Dominicus Felinus
The kingdom of cats in the spirit world, Dominicus Felinus was created by Catus, the god of the cats, starting around 10,000 years ago in the first era. The kingdom serves as a spirit world home to the spirits of cats that were held in high regard in the living world, usually serving as guardian spirits of sorts before they transcend as a new soul to the world of the living. With the ending of the First Great War of the Realms, the kingdom has served as a form of buffer between the living world and the Grimmfell, monitoring and protecting the world of the living against evil forces.
Dominicus Felinus is a monarchy, with descendents of Catus making up the royal family. The monarch is considered a divine representative of the god, carrying out important administrative and religious tasks. A Council of Elders consults on matters of governance, and normal administrative and military functions are carried out by the Circle of Hospitaliers. A religious order, the Order of the Divine Nepeta, was created after the First Great War of the Realms in the Eighth Era, and carries out the duties of protecting the kingdom from the dark forces of the Grimmfell, guarding the bodies and souls of the kingdom.
Demography and Population
Population varies between 1.5 million and 4 million, with the current population being only 1.9 million. At peak, the kingdom had a population of nearly 10 million.
Roughly 55% of the population lives in the Western and Southern Reaches, with the Eastern Reaches and Northern Reaches following slightly behind. The Central Region, holding the capital, only accounts for less than 6% of the population.
The cats of the kingdom on average, reside for around 20-40 years before transcending onwards as a new soul to the living world. Members of the Order of the Divine Nepeta usually live for much longer, with Wardens potentially able to live for eternity should the circumstances allow it.
Historically, social classes did exist, as some of the initial residents of the kingdom were cats who were so beloved by their humans that they were buried with trappings of wealth- mice, dried fish, food, jewelry and so on, all to ensure a comfortable afterlife. These luxuries were also transported to the spirit world and the earlier social classes were formed from them. However with the later wars and emerging trade from treaties with neighboring countries, a trade class also grew and prospered. With the addition of newer cat spirits, many of whom were not buried with gifts, the social class distinctions also decreased, and social structure got flatter as a result.
Territories
The Kingdom of Dominicus Felinus is divided into five main regions: Eastern Reaches, the Northern Reaches, the Southern Reaches, the Western Reaches, and the Central Plains. Nominally, it also has jurisdiction over the Misty Vale, though the area is deserted due to its connection with the Grimmfell.
Central Plains
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Capital City: Kalliste
Important Locations: Nepetanopolis, Eirene
The Central Plains is notable for the Kingdom capital, Kalliste, and the holy town of Nepetanopolis that is home to the Order of the Divine Nepeta. The central region is known for its rich flat lands, the Platys plains, that serves as a food basket for the kingdom. To the west and north are soft rolling hills. And close to the Capital is the Plethos Lake, formed from the joining of the Euphoria River from the west and the Falkcrest River from the north. The rivers and lakes in the region are blessed by fish, and smaller farming towns and fishing villages, surrounded by fragrant cedar, rowan and willow woods, dot the landscape.
Important Locations: Nepetanopolis, Eirene
The Central Plains is notable for the Kingdom capital, Kalliste, and the holy town of Nepetanopolis that is home to the Order of the Divine Nepeta. The central region is known for its rich flat lands, the Platys plains, that serves as a food basket for the kingdom. To the west and north are soft rolling hills. And close to the Capital is the Plethos Lake, formed from the joining of the Euphoria River from the west and the Falkcrest River from the north. The rivers and lakes in the region are blessed by fish, and smaller farming towns and fishing villages, surrounded by fragrant cedar, rowan and willow woods, dot the landscape.
