The State of Zhao
迪斯托里亞 – 趙國

A Brief History of the Past Centuries

Nearly 500 years have passed since the dissolution of the Distorian Empire. Since then, Warlords, more commonly known as Jūnfá, have taken over the lands of Distoria. As the Jūnfá fought among each other for power -  war, chaos, and famine ravaged their lands. Soon, their own names and accomplishments would be lost to the annals of history as they brought upon their own destruction. Exhausted from the ceaseless conflict, the remaining warlords decided to seclude themselves for centuries. Conquest among the fractured Distorian states would have to wait.

Return of the Warlords

The Lands of Arcas have brought the rise and fall of many civilizations. With war raging in the North amongst the Orenian Empire and the Alliance of Independent States, many Farfolk have retreated to the South to seek refuge. With that, the re-emergence of many Farfolk states has begun. From the Sheikhdom of Al-Faiz, to the Medri Negasi of Seyam, and finally the Warlords of Distoria have begun to herald their presence once more.

The first to establish their name was the Zhao family. Staking their claim upon the deserted ruins of Llyria, the construction of their town would have begun. Seeking to unite the Farfolks, the Zhao family, led by Zhao Yun, have sought to develop relations with neighboring Farfolk communities. 

Culture

Virtues
 

Lifestyle
 

Family
 

Attitude to Others
 

Food
 

Thank you for your time.
謝謝
(XieXie)

-={ Nakama’s Harvest Festival }=-

In celebration of the approaching harvesting season his lordship, the Daimyo, announces to his people the holding of a great festival to begin the season. In order to ensure a properly wealthy harvest respect must first be paid to the Spirit of Nakama. As the founder of Nakamachi and teacher of the farming techniques that enable us today, Nakama is responsible for all our success and it is the wish of the Daimyo that we honor him.

WHEN:

At the end of this elven week.

(Saturday the 7th at 3est)

WHERE:

The Village of Nakamachi

WHO:

-All residents of Nakamachi

-Our friends, the elves of Haelun’or

-Any and all spectators and well-wishing visitors

-={ Traveler’s Guide to Reaching Nakamachi }=-

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To find the road leading to Nakamachi, you must first follow the signs from Cloud Temple to Haelun’or

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Once reaching this intersection, follow the sign labelled “Nakamachi”, the left path away from Haelun’or

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Continue down that path until reaching this smaller sign, then take that left and you will arrive to Nakamachi.

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Thank you for visitng!

Founded the 13th of Sun’s Smile, 1731

- Introduction -

The 1st Regiment of the Barony of Rafal was founded by its current Marshal Owyn of House Marna. It is the main guard force of the Barony and issued and confirmed by Her Ladyship Josephine Philippa of House Marna, Baroness of Rafal. 

The job of the Regiment is to enforce the laws of the Barony, protect its citizens and those of Her Ladyship’s House, and to assist those to a fro the Barony.

The Marshal of Rafal leading his troops on a patrol around the Barony.

- Ranks of the Regiment -

The Baroness of Rafal

The Baron of Rafal, as head of the ruling government of the land, is the head of the military in the position of a figure head. Any honors and rewards are presented by the Baroness, along with absolute authority on any decisions made regarding the military.

Marshal

The role of the Marshal is to serve the Baroness of Rafal and to ensure discipline is enforced throughout the ranks of the Army. The Marshal is the backbone of structure in the Army. If the responsibilities of the lesser ranks cannot be fulfilled it is the job of the Marshal to complete said tasks. The Marshal’s word and orders are final only to be undermined by the Baroness.

Ensign

The duty of an Ensign is to be the right hand of the Marshal and to further enforce the orders through the ranks. If the Marshal is to be slain or incapacitated for any reason, it is the job and duty for an Ensign to take control of the Army until the Marshal returns or a new one is appointed. They are also in charge of the logistics of the Army.

Sergeant

Tasked with recruitment to the Army and training those who are unprepared for the life as a bannerman of the Barony. Their duties include holding trainings, expeditions and rallies.

