MYRINIAN CULTURE

[kuerbis 3802]

 

Issued by the Principality of Myrine 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

On the 11th of the First Seed 255

 

MYRINIANS

THE PEOPLE OF SALT AND STEEL

 

 

 

H I S T O R Y

 

MYTHOLOGICAL BEGINNING  | ✶

 

Long before the Empire stretched its banners across the lands of Aevos, upon the old continent of Almaris, the shores of the western sea were wild and untamed. In those days, the waves were said to belong not to descendantkind, but to the sea-folk. Among them was beautiful Myrine, a renowned mer-woman, a siren who was beloved by the ocean and feared by merchants and sailors alike, for she was known to have lured many ships into the depths with her song. 

 

Myrine lived and breathed among her kin for many centuries, until one day, when her waters were disturbed by the crossing of an unexpected vessel. This ship  belonged to one Balthazar Mareno, a trader who was still foreign to the lands he was trying to reach and thus, unfamiliar with those mythic waters. Some say he was lured to the calm tides with no  expectations, though many suggest it was Myrine‘s song echoing over the waters, which drew the merchant in.

That very evening, a great storm came down upon Balthazar’s ship. Waves crashed against the sides of the vessel - an iron fist beating continuously against the creaking walls. The ship held its weight for a time, but even the greatest warship could not withstand a storm of this might. Mankind, after all, was incomparable to the might of the ancient sea.    Lounging upon a mossy mound, Myrine watched as  the ship lost its battle with the waves, beginning to sink into the freezing depths. As many sirens do, the mermaid charged towards the sinking ship, eyes sharp to spot sinking trinkets and keepsakes - for sea-folk prize themselves with great groves full of treasures.

As she swam closer, dodging the wriggling bodies  of sailors who were sinking their murky fates, one stood out to her. Never before had Myrine taken interest in a descendant before, much less a human. This one was not moving. He seemed to be adrift in the open waters, still and silent. No struggle for his life, no fight against the crashing waves or tugging currents - perhaps he was dead already? Myrine seemed to lose interest in her hunt for treasure for the moment, examining the drowning sailor. His clothes were of an odd kind. He was dressed much better than the usual mariner. To a siren, he looked more akin to a King than a captain. 

 

The sea-maid compared her webbed hand to the calloused palm of this man; never before had she seen anyone so ill-equipped to swim. And from this contact, an unfamiliar feeling overcame the creature - the feeling of pity. Without much of a thought, she began dragging him back to shore, back to safety. There, she sat near him upon the sandy beaches of a long-abandoned island. It was said Myrine sung her siren song until the man started coughing up the sea water entrapped in his lung, his breath finally found.

 

Many details of how their first meeting concluded are now lost to time. What is known, however, is that Balthazar and Myrine went on to marry in canonist rites and have children together who both ran on land and swam in the seas. Myrine is said to have lived among humans for a decade or so before being called  to the ocean once more. Balthazar‘s own ending finds him being lost at sea after charting a ship in hopes of finding his beloved Myrine once more.

 

HISTORICAL TIMELINE  | ✶

 

PRIOR TO 1724: Worked as merchants within the Holy Orenian Empire, accumulating a modest fortune.

 

1724-1737: Lost their fortune as a series of wars, coups, and economic downturns rattled the Empire and their operations in Helena.

 

1738: Turned to banditry alongside so many other prominent families, specializing in smuggling operations, where their expertise in trade and logistics served them well.

 

1775-1780: Fought in the Sutican War, where they began a close association with the Hangmen, later to become the Ferrymen.

 

20 S.A: Marriage between Cyrus Mareno and Claudia Helane, daughter of Ferrymen captain Antonyus Helane, thereby establishing House Mareno as the leading family among the Ferrymen.

 

22-27 S.A: Tenth Nordling War, which pitted the Holy Orenian Empire against the Kingdom of Norland. One faction, led by Antonyus Helane, supported the Empire, while the other, led by Basiyl Mareno, supported Norland. Although Norland lost the war, Basiyl’s faction proved triumphant in the struggle over control of the Ferrymen, beginning an uninterrupted period of Mareno control over the group. 

 

48 S.A: Ennoblement of House Mareno in Savoy, where Cyrus Mareno was granted the Barony of Myrine.

 

51-60 S.A: First phase of the Eastfleet War, which saw the Tripartite Accord, effectively led by House Mareno, conquer large swathes of the southern Empire. This period was also the first instance of cooperation between House Mareno and House van Aert.

