your caste is everything. It decides your social circles. It decides what work you will be in. And even decides who your wife/husband may be. There are two ways to rise through the castes, marriage and sponsorship.

Marriage is the most common as it requires a considerable less amount of red tape. But it doesn't necessarily make it easy or fun. A family may do everything in their power to prove that a daughter is worth marrying into a higher caste. Giving her a better life and her potential children a better life. But a son, may never have that opportunity. Though it is not illegal, it is frowned upon and many men that have married to a higher caste find themselves shunned. As a result, it is rare and the consequences aren't often worth it

The Caste System
''Starting from top to bottom. This list will explain the different castes and their proper titles.''

 Ta 

The Ta Caste is at the absolute top of the system. These are the rulers of Steamhaven. The heads of the great houses.

Name example: John ta'Smith

Appropriate Titles: My Lord/Lady or Title if its higher.

 Ar 

The Ar Caste is the aristocracy of Steamhaven The Members of the Great Houses.

Name Example: John ar'Smith

Appropriate Titles: My lord/Lady or Title if it's higher.

 Suy 

The Suy Caste is the gentry. The wealthy and those of the lesser houses. Either earned through trade, or other means.

Name Example: John suy'Smith

Appropriate Titles: Sir/Madam or Title.

 Ech 

The Ech Caste is that of the true merchant. Owners of businesses and enterprises that aren't quite yet Suy level but still wealthy individuals and influential in the day-to-day lives of a citizen.

Name example: John ech'Smith

Appropriate Titles: Master/Mistress or Title.

 Rew 

The Rew Caste is that of the regular citizenry. The Workers, the soldiers, etc.

Name Example: John rew'Smith

Titles: Citizen or Title.

 Fo 

The Fo Caste is that at the bottom of the free castes. They are the poorest of the castes and have the least amount of property and privilege.

Name Example: John fo'Smith

Titles: Freeman/woman or Title.

 Av 

The Av Caste is the caste of slaves. Av, means in the ancient tongue, to belong to. As a result, they have no true last names that they are allowed to display. One can only be released of Av if they are released by those that own them.

While typically one would be John av'Smith. Due to the fact they are a slave, they have no true surname/house name. As a result, their name is who they belong to. So if House Jones owns John. He would be John av'Jones. Showing that John is owned by Jones.

 Casteless 

The Casteless are those that are foreign. Who have not yet integrated into Steamhaven society or are foreigners. As a result, they are either shunned or treated as they are; outsiders.

Sponsorship
One is born to the caste of their parents. With the exception Ta simply because that is only granted to the heads of the great houses. However, one is not necessarily limited to the caste they are born in. A Fo can theoretically rise to the higher castes. However, it is not a quick an easy process.

To rise to a caste of higher status, you must prove that you belong in this caste and must find a person of the caste you wish to join to sponsor you. Then you will take your request to the inner chamber where it will be decided.

It can be a long affair, and even longer (and expensive) for those that wish to continue to rise through the castes.

But just as it can be granted, your caste can be taken away to and demoted to a lower one. Again, by the Inner Chamber.