What is Samsara? - part 2

Before we study the implications of recent history, let us study the various social dynamics that contribute to what makes it so.

Clans:

There are four clans, each with a common sense of purpose. These are occupationally driven though many wonder if the clan came first or the occupation. Clans are endogamous and cannot usually convert to other clans, or take up their occupations. That being said, there have been notable exceptions and we shall talk about them when we discuss notable figures of this region later.

The Clan of the Earth deals with all things that stem from the earth or return to it. Farmers, fishermen, miners, and artisans who work with wood, clay, stone or gold are of the earth clan. This clan provides for the rest of the clans in terms of food, infrastructure and often physical labor. This is perhaps the clan that is most plentiful, and many are extremely wealthy landowners. They are especially dominant in the Eastern provinces.

The Clan of the Coin: The clan of the coin once was solely the clan of merchants but now has broadened to include anyone who provides a service in exchange for coin. From traders, to performers, to even courtesans, the clan of the coin tends to fuel the business side of Samsara. Obviously, as a result of this many of them have acquired great power as they have infinitely deep pockets. 

The Clan of the Sword: Though the clan is named that of the sword, if we were to be entirely accurate, they would be the clan of weapons. The only clan who is allowed to rule over people, this is the clan which has the the religious sanction to use any weapon, drink alcohol or consume meat. Many clan members make their living as part of the military, or as noblemen in charge of elite units. The King is from this clan, as are his military commanders. This is also the only clan where killing another human or creature is not automatically a sin but is taken within context. 

The Seekers: The seekers are a tad more difficult to describe because what they deal with is not tangible. Seekers dally in all matters of spiritual guidance- from conducting rituals, to teaching youngsters about morality and clan conduct. Many seekers can bear arms only to teach students about military strategy and are strongly urged to desist from violence except for self defense. They may never join the military. Many seekers are scholars, teachers, priests and the like, but though clans have not yet become hierarchical in this land, seekers are becoming much respected. So much so that no matter what the context, killing a seeker is automatically considered a grievous, despicable sin. You would be hard-pressed to find a wealthy seeker. Most have to be rather unconcerned with material things.

The Clans were devised by someone- mortal or divine to encourage interdependence between people. There are only two groups of people who live outside of this- Guests, and Outcastes.

Guests are people who include foreigners, foreign races, ancient races and anyone who is not culturally expected to follow the clan system. When that happens, people treat them with the respect accorded to their profession and think nothing of it. Many dwarves, and elves fall under this category.

Outcastes are those who belong to the land, but not to any clan. Sometimes these are people who have been rejected from their clans for their conduct, and sometimes they are the result of inter-clan romances or marriages.  Few other people are more unfortunate. Living in the outskirts of the village, they scavenge for food at night as even their sight is considered defiling for all clan members.

Inter-Clan mobility:

This is not technically allowed, but there have been means to get around this- especially in the military. Many Seekers have found their way into a battle field because they have trained the King in arms, and find that they are "compelled" to defend themselves when attacked by the enemy. Elite units are open to all clans, except seekers though the bulk of the military is purely composed of the clan of the sword.

And of course, reality means sometimes a clan has to do things that other clans are supposed to. In the Western Provinces, where there are so few earth clans, the clan of the sword tills and farms. In the Eastern Provinces, where there are no warriors, often the peasants are forced to form a rather competent militia. However, they will never refer to themselves as a farmer or a warrior respectively but a warrior who farms, or a farmer who defends.....it is a PRIDE thing.

Inter-Clan Marriage:

Forbidden. Completely forbidden. Did I say that it was a complete No-No? Well, there you have it. Your child will be an outcaste, spat on and stoned if he/she is seen in public, and it gets even worse from that point.  I don't care how insanely hot he/she is. 

So you don't wish to marry her/him...and only wish to know whether a dalliance is possible. Only with clan of the coin women. Yes. Only with them. 

Classes and Clans:

Your clan will never be referred to in the game. Think of yourself as whatever you like. But if it helps you get into your character- this is what it would potentially be.

Pure class fighters are always of the clan of the sword. Same with Paladins.

Barbarians can be both sword or earth clans.

Rangers are more likely to be earth clans

What about clerics, druids, wizards, rogues, warlocks, etc etc?

You can't play as any other pure class. I am really sorry, but that is the only way I can keep the details manageable. 

What about the ones you encounter:

The same rules apply for the most part. Not always but *usually* the following can be taken as a rule of thumb. Most people in Samsara are earth clan. If they are providing a service in exchange for coin- inn-owner, merchant, courtesan, bard, etc- they are of the coin clan. If they are bearing arms, they are most likely to be of the sword clan. Exceptions on the basis of the province do apply as I said earlier. 

If you encounter a spell caster, priest or cleric, they are most likely seekers (though a few ancients/foreigners tend to be born with this inexplicable tendency) so be extra careful. They  are extremely popular, respected, and even adulated, and you will rub a lot of folk the wrong way if you hurt a seeker. If you kill the foreigner, you may be slightly, only slightly better off because though he is a stranger, he is still a magical, wondrous creature.

If it is any consolation, you will encounter a lot of priests but rarely a spell caster. There are very few seekers who have reached that level of oneness with the divine.