Northern Reaches
Regional Capital: Bergnast
Important Locations: Fjellheim, Arborg, Skoghagen, Weissengard
The Northern Reaches are the only area in the entire Kingdom that sees snow in the winter season. It is a region known for its rolling hills rugged cliffs. The Boreal Spine Mountain Chain separates the kingdom from the Avian kingdom in the north; the Falkcrest River flows down from the Risen Mountain tops, meandering through the region before meeting the Euphoria river in the central plains. From the slops of the mountains, the Tannenwald stretches easterward until it reaches the Misty Vale. Cats in this region are known for their hardiness and endurance, residing in the major cities and towns of the region, and smaller fishing villages and farming settlements that line the valley and vales that line the Falkcrest River.
Important Locations: Fjellheim, Arborg, Skoghagen, Weissengard
The Northern Reaches are the only area in the entire Kingdom that sees snow in the winter season. It is a region known for its rolling hills rugged cliffs. The Boreal Spine Mountain Chain separates the kingdom from the Avian kingdom in the north; the Falkcrest River flows down from the Risen Mountain tops, meandering through the region before meeting the Euphoria river in the central plains. From the slops of the mountains, the Tannenwald stretches easterward until it reaches the Misty Vale. Cats in this region are known for their hardiness and endurance, residing in the major cities and towns of the region, and smaller fishing villages and farming settlements that line the valley and vales that line the Falkcrest River.
Western Reaches
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Regional Capital: Grandis
Important Locations: Brightport, Floratine, Nettleton
The Western Reaches stretch from the warm beaches bordering the Sea of Everlasting Light to the central plains, and southwards till it reaches the Kung'aa mountain chains. The regional capital, Grandis, sits at the tip of Sweet Water Bay, a pennisula with many smaller streams that flow in westerward to form the Melora River. It serves as the administrative center and a key naval harbor. After alliance treaties were signed with the canis kingdoms to the west around 400 years ago, the region prospered, and the cities and towns grew. It is now a region that is lush, green, and well populated, with fishing towns lining the main Melora River, and many trading towns dotting the coastline. Other than naval boats, smaller fishing boats and trade vessals go back and forth between ports in the Sea of Everlasting Light. Its population is known for being social, hardworking, more adaptable to water, and at times viewed as being a bit more pompous than the rest of the kingdom.
Important Locations: Brightport, Floratine, Nettleton
The Western Reaches stretch from the warm beaches bordering the Sea of Everlasting Light to the central plains, and southwards till it reaches the Kung'aa mountain chains. The regional capital, Grandis, sits at the tip of Sweet Water Bay, a pennisula with many smaller streams that flow in westerward to form the Melora River. It serves as the administrative center and a key naval harbor. After alliance treaties were signed with the canis kingdoms to the west around 400 years ago, the region prospered, and the cities and towns grew. It is now a region that is lush, green, and well populated, with fishing towns lining the main Melora River, and many trading towns dotting the coastline. Other than naval boats, smaller fishing boats and trade vessals go back and forth between ports in the Sea of Everlasting Light. Its population is known for being social, hardworking, more adaptable to water, and at times viewed as being a bit more pompous than the rest of the kingdom.
Southern Reaches
Regional Capital: Joto-Ji
Important Locations: Bustani, Furaha, Bahari-mji
The Southern Reaches stretch from the Inner Thamani sea northwards towards the central plains. The Kungaa mountain chains in the south, stretching along the Almasi River make for a region known for its canyons, curving around the arid and desert like Kavujangwa plains. Agricultural plains are located along the narrow stretches of flat lands along the rivers, small stream flows and oasis, but most farming and fishing take place in the more fertile plains north and east of the canyons. Trade occurs along the border shared with the mice kingdoms of the southeast. The cats in the region are known for being intelligent and great keepers of lore and history of the kingdom. It is said that the First Seer of the Order was originally from this region.
Important Locations: Bustani, Furaha, Bahari-mji
The Southern Reaches stretch from the Inner Thamani sea northwards towards the central plains. The Kungaa mountain chains in the south, stretching along the Almasi River make for a region known for its canyons, curving around the arid and desert like Kavujangwa plains. Agricultural plains are located along the narrow stretches of flat lands along the rivers, small stream flows and oasis, but most farming and fishing take place in the more fertile plains north and east of the canyons. Trade occurs along the border shared with the mice kingdoms of the southeast. The cats in the region are known for being intelligent and great keepers of lore and history of the kingdom. It is said that the First Seer of the Order was originally from this region.
