Ex-Patricians
Altairus is a world deeply mired in its ancient past. Well into the Silver Era, many of its nations were ruled over by monarchs and wealthy nobles. Since The War of the Wendigoes, however, these systems are being called into question. Many young people in Altairus are coming to see the flaws inherent in such a system where only a select few people have any sort of wealth or political power.
Rather than simply accept this as tradition, however, many young people from noble families are choosing to relinquish their noble titles and wealth. These Ex-Patricians, as they are called, are a class of people who have sacrificed their birthright for the opportunity to get down in the dirt and help the commoners they would have ruled over to build back a better Altairus.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Ex-Patricians in general have little regard for the traditional markers of status in Altairian society. Wealth, pedigree, power... all of which are things Ex-Patricians show great disdain for. They believe that the true show of a person's nobility is not in any of these superficial things, but in their actions.
Many Ex-Patricians choose to dwell amongst those who would be seen as "untouchable" in the Golden and Silver Eras. While it varies from person to person, many will choose to give all of their wealth and assets to the poor, sometimes even going as far as to willingly become homeless. In any case, they tend to dwell among the slums and more run-down parts of the societies they would have otherwise lorded over.
Ex-Patricians tend to have very Socialist mindsets, though they might not outright admit it. Despite their circumstances, they often find themselves happier than if they were to willingly distance themselves from the problems of their citizens.
Common Dress code
While there is no formal "dress code," it is customary amongst Ex-Patricians to clothe oneself modestly. Most Ex-Patricians reject jewelry, as well as expensive cloths, silver, and gold, as frivolous and symbolic of the institutions they oppose. It's kind of hard to dig in the dirt with the commoners when you're worried about sullying your clothing, anyway.
Thrifting is a common hobby amongst Ex-Patricians, as is tailoring. Despite not having learned how to be self-sufficient in their youth, Ex-Patricians are very clever and resourceful in becoming so.
Art & Architecture
Many Ex-Patricians are artistically inclined, large murals being their favorites to paint. These murals incorporate a strange pseudo-Dadaist art style to portray irreverent depictions of nobles and other prominent figures. These paintings appear to be a critique of the culture in Altairus that brought along The War of the Wendigoes in the first place.
As to be expected, these painters have run into trouble with the law for this.
Public Perception
Ex-Patricians are a very controversial group. Older nobility tends to view them as spoiled children who are rejecting everything that they were taught just to be rebellious. They simply cannot see why any noble heir would willingly cast aside their birthright to do the peasants' jobs for them. These nobles, having lived long lives under the former status quo, emerged from the The War of the Wendigoes with the simple desire for their pre-War lives back. The Ex-Patricians, many having grown up during the War, have seen first-hand that these paradigms are what led to the War happening in the first place, something their elders are unwilling to accept.
Despite all this, some have come to understand and even praise the Ex-Patricians. The younger generation does not view the casting off of titles as a shameful thing; rather, they see it as an incredible heroic sacrifice. Even some more progressive-minded elders have come to admire what the Ex-Patricians are doing. Together, they work to make the world a better place.
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