Corporal

Seen as the ‘helping hand’ to the Sergeants and Ensigns. They are not tasked with many responsibilities as many of them are still fresh to the Army. The jobs of a Corporal is to aid those of the Low-Command in need. 

Footman

The standard rank for those who enlist in the Army. It is the lowest ranking soldier in the Barony’s military. They are the core of the Army’s soldiers and must listen to those ranked higher them.

[!] A form is attached below!

Do you seek a place in the 1st Regiment of Rafal? Send a letter to the Lord Marshal (CommissarFish/Fish#5175) or the Baroness (JoelTheGinger/JoelTheGinger#6175) to inform us of your interest!

The Free Barony of Rafal

Est. 8^th of Sun’s Smile, 1731

On this day, the 8^th of Sun’s Smile in the year 1731,  Josephine Philippa Marna hereby establishes her lands as the Free Barony of Rafal, a free frontier in the eastern reaches of Arcas. 

With this declaration and establishment, the Free Barony does hereby adopt the ‘Rights of Man’. These basic rights of humanity were ushered in by the late Emperor Joseph of Marna.

The Rights of Man

• THE RIGHT TO LIFE, so no man will ever be taken to the Skies so soon.
• THE RIGHT TO LIBERTY, so no man will ever be bonded by the shackles of slavery.
• THE RIGHT TO TRIAL, so no man will ever be wrongly accused when not charged by a trial of their peers.

Seeking Council and Citizens

Chamberlain – An individual capable of aiding the Free Barony of Rafal in managing the day-to-day functions of the barony itself.

Marshal – An individual capable of maintaining a small garrison to ensure the protection and safety of those residing within the lands of the Free Barony of Rafal

Farmhands – Individuals capable of managing all the agricultural needs of the Free Barony of Rafal, including the trading of crops to allied settlements.

Master of Beasts – An individual capable of tending and caring for the livestock and horses within the Free Barony of Rafal.

Courtiers and Citizens – Individuals seeking a home or shelter, away from the troubles of other human settlements. Able to seek their own ambitions and purpose within the Free Barony of Rafal as they so desire.

OOC Information

Daimyo

“Die-me-yo”

The Daimyo is the ruling noble of the Shinrin and is the sole figure to whom both the warrior and non-warrior classes owe their allegiance. The title typically follows the style of agnatic primogeniture, meaning that the firstborn male heir of the sitting Daimyo is destined to assume the role one day upon the death of his father.

Councilor

Those the Daimyo selects to run the general affairs of the province sit upon the Daimyo’s Council, earning them the simple rank of Councilor. Typically assigned to one aspect of the society or another, the Councilor’s job is to ensure the day to day running of the province proceeds in a manner that is satisfactory to the wishes and goals of the Daimyo.

Samurai

Traditionally the standing Samurai of the Shinrin swear loyalty to their Daimyo, pledging their lives to the protection and service of the Daimyo and his family. These warriors serve without expectation or reward, seeing it as their honorbound duty to carry out the wishes of their Daimyo or die trying.

Ashigaru

In times of war, it may be the desire of the Daimyo to hire soldiers from the peasantry to bolster the ranks of his army. These paid soldiers are given the title of Ashigaru, holding it only so long as the Daimyo preserves the state of war. Should such a conflict conclude, the Ashigaru are discharged from their paid service.

Peasantry

The vast majority of the Shinrin may be classified as farming peasantry or as artisans and merchants. Those holding such a ranking have the honor of working with the land and nature or else serving the Daimyo.

The Shinrin are a very spiritual people, living their lives based on a code of honor in reverence to a variety of spirits they view as responsible for everything in their lives. In some cases, it has become the practice to acknowledge certain spirits as those of great ancestors who were the personification of something while they were alive and so must be responsible for it in death. An example of this might be a woman who dedicated all her time to keeping her garden pristine and productive. In death, this spirit may be prayed to for growth and prosperity of gardens.

