The Caste System of the Underhollow
The drow of the Underhollow live out their lives as members of a series of castes. It is difficult, but not impossible, to elevate oneself higher than the caste of one's birth (unless one is born a noble, in which case the only way out is down)
Most spend their lives as menial workers, tilling fields, cutting lumber and breaking rock, and gathering resources from uninhabited caverns; these are the members of the lowest caste. Unskilled workers, their lives are a hardscrabble existence, living hand to mouth. They are ill able to afford medical care, and often suffer sickness and injury due to the dangerous jobs they are often forced to undertake to make ends meet. For these folks, service in the Legion can be a very tempting option indeed, but for most the risks still outweigh the rewards. Even so, this caste is where most recruits to the Legion of the Crimson Flame arise from.
Above that are artisans, those who create. Be it textiles, food products, furniture, these are the makers of the Underhollow. These elves enjoy a more comfortable existence, but there is still not much to spare in terms of resources; a bad month at their business can have them right back in the slums. Merchants exist in a strange twilight between this caste and the next, depending on their level of success. It’s rare for someone from this caste to volunteer for the Legion, they have much to lose and little to gain, as a rule. But for some, the need to escape the consequences of criminal activity or particularly unfortunate business decisions compels one into service.
The highest caste is the smallest, hold the nobility, the movers and shakers and opinion leaders of the Underhollow. These elves hold all the cards; health, privilege, power, and goods- they are seldom called upon to do anything truly dangerous and are easily able to afford anything they need. However, their positions are often hotly contested, and it’s all to easy for them to fall victim to the schemes of a rival, or to be undone by the unraveling of their own schemes. From the city towers to the slums, or worse, into exile is a very long way to fall. It is rare for a noble to survive such a fall from grace, but occasionally one does, and as often as not the route they take to vengeance or simply their own survival is to join the Legion.
Separate but parallel to this caste system is the military with infantry, rangers, cavalry, and officers within each designation. Similarly, the priesthood, encompassing scholars, teachers, healers, and operates independently of the caste system. These are only rarely good escape routes for those seeking another path to their lives, however. Only the infantry will take anyone of reasonably able body, and life as an infantryman is little better than life in the slums, only with the added fun of enemies actively trying to murder you once in awhile. Any higher rank within the military requires a certain amount of physical and mental aptitude, and the priesthood requires a spark of magical talent and at least the pretense of devout faith.
