Society in the World of Realms

Society is well-developed in the Twelve Realms. Each nation or culture possesses a distinct social structure, ranging from the ecclesiocracy of the Gravis Clan to the absolutism of Azaria.

Social classes are usually based upon titles, wealth, and power. Although people are mostly born into their social rank and remain there throughout their lives, there are exceptions in which people can gain a higher position through service, as occurred with Grand Secretariat Cha. In more recent years, a person's acquired wealth or accomplishments can act as a substitute for the condition of their birth.

Zion
Zion is the preeminent society among the Realms, dominant in economic, political, and military power. It is a democratic yet conservative state headed by its traditional monarch, the Dragon Emperor. Unlike many other nations, ZIon is industrialized, socially progressive, and united around a nationalist identity that is indoctrinated into its youth. The majority of its citizenry lives in relative prosperity and education is available to all; however, poverty is still rampant in outlying villages and towns, such as Yi City.

Dragon Emperor
The Dragon Emperor is the ruler of the entire Empire of Zion and wields immense but not absolute power. The Dragon Emperor has the highest social rank in the Empire.

"Dragon Emperor" is a title and is gender bound to males. However, the title of "Dragon Empress" was used in a couple of occasions, as Dragases appointed Azalea as the new Dragon Empress after his coronation as Supreme Demon Emperor.

The Dragon Emperor's power increased during the Great War, not only due to the end of Democracy within the nation in response to the war, but also within the social system itself. The 45th Dragon Emperor used his position to seize land for state projects and placed emphasis on absolute loyalty of all citizens, including the Sages. Furthermore, the 45th Dragon Emperor and other wartime Dragon Emperors tightened their hold over Zion citizenry by rewriting history and indoctrinating their youth.

Heirs
The children of the Dragon Emperor possess a social status second only to the Dragon Emperor. The eldest child of the Dragon Emperor is considered the next heir to the throne. Citizens of all ranks are expected to show them deference.

Nobles
Nobles form the upper crust in Zionist society and have the possibility to befriend, marry and work with the Royal Family. The children of Zionist nobility often attend prestigious schools, such as the Royal Academy for Girls.

The Fire Nation's noble clans descended from the monarchs who ruled the individual city-states before its unification, and thus retained the privileges of ruling their home cities and keeping household troops. Known clans of Zion were the Sassoon, Keogh, Soneike, Eeta, and Lahaina clans. Following the Civil War during the Seventh Dynasty, the 26th Dragon Emperor resolved to render the clans irrelevant, even those that supported him, believing that his rule would be threatened as long as the clans retained power.

Sages
The Sages are the religious authority of Zion, and they once led the empire. However, when the title of Dragon Emperor was created, they slowly lost their power. When the Huo-Long Dynasty came to power, the 45th Dragon Emperor forced the Sages to pledge allegiance to him. Even though the Sages lost their power, they maintained their status and influence. They maintained their own archives and crowned new Dragon Emperors, being present at Andrew, Dragases, Azalea, and Anthony's coronations; this job is performed by the High Sage.

High-ranking military officials
During the Great War, military officials became of great importance. High military officials are very respected in Zionist society. High Admirals and High Generals fall under this position. They seem to act as the Dragon Emperor's advisers and are usually present during war meetings.

Upper-class citizens
Nobles in Zion lead lives of wealth and luxury. Many live within the Upper Ring districts of Zion, though there are also other nobles scattered throughout the Empire. These families are some of the wealthiest in Zion and are afforded great respect and privilege throughout the nation.

Middle-class citizens
Zion possesses an industrialized economy, fueled by raw resources extracted from oversea colonies. They possess a robust middle class, with a large degree of disposable income and liberal social protocols, especially among its youth. Education is widespread, though its primary purpose seems to be for indoctrination.

Middle-class citizens often own shops in the Middle Ring districts, such as Floozy Smoothie.

Lower-class citizens
The vast majority of Zion's population consists of lower-class citizens, although the meaning of the term can vary depending on location. In rural areas and small towns, many people may be poor and considered lower-class citizens, but their lives are rarely portrayed as worse because of that status. By contrast, in Zion, these people are sequestered in the Lower Ring districts, rendering it densely populated, poverty stricken, and crime-ridden. During the Great War, the amount of people in this class rose, as people from all around the kingdom were forced to leave their properties, turning to a refugee's life, or were otherwise affected by the war.

However, despite their poverty and political disenfranchisement, the peasants have proven throughout history that they are not completely helpless, as they rose up in revolt against the 46th Dragon Emperor's tyranny. Deciding that the emperor did not represent their interests, the peasants of Zion seized control of the capital until Grand Secretariat Zhao forced the emperor to accept a new constitution and to hear the peasants' grievances.

Colonial citizens
After the Great War, Zion was given control of Azaria's northern colonies, the Boreala Islands. A program initialized by Dragases forcibly relocated all Azarian citizens back to Azaria. Over time, these grievances were forgotten, and the colonies themselves became prosperous, so much so that the citizens resisted efforts to return them to Azaria. Still, mainland citizens looked down upon those from the colonies, regarding them to be uncultured.

Views on sexuality
It is traditionally acceptable for male Dragon Emperors to have mistresses before marriage. Fathers are expected to acknowledge any children born outside of wedlock to noble mothers, in order to avoid dishonoring her clan. Although illegitimate children may be accepted as part of their family, they may also be placed behind any legitimate siblings in the line of succession.

Greeting
Members of the Earth Kingdom customarily greet people by bowing with their right hand enclosed into a fist covered by their left hand. Both palms tilt up, moderately stretching the wrists, to face each other rather than the ground. In recent times, handshakes have become common for upper-class citizens and entrepreneurs.