Dangerous Crowns
Page 26
Though the world of Dangerous Crowns is obviously flawed, at its heart, it is inspired by what people are capable of at their best. The provinces are powerful, vibrant, and dignified. The people are clean, healthy, and live long. Nature is soothing, and food tastes good. Even as the reign of King Hector makes the political climate tense, the Three Continents are a beautiful place to explore.
HISTRIA
(HISS-tree-uh)
Situated between Carpathia and a balmy eastern coast, Histria boasts fertile farming, a strong military, and the mildest weather in the continents. Histria is part of the “old guard” - a world power for centuries, it is accustomed to wealth, glory, and a place in the history books.
People in the Histrian capital see themselves as cosmopolitan, and enjoy fine food, fine art, opera, and bustling city life. Many fashion trends begin in Histria, and while not as esteemed as the Grand Gallery in Kaditha, Histria’s Rhetor Magna is a fine university in its own right.
Histria is also home to Tiresia and Antipa, two hilly, temperate islands off the southeastern coast. Historically, Histria and Kaditha have fought for control of Antipa. Today, it serves as a vacation spot for Histria’s elite.
Histria has lost much of its luster in the last few years, as the tyranny of King Hector has tarnished its reputation on the world stage. The other provinces look on with a mix of horror and helplessness, unsure whether to intervene or let it burn itself down.
•••
Current Ruler: King Hector Portinari
Official Color: Red
Official Animal: Eagle
Specialties: Military, agriculture, fine arts
Common Names: Marcus, Augustus, Claudius, Julia, Cassia
SEVERIN
(SEH-vur-in)
A land of heavy food, heavier clothes, and almost year-round cold, living in Severin is not for the faint of heart. Simply traveling through it is dangerous in winter, which makes it challenging for Severin to be open with the rest of the world. Because of this, some believe Severins are rude and isolationist - an old, hidebound culture convinced of its superiority. In reality, while they are formal and concerned with appearances, they lead colorful private lives with their families and friends.
Severin has a reputation for producing talented scientists, and was recently the birthplace of cognitive alchemy. On the other hand, many see the Severin branch of the Church as bizarre, with prayers, vestments, and customs unused in any other province. Most Severins are not even sure how these differences came to be, but in true Severin fashion, it is just how things are done.
After eight years, Severin’s King Leonid is tired of the war with Histria, and is especially fed up with Hector plundering Severin’s silver mines. Severin and Histrian generals have started to talk behind Hector’s back, debating whether there is way to reach an armistice without him.
•••
Current Rulers: King Leonid Kazarin, Queen Yustinia Kazarina
Official Color: Purple
Official Animal: Wolf
Specialties: Military, silver mining, science
Common Names: Natalya, Svetlana, Dmitry, Alexei, Vera
JORMUNTHAL
(YOR-moon-thal)
Jormunthal is Severin’s more temperate cousin, dotted with craggy hills and mountains that make it difficult to attack. With the rocky landscape comes a wealth of mineral mines, and Jormund-smithed weapons and armor are legendary worldwide. Between this, the landscape, and their impressive naval strength, most rulers know better than to pick a fight with them.
Jormunthal has never been known for its diplomacy. Many Jormund rulers have been warlords and taken the throne by blood, and other provinces find it hard to match their stubborn negotiation style. On top of that, Jormunthal often falls victim to bitter clan feuds, which can leave them teetering on the brink of civil war.
Because of this, people outside Jormunthal sometimes perceive Jormunds as hard-partying, hard-fighting boors. Many Jormunds resent this, and see their forthright attitude as practical - honest and upfront in the face of an elemental life.
Like Leonid, Jormunthal’s King Torvald is furious with Histria over the war, and sees Hector’s aggression as a personal insult. However, the war has had one unintended benefit: Many clans have put aside their differences and united against their common foe.
•••
Current Rulers: Queen Sigrun Ingersdottir, King Torvald Einherjar
Official Color: Blue
Official Animal: Bear
Specialties: Smithing, mineral mining, shipbuilding
Common Names: Ingrid, Bjorn, Hilda, Erik, Sven
CARPATHIA
(Kar-PAY-thee-uh)
Carpathia is the youngest power in the Three Continents, founded by exiled Jormund clans a couple of centuries ago. A rainy, wooded province, Carpathia excels at forestry and animal husbandry, and adventure stories about the Carpathian royal guard are popular throughout the continents.
Since its inception, Carpathia has been difficult to unify, a challenge left over from its clan origins. Every few decades, one region or noble house will provoke another, citing insults or cultural differences that outsiders do not understand. Queen Sibyl has managed to keep them together for now, but no one knows what will happen when her successor takes the throne.
Carpathia is the only province that shares a land border with Histria, and it has tried vehemently to remain neutral in the war. This has not gone over well with a small group of Carpathian war hawks, who hope to boost Carpathia’s stature by helping Histria win. Sibyl’s official stance is that Carpathia has no stake in either side. In private, she thinks Hector is a despot, and wishes someone would overthrow him soon.
