Editing Asrai (section)

==Culture==

The Asrai Culture is an exceptionally complex web of interlocking and hierarchal castes.  There is a distinct series of caste controlled social levels. Those of the lower castes are generally only in direct interaction with those castes that border them directly, as well as those few castes that intersect with them.  The lower the caste, the more menial and physically demanding the work that must be performed. The Inverse is also true, with the higher castes more generally focused upon intellectual or religious pursuits. 
[[File:Asrai script.png|thumb|left|500px|Asrai Written Script is derived from script of the Aowa]]
The higher the caste's position in society the fewer members of society within that caste. Thus through the application of the caste system, the members of the ruling elite within the upper castes rule the larger population of the lower castes.

There is a Slave caste, which is very close to the bottom of the Caste. The lowest caste however is that of the outcast. Each caste within the Asrai culture is hereditary, so that an individual is born into a specific caste. It is possible to transcend one's caste, but it is exceptionally rare.

One can also lose their current caste status and be placed into a slave or outcast caste, from which there is no hope of redemption. Only the Religious castes are non-hereditary, as those castes take in children for the purpose of filling their ranks and training the future stewards of their religion.

Asrai culture is rich in the oral tradition, as a very few members of the population have the ability to read or write. There are a large number of highly qualified artisans within the lower castes. There are also poets, scholars and philosophers amongst the upper castes.

Spiritual beliefs are very widespread and most Asrai are dedicated to the worship of the Aowa. This strong spiritual focus is a result of the religious castes command and control over the other castes as a result of their access and knowledge gained from the Aowa.