 

60- 68 S.A: Second phase of the Eastfleet War, which saw House Mareno and House van Aert switch their allegiance to the Empire after being insulted and not given their due by the Tripartite Accord for their leadership in the war. Together with the Empire, they reconquered the Lower Petra and destroyed multiple Tripartite armies in battle.

 

68-72 S.A: Third and final phase of the Eastfleet War, which saw Basiyl Mareno break his contract with the Empire and switch the Ferrymen’s allegiance back to the Tripartite Accord, while the County of Blackvale remained at Oren’s side. With the Tripartite, House Mareno was able to halt the Empire’s offensive into Urguan. Although victorious, this decision was contested within the Ferrymen and House Mareno itself. Basiyl largely lost authority over the Ferrymen in the coming years.

 

72 S.A: House Mareno fights for Frederick I, King of Oren, in the Brothers’ War, helping him achieve victory and eventual control of the former lands of the Holy Orenian Empire.

 

78-83 S.A: House Mareno shifts its focus towards Elvendom, where Basiyl Mareno and the Ferrymen aid Vytrek Tundrak and Ivarielle Ibarellan defeat a combined alliance of the orcs of the Iron’Uzg, Haelun’or, and Norland, eventually leading to the founding of the Kingdom of Malin’or. The war also sees the cooperation between Blackvale and Myrine resume after ten years of interruption.

 

83-85 S.A: Victorious in elvendom, House Mareno’s attention returns to humanity, contracting the Ferymen in aiding the Kingdom of Haense once again in a war against Oren. The ensuing Almaris Coalition War, while brief, is decisive: the Kingdom of Oren is defeated and forced to turn inward to deal with the Acre Rebellion. Most members of the house diaspora throughout humanity.

 

147 S.A: House Mareno reunifies after a long period of idleness and is granted land in the fledgling League of Veletz, led by House van Aert. Caius Mareno is granted Castle Breakwater, near the Veletzian capital of Winburgh. He later marries Camille van Aert, cementing the alliance between the two families.

 

155-166 S.A: Aevos Coalition War, which pitted Velez, the Principality of Stassion, the orcish Iron Horde, and the Principality of Celian’or against an alliance of Haense, Balian, Hyspia, Urguan, Petra, Norland, Aaun, and Numendil.

 

157 S.A: The forces of the anti-Veletz coalition besiege and eventually storm Breakwater, leading to its capture and destruction. Although House Mareno continues to fight beside the Veletzians, and score numerous victories, they are eventually defeated, excommunicated, and banished from humanity.

 

194-210 S.A: Rehabilitation of House Mareno within humanity, prompted by the Myrine-friendly High Pontiff Harrentzedek. The Marenos joined with House van Aert once more, and the two families founded the town of Grense and led the Pontifical armies in several crusades. After some years Vangelis Mareno was granted the position of Regent of Grense and maintained the township for several decades. 

 

224-232 S.A: Calias and Vangelis Mareno, along with Tiberias van Aert, lead the forces of the Holy League against the Horenic Covenant. Despite his advanced age, the old Calias proves his worth at Koppany and Cordelie, where he plays an instrumental role in the two most decisive victories of the war for the Holy League, which leads to the submission of Haense, Reinmar, Hyspia, and Petra. He then takes part in the Balian campaign, ending in the rebellious realm’s conquest after five years. 

 

234 S.A: Reestablishment of the Empire of Man under Tiberias van Aert. In recognition for his leadership during the war, and House Mareno’s deeds for both the Church and Blackvale, Calias Mareno is granted the Principality of Myrine, situated around the great keep of Trident’s Peak, which had been taken from House Ruthern during the war.

 

246-248 S.A: The Principality of Myrine, aided by Blackvale, Numendil, Norland, and Goldenfield, fights the Archduchy of Drusco in a brief feud known as Saint Lucien’s War. The feud, arising from insults flung at the Princess-consort of Myrine, Madelief van Aert, by soldiers of Drusco, sees Calias II Mareno and his father, Prince Cassius Mareno, lead Myrine to victory against the Druscans.

