"Hey Frank, I don't mean to be nosy or anything, but what did Hakravan mean about how the empire oppressing the tribes and all that?" questioned Aadam.
"See kid, world's cruel. Tough sometimes. Power corrupts. Great power corrupts greatly, you know? The strong bully the weak, the weak try to fight. Their resistance is futile. They struggle and fight, but power is power. Little boy gets bullied by the big man, it's just the way things are. Ain't nothing we can do about it," replied Frank.
"Yea, but what if we can?" asked Aadam.
"What do you mean by that kid?" queried Frank.
"Well, what if it wasn't like that. What... if the world was better?" replied Aadam hesitantly.
"Wouldn't it still be the same. Like sure the conditions might be more equal and everything, but you have to consider human nature kid. You're pretty young. Don't get disillusioned this early. Sure the world is pretty crap, but at times it's great too ya know?"
"But..."
"Kid, don't think too much about it. It's just the way things are. If you want to change things it's going to be impossible," interrupted Frank, cutting off Aadam. He continued, "You're pretty young there kid, who knows maybe you'll grow up to fix our mistakes. Best not to think too much bout it."
Seeing how Frank didn't want to continue the topic, Aadam asked another question, "Hey, Frank. Before the Avogardigians attacked well, Jeremy was about to explain how the class system worked and all that."
"Alright, seeing how he's in no condition to tell you, guess that's another job he left for me to clean up. Anyways classes... where to start. Classes can give you great bonuses if done correctly. No class tends to hold a distinct advantage; all classes can counter the other if done correctly."
"But what are classes?" interjected Aadam.
"Ah right, you're new to this. Sorry, forgot. Mind ain't so good these days," replied Frank, apologetically. "Anyways, classes are something granted by the gods. They give us great power should they find us worthy to wield it. We are constantly trying to prove our mettle so that they grant us power, power so that we may survive. You must understand, the strong rule, the weak die. It's the law of the world. We prove our mettle by feats of strength, we visit the temples and offer proof of our accomplishments as sacrifices. Should they find it worthy we can get 'promoted'. When we get promoted we get further powers that aid us in the class we choose. Us mortals organized a ranking system in order to keep track of our powers as well. Of course it was all done to establish a hierarchy."
"Hierarchy?" asked Aadam.
"Yea, hierarchy. Remember, power rules. Those higher up get to bully the weak. The weak avoid aggravating the strong. Such is the way. Anyways, as I was saying, there are a variety of classes available for your discretion. However, you don't choose your own class. Rather, it is awarded upon you from the heavens. To gain a further boost to your class you would choose to serve your patron deity. Take me for instance, my patron deity is Reftorrow, God of Warriors. In exchange for my services and devotion, he grants me power."
"Hey Frank, before you said something about how you are an Elywen? Right?" asked Aadam hesitantly.
"Yea. What bout it?" replied Frank.
"Well, do you have to worship Reftorro in order to be an Elywen?" questioned Aadam curiously.
"It's Reftorrow but, no. Your patron deity can grant you whatever class they deem to fit you. The God you worship only changes the structure of the class and what it specializes in. Let's say you were an Elywen under the jurisdiction of Sahannah. In that case rather than having additional strength like I have you would have a greater endurance. Get it?" explained Frank.
"Yea, I guess," answered Aadam. He adopted a look of deep contemplation before exchanging it for one of curiosity.
"Kid, I already know what you're going to ask. The answer is I don't know. No one knows. Only the heavens," said Frank after taking a brief glance at Aadam.
"What? How? You can't possibly read minds can you?" exclaimed Aadam.
"Nah, you had that look. Wanted to know how many classes there are. No one knows. Everyone asks that question. Heaven's mysteries are not meant for mortal eyes," replied Frank.
"Hey, I can't help but notice that you say heaven a lot. Doesn't that mean there's a hell also."
"Course there is, don't recommend choosing that route though. War rages between heaven and hell. Phiadan is their playground where they settle their conflicts. Two factions. Demon-kin and us. You had to have wondered why the Gods give us some of their power after all."
"Yea but, isn't that an inappropriate question."
"Nah, you'll learn whats inappropriate. The Gods and Demons need us to stay powerful. They rely on our devotion. Besides, after the last Holy War both Demons and Gods were ruined. Thus, they use us to fight in their stead. They us to settle their conflicts while avoiding losses for themselves in terms of life."
"Do the demon-kin also receive classes from their patrons?" asked Aadam.
"I don't know. I'm not the one to ask regarding those matters."
"Well, the demon-kin are our enemies, right"?
"Yea, those damn bastards. They always ruin everything good."
Sensing that the demon-kin were a bad subject to discuss over with Frank, he swiftly changed the topic.
"So... what can I expect when we get to Greymerrow"?
"Not much really. Avoid the ire of the nobles and you should be fine," advised Frank.
"What's wrong with the nobility"?
"Arrogant folk, the lot of em."
"I see then. It's getting dark now. Shouldn't we set up camp."
"Nah we gotta keep on the move. Else the Avogardigians will attack again. We ain't out of danger yet. Come on kid, we still got road to travel."