•••
Current Ruler: Queen Sibyl Rochefort Cavendish
Official Color: Green
Official Animal: Fox
Specialties: Timber, agriculture, animal goods
Common Names: Albert, Martin, Morwenna, Bryony, Rose
KADITHA
(Ka-DEE-thuh)
Kaditha is the world’s foremost power in trade, dealing in everything from spices to parchment, perfumes, and textiles. It is home to the Grand Gallery, the world’s most prestigious university, and other provinces admire the Kadithan culture of manners and intellect. However, because nearly all of the province is in a desert, large-scale agriculture is a persistent problem, and water is as precious as human life.
Kaditha began as a region of disconnected tribes, and was then unified under a monarchy several hundred years ago. That said, outside the capital, the tribes are very much alive, maintaining traditions that date before the arrival of the Celestial Pair. Kaditha is the setting of many events in the Book of Titus, and the capital is a site of pilgrimage for devoutly religious people.
Thousands of years ago, the far west of Kaditha was ruled by a Juban empire that antiquarians study with great interest. This Juban influence may have given Kaditha its unique style of swordsmanship, a martial art that military officers study around the world.
•••
Current Rulers: Queen Yasmina Al-Fahim, Princess Consort Ibtihaj Mansour
Official Color: Turquoise
Official Animal: Horse
Specialties: Education, textiles, luxury goods
Common Names: Asma, Fatima, Anwar, Imran, Sayid
JUBA
(JOO-buh)
The oldest civilization in the Three Continents, early Jubans were intrepid explorers, and their descendants have spread throughout the world. Juba enjoys a sprawl of deserts, jungles, and grasslands, as well as huge deposits of gemstones and gold - which it is very protective of.
Because of its size, Juba is less centralized than other provinces, with communities led by governor figures who answer to the throne. Juba’s current ruler, the young Adewale I, has done a keen job of staying organized and keeping his nose out of wars. In recent years, he has begun to build diplomatic relationships, and is biding his time to see what happens over in Histria.
With its peaceful self-sufficiency and understated strength, Juba has a reputation as a sleeping giant in world politics. Some rulers have mistaken it for a soft target and invaded it out of greed, and Juba has always swiftly and intensely put them down. No one has ever defeated Juba in a land war - it has seen the rise and fall of many ages, and will see many more to come.
•••
Current Ruler: King Adewale Aduba
Official Color: Yellow
Official Animal: Lion
Specialties: Agriculture, gold and gem mining, timber
Common Names: Abena, Akande, Ijeoma, Kofi, Nneka
THE SHURKA
(SHOOR-kuh)
The Shurka are a small, somewhat reclusive ethnic group, originating in the grassy area between southwest Severin and northern Juba. They tend to live in wooded areas and rural villages, in painted caravans that reflect their skill as carpenters and blacksmiths. Settled Shurka people raise small amounts of livestock, and their savory food has become the subject of modern culinary interest.
Apart from the religion common to the Three Continents, many Shurka also practice a form of animism that predates Titus and Mira. They believe the world is full of spirits that coexist alongside the Celestial Pair, who are mischievous and - unlike Titus and Mira - can be pleased or displeased. This has led to a culture with a rich, syncretic theology, expressed through oral tradition, music, and folk art.
Shurka communities may be shy around outsiders, but amongst each other, they are lively and gregarious. They are also generous to travelers who show them goodwill - finding a Shurka camp on a journey has saved many explorers’ and runaways’ lives.
•••
Current Rulers: Local elders, varies by community
Official Color: Maroon
Official Animal: Raven
Specialties: Handcrafts, horse breeding, cuisine
Common Names: Kezia, Vadoma, Petru, Drago, Lita
CALENDAR
The world of Dangerous Crowns follows a twelve-month calendar, with thirty-day months and seven-day weeks for the sake of simplicity. Years are numbered with the prefix “CC,” or “Celestial Calendar,” based on the agreed-upon date that Titus and Mira fell from the sky. Dangerous Crowns is set in the year CC 1628.
January: Boreal Month
February: Zephyr Month
March: Orchard Month
April: Pluvial Month
May: Meadow Month
June: Fragrant Month
July: Undine Month
August: Verdant Month
September: Crimson Month
October: Lunar Month
November: Umbral Month
December: Glacial Month
•••
The continents also celebrate nine major holidays, based both on events from the Book of Titus and the natural cycle of seasons.
New Year: 1 Boreal Month
Lovers’ Moon: 7 Zephyr Month
Flower Festival: 19 Orchard Month
Mira’s Day: 5 Meadow Month
Titus’ Day: 18 Fragrant Month
Planters’ Night: 14 Verdant Month
Firehearth Festival: 22 Crimson Month
Moonlight Festival: 30 Lunar Month
Starlight Festival: 20 Glacial Month
THE FAMILY IN SOCIETY
The world of Dangerous Crowns practices a permissive model of inheritance that does not involve primogeniture. A noble or monarch may pass on their title to their firstborn child, if they have one. But they are equally likely to give it to a child they feel is more suitable, or to a non-biological successor, like an apprentice, protégé, or ward. However, they still need to consider whether their choice would cause conflict, and whether the heir is fit for the job. Ineffectual heirs can be (and often are) overthrown.