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Eastern Reaches
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Regional Capital: Lidu
Important Locations: Dongjing, Tsukishiro, Nanbu, Anyuan
Beautiful, vibrant, dotted with lakes and lush forests, the Eastern Reaches is near perfect, if not for the Misty Vale that looms along the border. The region is dotted with lakes formed from the Euphoria river, the largest of which is Lake Yuhuan, a large semi-circular lake rich with fish, and lined with fishing towns. The Misty Vale is kept at bay by the jutting Yunli Mountains which wraps eastward and southwards, and further buffered by a few forests filled with blessed sandalwood, oak, and ginko trees. The regional capital Lidu, is an ancient city that sits at the tip of the Yuhuan lake. Majority of the population is concentrated in the towns and cities near the central region, while the Order Wardens have a strong presence in the towns and cities of the border. The cats of the region are industrious, cultural, and steeped in tradition. Other than agriculture, the region is known for textile works and fine craftsmanship.
Important Locations: Dongjing, Tsukishiro, Nanbu, Anyuan
Beautiful, vibrant, dotted with lakes and lush forests, the Eastern Reaches is near perfect, if not for the Misty Vale that looms along the border. The region is dotted with lakes formed from the Euphoria river, the largest of which is Lake Yuhuan, a large semi-circular lake rich with fish, and lined with fishing towns. The Misty Vale is kept at bay by the jutting Yunli Mountains which wraps eastward and southwards, and further buffered by a few forests filled with blessed sandalwood, oak, and ginko trees. The regional capital Lidu, is an ancient city that sits at the tip of the Yuhuan lake. Majority of the population is concentrated in the towns and cities near the central region, while the Order Wardens have a strong presence in the towns and cities of the border. The cats of the region are industrious, cultural, and steeped in tradition. Other than agriculture, the region is known for textile works and fine craftsmanship.
Military
The military duties of the kingdom is divided between the Circle of Hospitaliers and the Order of the Divine Nepeta. Most casual military tasks that deal with neighboring countries and defense are handed to the military branch of the Hospitaliers. The Order of the Divine Nepeta has a specialized military section, the Wardens of the Everbloom, who deal specifically with the Grimmfell and issues in the living world amongst humans.
Foreign Relations
Dominicus Felinus borders five other kingdoms. To the west, it borders the kingdom of canines, with the kingdom of foxes and dogs being the closest. To the south is a territory being fought over by members of the reptilian species, including snakes, lizards and the like. To the southeast is a cluster of republics of the rodentia family, including field mice and squirrels. To the north are the avian kingdoms. A narrow strip of land in the northwest corner leads to the territory governed by insectoid groups. Before the creation of the Misty Vale, the northeast border was separated from the kingdom of larger cats (mainly the tigers and lions) by a river.
Currently, Dominicus Felinus has friendly alliance treaties with the canine kingdoms held by the dogs and the foxes, ensuring trade and a peaceful border. A mutual trade and defense treaty was agreed upon 200 years ago with the rodentia kingdoms, with the exception for the rats. The Misty Vale has made it harder to keep communication with the larger cats, though a small mission is sent every 20 years or so. A treaty was also established with the northern kingdom of bees, allowing the bees to migrate southwards and work with pollenation of flowers in the kingdom.
