Social Order of Arthedain

The Arthadan society is in no sense perfect: it is rigidly-classed and structured, with almost all daily physical labor confined to the lowest class. At the top stand the rulers and nobility, privileged and honored and muchindulged. Just beneath the nobility are the Seers of the Royal Court, especially the Guardians of the Palantíri. Ranking below the nobility of Arthedain are the the artists, artisans, and lesser officials of the realm, those men and women who tend to the mundane tasks of running a state. The duties of the officials include everything from minting coins of the realm at the Royal Mint in Fornost to making, mixing, and using paints made from powdered minerals obtained from the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains. They also duly note the taxes levied upon Arthedain's citizens, and polish the King's silver fillet. Artisans of this enlightened culture are are busy doing everything from embroidering a royal tapestry with gold thread to designing and making simple and elegant flagons and dishes, vases for flowers, and pots for cooking; even the aesthetic Arthedain must eat. At the base of Arthadan society stand the soldiers and the Commons, practical- skilled and unskilled folk, largely those who Dúnedain at court speak the Westron tongue basic to most Eriadorans.The farmers who grow and tend the wheat and corn and other food crops belong to this class, as do the laborers who perform routine non-military tasks like storekeeping and housekeeping. Although they are considered less sensitive and noble than their higher brothers, they carry no stigma and bear no fierce prejudice. They are essential to the realm, valued because they are understood to compose an absolutely necessary group. Arthedain keeps no slaves; every Man is free to come and go here, and even to speak his mind if he is civil about it. The worker gives good labor, and the noble gives good leadership; both are due fair speech and respect, if they hold to their duties.