Paraden: Chosen

Prologue

Looking in any direction, the streets are lined in shops, restaurants, and homes. Each building in different stages of deterioration than the ones around it. This disparity is a typical sight in the Outer City of Paraden.

Though Paraden has been a sanctuary to its citizens for 300 years now, there are still some lingering qualities of the Old World: large gaps between the wealthy and poor, an organized government, and the still smoldering Outlands reminding us of the war our ancestors survived.

The societal gap is extremely noticeable throughout the city of Outer Paraden, but nowhere is it more obvious than in the state and placement of citizens' homes. The wealthy citizens of the Outer City seem to concentrate closer to the Main Square, that being where the Inner City gate is located.

Their homes are grandiose and built of the finest materials seen in the Outer City. The outside of the houses, as if they were not beautiful enough on their own, always seem to be ostentatiously decorated for one party or another.

There is no particular reason as to why they put themselves near the Inner City gate. The locals say it is so they can feel that they are inside the Inner City themselves.

The middle-class homes have their own unique beauty but are much smaller. They are typically one to two stories and made from painted brick. These homes are seen everywhere in the Outer City and are made to comfortably fit a family inside. Some houses, however, are built with an extra room to be used as the family needs.

Most of the middle class make their living selling things to upper and middle-class citizens. Walking down a middle-class neighborhood, you will see a dozen bakeries, butcher shops, and pharmacies.

The other homes, if you could call them that, are made of whatever the family can afford. This creates a structure comprised of many different materials just slabbed together. Normally these shacks are clustered near others just like it; all placed close to the border between the Outer City and the Outlands.

Since the shanties are constructed of random scraps, these structures are visibly different than one another. However, they all share the same qualities of being filthy, way past maximum capacity, and falling into tatters almost as quickly as they are built. Most citizens of Paraden avoid these areas if they can since they are so close to the Outlands and are known for crime and disease.

The Outlands is somewhere no citizen of Paraden wants to go. Once overwhelmed by war, the land that Paraden stands on was left in chaos and destruction. The first Council of Paraden formed to unify and protect the people left living there.

The Council was successful in their mission and the people, overcome with joy, chose to keep them in charge even after the war was over.

Aymeric Sigmund, one of the Council's members, formulated the plan for Paraden. Since his contribution was so large, he was chosen to be the Head of the Council. His descendants are still ruling today.

Under King Aymeric's instruction, the Inner City was built. It was placed to allow a safe and separate location for the Council and Paraden's Chosen to work together and make decisions for the benefit of Paraden.

The city is said to be filled with tall skyscrapers and beautiful waterfront views to the South. The north side, closest to the Outer City, is filled with homes and shops beyond the comprehension of anyone who has not seen them themselves.

The rest of the citizens began to build the Outer City in a circle around the Inner. This outer ring was much less regal than the Inner City but provided a safe civilization for the people in it, something the Outlands lacked.

The ring is separated into the North, South, East, and West side. There is not much difference between the sections, but each has its own perks. The North Side is home to the Main Square and thus, a majority of the wealthy citizens live there.

The East and West side has mostly stores and retail sites since the Middle class lives in those areas. They also host almost all the schools and public parks for Paraden.

The South side is home to the farms, mines, and dumps. It also has a river on its south side where many citizens go for a fun day out. The majority of the poor tends to the job sites on the South side under the instruction of some middle-class citizens. Due to its proximity to their jobs and the usefulness of the water, many build their huts on the south side of the river between it and the Outlands.

There are very few times a year where all of Paraden's citizens stop working and join together as one nation instead of by class. Today just happens to be one of those days, Choosing Day.

This mandatory holiday is one of the most important for Paraden. It preserves the peace and strength the country has. It is so important that it only occurs every three years.

The day begins like it always has, an official ceremony conducted in the Main Square. The Council emerges from the Inner City and begins the selection process during this Ceremony.

Choosing Day is when the Chosen are selected. Seven citizens of Outer Paraden, aged eighteen to twenty years, are each picked by a family of the seven Council families to move into the Inner City and train to be an Elite.

The Chosens' names will be broadcasted all over Paraden to allow the people who can not attend the Ceremony in person to know if they are selected and participate in the festivities.

One of the seven Chosen will become the Elite. This position, though it has changed over the years since Paraden is now fully functioning, is one of great importance and held for three years. The Elite will help the Council in decisions regarding the Outer City and its people.

The Chosen period lasts for one year. During this time they are working with the current Elite and trying to prove to the Council why they should be the next one. If made Elite, the three years following their Chosen period they will fulfill those duties.

All Chosen have perks. They can now live in the Inner City, they get to practice whatever skill they decide once their service is complete, and their families receive a monthly stipend while they are a chosen.

The Elite will be held to an even higher standard continuing to live in the palace for the three years they serve and their family will still receive a monthly stipend of a higher amount.

This Choosing Day special because today is the 100th Choosing Day.