 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

 

F A M I L Y   L I N E A G E

 

MAINLINE  | ✶

 

HIS PRINCELY HIGHNESS, Cassius I Mareno

Prince of Myrine, Lord of Trident’s Peak

 

HER PRINCELY HIGHNESS, Madelief of Blackvale

Princess of Myrine, Lady of Trident’s Peak,

Master of the Imperial Wardrobe

 

HIS HIGHNESS, Calias II Mareno “The Lion”

Heir-Apparent to the Principality of Myrine, Lord of Myrine

 

HIS HIGHNESS, Caecilius Mareno

Lord of Myrine

 

HIS HIGHNESS, Caesonius Mareno

Lord of Myrine

 

HIS HIGHNESS, Carolus Mareno

Lord of Myrine, Squire 

 

HER HIGHNESS, Circe Mareno

Lady of Myrine

 

OTHER MEMBERS OF HOUSE MARENO

 

HIS HIGHNESS, Sir Ghetsis Mareno
Lord of Myrine, Hero of the Trident

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

 

T R A D I T I O N S

 

BIRTH  | ✶

At the birth of a Myrnish child, the temperament of the sea is carefully observed. The state of the tides, whether calm, turbulent, or shifting, is recorded as an omen, believed to foreshadow the child’s nature and the course their life may follow. A still tide is said to promise serenity and wisdom, while restless waves foretell passion, strength, or turmoil.

It is also customary for the Myrnish children to be gifted trinkets that bind them to the sea, an introduction of their origin and their foremother, Myrine. Even far from the coast, such charms serve as tokens of belonging and identity. Among the princely House, it is tradition to gift each child a marlin charm at birth, symbolizing their lineage. These charms range from simple carvings of petrified wood to elaborate figures adorned with silver and jewels, reflecting both the wealth of the family and the enduring bond to the sea.

Soon after birth, the infant undergoes a baptismal rite in which they are dipped into the ocean five times, each immersion symbolizing Myrine’s blessing upon their body and soul. Gifts are then bestowed to mark the child’s entry into the world: for girls, a pearl, embodying fortune and purity; for boys, an anchor-shaped amulet, signifying steadfastness and strength. These tokens are kept throughout life, treasured as reminders of their first bond with sea and kin.

 

CHILDHOOD   | ✶

Childhood in Myrine is shaped as much by the sea as by blood. From the princely halls to the humblest docks, every child grows with salt on their lips and the rhythm of the tide in their ears.

For the sons and daughters of the princely house, youth is never idle. They are taught early the arts of strategy, trade, and negotiation, skills that once turned their ancestors from bandits and merchants into nobility. To a Myrinish noble, the mind is a blade as important as the sword, and every lesson sharpens both wit and will.

Yet unlike many realms where birth divides, Myrine blurs those lines. The princely house treats the fisher’s child and the merchant’s apprentice as kin, and so the children of lords and commoners grow and play together on the beaches, chasing each other along the tidepools or daring one another to climb the rigging of anchored ships. Bonds formed in salt and sand often last a lifetime, ensuring that loyalty between highborn and lowborn is not built on fear but on familiarity.

For those not of noble blood, childhood is steeped in expectation as well, though of a different kind. Boys and girls alike learn to mend nets, haggle over coin, and read the winds and waves, all in preparation to become fishermen, traders, or sailors. From their earliest days, Myrinish children understand that life is a gamble of trade, of tide, of fortune, and they are raised to meet it with courage and cunning.

Growing up in Myrine, no child is untouched by the sea, for it cradles their games, fuels their lessons, and shapes the very rhythm of their lives.

 

COMING OF AGE  | ✶

When a Myrnish youth nears adulthood, they undergo a solemn rite of passage known as the Tide Trial. At dawn, the young adult wades into the sea until the water reaches their chest. As the tide rises, they must endure the pull and weight of the waves, struggling to remain upright and above water. To falter and drown is seen not as failure, but as a sacred calling; Myrine reclaiming one of her children into her eternal embrace. Survival, however, marks the youth as sea-blessed, a sign that the ancestress smiles upon their strength and resolve.

Following the ordeal, the survivor swears an oath of loyalty, binding themselves both to the Prince of Myrine and the reigning Emperor. Though the ritual is traditionally associated with men, women are strongly encouraged to partake, and many choose to do so, proving their devotion and fortitude before the eyes of their kin and their ancestors.

 

BASTARDRY   | ✶

In the long history of Myrine, the sea has carried not only trade and plunder but also tales of passion and folly. As merchants, sailors, and raiders, it was not uncommon for Myrinish men to sire children upon foreign shores or within the ports they frequented. Such bastards once bore the simple name “Waters”, marking them as born of the tide. When they came of age, these children were not cast aside but added to the crew of their father’s ship, learning the oar, the sail, and the rigging as though it were their birthright.

