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modsoflight) wrote2017-03-08 09:19 pm
modsoflight) wrote2017-03-08 09:19 pm
Kingdom of Liciae
The Kingdom of Liciae
The Radiant Lands
Description: The Kingdom of Liciae (lee-SHAY) is a monarchist kingdom known for the fertile farmlands encircled by deep old growth forests, the vast network of shallow rivers including the capital city having canals instead of roads and a population that is said to be under Alexander's protection.
Officially the church - which boosts a massive cathedral in the heart of the capital - is separate from the 'earthly' affairs of the Monarchy, but in practice, they wield a tremendous amount of influence in the name of keeping a stable status quo that they had enjoyed up until the last war.
Socially, there's a stark difference in the lives of citizens in a pyramidal hierarchy with the nobility and upper echelons of church leadership having the majority of wealth and power, below them are the bishops, merchants, and artisans, with the majority of the population below them having no say in the business of running the kingdom and are looked down upon by members of the higher social classes, but while no one is in danger of dying due to poverty, it is far from easy life for those without power.
The Kingdom is divided into twelve smaller provinces, overseen by a Noble house, who in turn answer to the King on the Council of Lords, with the Capital being directly under the royal family's control.
Core Beliefs and Values: Cooperation, Harmony, Honor, Justice. The people of Liciae believe strongly in placing the community above the self, and that to act with only personal glory in mind is a selfish way to live and will do long-term harm to everyone.
The people of Liciae are considered quite pious in comparison to other nations, almost every citizen is a member of the church, and their calendar is full of High Holy Days from somber remembrances to shockingly bacchanalian harvest festivals that while popular with populace, is frowned upon by the Nobility and Archbishops. In any case, the world would not exist without Cosmos and the Eidolons, so proper gratitude must be expressed, whether it's through prayer or celebration.
Major Resources and Industries: Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Leatherworking, Carpentry
Eidolons of Liciae:
Alexander: The chief Eidolon of the nation, none are exempt from the unblinking gaze of its red eye. The royal family are the only known people capable of summoning this mighty being - and in the past this ended up revealing secret heirs. When summoned, Alexander will cast it's Divine Judgment unto the land, and those found wanting are summarily executed by it's light. Due to the immense power of Liciae's guardian, to call upon Alexander is considered an act of extreme last resort, and takes an immense amount of certainty and finality to even consider threatening the use of it.
Shiva: Though one would assume an Eidolon of Ice would be as harsh and frigid as her element, the people of Liciae view the beautiful Shiva as almost a mother-figure, shielding her charges from the harsh elements and blankets the land with snow to allow seed and sprout to rest in order to grow upon spring's arrival. Like any mother, her gentle nature becomes a raging storm if those under her protection are threatened. Farmers, and families consider Shiva to be their guardian. While Dalvarus said Ifrit and Shiva were once married, Liciaens deny this, and claim Ifrit is only an ardent suitor who does not understand rejection.
Ramuh: The Lord of the Levin, a thunderous god that appears as an elderly man. He is said to be the one who brought the concept of law to the land. Legends say unlike other Eidolons, he roams the land, and test travelers on their sense of honor. It is said that while he is even-handed in most matters, that the dishonorable will be struck down without mercy. Naturally as a law-giver, lawyers, nobles, and judges will look to Ramuh for all matters legal. There is a common story that Odin and Ramuh meet once a year to play games of skill, and will not look upon kindly on mortals that rudely interrupt their downtime.
Valefore: While Ramuh is concerned with the law, and Alexander with justice, Valefore is considered an Eidolon of Truth and Song, and is almost considered the patron Eidolon of Bards, performers, couriers and reporters. Her winds bring news to those willing to listen, and will tear at those that try to drown out truth with dissonant lies. It was once said she took the domain of Wind from Garuda after the Eidolon went mad.
