Amarfias

By the Creator, not fortune.

- a common greeting of strangers

  Amarfias lies to the east of Eirena and is the most technologically advanced country on the continent. Amarfians value knowledge above all else and it shows. There has been many times that an Amarfian will take knowledge as currency rather than coin if the buyer knows something they do not.   Nearly 500 years ago, a group of clerics and scientifically minded people decided that they would rather not be ruled by a single ruler. They thought a council was more practical and saw the king as merely a figurehead. They knew of a land to the east that was sparsely inhabited and appealed to the king and his council for the right to establish their own government there. The king agreed, with the condition that the new government keep the peace with Eirena. This came after an attempted rebellion by them.   For being a smaller country than Eirena, it has a bigger population, around 6 million people, tightly packed in cities and towns. The Grand Council has started a movement to expand eastward to ease the congestion.   Stone aqueducts and waterways keep clean water in the cities and a waste disposal system that keeps the streets clean. Roads are paved throughout Amarfias, allowing faster, smoother travel. The waste disposal system and upkeep of the roads are paid for by higher taxes than any other country.   The arts are well-loved in Amarfias, with artists being sponsored by wealthy men. Amarfian sculptures are desired by citizens of all countries and the paints mixed in the country have brighter and more diverse colors.   Magic is legal in Amarfias, but is considered lowborn, as they favor technology over magic, though their astrologists and prophets are highly regarded. For all they don’t care much for magic, they are easily the most religious people of Elyria, recognizing over 25 different Guardians and hold many celebrations throughout the year.  

TRADE

  Amarfias only has three trade routes, over a land bridge into Eirena, by ship north to Eirena and Lanashaun, and southwest to Meleki. They are very strict about the value of goods and have a standard set of weights and currency to ensure proper trade.   There are three mints in Amarfias, which are kept to a strict standard, so that each coin is the same weight between each of the mints. 24 Amarfian coppers are worth 1 silver. 12 silvers are worth 1 gold piece. Merchants pay close attention to the political attitude between countries, being punished for where they are not supposed to. There are inspectors at the borders and trading ports. Exports are regulated to ensure that each trader gets exactly what was ordered and no more.  

Imports

  • Gems • Linen • Fur • Amber • Sheep • Fruit • Vegetables • Metal • Salt • Wool • Silver • Iron    

Exports

  • Terracotta pottery • Olive oil • Wine • Wheat • Honey • Fish sauce • Medicines • Paints • Perfume • Colored glass • Soap • Wax    

BIRTH AND DEATH

  Births are special celebrations for families. A mid-wife attends the mother unless there is medically necessity for a physician. After birth, the mother and child typically stay within the home and travel only to the market until the child is weaned. Sadly, for a country that is so technologically advanced, child mortality is a staggering 30%. Amarfians have the most effective method of birth control. Wool is soaked in the juices of the heart-shaped seeds of the silphion plants and inserted into the body.   The dead are cared for by the family. The person closest to the body gives a last kiss to seal the body, then closes the eyes. As the family cries out in lamentation, the body is placed on the floor, washed, and anointed, then laid in state with feet facing the door. A coin is laid on or in the mouth, then the body is cremated and a cow sacrificed. Nine days after death, a funeral feast is held.  

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

  The ideal body type in Amarfias is thin but robust for women, with narrow shoulders and wide hips, fine features and pale skin. For men, being muscular and tall were most favored, as well as long legs, tanned skin, strong features , and thick hair. The average male is 5’7”, and females average at 5’3”. Amarfians are olive-skinned with dark eyes and hair, though hair coloring (even unnatural colors) is popular.  