In modern times, the place of bastards has shifted with the rise of nobility. While the name “Waters” lingers as a mark of illegitimacy, many bastards are now raised as wards within the noble households of their parents, treated less as outcasts and more as kin, though never entirely free of the shadow that clings to their birth. Their worth is judged not by name but by ambition, cunning, and strength.

Within the princely house itself, bastards may even find a path toward legitimisation. This is not granted lightly, nor by mere affection of the blooded parent. It must be earned through a series of trials, overseen by the patriarch, where the bastard proves themselves worthy of carrying the house name. Only those who demonstrate unwavering loyalty, strength of will, and the ambition to rise above the stain of their birth may claim such an honor.

In this way, the Myrinish hold true to both their merchant roots and their noble standing—pragmatic, ambitious, and ever willing to grant fortune to those bold enough to seize it.

 

BATTLE RITUALS  | ✶

Before battle, the Myrnish prepare themselves not only in arms, but in spirit, ensuring that Myrine and the Creator look kindly upon their struggle.

SALTWATER ABLUTION

On the eve of battle, warriors wade into the sea or bathe themselves with salt water carried inland. This washing is thought to cleanse the body of fear and impurity, leaving only resolve. The sting of salt upon skin reminds them of the ocean’s eternal strength.

THE MYRINIAN TOKEN

Every Myrnish man and woman carries into battle the charm they were given at birth, whether a pearl, an anchor carving, or a marlin figurine. Bound to their person, it is believed to tether their soul to their people, ensuring that should they die, they will not be lost to the void but welcomed home by both sea and kin. Of house Mareno specifically, it is said that they all carry matching marlin charms into battle.

THE DRAFT OF COURAGE

Just before setting forth, each warrior drinks a single shot of rum or spiced wine. This act is less for drunkenness than for courage, symbolizing the fire of life within them. As the burn passes down their throat, many whisper: “May the tide carry me true.”

INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS

Some warriors kneel, pressing their trinket to their brow, and call upon Saint Edmond for courage, Saint Emma for guidance, and the Creator for judgment. These brief, whispered prayers are often done in unison, creating a murmuring chorus before the silence of marching.

 

ENGAGEMENT & COURTSHIP  | ✶

In Myrnish tradition, a suitor begins by declaring his intentions to the family patriarch, who responds by issuing a series of trials designed to test the man’s strength, resolve, or cunning. Upon completing these trials, the suitor receives a simple blessing from the patriarch, an acknowledgment that he has proven himself worthy to pursue the woman in earnest.

With this blessing, the suitor must then present his beloved with a votive gift of his own choosing. Such gifts vary widely: a carved charm, a jewel from the depths, or a token tied to the sea, each meant to symbolize devotion and permanence. Should the woman accept, the courtship becomes formalized and the union is set in motion.

 

MARRIAGE  | ✶

Myrnish weddings are celebrated with great reverence, uniting both faith and the sea. Ceremonies are most often held by the shoreline, but the sands must first be consecrated by a holy man, sanctifying the place so that the sacrament may be carried out in purity. The waves themselves are believed to serve as witnesses, carrying the vows of the couple back to Myrine and under the eyes of God.

The rites of Canonism are observed in full, though Myrnish families adorn the service with their own customs. During the exchange of vows, the hands of the bride and groom are bound together with a length of woven netting, symbolizing their union and the way two lives are caught together in one fate. Once the vows are spoken, the net is unraveled and preserved as a relic of the marriage.

The couple may also exchange votive gifts, often coral or sea-glass charms, tokens meant to remind them of their eternal bond. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the gathered company continues the celebration with a feast of fish and wine, songs recalling the legend of Bathlazar, and dancing that lasts until dawn.

 

MOURNING  | ✶

When a Myrnish man or woman passes, their household enters a solemn phase of mourning lasting three sunrises. The deceased is laid in wake, their body surrounded by four burning candles to light their passage. Painted sea shells are placed upon their eyes, while a cross rests in their right hand and a golden coin in their left, one for faith, the other for passage.

Each sunrise carries its own purpose. On the first day, family and neighbors gather to pray for the departed’s soul. On the second, a feast is held in their honor, with stories, song, and drink offered to celebrate the life they lived. On the third, the body is placed upon a pyre and burned, the rising smoke said to carry the soul back toward the embrace of Myrine. The ashes are then collected, to be divided for the funeral rites that follow.