Phoenix: The miraculous bird that is said to heal even mortal wounds and resurrect the recently dead. The Eidolon is the symbol of healers all over Liciae. His eternal flames will guide the lost and weak, and he will give of his potent feathers to anyone in need of aid, regardless of history, even treating mortal enemies with the same care as he would give to a dear friend.
Asura: Asura is a warrior-goddess Eidolon. While Shiva may provide comfort and protection, Asura brings the battle to Liciae's foes, raising a sword in each of her six arms, her three faces show the sorrow of bloodshed, the joy of defending one's home, and contemplation of the price of war. All those who engage in martial careers especially Paladins are wise to pray to her for guidance.
The Lake City: Elysa The Capital of Liciae. In ancient Liciae legends, where Elysa stands, there used to be a lake, where Shiva created an ice floe to give the founders of Liciae shelter, and they build on top it, creating a massive, sprawling city where the majority of travel is by boats or bridges spanning the network of canals. There are roads in Elysa big enough for a cart to pass though, but thanks to Liciae's network of rivers connect to the lake, the people found it simpler to do all their trade upon the water.
In the center of Elysa lies two important buildings: The Cathedral of Dawn - known for the crystal stars that adorn the steeples and the colorful stain glass depicting the Eidolons in action, and the Royal Residence and seat of political power - colloquially known as the Maiden Castle due to the Queen that originally had it built centuries ago along with the flowery motif that runs through the entire structure. While on the northern most end is the Académie of Lore.
Cathedral of Dawn An awesome display to the furor and prestige of the faith of Liciae, it towers over everything else, and claims a large part of the interior of Elysa with it's flying buttresses and barracks for Paladins and Mystic Knights. Their bells can be heard across the city, marking the hours in a day. Services are done in the midweek at noon and on Eidolon days, and the oakwood pews are always packed.
Maiden's Castle A beautiful, multi-story castle with spiral staircases, sculptures of Valefore, Asura, and Shiva, with carved flowers - it has a feeling of a maiden's touch, thus it's name stuck. The upper floors are blocked off from the public, being a mixture of private residences for the royal family, council rooms, and resting rooms for important guests. The bottom floor is plainly adorned compared to it's extravagant decorations, an unremarkable maple throne sits upon a platform where royal decrees can be announced to the public, and there are vast halls where balls, masquerades, and celebrations of that nature are held.
Academie of Lore A church-run university, it's the tallest, and oldest purely wooden structure in the country, with early, crude stain glass rose windows and a dizzying collection of books - including a locked 'forbidden' library full of books declared blasphemous decades ago during a more fundamental period in history and never expunged from the list. The church is in charge of all education, and made it thorough, granting the majority of citizens basic literacy, but in order to become a student at the Academie, a stringent test of knowledge and aptitude must be passed, thus the majority of it's student body are from the mercantile or noble class, but even impoverished students can find their way here. Those magically inclined but lack the physical fortitude to become mystic nights will enroll here, as well as young lords studying to take their parents' position, those wishing to climb up the church hierarchy, or just simply want to learn about Liciae's history.
Other locales of note:
Phoenix's Roost: Also known as Grandfather Tree, or Alexander's Heartwood among the elders, it is the tallest tree on the continent - a Ginkgo about six hundred feet in height, and given it's official name of Phoenix's Roost due to the Yellow-Gold color that it's leaves turn in autumn. It is the center of several rural festivals, and considered sacred, so climbing it is forbidden, and it's shed leaves is often made into good-luck charms - in fact, it is on the flag of Liciae. Legend has it that like the Phoenix that supposedly rest in the upper branches that it is immortal, but anyone who attempts to harm the tree will be horribly cursed, and if someone managed to fell it - disaster will strike.
Hunter's Green: Once a simple camp for rangers and hunters to rest, trade, and get prepared for the long trip - it's now a bustling village and trading post along the Green River - the biggest river in Liciae. Due to the influx of goods, the town runs almost entirely on the bartering system - which in theory is done to save time. The Hunter's Green is an excellent place to go if one wishes to acquire the freshest game, or a recently captured Chocobo to train.
