11.27. 24: World-Building
Hello everyone. Today has been a very productive day, even if all I have done was focused on the economy of Blood & Stardust. I count these little world-building snippets as part of outlining my books (fan fiction). It's a big part of fleshing out a world as it sets social classes, and I'm very excited with the direction it is taking.
With that said, more details are under the cut.
Author’s Commentary:
Today, I spent a significant time refining the economic structure within Blood & Stardust. This process involved clarifying how power, privilege, and wealth function in the world, especially as it relates to characters like Sephiroth, Bianca, and, even brief characters that I have mentioned. I focused on drawing distinctions between the lower classes and the elites, examining how their conflicting desires shape their decisions. By exploring this tension, I wanted to give myself a deeper understanding of how wealth and status doesn't always equal contentment.
I also worked on further developing my personal headcanon for Sephiroth and his internal conflict regarding his 'privilege' position at Shinra as the Golden Boy of SOLDIER. This required shifting his perspective to seeing his comfort as chains that keep him tied to very corporation that he is loyal to but is coming to resent. This conflict adds a complexity to his character, allowing me to explore themes of power, corruption, and autonomy in a more nuance way when it comes to such an iconic character.
Finally, I spent time shaping the way Bianca navigates her place within the economy of Blood & Stardust. Her experiences with the CEO Mordecai and the SOLDIER Sephiroth illustrates her own struggle with luxury and instability.
Snippets from Today:
Lower Class: The Lower Class consists of individuals who live paycheck to paycheck or rely on low-wage jobs. While they may not experience the extreme poverty seen in the Least Resources group, they still struggle to afford a comfortable lifestyle and tend to be marginalized, with limited access to upward mobility. They have limited financial resources, often owning their homes or renting, but are unlikely to have significant savings or assets. Their finances usually only cover basic living expenses, leaving little room for luxuries. Housing is typically in older or less desirable neighborhoods, and food is basic, while clothing and personal items are of lower quality compared to higher classes. Though their standard of living may be adequate, it is far from luxurious. Individuals in the Lower Class face challenges such as job insecurity, limited career opportunities, and a lack of access to quality education or healthcare. They may also experience social stigma and discrimination. However, they benefit from strong community ties, with neighbors helping one another, and may have access to government assistance or social services, albeit often limited or inconsistent.
Sephiroth: Sephiroth’s economic background was shaped by Shinra’s investment in him as both a military asset and a propaganda tool. As the face of SOLDIER, he was provided with a luxurious lifestyle to project an image of strength and success that would attract recruits. This included a plush apartment, access to top-tier amenities, and other symbols of privilege. However, these resources were never truly his own; they were part of Shinra’s control and manipulation, tying him to the corporation’s agenda. Despite the outward comforts, Sephiroth grew to resent these amenities, seeing them as gilded chains that reinforced his role as a pawn in Shinra's grand design.
Bianca Moore: Bianca’s economic background was marked by constant instability and hardship. Forced into a life on the run after her family's tragedy, she and David moved frequently, struggling to survive and relying on odd jobs and limited resources. This unstable existence left Bianca with little formal education and a deep-seated drive to forge her own path, ultimately finding success as an author while carrying the emotional scars of her turbulent upbringing.
Bianca’s economic background took a significant turn for the better when she married Mordecai Delacroix, the CEO of Dark Light Publishing. With his wealth and resources, she experienced stability for the first time, living comfortably in a luxurious villa in Tuscany for six years. This period of prosperity marked a stark contrast to her nomadic past, though her journey eventually led her to the world of Final Fantasy VII, where new challenges awaited and those luxuries are ripped away from her.
Lower Middle Class Hojo’s Assistants / Other Scientists
Character Influence: Characters in this class are caught between aspirations of success and the harsh limitations imposed by their economic position. While they are educated and skilled, they are still largely controlled by more powerful figures. Their internal conflict often revolves around ambition versus loyalty, as they may aspire to rise above their station but are constrained by the corrupt systems they work within, like Shinra’s exploitation. Hojo’s assistants, for example, are often faced with ethical dilemmas, knowing the atrocities they are involved in, yet lacking the power or autonomy to escape.
Relationships: Relationships here tend to be transactional and hierarchical. These characters may try to form alliances or friendships based on mutual benefit, but there is always an undercurrent of control and subordination. Their interactions with higher-ups like Hojo or other Shinra officials may be marked by fear or ingratiation, while their relationships with those in the lower classes are often patronizing, seeing them as inferior but necessary to achieving their goals.
Plot Influence: While not directly at the forefront of the plot, this group plays a key role in advancing the story’s exploration of the corrupt corporate and scientific systems. The actions of Hojo’s assistants, for instance, contribute to the experimentation and atrocities that drive much of the plot, and their internal conflict can serve as a way to highlight the moral decay of Shinra’s operations.
Symbolism/Theme: The lower middle class represents the theme of compromise and the loss of autonomy. They are the "middle men" in a corrupt system, trapped between their ambitions and the moral costs of their work. They also embody the theme of exploitation, showing how even educated individuals are often constrained by economic and corporate power.
