Middle Class
From FiranMUX
Before the Great War with the Shamibelians, the gulf between Nobles and Commoners was great, and the concept of a landed middle class was almost entirely foreign. Now, however, citizens with skills and a fair amount of money is the largest growing social class in the Firan Realms. You know that this increased social mobility is a direct result of the Ranivor's meritocracy and know that you too can rise to the rank of noble if you acquire enough land, enough wealth and forge strong enough social connections. It is a rare middle class citizen who has no ambition for nobility, and thus, they are the hardest working people in the realms. If you're a middle class citizen your morning starts at the crack of dawn so that you can get to work as early as possible and finish as much work as you can before sunset.
If you are like most middle class citizens, every morning will begin with a dilemma about what to wear. On the one hand, you want to appear well-groomed and dressed, and affect the manner and dress of the nobles as much as possible. On the other hand, it's highly impractical to work in a silk garment, and thus you tend to wear linen togas or cotton stolas if possible, but will revert to the clean linen tunics if more fabric would be impractical and get in your way. Middle-class women will try hard to emulate the way the noblewomen wear their stolas, and are greatly desirous of jewelry. You have, no doubt, purchased at least one silver mirror and will not take your breakfast until you look perfect.
Your morning meal probably consists of fruit, grilled flat bread, boiled eggs, fruitcake and, if you're particularly well off, some cheese pie. It's important to eat a hearty breakfast so as to have enough energy for the day. Many middle class citizens have servants and so your meal may be brought to your banquet table while you recline on a couch to eat, or not, as your cashflow determines. After eating, you'll no doubt head straight to work into the market in Civic Center Square if you're a merchant, or to your shop if you're an artisan or craftsman. If you're a farmer, as most of the citizens of Anarinuell are, you'll spend most of your time on your lands working them and hiring cheap labor to help you.
If you take an afternoon break at all, it will be, no doubt, to visit the temple of your choice. The Firan middle class is extremely faithful, as many of them claim to have seen the Gods and Goddesses in person during the decisive battle of the great war. The children these days believe that their elders are speaking metaphorically when they talk about Kamnestra slamming down the old city walls of Anarinuell with her giant hammer, Firanos sending a shower of arrows into the hearts of the Shamibelian leadership, Uf sending great winds and blowing the enemy into the sea, Elik tying up Shamibelian prisoners in vines, Zin flooding the Shamibelians out of Anish, Srenna herself leading a mighty charge against the goat faces in the south, and Soli making the very ground open and swallow the dreaded enemy whole. But the people who were alive at the time seem to believe that it all literally happened, and their faith is more or less unshakable as a result. Indeed, some of the priests of Zutiv complain that monotheism has been set back many years and that the people have turned to sin and paganism again due to this talk.
But given the demeanor of faithful middle-class Firans, it's hard to label their behavior sinful. They frequently remember to bring gifts to the God or Goddess that is your patron deity, and thus, if you're heading to visit the temple today, you may want to stop at the market first for a suitable gift. Of course, it can't hurt your social standing to be seen at the temples either as you might run into your patron.
Indeed, as a middle class citizen you are profoundly patriotic and would, nearly uniformly, have served in the Ranivor's army for at least one tour of duty if you could. After all, during the war, the value of skilled laborers became increasingly obvious, and Elianos and Sabine made sure that they were the first people on the escape boats during the Exodus. The middle class' contributions to the war effort and to life in the Caldera City were numerous and it gave them a sense of importance, ambition, and patriotism.
In fact, that the Firans are a people born of the harsh realities of war is never more important than in the outlook of the Firan middle class. If you do take an afternoon break, you will likely grab a light lunch on your way through the market as you hurry back to your work because idle hands make a fertile stomping ground for the hated God Drik. Middle class citizens remember the harshness of having to live in caves and eat vile things to survive -- and they want to ensure, through wealth, industry, and a readiness for combat that it will never happen again. Thus, there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all the things you feel should be accomplished.
After work, but before the evening meal, you might consider paying a visit to your patron, if you have one. Your patron would be a noble that has taken a special interest in you and has been of help to you in your life either socially, monetarily, or otherwise. If you have a patron, you are likely to feel a great debt of gratitude to him or her and know that it is considered extremely rude not to pay at least weekly visits to him or her. You should always bring a gift with you if you can -- it needn't be anything large -- but if you can't afford a gift, you should still go to visit and bring news of far away cities or be willing to make idle small talk. Even though your patron is probably condescending on occasion, you will gladly put up with this in exchange for favors both past and present. The truth is, most middle class citizens have a highly sybiotic relationship with their patrons, and would never dream of speaking against them.
Your evening meal might be taken in the city at one of the inns, or at home. In either case, you'll be hungry and intolerant of less than delicious food. You'll not want to be out late though, because there is likely to be company received before bedtime. The people you sponsor socially, likely your employees, servants, commoner friends, and so on, will likely stop by with a gift, or to chat, or to get some advice or help with their problems. You greatly enjoy these visits as they make you feel important, keep you informed, and give you a chance to socialize. You are likely to treat them as you wish your patron would treat you. You don't expect a gift from your sponsors, as you know that they're poor, but you certainly appreciate any gesture they make. When you start to yawn, hopefully your guests will take the hint and leave. If not, you may have to gently nudge them. In either event, you like to be in bed early because tomorrow will be another early start.
