The blade itself incites to violence.

Referring to themselves as Fastheldians, though named by outsiders as Imperials (those from the Empire), the Humans of Fastheld are of a highly mixed culture, hailing from all walks of life, adept at every profession known to man, and able to make war and peace in equal measure. Random yet predictable, calm yet emotional, unified yet alone, they are as diverse and unique as any other race within the region known as the Wildlands; yet far more numerous.

The citizens of Fastheld belong to one of four social classes: Royalty, Nobility, Freelanders, and Peasants.

Royals
The highest of the high, those who can consider themselves to be part of the Royalty of Fastheld remain a part of an important social elite. Though few in number, the Royalty of Fastheld are the most revered people in the Realm, and often hold the power to make or break entire families and organizations, if not the major Houses themselves!
 

Nobles
The main players within Fastheld belong to the six Nobles Houses and form Fastheld's upper noble classes. These are the main pushers and movers within the Empire, brokering political deals, forming alliances, breaking pacts, vying for power, and ensuring that their holdings are wealthy and safe.

While free to pursue whatever entertainment or adventures they choose, Nobles are also at the mercy of social codes, the expectations of their peers, the laws of the Empire, and the customs and rules of the House that they belong to.

They are rich, powerful, influential, and privileged. The realm is theirs to shape, but they must always be mindful of that which is expected of them, for while the reach of a Noble is long, any fall from grace can be swift, deadly, and unexpected.

Unlike Freelanders, Nobles also have an easier time of becoming a Knight within the Order of their Noble House. On top of that, Nobles will also find that they have more money to be able to buy equipment and luxuries with, or merely to squander on pursuits of the flesh. However, there are many professions that a Noble will be frowned upon for taking an interest in and thus detrimental to their sphere of influence as a whole.


Freelanders
The social classes of Fastheld remain the backbone of the realm. Known as Freelanders and Merchants by class, the citizens of the great Empire are the heart and soul of the place. They form the majority of the population, and are free to travel and live as they like, within the laws of the Imperium. They are the traders, craftsmen, adventurers, soldiers, rangers, woodsmen, bards, dancers, and courtesans, keeping the pulse of the Empire beating and providing the foundation that the Nobility stands upon.

Though a Freelander is unlikely to make much impact upon the future of the Empire, nor have the power and support that a Noble House may grant one of its own, they are - if nothing else - free to live a life however they, rather than their peers, wish. They be anything, do anything, and go anywhere, providing it doesn't defy the laws of the realm, nor interfere with any obligations.

However, Freelanders are looked down upon by Nobles, and are often bound to their employment in order to get ahead in the world, and as such need to tread lightly at times.


Peasants
A social class primarily restricted (by design) to the Shadow District, the Peasant class of Fastheld contains the lowest of the low. People with no legally accepted right to the life that they were unlucky enough to be born with. The social detritus of the Empire, Peasants hold NO rights at all, and are generally looked upon as being sub-human by those that stand above them. Even stray dogs and vermin are treated with more empathy and respect than the Peasant classes.

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The people of Fastheld follow a 10-month calendar. Eight months are five weeks long, while the other two months are six weeks long. Each week is seven days long.

MONTHS
Whistlewind
Bleakdreary
Stormclaw
Greening
Seedwarming
Kilning
Huntsmoon (Six weeks)
Harvest (Six weeks)
Lightfading
Shadowreach


DAYS
Lanternglow
Riverstretch
Cointaking
Shadowwatch
Willowwalk
Fealty
Idleforge