The Princedom of Cauróst

[Unwillingly 18133]

Please Read
 

Spoiler

This is meant to serve as both an RP and OOC guide designed to give people in-depth information about the culture and RP style of the city. It will be continuously updated as RP events progress and the culture changes. Everything you read here may be treated as common knowledge in RP.

 

 

 

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Spoiler

 

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⊰· History ·⊱

There are domains whose upbringings are said to have been unanticipated, that their blossom from community to kingdom struck them blindsided and entirely unforeseen. Sometimes, it’s a consequence of either fortunate or calamitous circumstances, a roll of fate’s dice, while others find themselves thrusted into glory, unbidden and unsought.

However, there are elves who are said to have not hesitated before glory, but chased after it, whose blades aimed resolutely and pointed towards their future and anything that might hinder it. They chased with zeal hot and radiant as the sun, burning and fierce and bold, and with a sort of passion known only to the dreams and myths of their progenitors, one that challenged the curse of apathy known to Malin’s descendants.

In a time long before a mighty vanguard or great southern wars, there dwelled a little exodus faction deep in the northern gales, led by young Galahad of Ilumrin. It was a way of life many wouldn’t deign to live, but these elves were people of humility. Patience. They searched not for material gratitude, but something worth dreaming and bleeding for, creeds worth living and dying by. 

It was at the benevolent hand of Ravenmire that these elves would make a temporary home, one of shoddy tents, cobbled ruins, and a vision stark and vibrant. From dozens to ten dozens would these elves bloom, all in the comfort of such a simple encampment and each other’s likemindedness, but for as content their situation seemed, a meager camp could not bide them forever lest they wither into obscurity once more. They sought a legacy of their own, a resplendent domain by which their dreams of glory might be had. 

As whispered word spread of this itinerant faction and their needs, it was Autarch Daahd’Lur of Lurak who pursued them. He and Galahad’s people arranged an audience, albeit regarded one another with evident coarseness and distrust. The past had been unforgiving and bloody, and history would not demand either of them to forget it so readily.

Daahd’Lur knew well of their struggle in the north and the fortune they sought, while in contrast, his people faced challenges of their own. He recited a great plight in the southern jungles, an ecosystem destroyed at the hand of greedy Vikelan settlement and the great Spirits’ displeasure.  It was no price that would go unpaid, and for it, he desired their utter annihilation, and issued the promise: were Galahad and his people to rally alongside Luraki warband, they would be sworn territorial acquisition in victory. A home known only to them and their dream.

Galahad and his people stalled the accord in order to mull over the opportunity among themselves. For as desirable and alluring the Autarch’s words were, it was equally something to be distrusted, feared, and eluded all the same. Some warned of orcish deception and bloodlust, a bargain to be distrusted, while others entertained the prospect of such an offer and the fortune it would beget. It was a time of great tension for the camp, who had dubbed themselves the Ilumrin Vanguard by then, and an even greater decision for young Galahad to make. He soon returned to the Autarch once their mind had been made.

“I think you were wise to consult your people. It’s the way of a true leader.”

“How do we know you won’t renege your promise after the war?”

“There is no honor in deception.” 

“Would our domain be granted independence from your warband?

“To the absolute.” 

“Then our blades are with you.”

With an accord struck, the elvish and orcish factions declared war on the Queendom of Vikela, which was followed by three terse sieges upon their fortresses: Maehr’nor, Ubuntu, and the reclaimed Hallowcliffe. Each attack came with rapid victory, with remarkably little elvish and orcish deaths, and the complete destruction of the Vikelan forces. While their morale withered with each assault, the Luraki and Ilumrin warbands— who sometimes regarded themselves as the Dominion— basked in the glory to come, before the Queendom’s eventual surrender after the siege on Hallowcliffe.

War was no such thing the Ilumrin elves reveled in or hungered after, but it was no less a time of great pride and triumph. As each victory came swifter than the last, so too did tensions quell among the Dominion forces. The orcs and elves regarded one another not with distrusting hesitation, but mutual respect for the warriorship of one another and a likemindedness that had not been there before. 