Nakama

[Major Spirit]

The elders of the Shinrin tell of a great ancestor known only as Nakama who was once a simple Shinrin himself. Known to be relatively tall and dark of hair, Nakama bore a fair yet weathered countenance with piercing forest green eyes. During the Time of Wandering, Nakama traveled the lands with a smaller caravan of shinrin which included his family and a number of clans who, at the time, were understandably minor in the greater Shinrin society. As the story goes, they wandered one day into a great valley penned in on three sides by vast, towering mountain ranges. Coming to rest on a hill overlooking a lake, later dubbed Heiwa, surrounded by lush trees and sprawling fields of flowers, Nakama said only that it would be a fine place to die. With that he and the caravan settled down in their camp and slowly but surely began to build huts, homes, and finally that which would come to be known as Nakama’s Rest, the seat of the Daimyo.

Remarkably gifted in a number of arts and styles, Nakama would begin to instruct the Shinrin of the province in the ways of farming, fishing, and care of the earth itself. Under his tutelage, the bare fields would fill with numerous crops and the gardens of the Shinrin would bud and bloom with every color imaginable. Through his instruction a deep love and understanding of the earth and its nature became the cultural normality for the people of the forest.

In his seemingly infinite wisdom, Nakama foresaw that peace and love of nature was only half of a fulfilled way of life, he began to educate those who desired to learn in the way of the blade and the path of the Samurai. Entrusting his lieutenants with a strict code of honor, the society of the Shinrin began to take on dual aspects. The samurai grew warlike, yet peace-loving, and culturally and artistically profound, yet still mindful of fighting. By observing Nakama’s code of honor, the Shinrin would further enter into their age of newfound prosperity in a blooming of art and culture alongside the perfection of swordplay and a direction of honorable action.

The epitome of faith and honor, Nakama led the Shinrin into an age of settled tranquility, art, and growth. The Shinrin were both peaceful and warlike, naturally inclined and commanding of that nature, artistically and culturally advanced yet rooted to their origins. Looking on all he had helped to build, he saw that it was good and that he could rest. Naming a successor to carry on the leadership of the Shinrin through the title of Daimyo, he departed the village in a simple wooden canoe bound for the island in the center of the lake. At his final destination he would simply lay down in the grass and die without struggle or pain, and over the course of the next week the sapling of a great tree would sprout from his chest, growing into a mighty and powerful force of nature.

It is to this awesome and legendary figure that the Shinrin primarily dedicate their meditation and prayer in the hopes that the powerful spirit may grant them long life, prosperous growth, and eternal peace.

 Oba Takeo

[Minor Spirit]

Long ago the Shinrin were known to be a traveling, nomadic people. Traveling from forest to forest and grotto to grotto, they enjoyed peaceful communion with nature. It was in one of these overgrown grottos that they set up camp one day, building fires in the middle of the clearing and roasting bits of game they had caught on their travels. The thick black smoke of their fires traveled upward through the trees where a long, green-scaled dragon lay perched asleep. Awaking with a start, its roar shook the trees as it sprung from the branches and down to the ground. With the sudden quake of the earth, a slide of earth buried the entrance to the grotto and sealed the Shinrin inside it.

When the sudden surprise of the dragon’s arrival had passed, and the creature itself realized it was in no immediate harm, the Shinrin and the creature stood off on either side of the clearing. With a deep, intelligent voice the dragon would speak to them, condemning their entrance to his grotto and saying it was only just that they were now sealed within. It was then that a lone figure stepped forward from the group, his hand on his blade. Oba Takeo, a samurai in service to the group’s elder, spoke words of challenge to the beast which the dragon gladly accepted.

Drawing his blade, the two rushed forward at one another. Ducking blows and sending his blade streaking across the scales of the dragon, the samurai fought for what seemed like hours against the dragon before finally his blade met the beast’s throat. With the blade hovering a mere inch above the creature’s exposed, scaleless neck, the dragon ceased fighting, accepting defeat and waiting for Oba to end his life. Drawing back his blade, the great warrior spoke words of mercy whereupon the dragon echoed his words and pledged his loyalty to the honorable samurai. Shifting the earth from the exit of the grotto, the dragon would free the Shinrin and allow them to leave in peace.

It is said that at his passing many years later, the faint echo of roars could be heard from the furthest reaches of the land as if the green dragon, still loyal to the one who bested him, were reverently mourning the passing of Oba.

