Post by Admintoko on Dec 24, 2009 13:06:20 GMT -5
The kingdom of Terre de Conte; a true haven of pure, unspoiled beauty and art, from the rolling plains of the eastern cities to the western river coasts and the northern mountain regions. And at the heart of it, Terre De Conte’s capital, The City of Venus, where the imperial castle is built. A nation of light and glory--of grandeur, power, splendor, and romance.
~Anactoria I
GEOGRAPHY
To the north and center, the kingdom is blessed with rich farmlands and rivers: the Danrau, the Lusande running through the province Rasralle, and the uncrossable Rhenus. To the south, the Sanguine mountains separate Terre de Conte from its neighbors. To the west, the land is rocky and populated by tough creatures such as ogres, dragons, and mountain nymphs. And the east is milder, with sweeping plains and sloping shores bordering the ocean where centaurs, mermaids, sirens, water nymphs, and other such creatures can be found.
CULTURE
--Social Castes: Much like in medieval society, Terre de Conte's social hierarchy begins with the imperial family, continues with the court, which consists of dukes, counts, and countesses, and ends with the working class. Castle workers have more prestige than those of cities and villages. Rumor has spread that the slave trade, established before the time of Anactoria I continues to persist through the reign of Emperor Galeron.
--Currency: The empire's currency consists of gold, copper, and silver coins, each two and a half diameters in size and marked with the Sapphis imperial crest. The treasury converts currency from other nations, while occasionally gems and other valuables are used to trade.
--Language: Primarily Gaelic, English, and Elvish. Due to the large population of travelers and immigrants, other languages are not uncommon.
--Technology: Lamps, heating systems, and sometimes even running water are all fueled by magic.
SOCIAL HIERARCHY
- Empress/Emperor
Highest title. Rules an empire. - Queen/King
Rules a kingdom. - Crown Prince / Crown Princess
The heiress or heir to the throne of an empire or kingdom. Naturally, an empire's heir outranks a kingdom's heir. - Princess / Prince
A ruler's daughter or son that isn't heir to the throne. - Duchess / Duke
Noble rank just below the royal rankings. Governs a duchy. - Marquess / Marquis
Governor of a marquisate. Depending on wealth and land size, a Marquess or Marquis can rank higher than a Duchess or Duke. - Margravine / Margrave
Governs a march. Same level as a Duchess, unless land or wealth differ. - Countess / Count
A somewhat low noble rank. Governs a county within a duchy. - Viscountess / Viscount
Lower noble title. Governs a viscounty wihtin a county. - Baroness / Baron
Lowest of the noble ranks. These people oversee small landships called baronies. - Knight
The ascension from page, to square, to knight's apprentice, and finally to knight takes at least ten years. The role of page can be taken on as early as age five. - Merchant
Depending on wealth, a merchant can rise to the level of a baroness - Imperial Servant
Serves and empress, emperor, and/or their family. - Royal Servant
Serves a king, queen, and/or their family. - Noble Servant
Serves any of the nobility. - Citizen
Everybody else who isn't a slave. - Slaves
Bought and sold for service to mistresses and masters.
This post is a result of a combination of the original Anactoria's writing, the original Anactoria's research, a bit of Matoko's intiative and plenty of editing by Xiulin.