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Post by North on Jul 13, 2020 17:22:22 GMT -5
OVERVIEW
Located in a large and fertile valley, Manthir is the last true independent nation of the northern people. They have a close alliance with Taknier, their larger sister nation. Family is everything in Manthir and one is expected to defend what is theirs. Manthir has been locked in a border skirmish with a group to the north that are trying to carve a place in the valley. The King of Manthir is old and fought for the land he now rules and both he and his son have no interest in loosing it so soon. But their calls to their ally have gone unanswered and the battles have spread to all out war. Now, the king is ill and the nation looks to the Prince to defeat this threat.
The kingdom's colors are maroon and black, and their symbol is a wolf. They are inspired by middle ages German/Norse culture and aesthetics. People of Manthir are Eurasian in appearance, typically with lighter skin tones and hair.
History
Manthir and Taknier were once sister tribes from a culture of nomads in the north. In the ancient past, Taknier slowly merged (peacefully or otherwise) with other tribes, settling towns and farmland. Manthir refused the call to join it's siblings under one leader, but were eventually pressured by the larger to abandon their homeland in search of elsewhere. Relations between the two are strained, but they recognize cultural similarities and shared history.
GOVERNMENT
Manthir is ruled by an absolute monarch, the King. He inherits the throne from his father and all the other nobles swear loyalty to him. He has the final say in most everything about the country. He always takes an advisor and bodyguard known as his Warden. Sometimes, he has an attending cabinet of other advisors in times of need.
Employed by the nation, the Red Guard protects both the royal family as well as polices the capitol. Larger towns have smaller companies assigned to them for protection. There is a simple judicial system to enforce laws. Lawyers do not exist, but magistrates do. Punishments typically match or exceed the crime, with the death sentence being common, especially for war crimes or crimes against the monarchy.
Social Services
There are no organized schools in Manthir. Nobles are taught via hired tutors or are sent away to Taknier for the later years of their education. If they wish to be an officer or a doctor or conduct any sort of higher research, they will have had schooling in Taknier. There is very little by way of social services in Manthir at the moment. Mail, hospitals, and most other services not listed are all private institutions. The government sponsors orphanages, as well as offers aid to veterans who have no family.
ECONOMICS
Manthir is a farming and mining nation. While it is not as wealthy as some of its neighbors, the government does not tax its citizens very heavily overall. This varies heavily based on what lord a commoner serves. Divided based on class, between the royals, nobility, and the commoners beneath them. Nobles who have more land and more commoners who rely on them therefore collect more wealth. Manthir is very nearly self sufficient, but they take in many luxury goods from other countries
Major Imports: Luxury Goods, Knowledge, Salt
Major exports: Wheat, Corn, Ore, Alcohol
SOCIETY
Manthirans are generally very friendly and open, even around outsiders, be they human or other races. Foreigners can become citizens a few ways. The most prominent is five years of military services. One may also marry into a noble family or have sufficient money. More information coming soon.
Nobility
Manthir is ruled by a King and Queen and their family. There are other noble houses that have grown out of important families, some with relation to the royal line. Commoners make up the largest portion of the population, including merchants, farmers, soldiers, craftsman, servants and more. Notably, there is no slavery or indentured servitude in Manthir. While all men are given the right to be free, lower classes and the poor are looked down on.
Ranks
Only the first born son inherits the family title. As such, in most cases the first born son also uses the same title and term of address as their father. All other children use the noble particle "von" to indicate their noble heritage but lack of title and out of courtesy, are often still addressed as "Lord/Lady" despite lacking actual rank. The exception to this is the children of the king, who all are titled Prince/Princess.
King/Queen | addressed as "Your Majesty"
Prince/Princess | addressed as "Your Highness", children of ruler, typically granted a duchy as well
Grand Duke/Grand Duchess | addressed as "Your Grace" relatives of the royal family or one of three leaders of the regions (Ramberaht, Dunmar, Farvold)
Earl/Countess | addressed as "My Lord", governs a "county"
Viscount/Viscountess | addressed as "My Lord"
Baron/Baroness | addressed as "My Lord"
Knight | addressed as "sir", non-hereditary, honorary title given by the monarch to commoners of merit
Gender
Manthir is a loose patriarchy. Women are allowed to participate in politics and lead but they cannot inherit, nor can they rule the kingdom. They are not often warriors, but those who dedicate to this path can find success. Female soldiers are few and far between and generally must overly prove themselves to earn respect. Women are often the rulers of their family and house. In private, even the men will defer to them. Noble women are expected to marry young and most are betrothed. Those who are not often have ‘coming out’ parties in order to properly meet suitors. Those not married by the age of twenty or so are considered social pariahs. Commoners are expected to do whatever to help their family - finding a husband to support them sooner takes the stress off their family. While ‘love’ is sought after and encouraged, it is not often achieved.
Transgender or non-binary are not terms that are understood, but men caught behaving as women would be ridiculed and potentially loose rank and power. Women caught behaving as men would be returned to their father/husband to be disciplined unless they were attempting to use such a ruse to inherit.
