Book One
the “underclass” - pariahs of destitute sort and the crimi-
nals. Of course, people being just that, the underclass has
its own social class system, and indeed, it is subsumed that
those in the criminal element rise, actually parallel to some
extent, the “proper” classes, and have intercourse with their
relative, if unaccepting, peers.
What of those who reject the social and economic-based
class system? Aside from “barbarians,” there are such
individuals, “nil-class” persons if you will. They are not
large in number, for generally those denying class struc-
ture are actually desirous of establishing a new sort in which
they happen to be paramount, or at least of considerable
standing! Who are truly nil-class? In a fantasy milieu
these individuals will be mainly from the wizards, philoso-
phers, scholars, artists, inventors, free-spirited, explorers,
the intelligentsia, and “Bohemians” of the imaginary world.
Many such persons, however, are considered rogues,
branded as such, and thus are forced into the criminal
underclass. The adventurers that interact in the environ-
ment might well fit into such group, be it with the non-
criminal or the outlaw factions of the nil-class. As to the
accepted social classes structure, here is the form:
Upper class: upper upper, middle upper, lower upper.
Middle class: upper middle, middle middle, lower middle.
Lower class: upper lower, middle lower, lower lower.
The members of each class and each tier within the class
will be treated hereafter. This milieu assumes that wealth
is relatively abundant in all states and most classes. This
means there are many goods and services available. Com-
merce creates wealth and makes such goods and services
available. Commerce and wealth engender criminal activ-
ity for, those who want, for whatever reason, are likely to
attempt to gain such by dishonest means.
Finally, returning to wealth, the make-believe adventurers
in the fantasy world will likely not be motivated by power.
Possessing power means obligations, as the list of things
power enables clearly demonstrates. Becoming powerful
means that adventure flies out the window, and the hereto-
fore footloose and fancy free heroes become staid resi-
dents of some palace, weighed down by everyday concerns
of kingdom or fief or office. Wealth on the other hand
enables freedom, liberty to rove, adventure and explore.
To be accepted, the bold adventurers will typically desire
to be recognized as heroes, not vile criminal outlaws. Thus,
to some extent, they will need to fit into the social norm.
Their power will be evidenced by their bold deeds, but
their status will demand a display of their wealth.
The need to accumulate riches means that adventurers act-
ing in the fantasy environment need to display their status.
Mere fine arms and armor, mighty horses, and such will
not suffice. Actually, one of the major reasons for moving
beyond the purely medieval historical environment is to
emphasize this. Not only is it a motivator for the adven-
turers, but it is a grand tool for the director of the milieu.
Acquisition and loss of wealth provide motivators for play-
ers and puppets. The former work to attain symbols, while
the latter have reason to steal this wealth from them. From
a rich estate seized by an avaricious monarch to a sword
swiped by a common thief, all manner of adventures spring.
Come along now, and let us explore the mundane work-
ings of the fantasy world, as they are the foundation upon
which epic stories are crafted, mighty adventures are played
out, and around which comedies, dramas, and tragedies
will be enacted.
Non-Humans Persons in
the -Fantasy World
Virtually all fantasy world settings feature one or more
“humanoid” races. The range is broad, usually including
such types as dwarves, elves, gnomes, halflings, and so
forth. How such non-human members of the milieu are
treated in regards to the society outlined above and de-
tailed below is not a difficult matter to decide.
If your particular world has humans and non-humans liv-
ing in harmonious fashion, then that is how to deal with
them in this regard. Use common sense in placing them in
the higher positions, and make allowances for at least some
of them to appear in special categories where they do fit
into the upper class. If there is some tension between man-
kind and its racial cousins, then this is how the socio-eco-
nomic structure will be in regards to non-human members
of society. If there is enmity between humans and human-
oid races, then that is common in society, with segregation
and rancorous dealings between, say, humans in the upper
class and elves in the same social stratum.
The incidence of non-humans in the general population is
a factor no matter how the different racial kinds get along.
If humanoids are rare, then they will be notable and their
presence will be unusual, and possibly looked on some-
what askance in “high and polite society” but, accepted
without a problem in the lower half of the structure. If
non-humans comprise 10% or more of the general popula-
tion, then they will be accepted with some possible reluc-
tance in the various tiers. Think of them as foreigners more
than non-humans in this regard; thus some will be wel-
comed, some ignored, and some shunned.
In places where there are concentrations of humanoids,
there are two possible occurrences. First, assuming gen-
eral distribution of non-humans throughout the social strata,
then humanoid incidence in the various strata will pretty
much mirror society. Second, with non-humans segregated,
few non-humans will be in the upper class.