Terre D'ange
From Wiki
| Terre D'ange | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400px | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contents |
Geography
Terre d'Ange is a large country divided into seven provinces: L'Agnace, Namarre, Azzalle, Camlach, Eisande, Siovale, and Kusheth; each one is named after its founding Companion. The climate of the country is generally temperate, though it's large enough that it can get quite cold in the north and wet at the coasts yet be quite different further inland. The east and northeast of Terre d'Ange have a broad, rocky mountain range that helps protect the border with Skaldia. Most of the in-country area are forests or verdant plains, with occasional lakes and farmland in the surrounding countryside.
Three broad rivers run through Terre d'Ange; the Danrau, the Rhenus, and the Lusande. All are used to show some form of boundry between either province or country; the Rhenus, for example, sits at the eastern border between Skaldia and Terre d'Ange. All three meet the sea eventually and combined with their broadness are important for transportation and commerce.
Terre d'Ange's north, northwest, west, and south borders all meet the ocean, while southwest is linked via mountain ranges to Aragonia and east with Skaldia.
The People
The people of Terre d'Ange are, thanks to their supernatural heritage, quite different from the rest of the world in general. All D'Angelines are exceptionally beautiful and graceful, and they tend to act refined and civilized even in the worst of situations. Generally, many D'Angelines acquire whatever basic traits their founding angel had depending on the province they originated from - in L'Agnace they tend to be excellent farmers and hunters, in Azzalle they tend to be proficient sailors, and so on.
On the other hand, this blessed heritage has also made D'Angelines think somewhat highly of themselves, abandoning most shows of humility; they are a proud people and many other countries are deemed 'barbarians', such as Skaldia, and Alba and Eire.
Physically, a D'Angeline tends to be fairly tall; the men around 6 feet tall and the women around 5'8-9". Facial hair on men tends to be sparse, and in some of the older bloodlines there's none at all. While not as outwardly physical as their neighbours, the common D'Angeline is no stranger to a good day's hard work. They tend to live a more relaxed and peaceful life than their neighbouring countries, thanks to the richness of their country and the protective geography of their borders.
The Culture
D'Angelines are generally nonaggressive in terms of physical violence, though this has certainly not stopped them from using other means to get what they want, such as coercion or stealth. Outright murder is rarely considered even by hardened criminals; that sort of task is for the more barbaric peoples.
They wear whatever happens to be the fashion of the Royal Court; styles change at a sometimes frantic pace. Generally, the most accepted - if boring - garb for men is a doublet or tunic (as elaborate as possible), close-fitting leggings, hose, or breeches, and such additions as a cape or cloak, stylish hat, and leather boots. A recurring theme for men is also the addition of a rapier and flintlock pistol (unloaded!) worn on the belt - even if the wearer doesn't know how to use them.
The styles for women tend to change much more rapidly. Influenced by the Caerdicci and Aragonians, D'Angeline female styles reflect showing off the body's curves rather than hiding it with padding or too many layers. Dresses tend to be more elaborate and complex for more important functions; daily wear tends to consist of a simpler dress or skirt-tunic ensemble more suited to the task or season. Trousers or leggings on women are very rare, except in working conditions.
While there are very few destitute people in Terre d'Ange, even the poorest can usually find or make themselves decent clothing. Since fashions change so often, it's quite easy to purchase very cheap second-hand articles. And who knows, maybe the next month it'll be back in style!
The System
D'Angelines Peerage is a quite important, affluent part of their society. While nominally a monarchial system, the country is ruled by the various Houses of each province. These Houses are typically large, powerful families, with the head of family being the Duke or Duchess for that province. Smaller Houses are not uncommon parts of the nobility - after all, the Houses higher on the ladder need other families to marry into. In this way, alliances and loyalties between multiple families can be acquired by key family members marrying into more powerful or influential Houses.
