[EdinSumar]

But my thinking? Knowing that the guy/girl I am belittling might become an all powerful Red perhaps even the very next day? I'd sure as heck mind my manners. :)

Yeah, this is generally what keeps the respectful ones respectful. Those with a little bit of power, knowledge and who frankly care very little for egomaniac Apprentices usually know that less than one in a hundred actually succeed, and it most probably won't be the ones who are stupid enough to treat everyone around them like tools before their station permits it.

Quite a few show respect to Apprentices, but outright supplication is just not something that comes their way unless a person believe they can score in the future because of it, the person is just naturally submissive, or the person has no idea about just how expendable Apprentices are to their masters and Thay in general. Those people who are neither of those things understand that in most cases, the loudest and most brazen of Apprentices won't survive anyways, and as such should not be paid much heed if something more important comes up.

A big part of the Apprentice position is -all about- proving oneself humble (to the appropriate degree) and devious enough to make it far. Those who go all power hungry at the Apprentice stage flunk the test. Theres probably quite a few "hidden tests" created by masters specifically to see how Apprentices deal with un-cooperative higher ups in other factions when they do not have the support of their master. Getting angry and declaring how powerful you one day will be is a sure way to fail the test.

Some thoughts.

- Edin