 

FUNERAL RITES | ✶

Myrnish funerals embody the balance of sea and land. At high tide, part of the ashes is placed aboard a small sailboat and set adrift, returning the departed to Myrine’s waters. The remainder is sealed within the family crypt, grounding their memory to the earth of their kin. Together, these acts proclaim that the Myrnish belong both to the sea and to the land they call home.

Funeral offerings are placed alongside the ashes or in the crypt: silver and gold coins, pearls, jewels, silks, ceremonial blades, carved crosses, and vials of myrrh. These gifts are meant to honor the deceased in life and guide them safely into eternity.

 

EVENTS  | ✶

THE FESTIVAL OF BROKEN OATHS

A rare but striking tradition: once a decade, the community gathers to ritually burn symbols of promises that were broken or burdens that weigh on them; charms of lovers, or tokens of failed vows. The ashes are scattered into the sea to be cleansed by the tides. 

 

THE PEARL HUNT

Divers plunge into the sea to recover oysters or hidden tokens (pearls, shells, or small silver charms placed beforehand). It’s a test of stamina, breath-holding, and daring. The prize pearl is often offered to a sweetheart or given to an altar of Myrine.

 

FLOUNDER OR FORTUNE

A gambling game played during festivals. Large wooden coins, painted gold and silver, are tossed onto a target painted in the sand. Where they land determines prizes or forfeits. It mixes the Myrnish love of risk, luck, and the sea.

MYRINIAN JOUSTING
A variation of traditional jousting tournaments: instead of being restricted to charging alongside barriers, participants are allowed to move freely through the jousting grounds as they wish to win the joust. The only exceptions are that leaving the arena and jumping over the central barrier are forbidden. This less restrictive form of jousting is meant to encourage unconventional tactics that soldiers can learn to employ in the field of battle.

 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

 

C U L T U R E  &  V A L U E S

 

NAMING TRADITIONS | ✶

Myrinian people draw much inspiration from mythology and folklore when naming their children. Some parents wish to honor direct or indirect ancestors by naming a child after them. Most of the time, Myrinian names take their roots in Flexio. House Mareno specifically has a tradition in which most of their mainline descendants are given names with the initial ‘C’. The origin, or rather, the reason for this tradition is sadly lost to the trials of time, but it is a tradition, which seemingly shall continue for the next generations.

 

VALUES  | ✶

The Myrninian people hold themselves to standards as shifting and demanding as the sea itself. Above all, they prize a cunning mind, for just as their ancestors of yore survived as bandits and merchants, so too must every Myrnish individual learn the art of guile, negotiation, and clever survival. To outwit one’s rivals is as worthy as outmatching them with steel.

Strength, both physical and mental, is revered. A Myrnish man or woman is expected to weather hardship as the shore withstands the tide. Resilient, unyielding, and prepared. The body is honed for endurance, while the mind is sharpened for strategy and resolve.

Ambition fuels their spirit. To remain stagnant is seen as a betrayal of their heritage. Just as the sea is ever-moving, so too must a Myrnish seek to rise, to expand, and to leave their mark. From the humblest sailor to the ruling prince, each is driven by a desire to grasp more than what was given.

Finally, each person is expected to find a role and excel within it. A Myrnish does not drift aimlessly; they are sailors, traders, warriors, leaders, mothers, priests, and patrons of the sea’s bounty. To shirk one’s role, or to fail to rise to it, is to dishonor not only oneself, but one’s family and Myrine herself.

 

NOTABLE FIGURES | ✶

BALTHAZAR I
The first patriarch and founder of House Mareno. Legend has it, he married the famously beautiful seamaid Myrine and had children with her.

CYRUS MARENO; LATER BALTHAZAR II
Cyrus, later Balthazar II, founded Myrine as a vassal state of Savoy. His early years were spent as a hero of humanity, known for utilizing his underground connections to benefit those around him. Cyrus was also a world renowned tailor and wardrobe keeper for several noble families. His designs were so exquisite that tailors everywhere tried to imitate his style. In exchange for this work, he would not accept payment but rather requested favors and secrets, which helped grow the Mareno’s world wide connections. When founding Myrine, he requested nothing more than a Barony despite his following far exceeding a lowly title. The Prince of Savoy granted him the humble position, but simultaneously recognizing his talent he authorized him as a general to control all armed forces within Savoy.

JACE MARENO
Jace Mareno was known to be the greatest merchant of all of Almaris. He founded the first iteration of the Mareno Company and ran a near monopoly on commerce that netted him hundreds of thousands of Mina (yes, really). Despite being infamously kind, he also was willing to get rough and do dirty work if necessary. When slighted by the filth of Elysium, he enacted an embargo that left them destitute of trade for decades.

