Post by Dread Gnat on Jun 25, 2012 21:04:53 GMT -5
Basics:
The Celestine Empire:
The Celestine Empire views itself to be the mirrored reflection of the heavens in the world. It bases much of its culture, fashion, religion, and morality upon this belief. They are a people who pull their strength from their faith, but are not blinded by it, or at least so much in that they also recognize the importance of military strength and sound battle tactics. Unlike most other nations, they do not force their religion on others, and though they do look down on other faiths, they do not persecute or condemn those of other religions.
The arts, philosophy, and all forms of beauty are revered. Great marble statues of men and women, mostly soldiers, great thinkers, or people of note, litter the cities, shrines, and most of all; the Celestine Arenas, where combat skill is tested, and warriors hone their skill.
The Celestine Empire has the most fertile soil anywhere within the expanse. They have used this to expand and extend trade with many nations, making strong alliances. Their ambassadors are also second only to perhaps the Seductresses of the Nadine Empire. As such, their already formidable military is backed by the armies of many nations should they choose to call in old favors and sworn oaths. The Celestine Empire is the greatest rival of the Amalgamation, and the only nation that can match and repel the full fervor of the Amalgamation’s armies. Because of this, the Amalgamation and Celestine Empire, who at one time were allies, have remained on a peaceful; albeit a strained, truce. Many fortresses and keeps run up and down the boarders between the two great nations, as both are aware of the great threat the other represents.
The Celestine Empire is ruled by a queen. Their queen is revered as though she were a divine creature and a prophet. Though their queen enjoys the genuine adoration of her people, it is not without its own restrictions. Originally to prevent the jealousy of rival nations, the Celestine queen must never marry. As their culture evolved this became more than a manner of political survival in the Empire’s early days, but now has taken on a meaning of purity through chastity. The queen and all of her handmaidens forsake the touch of man, for a spiritual clarity that they perceive can only be obtained through abstinence. Because of this, the queen is never unsupervised, and her maidens follow her wherever she goes.
When the queen has lived 36 years, she is veiled in lace and, with but the smallest number of servants, sails into the Mists, never to be seen or heard from again. In this circumstance, or other untimely death, faith and diligence yield reward with the highest ranking of the queen’s maidens ascending to become queen herself. In this way, ruler-ship is not carried in the blood, but through devotion; moral values instilled in the culture.
This consistent turnover also ensures that the queen always appears beautiful and youthful. With her typical similarities in appearance with successors, this provides a mystique of immortality and etherealness. It also makes Celestine handmaidens the most sought after women in the world: Sought after, yet unobtainable.
The Celestine ruling class paints a nice image of chastity, purity, and all things good, but as an aside, it should be noted that the kingdom is made up of people of all walks of life. There are merchants, beggars, and even bandits. There is also an extremely large population of farmers and simple, good-natured, country folk.
The Celestine Empire:
The Celestine Empire views itself to be the mirrored reflection of the heavens in the world. It bases much of its culture, fashion, religion, and morality upon this belief. They are a people who pull their strength from their faith, but are not blinded by it, or at least so much in that they also recognize the importance of military strength and sound battle tactics. Unlike most other nations, they do not force their religion on others, and though they do look down on other faiths, they do not persecute or condemn those of other religions.
The arts, philosophy, and all forms of beauty are revered. Great marble statues of men and women, mostly soldiers, great thinkers, or people of note, litter the cities, shrines, and most of all; the Celestine Arenas, where combat skill is tested, and warriors hone their skill.
The Celestine Empire has the most fertile soil anywhere within the expanse. They have used this to expand and extend trade with many nations, making strong alliances. Their ambassadors are also second only to perhaps the Seductresses of the Nadine Empire. As such, their already formidable military is backed by the armies of many nations should they choose to call in old favors and sworn oaths. The Celestine Empire is the greatest rival of the Amalgamation, and the only nation that can match and repel the full fervor of the Amalgamation’s armies. Because of this, the Amalgamation and Celestine Empire, who at one time were allies, have remained on a peaceful; albeit a strained, truce. Many fortresses and keeps run up and down the boarders between the two great nations, as both are aware of the great threat the other represents.
The Celestine Empire is ruled by a queen. Their queen is revered as though she were a divine creature and a prophet. Though their queen enjoys the genuine adoration of her people, it is not without its own restrictions. Originally to prevent the jealousy of rival nations, the Celestine queen must never marry. As their culture evolved this became more than a manner of political survival in the Empire’s early days, but now has taken on a meaning of purity through chastity. The queen and all of her handmaidens forsake the touch of man, for a spiritual clarity that they perceive can only be obtained through abstinence. Because of this, the queen is never unsupervised, and her maidens follow her wherever she goes.
When the queen has lived 36 years, she is veiled in lace and, with but the smallest number of servants, sails into the Mists, never to be seen or heard from again. In this circumstance, or other untimely death, faith and diligence yield reward with the highest ranking of the queen’s maidens ascending to become queen herself. In this way, ruler-ship is not carried in the blood, but through devotion; moral values instilled in the culture.
This consistent turnover also ensures that the queen always appears beautiful and youthful. With her typical similarities in appearance with successors, this provides a mystique of immortality and etherealness. It also makes Celestine handmaidens the most sought after women in the world: Sought after, yet unobtainable.
The Celestine ruling class paints a nice image of chastity, purity, and all things good, but as an aside, it should be noted that the kingdom is made up of people of all walks of life. There are merchants, beggars, and even bandits. There is also an extremely large population of farmers and simple, good-natured, country folk.