Background
The Townsfolk see themselves as fundamentally civilised. They are the relatives of pioneers who fought against the chaos of nature to create a safe place for them and their children. They see themselves as continuing that fight against heathens by ensuring they are educated and proper in everything they do.
Part of that feeling of civilisation comes from the strict social hierarchy which is in place and ensures that everyone reports to someone, and keeps everyone striving for more.
Below shows the structure of the hierarchy in broad brush strokes. It's worth noting that there are some nuances.
For example, while the Men of Authority sit below everyone in the Clerics section, it is likely that many of them would only look up to people at Town Cleric level or higher. However, Other Men are at best on the same level as the Trainee Clerics.
Likewise, within the Women, there is a separate unspoken hierarchy based on their proximity to the powerful men in their lives. So the wife of an Elder Cleric would be more important than the daughter of a Town Cleric, and so on.
Hierarchy
God
The Protector
As the one true god, the Protector is the overarching authority on everything within The Towns and is at the top of the hierarchy.
The Angels
The Angels, being women, aren't as high as in the hierarchy, but they are still powerful and therefore higher than any but The Protector.
Clerics
The Protector's Cleric
The Protector's Cleric is the right-hand of The Protector. Chosen by The Protector himself, he reports only to The Protector and is the absolute word of truth.
Elder Cleric
Elder Cleric is the position held by the previous Town Clerics, and take a more consultative position in their old age. They report to The Protector's Cleric and may aspire to that position.
Arms of The Protector
The Arms of The Protector are the most senior members of the military within The Towns. They report only to The Protector's Cleric and are in charge of protection for him.
Town Cleric
The Town Cleric is a position held by a single cleric in each town. The Town Cleric is responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of a town and they report ultimately to The Protector's Cleric.
Armed Forces
The members of the Armed Forces report ultimately to The Protector's Cleric. They are responsible for the protection of the Townsfolk from themselves and outsiders like the Nomads and The Forces.
Cleric
Clerics report to the Town Cleric for the town where they are stationed. They are looked up to by the general populace for their knowledge of and commitment to The Protector.
Guards
Guards are responsible for the safety of an individual town and patrol the walls to ensure those inside are kept secure. Nothing comes or goes without the Guards knowing about it.
Trainee Cleric
While a man is learning to be a Cleric, they are considered the lowest point within the Clerics. This still places them higher than the general populace.
Archivist
Archivists are in charge of looking after and maintaining documents and artefacts relating to the Clerics and The Protector on behalf of the Clerics.
Watchers
Watchers are guards in training and do not have the weaponry or power (social or otherwise) of the guards. They are often younger men or men who have moved out of other professions.
General Populace
Men of Authority
The Men of Authority are dedicated to the way of life that the Townsfolks have cultivated. They are spiritually larger than life and only look up to the Clerics.
Other Men
Men who are neither "Authorities" nor Clerics are next in line, gaining a large amount of social standing simply from their gender and age.
Boys
Boys are simply men who are not yet grown and have the potential to grow into Men of Authority or even Clerics.
Women
To some, women are equal to boys on the social hierarchy, to others they sit below, but it very much depends on the boy and the women.
Girls
Due to the unfortunate situation of their birth, girls are the lowest people on the social hierarchy who are technically Townsfolk.
Others
The Forces
The Forces are evil and are, therefore, at the bottom of the social hierarchy, pulling anyone they possess down to this level, and darkening their souls.
Nomads
The Nomads are at the very bottom of the social hierarchy because they don't recognise the power of The Protector, which even The Forces acknowledge.
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