CYRIL MARENO; LATER BALTHAZAR III
The son of Cyrus and later Balthazar III was the second leader of Myrine under Savoy. Following the leadership of Prince Lucien, Balthazar III led men of Myrine moved en masse to support Fredrick during the Brothers' War. He later passed away as a result of injury from the same conflict. The detriment was that Myrine suffered inactivity and later faced a full decline alongside Savoy itself. Despite this, Balthazar III is remembered as a figure of loyalty.

VALENTIN MARENO
Known as one of the founders of Petra, Valentin was a diligent representative of the common people. He departed for some years in protest of actions of corruption from Constanz, who was Archduchess Renilde’s first husband. When the revolution began a few years later he returned alongside Paul Montalt and bolstered the loyalist forces to successfully put down Constanz’s attempted coup. It’s doubtless Petra would’ve been lost without his help

CAIUS MARENO
He was the son of Balthazar III. Seeing his family disorganized with his father’s untimely death, he took to reorganizing it. At first, he worked alongside the duchy of Minitz (the predecessor state of Reinmar). He reorganized and assisted their military and even personally apprehended the duke’s political opponents. A controversy later ensued that accused Mareno men of unjust harassment of citizenry. Despite being declared innocent, the Duke told Caius Marenos were no longer welcome in Minitz. Caius migrates the family to Adria, where they established a reconnection of an old alliance with the van Aert family. This laid the foundation for the families working together through the Adrian revolution, era of Veletz and onwards. Caius is also known to have established a great relationship with Pontiff Roeh Tzoa, confessing all the great sins of his family and pledging his grandson Calias to act as the Church’s most ardent supporter. Caius remained the patriarch for several decades, acting as a wise overseer throughout the course of modern history, all the way through the formation of the empire.

CALIAS I MARENO
Calias I was born in Veletz and thirteen years old when the Veletz war began. Despite the era of conflict, he travelled the world and concealed his identity to gain an understanding of the nature of men. Ultimately he returned home and began to fight in the war on the side of Veletz at the age of 15, first participating at the Battle of Westmark. When Veletz fell he journeyed outside the realm of Canondom, taking refuge with Nornish peoples. All the while he maintained some connection to Tiberias van Aert, to whom he held a loyalty as the son of Gaspard. Eventually when Caius pledged his support to the Church, Calias did as promised and became a hand of the pontiff. Well experienced in both governance and warfare, he assisted in leading the Robertine Crusade and organizing the Pontifical states. During the war of Crown and Crozier he played a central role as a logistician and general. For his decades of work that eventually led to the founding of the empire, he is remembered as the first of its Dragon Knights. 

SIR VANGELIS MARENO
Sir Vangelis was known to be the greatest cavalier of his era. He captained the Grensewatch and later assumed regency of Grense during the long absence of Tiberias. It’s believed that were it not for his perseverance, the foundations on which the later imperial capital was built could not be sustained. He worked with the clergy of the pontifical states, guarding the realm from any threats during both times of peace and war. During both the Robertine Crusade and War of Crown and Crozier he aided in commanding the forces, often leading the cavalry division. Within the forming of the Empire he also was granted the status of Dragon Knight for his legendary achievements, a few of which include winning the first joust of Grense, as well as the first Imperial tournament and single handedly crippling at least a dozen soldiers at the battle of Cordelie Winewoods. 

SIR SIRIUS MARENO
Sir Sirius is also known to have played a significant role in the war of Crown and Crozier, specifically for his proficient role in siege strategy and artillery. He played a crucial role in the first siege of the war, calculating each engine’s trajectory himself. His ability to command and lead as well as his chivalrous demeanor earned him the position of the first Grand Knight of the empire. He laid out the foundation of the knightly orders, and inspired a standard that all aspiring knights should adhere to.

EMMELINA MARENO

Born to a blacksmith and his wife in Aaun, Emmelina lost her parents during the great flood of Aaun. In an attempt to save their daughter's life, her father placed her into a barrel, which was later found and from which she was rescued by Gaspard II, Captain-General of Veletz. She was adopted by her rescuer and was formally allowed to use the surname van Aert, despite not being a van Aert by blood. Emmelina went on to marry Calias I and bring forth three children: Cornelius Mareno, Empress Circe of Myrine and Sir Sirius Mareno.