The warriors of the Shinrin will often make offerings and pray to the spirit of Oba Takeo, asking for strength in arms and honor in combat. Every decade on the supposed anniversary of the great battle, a large celebration is often held in settlements of the Shinrin, memorializing his skill, his honor, and his mercy.

Kurata Mari

[Minor Spirit]

One of the first Shinrin who settled in Nakamachi, Kurata began as a simple metal worker as the necessity for a supplier of farm tools grew. When the samurai of the village began making requests to him for weapons and armor, he would be seen working day and night seemingly without stopping, sometimes for days at a time, before unveiling some of the finest craftsmanship the Shinrin had ever seen. His crowning achievement, and what would make him the primary spirit to pray to for smiths, is the nameless set of blades and armor he gifted to Nakama before his passing. Though the pieces haven’t seen use in centuries, they are still said to be kept in pristine condition beneath Nakama’s Rest.

This post is laid out with the goal of better defining several cultural points of the Shinrin that might be a bit more obscure or unclear. Additionally, the culture itself is intentionally bare bones so that it can be developed in character depending on how things carry on.

General Culture

“Shinrin” meaning Forest.

The culture of the Shinrin can most aptly be compared to that of the ancient samurai. Guided by their code of conduct and their dedication to the different spirits they perceive as integral to their way of life, the Shinrin are a people driven by honor and spiritual dedication. With a strict hierarchy bound to a ruling lord, the Shinrin may often be found training or else practicing various arts in the form of painting, music, and gardening.

Language of the Shinrin

While the Shinrin may have originally maintained a distinctly different language from Common, their extensive period as a nomadic people forced them to adapt their tongue in order to more easily commune with those they came across in their travels. This would all but obliterate their original language from common use, even evolving so far as to cause the loss of accents when speaking common. In present times the only remnant of their original language would be that of a number of titles in the hierarchy of the society or other similarly rare examples. 

For example:

“The duty of a Samurai is to his lord, the Daimyo.”

Gender Opinions and Position in Society

Just as the Shinrin a shifting in their language over the years, they also had a rather large shift in their perception of women and their roles in society. Originally a male oriented society, the Time of Wandering would have the effect of forcing a greater reliance on women to take over many of the necessary roles. Over time this reliance on women would come to generate a certain degree of respect and eventual acceptance as equals in all things. While it would have been unheard of for a woman to become a Samurai prior to this transition, it is now nearly commonplace, and it is even acceptable for women to occupy positions on the Daimyo’s Council.

Racial Prejudices and Acceptance

Since the old times of the Shinrin, it has been generally acknowledged that the Shinrin have few issues with other races. Typically those who were not Shinrin were welcome to visit Shinrin settlements, though they were very rarely welcome to live there. There have certainly been rare cases of this occurrence but only in cases where the newcomers have proven capable of replicating the Shinrin way of life.

Code of Honor

(When in doubt: Bushido)

Rectitude or Justice

Rectitude is one’s ability to decide on a course of action and conduct in line with reason. “To die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right.”

Courage

A virtue of exercising rectitude given that doing so is for the purposes of righteousness.

Mercy

To fight and kill is an action of ease. To not do so is far more difficult. One who practices love, sympathy, and pity exudes traits of benevolence, that which all Shinrin must aspire towards.

Politeness

Courtesy, rooted in benevolence and mercy, is an expression of the regard for the feelings of others.

Honesty and Sincerity

Wealth and money, to those who follow the code, are items of distaste. For the accumulation of wealth is the root of greed and menace to those of practical wisdom.

Honor

The word of a Shinrin is everything to them. Their self worth and respect to their own is reflected in their unwavering honor. So much so that dishonor to one’s self is an act that can only be resolved by their lives given.

Loyalty

One of the strongest tenets of the Shinrin is that above all things to be observed is one’s loyalty to their Daimyo. They are utterly devoted to their fidelity to their lords and their given word.

Character and Self-Control

It is taught that all Shinrin shall hold themselves to an absolute standard. Regardless of the actions or attitude of other races or creeds, the Shinrin will never lower themselves to a baser way of being in reaction.

