User:Schizocarp/sandbox

Aramanth is a walled city in which much of the action of the first book of the trilogy, The Wind Singer takes place. At the beginning of The Wind Singer, Aramanth is a totally meritocratic society where families are divided into classes according to how well their household performs on an annual Examination. Through this process the families of the city are sorted into one of five classes each of which is assigned a colour which the citizens then have to wear. Each class also inhabits a different district of the city, painted the relevant colour. It is destroyed in the second book, Slaves of the Mastery when Ortiz and his raiding company attack the city. Aramanth later becomes part of the Sovereignty of Gang under Bowman and Sisi's leadership. Arrangement

Aramanth is a city situated on a desert peninsula,. The classes from lowest to highest are Grey, Maroon, Orange, Scarlet and White. The city is separated into five districts partitioned in concentric circles - Grey District is the outermost district for the lowest classed family, while White District is the innermost and is only for the highest class of family. As such, the quality of the accommodation varies; the Gray district houses are tall block grey buildings with tiny flats, whereas the higher classes live in increasing opulence. At the very heart of the city is the titular Wind Singer, surrounded by The Emperor's palace, and the high tower in which he resides.

Every year there is the High Examination, in which the head of every household is required to participate. Ratings are given to the examinees based upon their performance and these are added to the family rating. Those that fail are taken to the Residential Study Course. An increase or decrease in the rating can move the family into a higher or lower district - this is intended to ensure that all citizens vow:

TO STRIVE HARDER, REACH HIGHER, AND IN EVERY WAY TO SEEK TO MAKE TOMORROW BETTER THAN TODAY. FOR LOVE OF THE EMPEROR AND FOR THE GLORY OF ARAMANTH.

Disloyalty, or any form of behaviour that does not comply with the grand plan of those in control, is dealt with harshly; by banishment to the caves beneath the city.

Aramanth is also fairly close to the ocean, and while standing on the beach, the island of Sirene could be seen. History

The city was settled by the Manth tribe due to its position on vast deposits of salt, which, over time were mined out leaving large caves, which would later be used as sewers by the Manth. Originally, the City was ruled by an Emperor, Creoth I, but, by the time of The Wind Singer, his descendant Creoth VI is a mere figurehead, and the city is ruled by a board of examiners under a high examiner. This came about due to the march of the Zars, the invincible army of the Morah, upon Aramanth in the late reign of Creoth I. The city was intended to be defended by the wind singer (see below,) but Creoth, doubting its power, gave the wind singer's voice to the army, saving the city. However, this allowed the Morah to rule Aramanth. By the time of Creoth IV, the class colour system (from Grey to White) and examinations had been introduced.

By the time the second book in the trilogy, Slaves of the Mastery, begins, the former area of the Grey district had been torn down and apparently used by delinquents to cause mischief in.