While Vikela proved to be of ill-consequence to the Dominion forces, it was the Grand Duchy of Brabant who proved particularly stubborn in light of the conquest. As allies, they had not only provided martial forces to the Queendom, but refuted the Ilumrin settlement of the Ivorywoods to the degree of attempting to settle the land quicker than they would. It was through an array of diplomatic exchanges that the Duchy eventually ceded to the Dominion’s demands, thus granting them the promised land they sought and the end of the War of Southern Dominion. 
 

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⊰· Geography & Architecture·⊱

Cauróst is located on a peninsula in one of the many lakes of the Silent Valley, which they’ve come to dub the Ivorywoods in respect to the pale birch trees that blanket the land. The city itself is comparable to a fortress, particularly in regard to the array of fortifications intertwined with the architecture such as archer towers, gate checkpoints, and narrow streets. It’s said that during Cauróst’s construction, the elven architects worked closely with orcish war leaders in order to construct more efficient defensive points.

Due to the limited space the peninsula would afford, the architects elected for verticality instead. Many of Cauróst’s structures stand on elevated tiers of stonework and trees, which house government buildings and common living spaces. Near the posterior of the city, the docks are known to underground “burrow” type homes and a district typically inhabited by fishers and waterfarers. 

Elsewhere, an abundance of flora and plant life can be seen throughout the citadel, including a variety of trees. During the city's construction, the elves of Ilumrin worked tediously alongside the Watcher's Roost druids in order to protect the existing ecosystem, allowing them to replant displaced birch trees and wildlife during the process.

 

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⊰· Culture & Beliefs·⊱

The Princedom of Cauróst is built upon the many vast numbers of tributaries and rivers of ideas that come together to form the very sea that is that of the culture itself - namely, these tributaries, values essential to all citizens of the Princedom, preside around that of a strict, militant code of honor and ethics. The values of the warrior stand above all, wherein valor, fortitude, honor and the reverence of one’s ancestors as well as one’s very brethren, through the eternal bonds of kinship, shine above all things.
 

Yet, it must be made known that the Princedom is, itself, a vast conglomerate of every breed of Elf. Those of Cauróst adore their very brethren, while those who are not of the elven lineage are rejected from the Princedom - they may not live there, nor may they truly consider themselves one of the people. Blood and pride are intertwined into one, unified beneath a singular idea - that of equal standing and brotherhood.

Yet, it is their unlikely friendship with that of the warriors of Lurak, the Uruk, that defines an unbroken bond exceeding that of the back-stabbing political realm - not only are they bound in name and in loyalty to one another, but in the very ideals of their shared people. This bond is the very crux of what led the Princedom to its standing today, wherein both their way of living and their shared love of honor and the disciplined ways of the militant man unify. It may even be said that there are whisperings amongst the trees, that a dialect wrought of the very unified tongues of the Elven and Uruk people have come to join unto one. 

The perception of the people of Cauróst lies within their exceptional, honor-bound state. The Duel is held sacred, a blood-bound rite of valor and fortitude alike, suffering and renewal, that brings about a rebirth of each man involved, and is frequently seen utilized within the Princedom for all forms of decision making. Yet, whilst they are honor-bound still, the foreign sorceries that exist beyond the material plane, such as that of the elusive realms that encompass the Void, are perceived with great skepticism - whilst not entirely banished, its use is thoroughly discouraged, and may be met with great scrutiny. 

Users of the Voidal Arts must remain wary that they are not arrested by the very people that surround them - for it is not one singular guardforce that encompasses the militant state of Cauróst, but the very people themselves, each and every man unifying to form an army of the community itself, a people’s army. Those who choose to revere the Mani or other forms of deific spirits, that which might grant unto their users magick considered to be ‘holy’, are tolerated without issue, lest they choose to stand against the Princedom and all it stands for. The great pretender exists within that of the darkness within the hearts of men, all those who choose to forsake their spirits unto wickedness in the name of evil things - for this reason, dark magic is strictly forbidden. 

