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Aizen
Magic is commonplace in Aizen, both Holy Magic and Arcane Magic. And Mage-changes are just as common. Though the Changes are often minor, such as a simple memory enchancement, it is not strange to see cat-men or those trying to emulate the legendary Dragons of old walking around. And these Changes become genetic, often lasting 10-12 generations in a family before it thins out enough to become unnoticable.
The country is a fruitful land. It is small, and protected by nature on all sides. To the east and south are mountains whose passes remain guarded. To the north is a deep river called the Bechi River that runs along the entire border. And to the west lies the ocean. Another river, the Haara, runs from the mountains in the east, through the capital city of Huledet, and then to the sea. The port city of Karoz lies at the mouth of the Haara. The land is fertile, and natural resources such as game and metal ores abound.
It is a land founded by mercenaries, so practicality and intelligence are encouraged and cultivated. All citizens receive basic schooling in letters, literature, mathematics, history, foreign cultures, and a martial art that best fits them. This take place from ages 5 to 15. At age 16, all able-bodied citizens are to spend 2 years in a branch of the military, furthering not only their loyalty to the country, but their ability to defend themseves and others.
Few countries are stupid and insane enough to mess with Aizen...They are small, but they are powerful.
Note about names: Names in Aizen are taken from the Hebrew Language, unless not an Aizen native.
Regent - The Regent is the ruler of Aizen...always the trained successor of the previous Regent. Often, the Regent 'line' is not based off blood...it is based on skill, leadership abilities, and strength of character. They act as both the civilian leader and the Commander-in-Chief. NO country-wide orders are put into effect without the Regent's Seal...and the Regent holds THE ONLY copy of the Seal. The current Regent is Hadar Rachamim, a 35 year old woman who was once the Little Regent of the Navy. She has only been Regent for a year, but is living up to expectations.
The 6 Little Regents - Answerable ONLY to the Regent, these are the overseers of the six branches of State and the Military that make up Aizen. Navy, Infantry, Calvary, Foreign Affairs, Interior Land, and Interior Affairs. The current Little Regents are Eliana Kri'ah (Navy, 39, female), Shani Mitamuhl (Foreign Affairs, 42, female), Dovev Ozer (Infantry, 35, male), Falk Ruach (Calvary, 39, male), Melech Tznius (Interior Land, 50, male), and Remiel Zrizus (Interior Affairs, 32, male).
Beneath the Little Regents are the Nobles, who represent their little corner of Aizen. And alongside them are the Foreign Ambassadors, who seek to represent their own country's intrests in the Regent's Court.
Beneath them are the Guild Master...except the Thieves' Guild of course, because they "don't exist".
Ishi
East of Aizen, beyond the mountains, lies the expanse of land known as Ishi. Twice the size of Aizen, they are much older and richer in history. The entire country follows one religion...that of the Dual Gods and their family. Some of the Gods are mortals that attained deific status, others were born Gods. The goddess of the Sun, Tenkou, is the ancestor of the rulers of Ishi.
The land is matriarchal and matrilineal...Women are the ones who hold the power, and descent is traced through the mother. Abuse of men is not condoned...but they are the child-rearers and house-keepers.
Education is something for the rich or gifted here...the only thing all citizens are required to learn are the religious texts, how to read, and how to write. The only magic condoned in Ishi is Holy Magic...Arcane Magic is outlawed, and Mage-changed are hunted down when they are found. They are considered abominations that go against Tenkou's edicts. Ishi is almost always at odds with their southern neighbor, Qamar.
Ishi, like Aizen, is fertile and rich in resources found only sparingly in other places. Silk, rice, jade, bamboo...and it is home to the illusive Luck Serpents, creatures rumored to be the last Dragons, capable of taking a human form.
Note about names: Names are taken from Japanese and Chinese.
Goraikou no Musume - 'Daughter of the Rising Sun'. The 'empress' of Ishi, and always a daughter of the Tenno family. She is the secular and sacred leader of the country, and she has final say on whether her generals go through with anything military-wise. The current Goraikou no Musume is Tenno Ritsuko, a sharp-witted 40 year old woman with a sarcastic sense of humor. Her heir is her 10-year-old daughter, Tenno Kiku, who is showing potential to be a leader. Though she's also proving to be a little more open-minded than her mother...
Qamar
South of Ishi, this country is vastly different from Ishi and Aizen. A land of savanna and desert, Qamar is a land where money is valued for the comforts it buys. Great wealth is gained by hard work and a good mind for business. Qamar blades and artisan-made goods are unrivaled by any other in quality and durability. And they are known for their rich foods full of spices, dried fruits, and tender lamb and goat.
Qamar is patriarchal and patrilineal...everything is traced through the father, and the men are the ones in charge...though Qamar women are cunning and often run things in the background if their husband or father is unwitting enough.
Literacy is taught to those who have the money to hire a tutor, or who are lucky enough to have a tutor that has set up a small school in the area. Magic of any sort is looked down on, and Mage-changed are treated as second-class citizens...a remnant from when Qamar threw off the rule of the elemental spirits called 'gen'. Qamar are a proud people, and making one feel like a fool is a very, very bad idea.
Note about names: Taken from the Arabic and Persian languages.
Son of the Moon - The king of Qamar. This is a position passed down to the eldest son of the last Qamar on his deathbed. There has never been a daughter on the throne, though that might change if the current Qamar does not have a male heir soon...Like any traditional monarch, the Son of the Moon rules with a fair, but hard hand. However, he encourages his people to be clever and innovative. The current Son of the Moon is Roshan ibn Behruz. He's a 40 year old man with a love of good blades who dotes on his 5 daughters and 2 wives.
Hayvn
The northernmost 'civilized' land on Destra, Hayvn is a magorcracy, run by a council of the strongest mages in the country. Magic is a part of daily life here, even for the non-mages, and magical technology is common. Hayvn is, by far, the largest of the countries on Destra, and has one of the most diverse-looking populations.
Note about names: Names are taken from English, German, Welsh, and French.
The High Council -
 Das Tor · Wed Oct 01, 2008 @ 05:21am · 0 Comments |
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