Highguard lineage and species attitudes

Highguard is not a welcoming nation to the non-human. In the crudest and simplest of terms, they are perceived as being irrational and spiritually poor. At best, they need continual guidance from the truly human, and at worst they are a danger to the growth and stability of the Empire as a whole. Those who would embrace Virtue must continually resist the siren call of their blood, urging them with every breath to fall to the corruption of their lineage.

Those with Lineage are treated with suspicion until they have proved themselves, and even then most Highborn will regard them with vigilance in case of deception or backsliding. Their semi-Eternal nature requires they be subject to scrutiny, and may affect their ability to reason, but it is broadly accepted that – if they make the effort and receive support – their human potential may in the end overcome their inborn disadvantage. Some rare individuals of lineage whose humanity has overthrown their eternal taint are celebrated as Exemplars, and upheld as inspirational tales of how the human spirit can conquer anything – though usually only after the Exemplar is dead, to ensure he doesn’t disgrace himself at the last minute.

Orcs and other non-humans are judged more harshly. Their inability to use liao casts doubt over their ability to reincarnate, and so it is considered impossible for them to meaningfully embrace the Imperial Faith. This makes them less than human in the eyes of many Highborn.

The issue of Imperial Orcs is a thorny one in Highguard. The Highborn Senators were united in opposing the admittance of orcs into the Empire, and called on the Synod to veto the move when they were defeated in the Senate. Today, some Highborn are inclined to treat them charitably for making the effort to be civilised, whilst others maintain a traditional attitude of contempt and hostility. Very few have any enthusiasm for seeing the orcs gain further power and influence within the Empire. As long as the orcs are seen to embrace Imperial values, there is little their Highborn critics can do beyond providing the voice of caution – it seems inevitable that in the end, the orcs will undermine the strength of the Empire either as part of a long-term treachery, or simply by diluting the traditions which have formed and sustained its greatness.