clonky

The Beginning of an Evolving Culture 

Published 7th of Tobias' Bounty, 1853

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

        A. History

        B. Overview

II. CUSTOMS

        A. Religion

        B. Traditions

        C. Ceremonies

        D. Holidays

III. ARTS & LITERATURE

        A. Fashion

        B. Court

        C. Architecture 

        D. Symbols

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Introduction 

HISTORY

TO FALL & RISE AGAIN

 

The Savoyard; a common name that rings in the history of separate lands and Orenian Empires that fall and rise again, with Savoy eventually being lost in the waves, only to surface again in current as the Principality of Savoy. Having been Kings and Dukes, a long line of royalty and fervency for Canonism, the Savoyards are devout worshippers, soldiers, royalty, and most of all, persistent in the constant trial of their will, and a test of their patience. With King Olivier de Savoie assisting in the structure of Felsen as a descendant of Vailor, monuments of grandeur were erected. Wars were fought and battles won, but eventually the de Savoie had faded into history, until recently with a large resurgence of faithful people, devout to Canonism, even after altercations with the church. As the church forgave Prince Olivier II, the people of Savoy also evolved to learn forgiveness by the hands of God, therefore making the people far more pious. 

Although the roots of a Savoyard can be traced back to the Orenian Empires, Principalities, or Dukedoms, it is seen that the Savoyards still prevail, continuing their long history, seeping more culture and knowledge into others, and continuing the ancient lineage of de Savoie. 

 

OVERVIEW

THE PEOPLE OF SAVOY

 

The people of Savoy are known to be hardy, resilient, and sometimes unapproachable. The zeal for Canonism that Savoyards hold can sometimes be frightening to an outsider, going to extremes in order to please God, which might be contradictory in itself. In recent years, the Savoyard is known to dabble into more of the artistic side of things, embracing their culture and finding a uniqueness far from their origins. Although turmoil tends to follow the Savoyards, they continue to grow and learn, always opting to gain knowledge that supports their benefit. These people are also known to be outright, not caring to save one’s feelings or emotions when they have a point to make. Efficiency is something that the Savoyards pride, and saying things as they are might be seen as rude to foreigners, but normal to a Savoyard. 

 

TERMS FOR A SAVOYARD: Efficient, Resilient, Outspoken, Outright, Artistic, Knowledgeable, Zealous. 

 

 

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CUSTOMS

RELIGION

OWYNISM & ST. LUCIEN

 

Having direct relation to Exalted Owyn, plenty of Savoyards are pious followers of OWYNISM, with a strong connection to High Pontiff St. Lucien I of Ulmsbottom and practicing his teachings. With St. Lucien being the patron saint of the Kaedreni Cross, Crusaders, Landholding Clergy, and Family, most of the beliefs and traditions of Savoyards are clear and direct paths to family and the most supreme worldly power – the High Pontiff. The belief of Savoyards is that guidance is best found within the church and direct family, especially if the family is clergy. A High Pontiff’s word is also final over that of other rulers such as emperors and empresses, and kings and queens. Like the teachings of Lucienism, Owynism purges heathenry and decadence. To live modestly, even as a monarch or simply a patriarch shows the virtue of Owynism casted upon those who are truly pious and strict in their teachings. 

 

I.        On Forgiveness | Though one can live modestly and solemnly follow the teachings of Lucienism and Owynism, all are sinners in one way or another, and Savoyards live their lives as if they are sinners, seeing others as sinners as well. As Exalted Owyn was a sinner himself, with God witnessing the wrath of Ex. Owyn by striking his repentant uncle, God also saw Ex. Owyn’s penance, and accepted this as Ex. Owyn was welcomed into the Sixth Sky. With Savoyards attempting to live as virtuously as Owyn, they must also follow God’s teachings as primary above all. As God forgave Owyn, Savoyards forgive those willing to seek penance if their sin is forgivable by thy neighbor. If it is not forgivable, the acceptance of the penance should be noted by God or the direct line to God – the High Pontiff. 

 

II.       The 3 Pyres | Pyres are used in many scenarios in Owynism, but it also has a second meaning to the Savoyard culture. The 3 Pyres represent the different stages in life that must be completed. Firstly, a baptismal ceremony at birth, then secondly, the confirmation into the church with a series of religious events to follow a second baptism at the coming of age. Thirdly, death, including last rights, final confessions, and eventually cremation. 

 

III.      Conservation | In marriage or in any sort of behavior, Savoyards pride themselves in being conservative in their nature and clothes. Any public displays of romance or other promiscuous behavior is frowned upon, and even sinful in holy places, like the House of God. This means that the Savoyard’s clothing (albeit Savoyard lands being incredibly feverish) will be conservative. Any revealing clothing hints at sinful and promiscuous behavior, so it is important for men and women to stay covered. 

