Yamari is a matriarchal society. Women are the head of households, Guilds, etc. Men are generally looked upon to be intelligent but not emotionally stable enough to hold positions of authority and responsibility. Situations for men vary widely. In Royal, Noble and wealthy Houses and in many common households, men are cared for, protected and educated up to a certain point (about eighth grade level). Marriages are often arranged for the benefit of the House or family.
Sons of poor houses, however, are often sold to the slave traders. Only men can be slaves. Under no cirucmstances in any part of Yamari society may a woman be a slave. A woman may be a hired servant or even indentured to pay off a debt, but never is she considered a slave. This is one of the most heinous crimes anyone can commit. A woman caught enslaving another woman can find herself stripped of title and/or possessions. A man caught enslaving a woman can face losing all possessions and/or title, imprisonment or even death. By law, the lowest ranked Yamari woman has more rights than a slave, although in practice it rarely turns out that way.
Women are considered to be adults when they turn sixteen years old. Before a daughter turns sixteen, a mother will choose a special slave to lay with her daughter on the night of her birthday celebration, which sometimes lasts two or three days, depending on what the family can afford. But wealthy or not, a girl's sixteenth birthday is always greatly celebrated and very important. After the celebration, the new woman is expected to take up her adult duties and responsibilities. A young woman's sixteenth birthday celebration is called her "Chola."
A woman's firstborn daughter will inherit her title, if she has one, and the majority of her possessions and wealth. A woman can lay aside some money and things for any other daughters but the firstborn, the heir, will get the lion's share. It is up to younger daughters, for the most part, to make their own way in the world. The majority of Guildwoman, priestesses and the military are made up of younger daughters.
Men are allowed in the Guilds and the military, if they have the permission of the head of their household or guardian.
THE UPPER CRUST:
There are eight Noble Houses and the Royal House. The Royal Family's House is Arinell. The Noble Houses differ in rank, wealth and responsibilities. Following are the Noble Houses. The Houses are listed by their status ranking which has little or nothing to do with their financial situation.
Orenes - the Ducherre of Orenes - Belwan - fabulously wealthy
Montique - the Ducherre of Montique - Dressen - moderately wealthy
Severre - the Marquane of Severre - Thindel - comfortable
Trestin - the Marquane of Trestin - Sureva - moderately wealthy
Krestel - the Marquane of Krestel - Pelayin - getting by
Rindall - the Baronelle of Rindall - Varex - moderately wealthy and on the rise
Strake - the Baronelle of Strake - Restor - poor as a churchmouse
Wilmest - the Baronelle of Wilmest - Cuross - very comfortable
There are other wealthy houses which serve as courtiers to the Queen and the Noble Houses. They are not Noble but perhaps wealthy Merchants or Guild Masters who would like to be raised to Noble status someday.
THE MIDDLE AND LOWER CLASSES
The Middle and Lower Classes are defined by whether they are Merchant-Class or Working-Class. The Merchant-Class is considered to be the Middle Class. This is, again, a status ranking, not a financial ranking. The Working-Class is the Lower Class, again in status. In Yamari society, status matters more than money.
Working-Class people do not belong to delineated Houses. The Working-Classes are those who have to work for a living on up to Journeywoman Guild members - anyone who works for someone else, no matter how well-off they are.
Merchant-Class people are business-owners, small land-owners, Master Guildwomen - anyone who employs others and does not work for anyone but herself. In this class, those who have accumulated enough wealth, respect and status may petition the Crown for a House Name and a Crest, what we would call a Coat-of-Arms.