New Colchis: People and Culture

Society

Colchian society is divided into a loose class system. At the apex are the King and Queen, who have ruled the planet together for 250 years. King Magnus and his wife Queen Sujata have been reincarnated many times down the years.

Below the King and Queen, there is a small noble class, who make up less than 1% of the population. Nobility is only ever acquired by the direct gift of the King or Queen; it is not inherited. However, when a noble dies their soul is usually re-born. This newborn child retains the noble titles and estate they possessed before their death.

The warrior class serve the nobility, and make up about 3% of the population. The status of warrior is acquired through training and background. Warriors who die and are reincarnated do not necessarily retain their warrior status. It is more likely for a father to train his sons in the ways of a warrior, regardless of their paths in previous lives. Warriors make up the backbone of the military and the civil service. Warriors still admire the centuries-old Code: Innocents may not be harmed, and only a coward uses a gun when they could use a sword.

Finally there is the Priest class, who make up about 5% of the population. Priests stand outside normal society. They are not subject to the secular laws of the Nobility, but they bow to the authority of the Priests’ College, and the High Priesthood. The position of High Priest has been left vacant for two centuries. The King and Queen are now the final arbiters in matters of faith.

Most priests are monks. There are about 40 million of them on New Colchis. Monasteries are quiet retreats from the pressures of mundane life. Many monks spend their days studying, or in prayer. Whilst all priests are forbidden to bear arms, some monastic orders have become highly respected schools of unarmed combat. Other monks are taken by their calling into the community, where they tend to the sick, seek out reincarnated new-borns for bereaved relatives, or tend to holy places.

The vast majority of Colchians stand outside this mediaeval hierarchy. They see themselves simply as subjects of Their Majesties - citizens of a modern world. They know of Priests from their local temple, and they are familiar with Warriors, who police their streets and serve in their local governments. This is seen as the natural order of things. Most Colchians are very content with their society.