(07-16-2015, 02:59 PM)myahele Wrote: I'm quite interested in where humans fit in their social structure?
I somehow doubt they're granted noble status beyond a Knight or notable merchants.
From what I gather it's the
4 great houses > minor houses > Knights/Merchants >>>> Low Born
None of the Four High Houses are Hyuran, due to Ishgard being formed prior to the Hyuran migration to Eorzea. What followed that initial wave was long standing race wars between the Elezen and Hyur, which stretched across eastern Eorzea from Ala Mhigo and Ishgard in the north to as far south as Thanalan. There was not peace between the two races until 500 years ago with the last wave of Hyur who were accepted by the Gelmorrans, later forming Gridania. The twin adders on the Gridanian standard symbolize Elezen and Hyur coming together around a lotus - a symbol of peace.
So Hyur coming to Ishgard would have only happened in the last 500 years, a relatively short time considering how long Ishgard had already been established by this point in history. (Over 700 years.) This late arrival and lingering racial tension is the most likely culprit as to why Hyuran make up a good majority of the lowborn or knights serving the greater houses. It is possible, however, through one's own merit to rise above their station, so I would not at all be surprised to see Hyuran Noble Houses, even though as of yet, we've not seen any in lore.
We have seen Hyuran Dragoons, an elite force in Ishgard and of high social ranking. We also have a Hyuran second in command to the Temple Knights, another highly prestigious honor. So if a Hyur could achieve that, I'm sure they could achieve Nobility. Just less likely to be born into it.
As for the hierarchy, it's closer to:
>Archbishop - A direct descendant of Thordan or one of the 4 High Houses
>>The Heavens' Ward - Twelve knights hand-selected by the Archbishop
>>>Four High Houses
>>>>The Halonic Inquisition
>>>>>The Azure Dragoon & Temple Knights
>>>>>Other Noble Houses
>>>>>>Dragoons
>>>>>>>Servants and Knights of the Nobles
>>>>>>>>>>>>Lowborns & Foreigners