Law and Justice of the Vale of Eretine.

The Legal Jurisdiction of the Realm is restricted to the areas specifically contained within, or under the direct influence of, the Vale. Legal Jurisdiction by dictation of the Autarch of the Radiant and their council, in all cases supersedes the jurisprudence of the Archlands of the Vale, and its Subsidiaries.

“All are created equal.

Some cannot prove this.”

-A.L Sunlight, XIV.

1.1 Justice

   I. Justice is the ideal that every man must be rendered what he is due, to both defendant and prosecuted in due process of law.

       A. Jurisprudence is the knowledge of all things Divine and Mortal, as well as the Sciences of the Just and the Unjust.

      B. The exposition of Law shall apply to all men, women, and races whom are citizens of the Vale.

      C. Palatinate Law defines what it is to live honestly, to hurt none without cause, and to give all is due.

      D. Noncitizens of the Vale are not liable to the same rights and protections as a citizen if accused of a crime as defined Palatinate law.

1.2 Right of Personage

All Law relates to Persons, Things, or Actions. It is improbable that all men shall be defined beneath one Law, yet it is the Palatinate maxim that we must know the persons for whom Law was written and constructed. The chief division in all rights of peerage, is that men are free, or not.

   I. Slavery is defined as the ownership, domestication, or indentured servitude of non-elven or non-human races.

    A. Slavery as defined in section 1.2.1 is not permitted within the borders of the region of the Archlands regardless of the citizenship of the owner or guardian of said slave. A slave to a foreign nation who is a noncitizen of the Vale is liable to be returned to their aforementioned nation.

     B. The sale, trade, barter, or gift of a slave within the borders of the Valeis barred and considered punishable by law.

   II. Freedom is defined as the natural power and authority to behave as is considered natural to a person within the parameters of law and due order.

     A. All Vale citizens are considered to possess freedom and all it entails as a citizen of the Vale.

  III. A person is considered Indigenous who is free from the moment of birth, being born in Matrimony of parents who have been born, or previously set free. If the mother is a free individual, then the child birthed is to be considered free, and a member of the palatinate-technocracy of the Vale of Eretine.

     A. When a Man has been born free in the Palatinate, he does not cease to be indigenous. If a Citizen of the Vale is enslaved by some matter of prejudice or enfranchisement, the man in question shall be set free by the Jurisprudence of Palatinate Law.

  IV. Those who are Not Independent, yet possessing of Freedom in limited form, is considered a major importance to the Law and Rights of Person and Peerage. It is to be considered that there are those who are subject to the powers of others, but remain Independent in the legal writ of the Law. Of those, some are in the Power of Parents, Masters, Wardens and Husbands.

    A. But, at the present initiation of the Law, no singular Legate subject may use unrestrained violence towards their warded, or other subjects, except for a reason that is to be recognized by Jurisprudence. The power of masters over their subjects ought to be preserved, but none should misuse their own property. However, it is for the best interest of all Masters themselves, that relief prayed on good grounds against cruelty, a denial of sustenance, or any other intolerable injury, is subject to investigation and punishment under Palatinate Jurisprudence.

   V. Considering the Power of Parents, it is the case that Children who are begotten in a lawful marriage, are in the ultimate power of these parents.

      A. Marriage or Matrimony is the binding of Man and Woman to live in an Indivisible Union beneath the eyes of Gods and Men.

      B. The child born to you and your wife is in your power. Such is the son of the child born to your son’s wife,- that being your grandson or granddaughter, as this is with all descendants of the son. However, a child born of your daughter is not in your authority to control, but rather in the power of its own father.

  VI. Citizens may be bound together in lawful matrimony when they are united according to law, and by a Priest of the respected Pantheon, Lord of a House, or Captain of a Seafaring Vessel. In this case, the males must have attained the age of puberty, and the females a marriageable age, whether they are fathers or sons of a family. But, of the latter they must first obtain the consent of their father, in whose power they legally reside below. For both natural reason, and the Law this consent is required, so much so indeed that if consent of the Parents of both Son and Daughter are not acquired, then the marriage is legally annulled upon its consummation.

