Melhed/Equite

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Equites Overview

The Equites are odd by the standards of foreigners, lowborn with money. Wealth has long been the purview of the nobility that make up the Patrician Strata, and the fact that heritage and prosperity are not linked is a novel concept. No matter where one goes lowborn toil and survive only by the protection and governance of their betters, and yet in the domain of the Republic this immutable law is not so solid. The reason for this is simple necessity.

The day to day functions rest almost solely on the legions of servants and clerks that make up the Strata. The Senate may decide, but it is their scribes who ensure the mandates are carried to every corner of the domain, where it is received by yet others of their rank. No matter where one goes in the Republic there is a lowborn bureaucrat of some form ensuring that things are running as smoothly as they can. This odd system is a far cry from the other lands where the Patricians themselves either do most of the work, or appoint a slaving lowborn to handle it all without reward. The system functions, to a point, but is prone to neglect, inconsistencies, and waste. Indeed as the Republic grew in size it became apparent to the Senate that relying on the accepted model wasn't going to be stable.

Despite this realization things would probably have continued apace save that the Senate had already seen how to solve the situation. Much as the Imperial office was divided into the Senate, the Patricians began to select trustworthy lowborn to speak on their behalf. The burgeoning rank of servants were given unprecedented authority to carry out the wishes of their masters, and having been granted a form of protection from other lowborn similar to that of the Senate, there was a new mobility of opportunity .

Soon the new Strata began to meet and coordinate their efforts in a mirror to the Senate, dubbed the Overcouncil. They wasted little time in recruiting new members to their ranks from among the most wealthy of the lowborn. With expansion came flexibility and soon matters that were chores for the Patricians, such as trade, fell upon the shoulders of the Equites, expanding their mandate and pushing them to drift farther and farther from the original design. Over the course of some time, what started as mere servants became the rank of wealth and prospect.

For their part the Patricians paid close attention to this little revolution of sorts, but when it was discovered just how useful the Strata was it was accepted. Equites officers were far better stock, trade under their direction was more ordered, educated messengers were more helpful, clerks with a bit of stake in the system more efficient, and fine crafts from prosperous workers proved to be of better quality. Thus in exchange for the improvements gained by the upper class some of the low are allowed to set themselves in a more important position from their fellows, but not their betters.

For their part the Equites work diligently within the system of the Republic, striving to maintain the governing order and rule of the Senate, they have good incentive to do so as neither could survive as they are without the other.


Members

The Equites have only one requirement, money, if you get enough you're in. Wealth is the bottom line, because with wealth there are options. Wealth brings training, industry, education, health and a multitude of other factors which have allowed the Strata to demonstrate they are valuable to the Republic. There is always room for more and enrollment is encouraged, numbers allow the Strata to work on more things, expanding their influence.


Strata Philosophy

The Equites who spend their time pondering have a few points to share with their Strata on the nature of their position.

The Republic Must Endure

The Equites makes sure their members understand the importance of the Republic system which has allowed them to attain the positions they now enjoy and protect them from Patricians of other lands. Much better to lose some coin now and improve the Republic, than gain coin now and bring the whole thing crashing down. This doesn't mean there isn't the occasional short sighted effort, but the greater body tries very hard to root out and ruin such members, after all it's their lives on the line.

Coin Talks

Wealth is what gets you in, and wealth is what gets you options, getting wealth is what you need to do. The Strata has a decidedly mercantile bend to it and knows it. Members are expected to work toward their own profit, and any enterprise that offers gain is interesting.

Tread Lightly

Patricians can, at any time, demolish the Strata, at least in theory. The consequences of such would be a disaster for the Republic that would see the whole structure collapse under it's own weight. Still no need to goad the sleeping giant, as it were. Members of the Strata are discouraged from challenging the Patricians directly, as to head off any potential problems before they begin. Of course indirectly is another matter, one that is very carefully not mentioned.

Encourage the Poor

Though any can rise to the Equites Strata it is important that the other lowborn want to, if they don't, and instead resent the Strata like the higher Patricians, much of the power will be lost. Members are encouraged to assist the other lowborn as profitably reasonable, so as to keep their positions desirable. Those who never seem to bring the concerns of others to the Overcouncil floor run the risk of earning a reputation for self-absorption or sloth.


Common Personal Beliefs

As the driven and successful members of the Republic, the Equites try to trim their activities down to profitable minimums while still keeping up a good appearance.

Overcouncil

The general meeting of the Equites in mirror to the Senate for the communal discussion of issues best handled by the entire Strata. Usually merchants and factors dominate the meeting, using the open discussion to challenge each others holdings to seek an edge or remove business. Explained in more detail under Structure of the Republic

Patronage

Individual Equites occasionally provide favours for a Plebeian without requiring immediate payment. In exchange the lucky Plebeian can work on a series of small jobs for the generous benefactor. Of course more favours means more jobs, but it's certainly very fortunate to have such boons.

Military Service

The military pays well in the Republic, but so do most things available to the Equites. Only the desperate seek to make their fortune through battle, usually because their former life was no longer an option. Expected to lead men rather than climb the ranks, the training each captain receives is far less than the men of their command which often does not earn them any favours. Gaining a land grant and thus lowering in Strata, is considered a horrible turn of events, so most Equites who begin a military life never leave it.

Horses

Most work done by the Equites require horses for rapid transit or carrying large loads. Costly animals, horses require success to get and retain making the number and quality a clear indication of prosperity. It is a rare Equites indeed with no horse to their name.


Common Professions

The Equites don't have titles so much as jobs, specifically, what they do to have the wealth to remain in the Strata.

  • A Captain has entered military service as an officer in the Legions. Such career soldiers are skilled at leading men though not as handy in a fight as a seasoned veteran.
  • A Clerk is one of the Senate officials who carry out policy. Though officially only a servant clerks always know what's going on and hold a lot more sway than most would think.
  • A Merchant is usually the wealthy established Equites that one often attributes to the Strata. They come in two forms, the wandering caravan or the major factor.
  • A Healer is often the second or third child of an established Equites family who has decided to earn their keep by aiding the poor and rich alike. Many men have had their lives saved on the battle field by skilled healers, and many Patricians trust a lowborn far more than one of their own.
  • A Scribe does a great deal of the grunt work of messaging and correspondence across the Republic. Their efforts were one of the first of the Strata and they still hold a sense of pride at the continued efficiency of their system.
  • A Teacher works in the elementary schools or the Agyrian Academy providing education in less obviously applicable fields for those few students.
  • A Tradesman who has earned enough coin, or works in a field with enough importance to the Patricians often work their way into the Strata.



Stereotypes of the Strata

  • Senate: The axle on which the Republic turns
  • Patricians: Not quite as clever as they think, but not as foolish as we'd like. Be careful.
  • Equites: The true children of the Republic.
  • Plebeians: Where we rose from, and where we can still be cast down. Assist them.
  • Foederati: Far more can be done within the system than ever could without.
  • Foreigners: Don't try to explain, they won't get it, just smile and take the money.