The Sacredness of the Body is maintained throughout the Princedom of Cauróst, being that which is tantamount to the betrayal of one’s race if an action is enacted that betrays that sacredness - this being, namely, the rejection of one’s elvendom by the removal of their very ears. This action is frowned upon, and will cause one to be rejected - though, there are examples seen within Cauróst wherein an action such as kinslaying, patricide, infanticide or other forms of wanton murder may warrant the permanent removal of one’s elven ears. 

The Sacredness of the Body is also maintained in one’s personal beauty - all are allowed to flourish beneath the vast branches of the Tree of the Elder and the might of Cauróst, and thus, appearances may be vast and are rarely uniform, outside of the basic codes of dress that are expected of all in that denizens are to dress modestly. 

The sacredness of one’s body is regarded as a respect to both those who surround you, but also to yourself - and thus, the final unspoken law of the Sacredness of the Body is that of the Law of the Myumier (meaning ‘to carry’) - all citizens of Cauróst most be required to be armed at all times, with at least some form of weapon, for those of Cauróst are represented in this way by their embodying of the qualities of their ancestors - the truly brave, those who fight for the deprived. It is the duty of the people that they are always capable of defending the needy, suppressed ones, and to defend the righteousness and freedom of expression of their very people, in defense against the enemy - both in body and in mind. The exception to this lies within those who are utilisers of the sacred arts of Kani, oft referred to by the Oyashi as Ryū, for only they are truly capable of fighting in this way without possessing a weapon upon them. 
 

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⊰· Government & Politics ·⊱

The government of Cauróst, established under the rulership of founder Galahad Ilumrin, follows the system of an elective monarchy. The elected High Prince’s family - currently the house Ilumrin - is considered the ruling house with all of its associated responsibilities, but no single heir within that house is guaranteed heirship. Instead, when a new High Prince is deemed to be needed either by the death or abdication of the previous, the other members of the ruling house present themselves as candidates to be voted upon.

Their value in military activity make a High Prince’s death a credible possibility, but Cauróst’s citizens suffer near-eternal lives. Thus, there are other conditions by which the reigning monarch is considered unfit or a monarchical election is otherwise deemed appropriate, listed below:

• The High Prince or Princess has decided to abdicate from the throne.
• The High Princess or Princess has committed crimes against Cauróst’s citizens deemed inexcusable by the War Council.
• The High Prince or Princess is indisposed either from illness, injury, or age.

The military, typically referred to as the Vanguard, is second to the monarch, and conducts both militaristic and everyday operations within the princedom. In the name of the Vanguard and its leading monarch, they act as the foremost part of the city as a whole by protecting the people and enforcing laws found within the princedom’s codex. The members of the War Council are hand selected by that of the High Prince and the Lord Commander of Caurost.

 

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⊰· Folklore & Symbology ·⊱

THE TRIUNE TREE

A unison betwixt that of the Tree of the Elder, the Tree of the Daughter and the Tree of the Son unifies the Triune Tree into that which unifies the very land of Caurost itself, made by the hands of Druids who aided the founding members in the rise of the trees themselves from the once desolate land within the Valley of Silence. 

The Tree of the Elder represents the parentage of the father and the mark of the ancients and ancestors upon the culture of the Princedom, whilst also being the home of the High Prince and where all meetings with them and their War Council may occur.

The Tree of the Daughter represents the values of mercifulness and beauty that are taken with importance amongst those of the Princedom, alongside the responsibility represented by the parentage and elderhood of the Tree of the Elder.

The Tree of the Son represents the values of militancy and discipline that, alongside that of the values of the Tree of the Daughter, are of great importance to every member of the Princedom, being a militant nation in itself. 

SANCTUM OF THE FOREFATHER

The Sanctum rests as a constant reminder of the importance of the Forefathers themselves, those who, were any to be absent, the Princedom of Caurost would have never been able to truly come to fruition.

They are made up of the statues of the High Prince himself, Galahad Nullivari, as well as Rex’Khan Daahd’Lur. Alongside the two stand other figures of importance, such as the War Council - namely Marywen Tudorix, Avagis af Ingesøn and Veluc Strixxi. The Swordwright, Vyllaenen, as well as The Elder, Hurin, also stand present. 