 

 

 

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TRADITION

TO MY TRIALS I PERSEVERE 

 

Saintly Protection | Savoyards respect their saints, with every household having an altar dedicated to St. Lucien, commonly praying for the day’s tidings before leaving the home. Though, other houses may have a shrine to another saint correlating to their field of work or their hobbies, believing that the saint will offer protection over them when laboring at their profession. A candle next to a home’s patron saint, or altar for St. Lucien usually remains lit during the nighttime to present the eternal flame of religion even when darkness prevails. A candle for St. Lucien is always lit in any Basilica across Savoyard lands as well. 

 

A Sinner’s Penance | A priest can give a sinner prayers to recite after confession, or perhaps charity to do, but Savoyards have a harsher form of penance. Confession is a common and outright thing where privacy is nonexistent, as Owynists and Savoyards alike believe that having open confessions will present the sinner with humility and true penance for their sins. Other forms of penance include walking to mass on their knees, walking miles to foreign lands in tattered garb to see other priests, and reciting litanies while doing walks of penance. Harsher forms include burning oneself or being burned by an ordained member of clergy, but burning another within the form of penance should receive a blessing from the clergy to do so. 

 

Guest’s Accommodations | If you are under the roof of another where the home is not your own, the host is expected to offer full protection to the guest where crime or violence cannot be committed under the circumstances of a welcoming home, or vice versa of the guest. This makes it so private matters of importance are held in the solitude of a room to showcase trust amongst friends or allies. Though, in most scenarios where the host or guest is unsure or weary of another, or simply unfamiliar, mingling is held in an open area with other peoples. This allows for Savoyards to choose their friends and allies closely, treating them near to family. 

 

Knightly Humility | Where one wishes to become a knight, there are a series of traditions and trials to follow before being knighted. Usually, a clergyman is present when a knighting ceremony happens, but as far as becoming a knight, they must also be clear in their virtues. A squire is expected to perform public acts of humility such as confessing sins publicly and public penance and other religious influences in order to become knight. 

 

Courtship | In seeing a lady a man fancies, there are various trials in order to gain her hand in courtship and eventually marriage. Women in Savoyard culture are not meant to be outwardly promiscuous, and are usually the ones that are meant to be pursued, rather than the pursuer. 

 

Usually, wine crafted from the family of a Savoyard man is offered to the family of the lady he wishes to court. This wine must be their best brew, and usually aged wine from many moons prior to a Savoyard’s coming of age is stored just for this opportunity. The members of the family that will taste the wine would be the head of household and their spouse, and the lady herself. If the wine is not to their liking (e.g. too bitter or too sweet) then the pursuer is either turned down or asked to make another wine to provide to the family. 

 

After the wine gift is accepted, the pair tend to communicate in multiple ways. Picking flowers and sending them to the family home is an important process, as flowers help display feelings or symbols when courting. Different types of flowers represent different things, and sometimes the flowers needed aren’t found in the region. When sending flowers from outside the region, it shows great admiration and determination. The Language of Flowers should be referenced when courting. 

 

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CEREMONIES 

 

Baptism | When a child is born, a baptism almost immediately after coming into the world is imperative. Doing a child’s baptism as soon as possible is meant to protect the child in the early stages of life, as God has been introduced. It is said that if the child is not baptized after their fifth year of being born, then they will have a series of chaotic events that will spiral into life-long bad luck. 

 

Coming of Age | A Savoyard’s coming of age is a rather arduous ceremony, involving many parts and trials. Coming of Age is imperative because it symbolizes the readiness of an individual to court. Courting usually occurs from 14 years and up, but once a woman or man reaches their upper twenties and has failed to find a partner, they are suggested to join the clergy. Usually, festivities or conjoinments of finding a suitor are held for one Saint’s week, giving individuals time to prepare for the festivities. 

I.        One must walk to a church in another region to confess their sins, bringing with them an olive branch as a sign of peace and gratitude for accepting an individual into a foreign church. The individual must also get baptized again either in their home            church or in said foreign church. 

II.       Wear the colors of one’s house for the whole Saint’s week to showcase the house’s wealth, prosperity, and status. If one lacks an established house, then they can ask or present to another house in hopes to be sponsored by them. 

III.      Tournaments and lavish balls take place during this time to show skill and win the hand of a lady.

IV.      A man and woman that have shown the most skill, etiquette, and modesty will be chosen as Emeralds of Savoy, assisting and sponsoring others when their coming of age is around. 