Millership: A farming community in the heartlands of Liciae, notable for large wind and water mills that looks like a large ship in the distance - if one squints and tilt their head slightly. Like many small townships, they practice more energetic, and 'wilder' versions of holy festivals, with many having roots in long-gone folk beliefs.
Fort Lorelei: Bordering the DMZ zone of the Crimson Rose and overlooking the notoriously treacherous Laraby Rapids, Laraby was once a magnificent, sprawling citadel that held the war council during the war, it was there that five members of the royal family and several generals were slain after a Meteor spell struck the building. Now little more than a series of hollowed out charred halls, scorched rubble, and half-opened rooms, it's an object lesson in the brutality of war. There are rumors that the Fortress is haunted, but few dare to test if this is true.
Liciae-specific Jobs:
Paladin: The Heavy Infantry and Elite Warriors of Liciae, they are considered to be Paragons of Liciaen virtue, honor, duty, and harmony. Many members of the royal guard are Paladins, and they have a policy of being the first in, and the last ones out on the battlefield, taking heavy tolls in war in order to protect their fellow Liciaens. Due to the major prestige, many capable young men and women from the lowest classes make their way to the Cathedral of Dawn to join the ranks, but only a few meet the harsh requirements. There's grumblings that Noble children are given an easy ride into the order, but the Cathedral of Dawn fervently deny such rumors.
Mystic Knight: While considered secondary to Paladins in term of Prestige, there is still quite some honor in the duty of these magical-capable warriors. Those who meet the requirements of Paladinhood but show aptitude for magic are instead put under the banner of Mystics, and there has always been a rivalry between the two classes, as Mystic Knights tend to end up acting as shock troops to the Paladin's heavy infantry. Their armors may not be as gilded nor their weapons gleam so brightly, but they are reliable. In light of the current liege being trained as a Mystic Knight, their prestige has started to rise above that of Paladins, making the traditional rivalry even more intense.
Seer: Being able to tell the future is a vital ability, every town has a seer of varying quality working, and the Royal Seer is an official position in the Maiden's Castle. However, due to past errors and Charlatans posing as Seers, their predictions are not taken as foolproof, but as reliable advice to heed or discard depending on circumstances.
Ranger: The forests of Liciae are wide, deep, and oftimes dark, a Ranger's keen ability to find their way around the forests, and hunt down even the most elusive prey makes them the most important class in the countryside. They also make for excellent scouts and surveyors, seeking out enemies hidden in the green, or a new resource to use.
Bard: While viewed as slackers and tricksters by more conservative members of society, they'll find a warm reception everywhere due to their music bringing cheer, and they often act as town criers or messengers - bringing news with them to keep even the most remote town in touch. Some speculate that a few bards double as spies and inspectors to root out potential trouble in the kingdom.
Samurai: Samurai are a relatively new class to the region, originating with an influx of immigrants pre-war. Nobles look down on Samurai as sellswords and vagabonds, but for those who live outside of Elysa and Manor grounds, they're a means of protecting valuable goods from banditry,
Geomancer: Geomancers are invaluable for a country so reliant on the land. In war, they can turn the ground they stand on against their foes, in peace time, they can manipulate matter to coax a better harvest
Notable People of Liciae
King Cai'a (Ky Kiske), a Miqo'te in his mid-twenties. Cai'a was prior to the war sixth in the line of succession, and was never expected to take the throne, having spent most of his teen years honing his marital and magical aptitude as a Mystic Knight and quickly becoming an instructor of magic within the Church, training Black Mages, Red Mages, and Mystic Knights alike.
However, a devastating attack left the previous King, his children, and Cai'a's father dead, and as the only one in the family that showed an ability to summon Alexander, he was quickly crowned as the new King. Young and idealistic, he has all the best intentions for the people, but lacks political experience - and there are almost daily reports of clashes between the King and his council of Lords.