 

ANCESTOR’S DAIS

The very object of reverence itself, the Dais of the Ancestor exists at the frontmost part of the city, within the center of the city-square itself. It's a representation of all forms of adulation toward elven ancestors themselves - whether it be one’s very lineage that one may stand toward the Dais in worship, or the greater ancestors themselves, all forms of collective worship stand at the Dais, being an outlet for such practices.

Alongside the Dais, however, exist various forms of murals and statues by which various figures of importance and ancestors venerated by the Princedom stand, with these being located all throughout the city alongside lecterns that stand alongside them, detailing their history and why they are esteemed.
 

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⊰· Location ·⊱

Caurost is closest to the Dunfarthing-Vikela warp at coordinates [1860, 1050]. 

 

Spoiler

never been both so excited and anxious to post something, but it's finally out. I've been working on this little passion project for about two or three months now, and some of you may be familiar with previous posts hinting at its completion- but I'm happy to announce it's finally here and on the live server. while this post more or less acts as our city guide for people who want to learn about us, it only offers a brief summary of our actual culture and philosophy. we definitely have more on the way, but I hope this gives people a good idea of our niche anyhow

I was originally getting cold-feet during the conceptualization stages because I was worried the ideas we were pursuing weren't unique enough. silmarillion tolkien knockoffs or the militaristic warrior-type elves aren't by any means original, revolutionary ideas. they've been tried and tested dozens of times in the past, but I've been a lot more comfortable with what we're pursuing since considering that originality isn't always what makes roleplay appealing. sometimes it's the characters, the story, the history, and for this I'd like to see how much we can build on preexisting ideas and how far we can go when we try our own hand

looking forward to it all, thanks for reading :)

public discord invite
https://discord.gg/HpS7SPnWaQ

 

[Nectorist 12871]

“Damn, he’s done it after all,” Galar remarks as news of a new, blossoming settlement carries across his circles.

[Demonica 678]

Rùmil packs his bags, joining his brother Galahad, to live a happy life in the majestic, wealthy and beautiful city of Cauróst. 

[helldiving 5793]

Húrin watches the story of his eldest son unfold. Proud as ever, he opts to saunter from his resting place within the depths of Cauróst so that he may congratulate and spend the following days with his pride; Galahad.

"O' how far have you soared my child."

[AntiSociety 710]

Maliketh washes a large cup used for ale, looking it over for a shimmer upon the glistening sunlight which shines likes beams of radiance through the branches of trees surrounding the city. A slight smile grows over his expression, contrast to his typical mundane look.

[Coronate 5528]

[Eurielle 1189]

Spoiler

LOOK LOOK IM ON TV ITS MEEE

 

[amongus 816]

An ashlander devoid of any Great House blood cheers on at the result of an orcish khanate and elvendom's combined effort, ready to bring about a new age within the Southern Dominion.

[The Black Lubba 563]

“I look forward to visiting.” the elfess smiled once she’d finished looking over the document. “He’s done well for himself.”

[winterblood 11181]

Ilaria smiles in content as she settled herself in a quieter corner of that city, though she thought the fish-headed echoes that wandered the birch forests would be nice to see gone.  So she sipped at her ponderlot tea and lowered the property value of her neighbors by her presence alone.

[Holyland 3651]

A vagabond, known now as The Rei of his peoples, the Ingesøn, raises a fist to his chest - thumping it harshly against it, in a singular motion. 

 

"We rise. And so, we are one."

[moosehunter123 1081]

The Sovereign of Ravenmire gives a slight nod.

 

"I am glad we could provide them with temporary homes while they were in need, perhaps we should take a visit Duke Haverlock to see how they have flourished." @Javert 

 

A smile coming across his face as he looks over the old ruins where they used to reside.

[Cryothane 809]

Aefre Ohlson hummed lightly as she was brought to view the city alongside her cousin. A small smile formed over her features. A wonderful start to a new turn in life.

[Mallow 243]

The build and post is literally so stunning holy moley

[sergisala 3451]

Spoiler

very cool +1