Typically, there are so many family members in a House that even if the Duke or Duchess has no direct heirs, there is always enough cousins, nephews, nieces, and so on to take their place; usually this is the eldest who is chosen. Thus, intrigue and conflict can happen even in the same house if the next-in-line is particularly unscrupulous.
The general line of peerage goes as follows:
- At the bottom of the ladder are the common folk. They have no noble title. There are no slaves in Terre d'Ange; everyone is paid for work. Much like serfdom, commoners rent a small tract of land or farm on a larger estate and pay a portion of their income to the estate's owners, in exchange for protection and representation in government. Unlike in serfdom, D'Angeline commoners are free to sell their land and move elsewhere if they don't like where they are. The commoners, thus, form the backbone of the land's industry, economy, military, and mercantile systems.
- Second to the commoners are barons or counts. The seven provinces are split into smaller baronies and estates, each ruled by a minor House; these tend to lay over very specific tracts of land, such as a forest or a series of hills. Some of the more influencial Houses might acquire larger or multiple estates. All landowners are directly responsible for the well-being and protection of anyone living in their territory. The very largest landowner families, yet smaller than the provincial Houses, typically are ruled by Earls rather than Barons or Counts.
- Each province is ruled by a larger House, the head of which is called the Duke or Duchess. They hold a considerable amount of power in the noble court and are regarded with nearly as much respect as the King or Queen.
- The King and Queen have typically always come from the line of House Courcel, as that family descends in an unbroken line from Blessed Elua himself. However, recent events have left the family with no legitimate direct heirs, and so the other Houses are left with the difficult decision of deciding which is the next royal House; when that House is chosen, the next most powerful Earl of their province will take their Duchy when they move on to the Kingship. The heir to the throne is typically called the Dauphin or Dauphine (the crown Prince or crown Princess) and the non-House spouse of the King or Queen the Prince/Princess Consort. The King and Queen are the most powerful authorities in the country.
In addition, there is also a House of Parliament; while in the past they had actual authority and power, recent events have led to the nobles changing Parliament into more of an advisory role to the Royal Throne. Advisers and Ministers are handpicked by the King or Queen and given appropriate titles (such as Minister of Finance); while they are highly respected throughout the country, they have no real power on their own - every decision must be approved first by the King or Queen.
Their Allies and Enemies
Terre d'Ange has generally good relations with the neighbouring countries, though they are highly dependent on who is ruling and their personal relationships with the heads of state. Delegations and diplomats are sent and received on a near-seasonal basis to discuss things such as trade routes, military movements, important news, and even current fashions. As such, diplomats are an important part of maintaining good bonds with neighbours.
The exception to the rule is Skaldia - while recently they've been more civil than usual - even sending their own diplomatic delegations to neighbouring countries - in the past they've proven to show no hesitation in attacking or betraying anyone they see fit.
The nobles of the D'Angeline peerage are also able to legally marry into foreign families, though the foreign spouse or previous children of the arrangement is not eligble to become heirs of the D'Angeline House. For example, a Duchess married to an Aragonian prince cannot become Queen of Aragonia, and the prince can never become King of Terre d'Ange (though their offspring can become either). In this way, safety of two lineages can be assured instead of just one and can form quite strong bonds with the countries in question.
Foreigners in Terre d'Ange are widely regarded as either barbarians or children -- D'Angelines believe themselves blessed compared to the other countries and thus tend to look down upon foreigners, though acknowledge their presence as a sort of necessary evil. The exception in particular is the orderly and civil Caerdicci, whom the D'Angelines tend to view with respect.
Technology
Technology in Terre d'Ange is not something that's particularly focused upon. The lives of both the nobility and the commonfolk alike are fairly simple and easy - there's no real need to improve and adapt things much. Most of the newest technology comes from the industrious nation of Caerdicci Unitas, such as the flintlock pistol. In general, travel is by horse-and-carriage, farming is done by ox and plow, and the creation of steel furnaces in Caerdicci has improved the quality of toolmaking considerably, such as eating utensils, plows, and weaponry.