Submit a Locale:
If you wish to submit a locale to Liciae, fill out the form below and reply in the comments.
The Radiant Lands
Description: The Kingdom of Liciae (lee-SHAY) is a monarchist kingdom known for the fertile farmlands encircled by deep old growth forests, the vast network of shallow rivers including the capital city having canals instead of roads and a population that is said to be under Alexander's protection.
Officially the church - which boosts a massive cathedral in the heart of the capital - is separate from the 'earthly' affairs of the Monarchy, but in practice, they wield a tremendous amount of influence in the name of keeping a stable status quo that they had enjoyed up until the last war.
Socially, there's a stark difference in the lives of citizens in a pyramidal hierarchy with the nobility and upper echelons of church leadership having the majority of wealth and power, below them are the bishops, merchants, and artisans, with the majority of the population below them having no say in the business of running the kingdom and are looked down upon by members of the higher social classes, but while no one is in danger of dying due to poverty, it is far from easy life for those without power.
The Kingdom is divided into twelve smaller provinces, overseen by a Noble house, who in turn answer to the King on the Council of Lords, with the Capital being directly under the royal family's control.
Core Beliefs and Values: Cooperation, Harmony, Honor, Justice. The people of Liciae believe strongly in placing the community above the self, and that to act with only personal glory in mind is a selfish way to live and will do long-term harm to everyone.
The people of Liciae are considered quite pious in comparison to other nations, almost every citizen is a member of the church, and their calendar is full of High Holy Days from somber remembrances to shockingly bacchanalian harvest festivals that while popular with populace, is frowned upon by the Nobility and Archbishops. In any case, the world would not exist without Cosmos and the Eidolons, so proper gratitude must be expressed, whether it's through prayer or celebration.
Major Resources and Industries: Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Leatherworking, Carpentry
Eidolons of Liciae:
Alexander: The chief Eidolon of the nation, none are exempt from the unblinking gaze of its red eye. The royal family are the only known people capable of summoning this mighty being - and in the past this ended up revealing secret heirs. When summoned, Alexander will cast it's Divine Judgment unto the land, and those found wanting are summarily executed by it's light. Due to the immense power of Liciae's guardian, to call upon Alexander is considered an act of extreme last resort, and takes an immense amount of certainty and finality to even consider threatening the use of it.
Shiva: Though one would assume an Eidolon of Ice would be as harsh and frigid as her element, the people of Liciae view the beautiful Shiva as almost a mother-figure, shielding her charges from the harsh elements and blankets the land with snow to allow seed and sprout to rest in order to grow upon spring's arrival. Like any mother, her gentle nature becomes a raging storm if those under her protection are threatened. Farmers, and families consider Shiva to be their guardian. While Dalvarus said Ifrit and Shiva were once married, Liciaens deny this, and claim Ifrit is only an ardent suitor who does not understand rejection.
Ramuh: The Lord of the Levin, a thunderous god that appears as an elderly man. He is said to be the one who brought the concept of law to the land. Legends say unlike other Eidolons, he roams the land, and test travelers on their sense of honor. It is said that while he is even-handed in most matters, that the dishonorable will be struck down without mercy. Naturally as a law-giver, lawyers, nobles, and judges will look to Ramuh for all matters legal. There is a common story that Odin and Ramuh meet once a year to play games of skill, and will not look upon kindly on mortals that rudely interrupt their downtime.
Valefore: While Ramuh is concerned with the law, and Alexander with justice, Valefore is considered an Eidolon of Truth and Song, and is almost considered the patron Eidolon of Bards, performers, couriers and reporters. Her winds bring news to those willing to listen, and will tear at those that try to drown out truth with dissonant lies. It was once said she took the domain of Wind from Garuda after the Eidolon went mad.
Phoenix: The miraculous bird that is said to heal even mortal wounds and resurrect the recently dead. The Eidolon is the symbol of healers all over Liciae. His eternal flames will guide the lost and weak, and he will give of his potent feathers to anyone in need of aid, regardless of history, even treating mortal enemies with the same care as he would give to a dear friend.