 

EMPRESS CIRCE OF MYRINE
Circe was the daughter of Calias Mareno and the first Empress of the Holy Empire of Man, being married to Tiberias I. Despite taking a backseat when it came to official matters, Circe I was beloved by the masses and known for her vast generosity. 

 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

 

S Y M B O L I S M S  &  F A S H I O N 

 

SYMBOLISM  | ✶

The Myrnish hold deep reverence for symbols drawn from the sea, each carrying layered meaning that ties their people to their past, their faith, and their way of life. Foremost among these is the marlin, the proud sigil of the princely house of Myrine. Swift, powerful, and unyielding, the marlin represents martial strength and noble guardianship. It flies upon banners, adorns shields, and is etched into the charms carried by the ruling house, a constant reminder of their dominion both at sea and upon the land.

Pearls, often called “mermaid’s tears,” are seen as gifts born of both grief and blessing. To the Myrnish, they symbolize fortune’s fickle nature, once fragile and precious. Pearls are central to courtship rituals, offered as tokens of love and commitment, and are also laid with the dead as emblems of remembrance. To gift or to wear a pearl is to carry the sorrow and joy of the sea close to one’s heart.

The ship is revered as both a vessel of freedom and fortune. In history, ships bore the Myrnish across distant waters as raiders and merchants before they rose to nobility, and they remain a living emblem of daring enterprise. Many celebrations and processions feature model ships or tokens carved in their likeness, reminding the people of their ancestors’ restless spirit and their dependence on the sea’s bounty.

Equally important are nets, which stand for binding and unity. In weddings, the bride and groom’s hands are bound together with consecrated netting, symbolizing that their lives are now woven into one. Beyond marriage, nets carry meaning in the life of the community itself, representing the shared bonds and interdependence that hold the Myrnish together through hardship.

Finally, the anchor serves as the enduring emblem of loyalty and stability. Anchors are blessed and carried as charms, gifted as votive offerings during courtship, and etched into funeral rites to signify steadfast faith even in death. Just as an anchor steadies a ship in stormy waters, so too does it remind the Myrnish of their duty to remain faithful to kin, prince, and God.

Together, these symbols weave a cultural tapestry where sea and spirit are inseparable. Each pearl, net, ship, marlin, and anchor is more than a motif. It is a living sign of the Myrnish bond with Myrine herself and with the ever-shifting tides of fate.

 

COMMON SAYINGS & PRAYERS  | ✶

“Non ducor, duco” - I am not led, I lead (Motto of house Mareno)

“May Saint Emma still the storm before you bow.”
 

“What the sea takes, it keeps.”

“Strength in the deep, honor in the shallows.”

 

“Saint Edmond, steadfast knight, you who braved the storm of battle, stand with me as I face the waves of trial. Lend me courage as the marlin leaps, strength as the anchor holds, and resolve as the tide returns unceasing. May I not falter, but fight with faith.”

“Better drowned with honor than adrift with shame.”

 

“The sea does not forget.”
 

“Anchors deep, hearts steady.”
 

“The sea blesses the bold.” 

“O Saint Emma, beacon in the storm, guide my steps as the North Star guides the sailor. When I drift, steer me true; when I falter, lend me strength. As the sea is vast, so too is my doubt—help me find safe harbor in virtue.”

 

MYRNISH IDIOMS  | ✶
“A Marlin’s Leap” – a daring but brief opportunity, one that must be seized quickly before it vanishes.
 

“The Sea Remembers” – the truth will always resurface, no matter how deeply it is buried.
 

“To Throw One’s Net in Shallow Waters” – to take the easy path, but gain little in return.
 

“To Lose the Anchor” – to abandon one’s principles or values, drifting aimlessly.
 

“Salted by Tide” – to be hardened and made wise by experience, like wood weathered by the sea.
 

 

FASHION  | ✶
Myrinian fashion is considered to feature some of the most elaborate designs in the entire Empire. The ruling family, House Mareno and more specifically their female members are said to set the current trends in fashion, not just in Myrine but in the entire Empire. Of course, it is to be noted that the garments of common men are much more simple than that of the ruling family, but the style and the silhouette mostly remains the same across the social hierarchy.
 

It is a difficult task to determine where the styles that influence the garments of the good people of Myrine have come from. Historians believe trade with different cultures far across the sea have influenced what the Myrinians wear. From the poorest to the richest, a Myrinian always prides themselves in being well-dressed. Even the most simple people try to embellish their garments using whatever they have available. This might be as simple as stitching a pattern into the hem of a skirt or adding various accessories to their outfit. The colour palette varies from person to person, though traditionally, any hues of blue and green can be seen as typical for cultural wear.

