Aurelian Social Classes

These are the Aurelian noble families we know of.

Major Families

Major families are the noble houses of the five Aurelian Dukes who collectively rule the nation.

• The Auttencourt family: One of the founding families of Aurelteran, they are old, insular and aloof. The family earned their riches through trade on the rivers and sea. They are the decaying Victorian mansion of people.
• The Corsi family: Second only to the Hesse in wealth and Savelli in popularity, the Corsi are broadly respected and considered to be fair, albeit not overly generous, rulers.
• The Hesse family: Hard eyed, pragmatic, and extremely wealthy. The Hesse own the mountains and mines north of Aureltaran and in other places in the region. They’re originally from Cormyr, but have been Aurelian dukes for many generations.
• The Savelli family: One of the older families, wealth generated through their vineyards and trade in spirits and luxuries (some would say vices). Debauched but charming, well liked as they sponsor most festivals, public events, etc.
• The Zaiden family: A former merchant family from Amn given land-grants within Aurelian, the youngest of the major families. Their deep connections to Amn are a source of some suspicion.

Lesser Families

Lesser families are vassal houses sworn to one of the Major Families, and make up the bulk of the nobility. So far, we have (not exclusive):

• The Lombardi family: Vassals to the Corsi
• The Hawkridge family: Vassals to the Corsi
• The Del Veign family: Vassals to the Corsi
• The Owens family: Vassals to the Savelli
• The Moray family: Vassals to the Hesse

Traders

A catch-all for the wealthy trade houses and those who support and enable them (e.g., money lenders). There tends to be a lot of social striving in their ranks as they may be wealthier than the lesser families but lack the title, respect, and stability that nobility brings.

Commoners

Town or city folk, small merchants and traders, or land-owning family farmers. The working low-middle class of Aurelian society.

Smallfolk

Named for “small holdings”, the small folks are rural farmers and laborers, typically earning a subsistence (though not always impoverished) living and working the noble’s land. Traditional peasants.