V.       All this takes place during the Blossoming of Savoy as written in On the Court of Savoy.

 

Weddings | To be wed to another is of great importance. One of the things that Savoyards must take into account is if their partner is a Canonist. They must be baptized by the church in order to be married to their Savoyard counterpart. Weddings are usually ceremonies of grandeur, as not only is it vital to make a family after being married, but to also pass down Savoyard traditions to their children, keeping the culture alive and sharing their uniqueness and fervency for Canonism with others. Important rituals held before or during the ceremonies include: 

I.         Having the bride and groom sleep in the house of their parents the night before their wedding.

II.        Grape stomping in order to make wine as a wedding gift which is done by the bride in her white wedding dress. The grapes represent transformation and fertility. 

IV.       Wearing the wedding dress many days after the ceremony so that the linens had not gone to waste, and to present the modesty of the bride.

V.         It is believed that when the flowers from the ceremony begin to wilt, the bride is with child. If a petal falls off, it’s believed the bride is bearing a son.

 

Celebration of Life | The way of celebrating life for a Savoyard is meant to be a celebration, rather than a solemnity of tradition. When one dies, Savoyards believe that instead of using mourning attire, they wear flowers relating to love, death, or friendship. Before a Savoyard dies, a priest or a clergy member will visit with the dying individual to perform last rites, a will, and a confession. Mourning a loved one is remembering their life, what they accomplished, and even publishing records of their death. 

 

The mourning period has no end, as it's believed remembering a loved one or a lost individual should be carried with a Savoyard always. Visiting one’s gravesite is usual for a Savoyard, and giving them their favorite food, flower, or item upon their grave is a way to show gratitude. 

 

Although Savoyards are meant to celebrate a life, a skilled ritual performed by the women while burying a lost soul is a brief period of mourning. Keening is a way for the women to express their solemnity at the passing of an individual, and therefore, women will sit in the front row of a funeral ceremony and vehemently cry for a duration of the funeral. This is a period before they chose to honor a family member. 

 

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HOLIDAYS

 

Sansmas | A traditional holiday that also has the names of Tuvmas and Krugmas isn’t far from different in Savoy. Sansmas is celebrated with a large feast and plenty of wine. Although Father Sansmas exists, he exists for the reason of keeping the children on their best behavior, but doesn’t give out gifts during this time. The parents of said child give out what they desire if they remain good for this holiday, and sometimes the Prince and Princess will visit multiple households to the less fortunate and bear gifts, as it's a time of year to learn about Canonism and also give and celebrate with other families. Mass should be the first thing that families attend on the morning of Sansmas, and afterwards children and families will either flock to their homes or celebrate in the House of God or upon the porch of the Basilica. 

 

La Carnivale | After many years the ancient tradition of The Everardite Fast was originally performed by Saint Everard while the Undead searched for him. Much like his fast, A family would prepare freshly caught cod and salt to cure it so they may eat it little by little for the next three days; with these meals, they are only allowed to drink water. We do this fast to honor this saint and to show one's devotion to God. Afterwards, Carnivale shall take place where the citizen that fasted should partake in the festival and treats. Dressing in Elaborate masks, colorful gowns and suits to hide from the very Undead that once sought out Saint Everard. Parading in this spectacular garb is also a way to ward off the Undead, or embrace passed loved ones. 

 

Festival delle Luci | Also known as the Light Festival, the Festival delle Luci is a holiday to celebrate Owyn’s flame, or moreover, light. This holiday is held usually when the sun sets or closer into the night where people dress in modest garb such as robes and cloaks with nothing too complex. The garb can be related to a nightgown but still has many layers, and can be fashioned with hoods or belts. It is a time to light the candles in a Savoyard’s home, and also a time to go out onto the waters and send off lanterns into the sky, following with a prayer to God and a request or a wish. 

 

Canonista Crociata | This Holiday translates to Canonist Crusade in common, though it is far from any sort of crusade, but instead a religious quest to other nations where mass or other religious holidays are held, and offers a way for Savoyards to explore Canonism and other architectures relating to basilicas and cathedrals. With San Luciano’s church with an open nave plan to the churches of Haense with long rows of pews, there is much to learn and explore. 

 

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ARTS & LITERATURE

 

FASHION

COMFORT AND MODESTY

 

The fashion of a Savoyard is beyond that of any in the realm. They prefer mobility, modesty, and comfort. In the Savoyard region, the days are long and hot, so wearing anything tight with multiple layers of robes or linens is unnecessary. The fashion for women can be described as flowy, not very form-fitting, and comfortable along with modest. Accessories for the hair and even for the waist are also common, as it heightens the look of a dress. 

 

 

For men, they are just as much covered as a woman is. Long boots are a staple in fashion so that the Savoyard sands don’t tread into the shoe. Tunics with different patterns and designs like stripes and checkers are usually seen, but the most popular is black clothing. Having all black clothing with gold adornments and any other color of a man’s choosing. 

 

La Mode Actuelle should be referenced when learning about Savoyard fashion, from men and women to Plebians and Serfs. 