    A. All women may not be married without distinction. As such, with some, marriage is forbidden. Marriage cannot be contracted between two individuals who are similar to one another in the relation of ascendant and descendant, as between a father and daughter, a grandfather and granddaughter, a mother or son, a grandmother and grandson, an aunt and nephew, and so on- ad infinitum.

     B. All speciations of women may not be married without distinction. As such, marriage is forbidden with races that are deemed to be below the race of the initiating male. In the case where the parents do not forbid the marriage, Law forbids the marriage by writ of jurisprudence. In this case, races such as (of any Degree), Elven, Half-Elven (of any Degree), Human, ad etcetera, may under no circumstance marry any of the races such as Beastkin (of any Degree), Orc, or Dark Altered Races.

   VII. A Man may under no circumstance marry the daughter of a brother or a sister, nor the granddaughter of a brother or sister, despite the fact that she may be separated by the fourth degree. Equally so, there is legal impediment to the marriage of a daughter, granddaughter, ad infinitum of a woman whom has been adopted into the family by your father, grandfather, or any other ascendant, ad infinitum.

Henceforth, what shall be declared as 'Tier One Crimes' will be the following:

- Public disturbance

- Vandalism

- Vigilantism

- Slandering the nobility/guard

- Impersonation

- Fistfights

- Physical assault or uncalled-for brawling

In addition to such, clarification upon 'Tier Two Crimes' are what follows:

- Illegal weapon possession; as to what weapons are illegal are to be left up to the current ruling state official(s).

- Illegal armour possession; same rules from the first are to apply.

- Illegal Wizardry or 'Summoning' without granted permission from the ruling governance.

- Slandering the rule of the governing body.

- Physical assault on official statesmen or any politically-affiliated individual.

And, thusly, what is considered to be of the highest of criminal acts 'Tier Three Crimes' are categorized with:

- Physical assault on any appointed noble figure or designated individual charged with an authoritative position within the Clan of Lothryne, Atmorice, Tundrak, or the Elysians of  the High Council.

- Murder.

- Using one's affliction, either by lycanthrope or vampyric means, to evade capture or to cause any one citizen harm or misfortune.

- Feeding the Strigae curse by means of involuntarily consuming the blood of any one citizen of the idyllic, elysian realm; criminals are exempt.

- Conspiracy against the state; be it supportive of the enemy during wartime or lending information to a potential outside or internal threat.

- General treason; something which is able to be determined by appointed consul or official.

The following is what can be expected as a just punishments for each tier of crimes:

'Tier One Crimes':

- Warnings.

- Fines.

- Light incarceration.

- Mild beatings.

'Tier Two Crimes':

- Public beatings.

- Public flogging.

- Branding.

- Extended incarceration.

'Tier Three Crimes':

- If or Dark Magic Altered; brutalization and treatment as an animal.

- Execution (Under express orders of the ruling governance.)

- Maiming (Under express orders of the ruling governance.)

- Even more extended incarnerations.

Signed,

Lord-Archmage of the Sacrosanct Vale, Auriel of Lothryne

In it’s earliest stages, they were subject to battering rains aswell as arrow shot from hills and delves by the earlist, ancient denizens, leading to harsh days; but strong, unending resolve: this further resulted in the necessity to build the citadel.

General information:

Eretine, or coloquially - The State of Arcane, is a fledgling state created from a need and a desire by the united peoples in the races of, elves, dwarves, humans, to found a home and a state to centralize those demographics and stop the assimilation and gradual disappearance of their various culture and customs, leading to cultural enrichment, a degree of pursuits in that of a magically enriched society, so on and so forth.

It is a state born with a common goal of unity and with aspirations for cultural development and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, as well as riches, and a beautiful future for their kith and kin. It’s often known for enjoying unifications and trade, often extending offers with smiles and peace attached- The Realm recognize the authority and sovereignty of the other ‘factions’ over the known world in Arcas, and willingly abide by their cultures if visiting or on business.

