Dress Code of the First Kingdom Nobility

There is a very strict dress code used within the First Kingdom of the Humans that permits an observer to quickly determine the nobility rank and degree of importance of any individual. This dress code is strictly enforced; those who dare to wear colors or articles of clothing that their station does not entitle them to risk severe punishment. Offenders first have all property and possessions confiscated; they are then escorted to the border of the kingdom and banished - naked. Should the offender be a head of household, the entire family suffers the same fate.

Following is a brief description of these standards.

The King and Queen

The formal clothing of the First Kingdom's ruler and ruler's spouse is always made from cloth-of-silver, and trimmed with the rare purple color extracted from one particular variety of sea snail that lives in Icefell Bay and the Farsea. None other is permitted to wear clothing tinted with this rare dye; to do so risks confiscation of all property and banishment from the kingdom.

The Crown of the King is the one that was fashioned for Ancelin, the first king, some fifteen thousand years ago. It is a simple circlet of silver with four large stones set in leaves affixed front, back, and both sides.

The Heir to the Throne

The heir to the throne's formal garb is identical to that of the ruler, except that the royal purple coloration is replaced with a scarlet red - a red that has a subtle, but nonetheless noticeable distinction from the true red that the rest of the royal family is entitled to wear. Like all nobility other than the ruler, a simple silver circlet is worn on the head.

Other Royal Family siblings

The cloth of silver is replaced by white silks and satins, trimmed with materials bearing a "true red" color - not the scarlet of the heir. Simple circlets of silver may be worn if desired.

Earls

The formal wear of those nobles with the rank of earl consists of fabrics and trims in various shades of blue. Silks and satins are common; light hues with dark trim is most common. A simple, unadorned silver circlet is worn on the head.

Counts

The formal wear of those nobles with the rank of earl consists of fabrics and trims in various shades of green. Silks and satins are common; light hues with dark trim is most common. A simple, unadorned silver circlet is worn on the head.

Barons

The formal wear of those nobles with the rank of earl consists of fabrics and trims in various shades of yellow. Silks and satins are common; light hues with dark trim is most common. A simple, unadorned silver circlet is worn on the head.

Knights

The formal wear of those nobles with the rank of earl consists of fabrics and trims in various shades of brown. Silks and satins are common; light hues with dark trim is most common. A simple, unadorned silver circlet is worn on the head.

Merchants and other Commoners

The reader will note that none of the strictures described so far have made mention of gold. Commoners are, in fact, free to adorn themselves with as much gold as they can afford - whether it be in the form of jewelry or woven into cloth-of-gold fabric. In fact, there are only three restrictions on the clothing of commoners:

1. They may not make use of the royal purple dye for any of their clothing.
2. They may not use silver in any headpiece or hat that may be worn.
3. They may not wear cloth-of-silver.

Gold trimmed headpieces are also permitted - provided they do not include a solid ring of metal that encircles the head.