Asura: Asura is a warrior-goddess Eidolon. While Shiva may provide comfort and protection, Asura brings the battle to Liciae's foes, raising a sword in each of her six arms, her three faces show the sorrow of bloodshed, the joy of defending one's home, and contemplation of the price of war. All those who engage in martial careers especially Paladins are wise to pray to her for guidance.
The Lake City: Elysa The Capital of Liciae. In ancient Liciae legends, where Elysa stands, there used to be a lake, where Shiva created an ice floe to give the founders of Liciae shelter, and they build on top it, creating a massive, sprawling city where the majority of travel is by boats or bridges spanning the network of canals. There are roads in Elysa big enough for a cart to pass though, but thanks to Liciae's network of rivers connect to the lake, the people found it simpler to do all their trade upon the water.
In the center of Elysa lies two important buildings: The Cathedral of Dawn - known for the crystal stars that adorn the steeples and the colorful stain glass depicting the Eidolons in action, and the Royal Residence and seat of political power - colloquially known as the Maiden Castle due to the Queen that originally had it built centuries ago along with the flowery motif that runs through the entire structure. While on the northern most end is the Académie of Lore.
Cathedral of Dawn An awesome display to the furor and prestige of the faith of Liciae, it towers over everything else, and claims a large part of the interior of Elysa with it's flying buttresses and barracks for Paladins and Mystic Knights. Their bells can be heard across the city, marking the hours in a day. Services are done in the midweek at noon and on Eidolon days, and the oakwood pews are always packed.
Maiden's Castle A beautiful, multi-story castle with spiral staircases, sculptures of Valefore, Asura, and Shiva, with carved flowers - it has a feeling of a maiden's touch, thus it's name stuck. The upper floors are blocked off from the public, being a mixture of private residences for the royal family, council rooms, and resting rooms for important guests. The bottom floor is plainly adorned compared to it's extravagant decorations, an unremarkable maple throne sits upon a platform where royal decrees can be announced to the public, and there are vast halls where balls, masquerades, and celebrations of that nature are held.
Academie of Lore A church-run university, it's the tallest, and oldest purely wooden structure in the country, with early, crude stain glass rose windows and a dizzying collection of books - including a locked 'forbidden' library full of books declared blasphemous decades ago during a more fundamental period in history and never expunged from the list. The church is in charge of all education, and made it thorough, granting the majority of citizens basic literacy, but in order to become a student at the Academie, a stringent test of knowledge and aptitude must be passed, thus the majority of it's student body are from the mercantile or noble class, but even impoverished students can find their way here. Those magically inclined but lack the physical fortitude to become mystic nights will enroll here, as well as young lords studying to take their parents' position, those wishing to climb up the church hierarchy, or just simply want to learn about Liciae's history.
Other locales of note:
Phoenix's Roost: Also known as Grandfather Tree, or Alexander's Heartwood among the elders, it is the tallest tree on the continent - a Ginkgo about six hundred feet in height, and given it's official name of Phoenix's Roost due to the Yellow-Gold color that it's leaves turn in autumn. It is the center of several rural festivals, and considered sacred, so climbing it is forbidden, and it's shed leaves is often made into good-luck charms - in fact, it is on the flag of Liciae. Legend has it that like the Phoenix that supposedly rest in the upper branches that it is immortal, but anyone who attempts to harm the tree will be horribly cursed, and if someone managed to fell it - disaster will strike.
Hunter's Green: Once a simple camp for rangers and hunters to rest, trade, and get prepared for the long trip - it's now a bustling village and trading post along the Green River - the biggest river in Liciae. Due to the influx of goods, the town runs almost entirely on the bartering system - which in theory is done to save time. The Hunter's Green is an excellent place to go if one wishes to acquire the freshest game, or a recently captured Chocobo to train.
