THE OLD LIGHTS AND THE NEW LIGHTS
As Solstitheo and Edelith entered major transitional phases in the Great Schism and the Wake of Steel, two distinct societal classes entered the picture as populations shifted to be more centralized towards the capital. These two classes, known as the Old Lights "Old Nobility" and the New Lights "New Nobility", was the leading divide that caused the hierarchy of power in Edelith to totally change.
As Solstitheo emerged as a small empire in its nascent era, the Old Lights solidified themselves as the upper class. They were centralized within rising cities such as Edelith and worked together with the High Priestess' auguring for a prosperous future under her preachings. Their main contributions in Edelith were the founding of Sköllarium University, the transformation of Edelith into an industrial and mercantile metropolis with developments in the Edelith Gothitas peninsula and the Western Fringe, the construction of the interlacing canals that characterize these regions, and the supermassive utopian project known as in the Umbra. Their identity as the superior class in Solstitheo for multiple generations made this class quite receptive to the followings of Solidaritus, Partinax, and Totarash. Though, their allegiance lay most with the lineage of High Priestesses, becoming close confidants in the governance of the nation.
The New Lights, by contrast, were the wealth-seeking noble class that consolidated to the more metropolitan areas following during the Rondolian Movement and later, as a result of the Great Schism and the Wake of Steel. This new set of nobility hailed from the agrarian lands of Edelith mostly towards the south and even abroad in the Septentrional Expanse and the Neapean Seas. Upon their establishment as part of Solstitheo and furthermore Edelith's upper ranks, there was much pushback by the Old Lights keeping their grasp over the system. Thus, as both classes were in clear view with one another in the Western Fringe, a covetous divide emerged as New Lights attempted to exert more influence against the Old Lights. But, towards the end of the Rondolian Movement and the start of the Fermanian Movement, this conflict was fought in silence as New Lights brought new innovations into Edelith such as a revolution in glyph application, mechanical automation, and the Flaresnare System. Their foreign roots shifted a worship to Partinax, Annuatera, Hiebrief, or a pagan deity. However, a clear distinction with their conduct was a looser interpretation of the High Priestess' authority, a conflict that would eventually spur the Great Schism.
In the current, stagnant movement of Edelith and grander Solstitheo, the New Lights have seemingly won out in the end. Most New Light, including those whom arrived during or after the Wake of Steel, now entirely comprise the Western Fringe or have begun ventures in the emerging city-states of New Arvegum, The Sootstrick Borough, or the Ardeat Citadel. Meanwhile, the Old Lights have mostly retreated from their foundations, with few remaining in mainland Edelith. Most, if not all, have descended into the drained sea of the Umbra and have barred the New Lights from entering. With transportation and contact with the Umbra being severed for many cycles now, the fate of many Old Light families are unknown.