Marriage and Sexuality
In marriage, women take the rank and name of the man except in the case of commoners. Marrying a commoner forfeit's one's rank. Marriage(and the rights that come with it) is only recognized between one man and one woman, as a “family unit” is highly important to the small kingdom. Same sex relations are not encouraged(especially with royalty and nobility) but nor are they prohibited. Generally, such behavior is acceptable in public as “playful," though is not considered a serious relationship. Public figures who do not conform to the social norms might be barred from the military, not considered fit to marry, or turned away from public office, but are not aggressively punished by the law. Families generally deal with any shirking of duty to marriage in private.
Adoption is recognized. Most adopted children are not considered able to inherit but this depends on the family. The royal line demands a blood heir.
CULTURE
Technology mirrors that of the Medieval Period. Most commoners are farmers, miners, or know a trade passed down in their family. Weapons and consist of finely made iron weapons and simple wooden bows Armor is a variety of metal plate and chainmail. Mounts and carriages are the primary means of transportation over land.
Manthirans are known to be excellent farmers and industrialists. Their towns and cities have excellent irrigation and aqueducts, with something similar to indoor plumbing available for most wealthy families.
Clothing
Men - tunics and pants
Women - dresses and layers, some undergarments to enhance their figure. Women in working class can wear pants but
Art
Body art, sculpture,
Core Values
Language
The main language is Imperial, shared with Taknier. There is a separate dialect in the southern parts of the kingdom known as Southern Imperial or Southern. It is considered informal and the accent is noticeable. Accent is faintly German.
Cardinalism
While there are many different beliefs, there is a central religion in Manthir that focuses on the spirits of the land. Most are welcome to practice as they see fit and venerate specific spirits above others. There are only four true "gods," however and these are commonplace here and in most other religions of the world. In Manthir, their main appearance is represented each by an animal and their names have become the Cardinal directions. Hence why they are often termed the four "cardinals."
- Stag | North Wind - god of death, time, and karma (order)
- Tiger | South Wind - god of destruction, nature and freedom (chaos)
- Dragon | West Wind - god of protection, knowledge, and law (father figure)
- Phoenix | East Wind - god of fertility, growth, and beauty (mother figure)
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Post by North on Jan 13, 2021 0:32:24 GMT -5
Manthir Military
OVERVIEW
While historically they were a nomadic warring people, the country has come to be more focused on hearth and home. While there is always a need for soldiers to defend from bandits and some of the northern tribes, Manthir is not a strongly military nation. At least, not historically until a year ago.
Not all citizens are required to serve, but soldiers are respected figures in the country. It is expected of many people to serve in the military for some amount of time, either as a foot soldier or officer depending upon rank, not on education. Many young noble men are forced into service by their families. The life of a soldier can be difficult and while it does not pay very well, it is enough to support oneself. Officers make substantially more.
Women are allowed to join the military but it is rare and they face heavy opposition from their male counterparts and have to prove themselves extensively. Notably, however, the current king's Warden is female. Conscription is expected of all men if asked, however this has never been mandated. However, as the kingdom delves deeper and deeper into a border skirmish with Lutrians, many fear it might happen.
Knights are those who the king has personally deemed a protector of the people. Anyone can earn the title and the respect that comes with it. Commoners who earn the title are actually considered the lowest of nobility, but it enables them to marry up.
Army
There is no true single army of Manthir, but each head of a noble house raises his own and swears fealty to the king. In times of war, the king will call upon these armies and take control of them through the Margraves. These might be the head of the noble house or someone they have appointed to the position.
Red Guard
While it is not a true army, being that it is smaller in size (roughly 300), these elite soldiers protect both the royal family and palace as well as police the capitol and surrounding roads. Other large towns often have a company assigned to defend the locals, while smaller villages must rely on their own militias. The Red Guard answer first to their Commandant, but also to the King, royal family, and the Warden, the latter of which can overrule all others in matters of safety.
Warden
The Warden is a personal advisor and bodyguard chosen by each King from the noble houses upon their ascent to the throne. Typically, this is a close friend and loyal vassal. The role has immense power at the ear of the King and is second only to the monarch himself, however, they are expected to lay down their life for their ruler. Historically, they have served as diplomats, stand-ins, and thwarted many assassination attempts. Also referred to as the Hand of the King, The King's Dog, and so on, both in respect and disrespect.
For rank openings and information, go here.
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Post by North on Jan 13, 2021 1:22:07 GMT -5
Manthir Magic Overview
The people of Manthir claim to be descendants of the West Wind, the Dragon. Long ago, he and the other gods were rumored to walk the earth (blasphemy by modern religion but widely accepted nonetheless). They carry a drop of the god's blood in their veins, similar to their Taknier cousins.
Chameleon Skin/Coloration
As such, all Mathirans have the ability to change the tint of their skin. They cannot do this over a large area of skin and cannot make complex shapes or use the ability often without significant practice. Think of it like living tattoos. Certainly, they can conjure up and keep a marking for a long period of time without effort. but those who are greatly skilled can turn their body into a moving mosaic, a living tattoo. It is useful as a sort of camouflage for hunters. It can help keep one warmer or colder by reflecting or attracting sunlight. It is often used by exotic dancers or prostitutes to appear more alluring and exciting.
Colors can only be a tint, so skin tone to white or skin tone to black. People don't develop full conscious control until they hit puberty, any changes before then often reflecting mood or taking a lot of effort.
Members of the royal family and a few other prominent Houses have the ability to change their hair color at will to any color under the sun.
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