 

 

COURT

 

Savoyard Court, like many other courts, focuses on prestige, etiquette, and knowledge. Though, whoever may be involved in court will get a fine education, where intellect, strength, and artistic abilities flourish for everyone. Proper education in the courts is offered, as a Savoyard finds it imperative to know ancient history along with proper attitudes toward superiors and foreigners. The court consists of multiple ranks in order to help the sovereign run the court. 

 

Princess of Savoy | The Princess of Savoy is usually in charge of the happenings of court. She is the one to appoint court positions, direct the courtly positions, and oversee all the court workings. 

 

The Governess | This position is the highest authority in court. He or she is expected to maintain the expectations of the Sovereign and oversee the courtly cabinet and all its members, being an instructor and a director. 

 

The High Ministra of Aggrade | The High Ministra is tasked with seeing the nobility of the palace to proper housing whilst also giving proper keys and access to the palace. He or she is also tasked with promoting court etiquette and the overall structure of the court. 

 

The Ciambellano of Aggrade | A minister who focuses on the court’s many cultures and changes along with courtly reforms. They are seen as an advisor to uphold the traditions and culture of Savoy itself. 

 

Mistress of Robes | Focuses on court fashion and reforms and assists other court members in pursuit of fashion aspects, ensuring that certain accessories or clothing pieces are acceptable to be worn. 

 

 

ARCHITECTURE

SAN LUCIANO’S KEYS

 

The Colosseum | The Colosseum is a staple in San Luciano’s architecture. Primarily galas, tourneys, and horse racing are held here. Duels may also take place here as it's an enjoyable place to catch a glimpse at a good sword fight, and it's far different than the tourney grounds that peoples of other regions may have. 

 

Palazzo Aggrade | The Palace in San Luciano is a place where the nobility and other denizens congregate for matters of court or participation in court. Peerage may also have rooms within the palace, along with it being the royal family’s primary residence. This is where other courtly matters are attended to, like place of etiquette, feasts, and diplomatic meetings. 

 

The Basilica of Bl. George of Leuvaarden | The Basilica is the place of worship for a Savoyard. This basilica lacks any sort of seating, as standing and being involved in prayer and mass is important. It has a long nave until it opens into a chancel where most people gather to view mass and partake in holy prayer. 

 

 

SYMBOLS

 

Olive Branches | The importance of olive branches are astounding, as they symbolize peace. Even in times of war, Savoyards will wear olive branches in their hair in hopes that God will prevail and offer peace amongst people. Wearing olive branches at other festivities is also highly common, as it's a way to adorn one’s hair with something that comes from nature itself. 

 

Grapes | This fruit grows in bountiful patches amongst the Savoyard region to be able to produce wine and also for the enjoyment of other Savoyards. Grapes symbolize fertility, abundance, and even joy. Grapes are often eaten before pregnancy and also commonly eaten at festivities. 

 

Flowers | Not one flower, but multiple flowers symbolize or mean different things. It is important that one knows or references the Language of Flowers as it could be useful in things like courtship, marriage, death, and other ceremonies. Flowers are widely used for plenty of things, and sometimes Savoyards will go to the great extent of finding a certain flower in another region. 

Wine | A popular form of beverage in Savoyard culture, yet wine has various meanings other than its drinking appeal. Wine is used in many ceremonies, and to make this beverage one must transform the grape into wine, therefore symbolizing transformation. Other symbolisms for wine include purity, and friendship. Exchanging homemade wine with others is a gift of trust.

 

 

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IMPORTANT LINK DIRECTORY

Owynism
Fashion of Savoy - La Mode Actuelle

Law of Savoy - Lex Savoia

Duchy of Savoy - Vailor

Savoy Traditions Article 1

On Court of Savoy

Royal Courts of Savoy

 

 

Firstly, I will begin by saying that I am not here to cause issues, but here to bring awareness about the problems that occur on this server. 

 

Never have I seen a server take these types of things to the least level of concern. The lack of concern that has been shown towards predators, groomers, and other pests on the server is truly vile and distasteful. 

Many young girls and boys play on the server, and I'm sure A LOT of you started playing LOTC when you were a pre-teen or a teenager, barely even an adult. You came on this server to have fun and enjoy yourself, perhaps even make friends or alliances. 

This isn't the only instance where the staff have NEGLECTED evidence and PROMINENT signs of grooming or neglected the safety of the server - I don't know if its because they don't care, or they don't see a need to continue to care, but the fact that the staff have failed (especially the elder staff of the staff hierarchy) 

Please realize that this should be evidence enough. You can see that the victim in this situation is highly uncomfortable with the language presented. 

Let us also not forget that Leowarrior was happily on the server some time ago, yet was only banned recently despite the momentous amounts of ERP logs and other substantial evidence. 

Take care of your community and who's in it. You're failing those who feel like they have no voice right now because of your lack of action. Take some responsibility for the players on your server.