02. Social Classes and Professions

Who they are:
Usually commoners, the majority being low commoners. Fewer are high commoners, and even rarer they may be noblemen who like to dabble in alchemical arts. But usually they're never serious about it. The majority of them are male, with the younger ones usually apprentices to older, more experienced alchemists.

What they are:
Alchemists are a special class, artistic scientists who are in the ultimate pursuit of knowledge and spirituality, a mixture of magic and technology. They have great and mixed knowledge in occult subjects, herbology, metallurgy and the like, and even if they're not magically inclined, they usually know a lot about it anyway. Most alchemists are dedicated craftsmen who like to create and formulate, creative and scientifically strong at once.

What they do:
Alchemists can be businessmen, craftsmen, hermits, all of the above, or none. They're a strange and varied group. Many have workshops where they craft various things, such as potions and their most popular creations: homunculi, or living dolls. Most of the more artistic alchemists make their living off of the exquisitely crafted dolls, which are all the rage in Anselm. Some would rather be alone in their work, looking for ways to gain immortality and ultimate knowledge.

Where they are:
The aptly-named Alchemist Row houses many alchemical workshops, though certainly alchemists come from all parts of Anselm. Some like to sit around at the University library to read up and converse with more traditional scholars.

Who they are:
Priests are always male (however, they're mostly female in the Ancient Religion, and mixed in the Children of Belial if there are meetings set up) and start training at a young age. The majority are of the Church of the Winged Covenant, and what are commonly thought of when referring to priests.

What they are:
Priests are highly knowledgeable in theology and Church scripture. Trained from the beginning and even until death, they view their knowledge in a faith-based spiritual light, choosing not to question official scripture but merely interpret it for the masses. They have a hierarchy of their own, and it takes years and years of experience to reach the higher levels of power.

What they do:
Priests carry out the duties of the Church, holding services every Sunday and caring for the grounds and upkeep of the cathedral. They also go into town and collect contributions as well as perform charitable duties for the community.

Where they are:
Priests live in the Church cathedral, in dormitories set aside for them. By day they study in the labyrinthine basement studies of the cathedral, home to rooms and rooms full of ancient texts.

Who they are:
Constables are nearly all male, with a few exceptions—women hold the office jobs and a rare few even work in the field. Only humans are permitted to train in the academy, though there are shapeshifters, vampires, and even eternals who've sneaked in. Most are younger, but the hardened detective constables and higher-ups tend to be older. Most come from commoner or peasant families.

What they are:
Constables obviously keep the peace and law in Anselm. They're a hardworking group who stick together and do everything possible to solve cases and catch criminals. Most work long hours and deadly jobs without much pay, only doing it with a true sense of justice and a desire for cleaner streets. They're not saints, but they work a more honest job than most in Anselm.

What they do:
Constables hit the streets and at lower levels, take care of basic needs, such as catching petty thieves. Detective constables work cases, especially the numerous murders in Anselm, with whole divisions set out for homicide, drugs, and prostitution, etc. Some go undercover, especially in cases of drugs and prostitution, most times working with the very people they're trying to take down, especially when dealing with a greater evil. The Chief Constable oversees everything, and is hard to get in touch with unless a particularly gruesome crime comes to attention in Anselm. It's up to them to investigate and arrest criminals.

Where they are:
The constabulary headquarters are located in Anselm Square, along with the courthouse and other official administrative buildings.

Who they are:
Scholars are nearly always high-commoners or noblemen; whatever the case, their families are usually of good standing and loaded with money. They range from young to old, usually men but some women as well.

What they are:
Scholars are either students, teachers, or just great learners. An enlightened group, they study various subjects, ranging from the sciences, mathematics, the workings of magic, psychology, demonology, and even theology.

What they do:
Scholars hold lectures or learn at the university. Some just experiment and test theories together (or alone), or hold debates and discussions in one of the many debate halls on the vast campus. Mostly, though, classes are held like any other university, and only the best (and richest) can attend the university. If anyone in town needs advice, they come to a scholar... sometimes for a fee. Master Scholars are considered to be the most enlightened, holding merit-based positions and a high level of respect in the community.

Where they are:
Most likely at the university, or doing research in the field. In-demand subjects happen to be demonology and astronomy, so many can also be found venturing into the abandoned castle (for demonology) or into the southern mountains (for astronomy) to study.

Who they are:
Necromancers are a highly varied group, either men or women, in different classes, even different species. The majority are commoners, with not many noblemen pursuing this job. Most have some level of magical talent, and obviously tend to lean towards more occult, morbid tastes.

What they are:
Necromancers attempt to summon the dead, though the reasons why are quite varied. Some may just want to contact them for the sake of the deceased's loved ones during séances, some believe that the dead can offer otherworldly advice on various topics. Some others perform the morbid art to reanimate corpses in some attempt to either bring back a loved one or just to see how much power they've got.

What they do:
There are three levels of necromancy:

• Level One: holding séances. This is the simplest form of necromantic divination, and is usually for contacting spirits of loved ones, but only spirit.
• Level Two: reanimating corpses. This is quite a step up from a simple séance, and involves quite a bit of innate or learned talent. Some alchemists are able to perform this as well because of their mixed talents. Reanimated corpses don't usually last very long or retain anything of the deceased's soul.
• Level Three: full reanimation. This is very rarely done, so rarely that most necromancers would agree it's nothing but a myth, much like the alchemists' philosopher stone. Full reanimation is reviving a deceased person, not just in body like in second-level necromancy, but entirely, breathing life back into them permanently, body and soul, memories and all.

Where they are:
Necromancers can be anywhere, residing in both Alchemist Row (where many use necromancy to profit, and not just as a hobby) as well as normal residential areas. Anywhere is fine, as they can truly blend in with the general public. Many like to perform summoning rituals at the ruins, but with the Church's eagle eye on that particular spot, this practice is uncommon. Many are instead turning to the abandoned castle, where the spirit realm is said to be closest to this one.

Who they are:
Prostitutes are nearly all women, though a special group of men catering to both groups of women as well as to other men exist. Class is always peasant when it comes to common prostitutes, though high-end call girls, the clients of noblemen, tend to be from commoner families. Species is also varied... many have tastes for something a little more exotic and unique.

What they are:
Women and men of the night who cater to the most basic of needs in life. No matter how classy or how trashy, they all specialize in the exact same thing: sex. They are from varied backgrounds. Some whore their bodies for drug money, some are slaves and forced into it, some have debts to repay and have no other choice. Many women choose this path simply because the highly male-oriented ways of Anselm leave room for not much else.

What they do:
Pretty self-explanatory, however the high-class prostitutes (known as 'escorts' or 'gilded ladies'—this last term stems from the money they cost) offer more in the way of simple accompaniment and less sex. It's far from uncommon (nor is it considered improper in the least) to see these women on the arms of noblemen at classy events. Some are paid only for this purpose and don't go into sexual favors.

Where they are:
Most make their living on Alchemist Row, where brothels can be found in abundance, their glowing red lamps signaling the desperate women who live inside. High-class prostitutes also can be found in specialized 'love houses' (their euphemism for a brothel) along Venice Avenue.