Born at first from a small group of elves, humans, and and some outlandish dwarves, it expanded its population through extra-racial communications, and eventually was able to secure the purchase of the now-derelict ruined machinations of an ancient outpost making it the centerpiece of the lands in Arcas. The Realm recognizes the authority and sovereignty of the other ‘factions’ over the known world in Arcas, and willingly abide by their cultures if visiting or on business.

Geographical Information:

The sweeping dunes, hills and delves of the Vale are covered in thick smog at times, often allowing for chilly mornings, sunlit afternoons and cold nights. The forges along the streets of the tall peaks of the city-state. Under the moonlit isle, large fungal structures act as guardians to the unsuspecting of the wilderness as unseen creatures rest in the night, following their natural patterns as one does as a primal creature. The slime pools that derive from the isles mounds fall shortly around the lands, sometimes one swears they see a nymph in the distance following them, bathing. A folklore.

In broad daylight, the vale is covered in a beautiful tinge of pink pallored light that falls beautifully on the meadows that make it; a crescendo of energy falls over the isle as it were; saturated with Vaudan. The once seemingly inhospitable, a haven for the studiously inclined. The weather to the far east or west is often in the form of typhoons that rarely ever get close enough to the isle or any of it’s major parts, however; from the south, light amounts of flooding happen throughout the carbon-rich slime pools, causing dissolution and spreading of the faint smells of metal and roses that come from them.

The Vale
 

Culture:

In the land of Arcas, vibrant colors and merchantile superiority is at a height, with their hand extending all across the realm of Arcas, and possibly even beyond. With the families of the various races reeling after the Great War, the garrisons have returned, starting families and caring to their own. Fathers buried their sons and sons buried their fathers: but the resolute mind of the peoples of the realm were unable to faulter and so came an era of dreams and prosperity; of chivalry and heroism.

It is oft seen that men and women in the realm bare clothing of regal design, rich or poor; the peoples do their best to be presentable and due to their low count, they can manage this with ease. The military on the other hand conditions day and night at times during uneased, tense times: baring gambeson imbued of chain all the way to real, formed coat of plates. Headwear ranging from tea-hats to berets and hoods-  helmets though rarely; it is not unheard of.

Shoulder-cloaks and accenting belts are not uncommon within the Vale and are typically outfitted with sheathes by soldiery, making modifications to their clothing, as they are all often able to outfit themselves as they sit, being free soldiers after all and not bound to ordinate groups; they are not born for war. They are bred to defend their city.

Women do the same typically and bare that of frilly dresses known best to be accented by corsettes or a large amount of belts; for a woman to be unsavorily-dressed within the lands is not at all common, meaning they typically find the work of an escortante to be either entertaining, or it is simply something they take pride in. It is vice versa for a man who is underdressed finding themselves to be a jester or otherwise.

Religiously speaking, the reigning individuals of which during the war had a somewhat wavering history with the Gods, depending on which particular Patriarch. While Vaudan had a much broader view of the Gods as well as holding all others in the perpetuated pantheon in high regard, so as to refrain from any unnecessary crusade, having the foresight to guage such. Most chalk it up to an all-father archetype where others see it as far more deep.

Fashion:

Fashion in the free society changes depending on the purpose of the attire. They generally have two kinds of outfit for when they are out in public, though being in the privacy of their home it is entirely up to the individual preference, lace often being worn in the household. On the other hand, elegant, sometimes extravagant formal attire for events and festivals, and then every-day attire for work, which is far more made for practicality.

Fabrics range from hemp for the poorer branch of the free people, whilst silks and lace are valued by the upper classes. Linen and woolen garments are also desired, where leather is more common for working so as to not dirty ones finer outfits. Corsets are found on occasion if only to keep the blouses they wear fitted to their form or simply for comfort, being seen as an attractive piece in any feminine outfit. Often adorned with jewellery and gems, including headdresses, as well as the application of makeup if families can afford it to accentuate the eyes or bosom. For the most part, heeled shoes are commonplace, but boots have taken some precedent before.
 