Millership: A farming community in the heartlands of Liciae, notable for large wind and water mills that looks like a large ship in the distance - if one squints and tilt their head slightly. Like many small townships, they practice more energetic, and 'wilder' versions of holy festivals, with many having roots in long-gone folk beliefs.
Fort Lorelei: Bordering the DMZ zone of the Crimson Rose and overlooking the notoriously treacherous Laraby Rapids, Laraby was once a magnificent, sprawling citadel that held the war council during the war, it was there that five members of the royal family and several generals were slain after a Meteor spell struck the building. Now little more than a series of hollowed out charred halls, scorched rubble, and half-opened rooms, it's an object lesson in the brutality of war. There are rumors that the Fortress is haunted, but few dare to test if this is true.
Liciae-specific Jobs:
Paladin: The Heavy Infantry and Elite Warriors of Liciae, they are considered to be Paragons of Liciaen virtue, honor, duty, and harmony. Many members of the royal guard are Paladins, and they have a policy of being the first in, and the last ones out on the battlefield, taking heavy tolls in war in order to protect their fellow Liciaens. Due to the major prestige, many capable young men and women from the lowest classes make their way to the Cathedral of Dawn to join the ranks, but only a few meet the harsh requirements. There's grumblings that Noble children are given an easy ride into the order, but the Cathedral of Dawn fervently deny such rumors.
Mystic Knight: While considered secondary to Paladins in term of Prestige, there is still quite some honor in the duty of these magical-capable warriors. Those who meet the requirements of Paladinhood but show aptitude for magic are instead put under the banner of Mystics, and there has always been a rivalry between the two classes, as Mystic Knights tend to end up acting as shock troops to the Paladin's heavy infantry. Their armors may not be as gilded nor their weapons gleam so brightly, but they are reliable. In light of the current liege being trained as a Mystic Knight, their prestige has started to rise above that of Paladins, making the traditional rivalry even more intense.
Seer: Being able to tell the future is a vital ability, every town has a seer of varying quality working, and the Royal Seer is an official position in the Maiden's Castle. However, due to past errors and Charlatans posing as Seers, their predictions are not taken as foolproof, but as reliable advice to heed or discard depending on circumstances.
Ranger: The forests of Liciae are wide, deep, and oftimes dark, a Ranger's keen ability to find their way around the forests, and hunt down even the most elusive prey makes them the most important class in the countryside. They also make for excellent scouts and surveyors, seeking out enemies hidden in the green, or a new resource to use.
Bard: While viewed as slackers and tricksters by more conservative members of society, they'll find a warm reception everywhere due to their music bringing cheer, and they often act as town criers or messengers - bringing news with them to keep even the most remote town in touch. Some speculate that a few bards double as spies and inspectors to root out potential trouble in the kingdom.
Samurai: Samurai are a relatively new class to the region, originating with an influx of immigrants pre-war. Nobles look down on Samurai as sellswords and vagabonds, but for those who live outside of Elysa and Manor grounds, they're a means of protecting valuable goods from banditry,
Geomancer: Geomancers are invaluable for a country so reliant on the land. In war, they can turn the ground they stand on against their foes, in peace time, they can manipulate matter to coax a better harvest
Notable People of Liciae
King Cai'a (Ky Kiske), a Miqo'te in his mid-twenties. Cai'a was prior to the war sixth in the line of succession, and was never expected to take the throne, having spent most of his teen years honing his marital and magical aptitude as a Mystic Knight and quickly becoming an instructor of magic within the Church, training Black Mages, Red Mages, and Mystic Knights alike.
However, a devastating attack left the previous King, his children, and Cai'a's father dead, and as the only one in the family that showed an ability to summon Alexander, he was quickly crowned as the new King. Young and idealistic, he has all the best intentions for the people, but lacks political experience - and there are almost daily reports of clashes between the King and his council of Lords.
Submit a Locale:
If you wish to submit a locale to Liciae, fill out the form below and reply in the comments.