Men are most often seen wearing armor, but when they are not in plate, it can be said that the current ruling Prince Cassius I sets the trend for myrinian men. Long cloaks, embroidered tunics, high boots and hats as well as caps are in style for the modern man. Collars are meant to be high and most of the skin is to be covered, exposing only the hands and the top part of one's neck. A myrinian man is never without a belt. This has a simple reason: one can attach a weapon to the belt. The Prince of Myrine wears bejewelled belts - a style that seems to have established itself not just within his family, but also within the Empire itself. Men and women alike are seen hanging charms, jewels and crosses off their belt, which is meant to symbolize the status of their wearer.

The fashion of myrinian women is influenced by the current ruling Princess Madelief of Blackvale, as well as her only daughter, Lady Circe Mareno. As such, most recently, certain elements of the female Lodenlander fashion have established themselves within the myrinian woman’s wardrobe. Traditionally, dresses are meant to be long and shapeless by itself. In the last two decades, slightly more structured gowns have found their way into everyday wear. The myrinian woman prides herself in showing off the best parts of her natural beauty and enhancing it, where needed. 

Unmarried women often let their hair run loosely down their back, but married women are expected to wear a veil to cover their hair. This is a style established by Madelief, having been unheard of before she became the wife of Cassius. Women and girls alike upgrade their gowns by adding pearls and jewels to them, as seen in Lady Circe’s garments. Like their male counterparts, a woman’s dress is barely seen without a belt. They too carry weapons, trinkets, bags and the like, letting it all hang from their belts.
 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

 

D I S T I N G U I S H A B L E   T R A I T S

 

The nobility of Myrine are a people set apart, descended from the fabled union of Balthazar the Founder and the mermaid Myrine. Their heritage is reflected in their features, their temperament, and even the pride with which they carry themselves. Outsiders often remark that the sea lives in their blood, for their eyes flash like waves, and their moods rise and fall with the storms.

 

PHYSICAL FEATURES  | ✶

Myrinians are marked by fair hair, from golden blonde to ashy brown, and their blue or gray eyes are said to mirror the sea's temperament.

Men are often short, broad of build, and quick to develop the “king’s belly” in later years. A trimmed beard is the favored style, giving them a rugged yet indulgent look. Some men of House Mareno tend to go bald at a rather young age, often prompting the use of caps.

Women are famed for their slender grace and flowing hair, usually adorned with pearls or silver pins. Though elegant, many are surprisingly strong, trained in riding or fencing. Pearls remain their favored ornament, symbolizing both beauty and lineage.

 

PERSONALITY TRAITS  | ✶

Myrinian men are short-tempered yet strategic, quick to anger but equally quick to plot. Alike to the tides, their tempers change on a whim. They are deeply prideful, guarding their honor and family name, and raised as warriors as well as courtiers.

The women are likened to sirens with a sharp-tongue, ambitious, and commanding. They excel at gathering information and maneuvering allies, and like their brothers, they are prideful and martially minded, often advising on strategy. Above all, they carry a natural charisma that makes them the center of any room.

 

---

 

SIGNED,

 

His Princely Highness, Cassius Mareno,

Prince of Myrine, Lord of Trident’s Peak

 

Her Princely Highness, Madelief of Blackvale,

Princess of Myrine, Lady of Trident’s Peak,

Master of the Imperial Wardrobe

 

Spoiler

HUGE CREDIT TO:

@Mady

 @Mady@Nectorist @Mickaelhz@orlanth 



and @Mady again (she put in HELLA WORK!!!!!!!!)

 

[zuziee 4004]

Circe Mareno pressed her lips together in a delighted smile, for she had been mentioned... three times! counting each with a little giggle. She was very proud of the authors and of her family name. 

[Cheese 8879]

Spoiler

This is the most beautiful thing i've ever seen in my life

 

[Phoebe202 1057]

A certain lobster trainer grinned, with swift hands wrapping a maritime offering before venturing to the home of such a family.

[Nectorist 12869]

Cassius Mareno dots his i's and crosses his t's as he finishes his portions of the document, though it had truly been his wife's efforts, as well as that of another assistant, who had been the greater authors of the work. 

[olpx 1013]

Calias II Mareno read over the document with a slow, approving nod impressed by its precision and the clear mark of his family’s diligence upon every line.

[Rhettthecoldone 252]

This is cooool