It is of note that Free Peoples are not afraid of showing skin like some cultures. Loose, flowing gowns or more fitted and minimal - Clothing that reveals shoulders, arms and chest are not frowned upon in Eretine, though if you turn up to work in it then you’re an idiot and you shall be told so. Jewellery is often a sign of wealth, though more in the higher ladies than most of society. Head pieces adorned with gems, circlets,

Festivities:

Blessing of the Corona, Patron Day of the Vaudan-

Commonly known as a blessing of ones own self, a weapon, or their crafts, prior to the New Year and any Solstice, this event is rare even for these folks as partying and dancing is already common place. Though this is a means to pledge allegiance once again to not only the Vaudan, if one is devout,, but the ragnarok and it’s never-ending might. Magic shows are often held, to which a feast is held soon after with freshly hunted game; often wild turkey, or at times, baked goods.even belts can be found to be tailored to a more fashionable degree; being seen as a call-back to the Lady.

Government:

The Court of the Arcane is ruled by an autocrat over high lords composed of the High Magister, the Lord Protector and the permanently vacant Speaker, which is the host of the Divines; said to be the beholder of the Hammer of Threnvir, the hammer of Aeon. The first of the three is in charge of diplomacy and civil rule, enforcing peace and bureaucracy within the society. Those offices are elected for an undetermined amount of time, yet can be removed via the

THE JUDICATORS CHARTER

These people possesses a fine constitution, the first of the known world, based on ancient customs and divine law. It is a simple document, granting upon Elysians the most basic of rights, including, but not restricted to;

1. The right to safety and security, provided you have not forfeited it.

2. The right to have fair trial. This does not apply for Wielders of the Dark.

3. The right to own property, provided it is not destroyed out heinously damaged in a violent manner.

4. The right of free thought, granted nothing slanderous or treasonous is present.

5. The right of the pursuit of knowledge and the arcane sciences.

• This does not apply to the art of Machines or; lesser djinn and so on and so forth, as it is dealt with on a case by case basis- is not punished heavily.

• Warlocks, Demonology.

However, the rights granted by this Constitution often are not given or unsuitably given to minorities or members of despised entity or stripped altogether if a person commits high treason or otherwise. The ideal home of what would be the futures attempt at living well. Possibly a higher class citizen atleast 10-20 years in the future. The Age of War was over, now was the time to usher in safety, prosperity, and love for thy children, as the law doth declare.

Economy:
The ideal economy of the realm is that of a bustling feudal merchants society. While upward movement is difficult economically for most, it may be achieved through technological advancement and financial cunning. The system promotes alchemical, magical, and technological development, rewarding in steep measures for higher quality and rarer materials.

This helps promote the contribution and support of the development of the Realm, and the furthering of their cause. Rare alchemical goods and crops are also to be sold and traded to other nations, as the kin of this faction hold an abundance of the substances, and folk are rabid consumers of knowledge and culture as well as exotic goods and services.

Social Hierarchy:

Most races are permitted existence within the Autarchy and it’s borders. Some races however, are regarded much higher than others, this means that ologs or anything .. monstrous, is disdained and often not viable to enter the lands in a high societal manner , it’s not like their racist, simply historically speaking they’re disdained and many of the people, women children and elderfolk, are always skeptical.

Gentry.

Hardly something to sneer at, most people that reside in the realm do not find themselves jobless, and most who reside in it find themselves in lucrative business in any given circumstances regardless. The people that reside find themselves in good health and are relatively well-fed in any situation for the most part. Partying is apart of their lives, adding to their sanity or lack-there-of. Granted, the lower aspects of society often find themselves in low-to-high infantry, industry, or otherwise. Often living handsomely and defended against newer and greener soldiery over time; as defense of the state is paramount. Slavery is outlawed and often seen as insanely heinous throughout the realm, and even outside it.

OOC Information!

We’ve got lots of positions opening up and housing to be added in over time.

Hi- If you’re looking to join, hit me up on Discord or send me a letter IC @ Auriel_ and we can always talk and rp and all that.

Discord: Auriel#1729

Skype: vector.grand (lol)

Furthermore, if you have any questions or anything like that, please don’t be afraid to ask !

credits:

my entire fuggin discord

keening

xalid

ioannis

pun

and more

also fireheart for that fresh 1x50 area