In recent decades, it has become stylish for couples to have smaller families, especially in urban areas that lend themselves to a bachelor lifestyle. This is due in no small part to the oil from the moonflower plant, which, when distilled into a tincture, is the most popular contraceptive in the continents. Because it is both inexpensive and nearly infallible, it is seen as common sense for women of childbearing age to use it.
When a couple marries, instead of the wife taking the husband’s name, the partner of lower social rank takes the name of the partner of higher rank. For the nobility, this can be a source of feverish debate, as families analyze their pedigrees to see who comes out on top. For working-class couples, who takes whose name is more a matter of taste.
Same-gender relationships (and thus, marriages) are both ordinary and legal. They are especially common among brothers and sisters of the Church, where the same-gender environment of cloistered life may appeal to them.
FASHION
Men in the Three Continents wear variations on the tunic, over leggings and high-necked undershirts for modesty and formality. Men of higher social standing pair it with a cloak, kaftan, or knee-length cape, and warriors wear it under their armor regardless of gender.
The gold standard in women’s fashion is a floor-length, empire-waisted dress, with a small train and dramatic sack back that attaches to the neckline. It uses petticoats and sewing techniques to achieve its huge, flared skirt, so it is easy to move in and does not require uncomfortable shapewear.
Women wear flat slippers, or sandals in warmer provinces. Men wear boots that come either to the knee or mid-calf. Wealthy women wear lots of makeup, and jewelry is popular across the continents, but permanent decorations other than pierced ears are almost unheard of.
Short hair is preferred for men, and while Histrian men are expected to shave, men in other provinces may wear facial hair according to their choice. Women often put their hair up, but boy-short hair is a daring new trend. Juban people wear a wide range of combed, twisted, and braided styles. Kadithan men wear various turbans depending on their profession or tribe, and Kadithan women wear long, sheer veils draped around their head.
Lower-class clothes are simpler versions of wealthy styles, with less expensive materials and less voluminous skirts. However, lack of money does not always mean sacrificing detail. Shurka clothing is known for its elaborate embroidery, and Jubans of all social stations wear brightly-colored wax prints.
RELIGION
The continents’ primary organized religion is duotheistic, and worships a romantically-involved god and goddess named Titus and Mira. Also called “the Celestial Pair,” Titus and Mira are benevolently indifferent - they ensure the world keeps turning, but do not involve themselves in the lives of individuals.
According to legend, Titus and Mira are two beings made of stardust, who fell from the sky and were found by an ancient Kadithan tribe, the Kiva. The Kiva protected them and nursed them back to health, and when they grew strong enough, they traveled throughout the world to observe what humans had made of themselves. They eventually returned to the stars, but as they had grown fond of humankind, they chose to watch over them as their adopted children until the end of time.
The Church’s holy scriptures are made up of two volumes. The first part, the Book of Titus, tells the Celestial Pair’s story through parables. Some are seen as historical fact, others are allegorical. The second part, the Book of Mira, is the word of the Celestial Pair - instructions for living a good life and governing an ethical state. Rather than blind obedience, the Church says that the laws in the Book of Mira must be regularly debated to keep them accountable and relevant.
Oaths featuring the Celestial Pair are common and vary in obscenity. “Mira’s grace” is harmless and “Mira’s blood” will only offend the most devout, but some are more creative, like “Mira’s tits” or “Titus’ painted ass.”
THE CHURCH
The continents’ largest religious institution, simply called “the Church,” is dedicated to observing, teaching, and debating Titus and Mira’s word.
Clergy begin their religious careers as initiates, and take vows of sobriety, austerity, and to live in the im
age of the Celestial Pair. They then become brothers or sisters and may progress to mothers and fathers, at which point they lead a shrine, temple, or cloister of their own. The highest attainable rank is that of the pontifex, who presides over their province from the Grand Temple in the capital.
Pontifices must be elected by a council of their local religious peers, through a grueling vetting and debate process that takes many weeks. The job is not restricted by gender - the current Kadithan, Juban, and Jormund pontifices are female. When a new ruler assumes the throne, their province’s pontifex must issue a decree as to whether they have divine right. This is usually a formality, but it can be politically sticky, especially with an unpopular heir or following a coup.
Clerics are allowed to have romantic relationships, but there is a strong expectation that it will not interfere with their work. It is tacitly understood that they will not have nuclear families, because of the conflict of responsibility it would place on them. Because of this, some clerics leave their orders if they fall in love, while others spend their lives in happily unwed partnerships. Still others are drawn to relationships with other clerics, who already understand the demands of religious life.
THE SYNDICATE
The Syndicate is the most infamous criminal organization in the continents, formed several decades ago by a band of Histrian highwaymen. With a vast network of thieves, hitmen, bounty hunters, smugglers, pirates, and spies, the Syndicate has their fingers in nearly every corner of the underworld.