Laws
Most laws in the kingdom surround the division and inheritance of property- mainly living spaces for the cats. When the population boomed, there were more laws strictly outlining how homes could be built, with restrictions on location, spacing, and structure (such as sunlight rules). Inheritance of property also had more laws in the earlier eras when there were more cats. However, as majority of cats were alone when entering Dominicus Felinus, inheritance was generally not to direct descendents, but rather to a guild, a clowder, a group, or after the Great Wars of the Realms, many donated to the Order of the Divine Nepeta.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture is concentrated in the central plains regions. Through interaction with humans in the living world, and the later visitations by Summoners, the cats learned to grow staple agricultural crops such as oats, rice, pumpkins, carrots and various vegetables. The rivers flow with fishes, many created by Catus from the image of the fishes offered as burial gifts or offerings from humans. Fisheries were also built further inland, allowing cats, some with knowledge from interactions with humans in previous lives, to breed fishes, shrimps and other sources of food further inland.
A small clothing, pottery, jewelry and woodworking industry exist. Flax, hemp and cotton are grown in the central plains and the southern regions. The cats of the Eastern Reaches also brought in knowledge of silkworms to the kingdom. Small textiles and paper mills exist along the rivers of the central plains region. Pottery and woodworking exist mainly due to a small demand in luxuries for cats newly entering the realms. And the jewelry industry is even smaller, though copper, silver and gold mining and smithing exist in a tightly controlled guild due to the needs of the royal treasury. Woodworking and jewelry especially are also open the members of other species, especially the beavers, field mice, hamsters and squirrels who migrated from the Rodentia Kingdoms of the Southeast.
Lastly, a subsection of the Hospitaliers created a guild that monitors and controls glass making from the sands in the Southern Reaches. Other than being used for housing purposes in the realms, the glass is highly prized as its infused with magic of the realms, making it a trade commodity for export.
Capital
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Nepeta Leaf, a small flat mint-leaf coin, where 10 leaves stringed together equates to 1 tael
2 taels (20) copper = 1 silver Nepeta Leaf
2 taels (20) silver = 1 gold Nepeta Leaf
A system of bartering also exists, and is frequently used in smaller settlements and villages. Coinage is mostly a feature of populated cities and towns.
The average income in cities is around 7 taels of silver Nepeta, and less populated areas lowering to around 4 taels of silver. A meal of fish costs around 1 tael of copper.
2 taels (20) silver = 1 gold Nepeta Leaf
A system of bartering also exists, and is frequently used in smaller settlements and villages. Coinage is mostly a feature of populated cities and towns.
The average income in cities is around 7 taels of silver Nepeta, and less populated areas lowering to around 4 taels of silver. A meal of fish costs around 1 tael of copper.
Major Exports
Surplus agricultural goods, fish and textiles are exported. The forests of the kingdom also produce excellent wood, and many woods types such as sandalwood, oak, and willow are highly prized in other kingdoms. The glass produced by the Hospitaliers guilds in the Southern Reaches are also exported.
Major Imports
Due to size constraints, the cats of the kingdom generally do not breed or domesticate sheep, goats, cattle or chickens. As such meats from the above creatures, milk and wool are imported from outside. The chief source of which are the canine kingdoms to the west. Various tools and mechanisms used for industry are also produced outside the kingdom, mainly from the industrious rodentia kingdoms to the southeast.
Controlled Territories
Territories in the kingdom have parallel regions in the living world, all in an effort to make it easier for the cat spirits to adapt. For example, cats from the far east usually arrive in the Eastern Reaches. Thus the architectural styles, clothing, food and even traditions for each region tend to correspond to the culture the cats are familiar with. Recent arrivals of cat spirits from the modern era has led to some research on the possibility of "electricity" in the kingdom, even though the cats don't really need such strong lighting at night (candle light works fine).
Housing Rules
Housing in Dominicus Felinus is a mixture of spaces due to its mixed history with the existence of human summoners, and field mice migrants from the neighboring Southeast rodentia kingdom. Thus, it's not unusual to see buildings with multiple sets of doors, usually one for humans, one for cats, and one for smaller mice critters. The "sunlight rule" also means majority of houses have slop-angled roofs, as the rule dictates that no house may block another buildings' ability to bask in the sunlight.
