★ ━ ⋮ ❝ .01 CASTE GAME
When it first began, no one knows, but it's become the cruel reality of Sacred Heart Academy. The entire school is forced to follow an arbitrary caste system; student roles within the caste are determined by a suit of cards. A King holds absolute power, while a Joker is little more than a punching bag for other students. Those of lower caste must abide by students higher than them. To go against the caste results in mob justice. Fraternizing with those far outside one's own caste is also frowned upon by the students at large; some exceptions happen, but it often invites trouble.
And while it seems that even the faculty is aware of the caste game (to some degree), speaking about the game to anyone outside the school, or persons of authority, is considered a breach. A breach that will lead to swift punishment; not just from fellow students, but the Caste Committee itself.
★ ━ ⋮ ❝ .02 CASTE COMMITTEE
The Caste Committee is a mysterious group of students who run the Caste Game. Their identities are unknown, and kept hidden behind gas-like masks. They rarely make appearances, save at the start of each new Caste Game. But they seem to have fingers in nearly every aspect of the school. Information always finds its way back to them, likely because they walk amongst their fellow students.
Contacting the Caste Committee is impossible, outside of a locked "suggestion box." This box is the only link students have to the Caste Committee beyond each new game. It can be found hidden amongst the bushes just outside of the gymnasium's rear supply closet. Tampering with this box is prohibited, and will result in swift punishment.
★ ━ ⋮ ❝ .03 PLAYING
Ranks are determined by a Caste Game. They are generally played at the beginning of each semester, though may happen periodically if the number of students within a class change; be this through transfers in or transfers out. The only signal that a Caste Game will be played in a given period is an empty box of cards left upon one of the locker room benches. When the final bell for that period has rung, the Caste Game commences, encompassing the next available lunch period.
At this time, students must scrounge the school grounds, looking for cards that match their suit; first years are Spade, second years are Hearts, and third years are Diamonds. When a card has been found, the student must then return it to their gym class to ensure their rank. Cards may be traded or stolen prior to turning them in, but once given to the Caste Committee, ranks are final.
If students refuse to play, or fail to return a card, their ranks will be assigned by the Caste Committee. This means that students who have played by the rules may find their ranks boosted, while those who have not will be forced to the bottom of the caste system, where they are made targets.
Ranks will be announced officially at the end of the day, and can be found near the Caste Committee lock box.