HEROES AND VILLIANS

  BARDAS GREGORUS was the first man to study the night sky and realize that Elyria revolves around the sun and her moon revolves around her. Soon after his discovery, he was challenged by Laonicus Glycas, who, out of jealousy, tried to disprove his findings. Glycas started a cult based on his own, incorrect findings and demanded one-on-one combat, though both men were scientists and not fighters. Gregorus won and Glycas was stripped of his achievements and awards, then sent to the temple of Lanen’an to start his astronomy training anew.   VICTIGNUS ENSURGE led a rebellion against the inept council leader Decleus Paranakes, but was defeated. He was blinded as a traitor, but later returned and convinced the rest of the council to depose Paranakes.   CATIUS BRACTE was the Minister of War for the much-hated council leader Solemes Iurien. He turned against Iurien and deposed him. He freed the captives who were forced to fight their own people and was the first to set up the many colleges throughout Amarfias.   TARANUS CARCALA was one of the cruelest members of a congress. He killed his own brother, sister-in-law, and their followers, saying that they had tried to kill him first. When he found out that the citizens of Hinydon were mocking him, he rounded them all up and ordered his soldiers to attack. Over 2,000 people were killed. After the massacre, Carcala was killed by his own men.   BASSIAN ELBAGUS was a High Cleric of the Guardia Lyes’an, but began to see himself as the Guardian personified. In his insanity, he hid lions in wardrobes to maim guests, forced his guests to eat stones, and worst of all, killed children to use their innards for dark prophecy. He was eventually killed when the other clerics turned on him after discovering his atrocities.  

The stars incline but do not bind.

- an expression of free will

 

EDUCATION

Education is available to all, provided by the Minister of Education and paid for in taxes and donations. Schooling starts at age six with reading and arithmetic, then on to more complex subjects. Higher education is only available in the capitol, Andronassa.   The wealthiest families can afford private tutors, but private schools are also available for 100 gold per year. Middle-class and lower-class children are often sponsored if they show a high inclination for knowledge. Apprenticeships begin at age 13 and takes 7 years to become a journeyman. Mastery is gained after another 5 years.   Books are produced by the printing press using wood pulp, and are very common. Every student is required to purchase or share textbooks. Nearly everyone is literate, even slaves and servants. Most books are kept in public libraries or in the colleges.  

POLITICS

Amarfias is run by a Grand Congress instead of a single ruler, though there is a Leader of the Congress who is voted in by the people.   Taxes are collected from praetors in each town and sent to the capitol to fund the colleges, upkeep of the cities and roads, public education, and the military. As such, the taxes are much higher than Eirena, Lanashaun, and Meleki, though few complain.   There are formal ambassadors from Meleki, Eirena, and Lanashaun who live in an Embassy in Andronassa. Every eight years, a council is called to renew or renegotiate treaties and trade agreements.  

MILITARY

Popular weaponry in the Amarfian military includes spears, javelins, composite bows, double-handed axes, throwing axes, savers, double-edged swords and heavy spears. Amarfias is the only military to have proper siege weapons such as ballistae, mangorels, and siege towers. The Navy also has access to Hellsfire, a type of combustive material that can burn on water and is nearly impossible to put out.   The Minister of War can send out conscription notices in times of war, but during peacetime, there are plenty of professional soldiers to guard the borders and enforce laws. Commissions are common ways to honor those who have fought bravely or achieved greatness. During wartime, commissions and officer positions can be bought, though these officers are not as respected as those who have earned the honors.  

GAMES

Common pastimes and games are chariot racing, beast shows, gladiator fights, polo, and hunting. Chariot races take place on a specialized track around Andronassa. Four teams (Red, White, Blue, and Green) draw starting positions, then race around the track six times. These races are dangerous and sometimes deadly as chariot wheels are often spiked in order to lame horses.  

Peace go with you

- a farewell

 

CALENDAR

• Crusvalia: a celebration of household Guardians
• Sarelia: a celebration of Fey’an, the Guardian of Magic
• Sinshenalia: celebrates the ancestors
• Inanalia: the purification of the city. A day when everyone gathers together to clean the streets and buildings
• Capalia: a day of horseback races in honor of Sheach’an, the Guardian of Balance
• Sarsalia: the day when boys who have turned 13 come of age and leave the family home for apprenticships or school
• Flersia: a celebration of abundance. Everyone shares their surplus food from the previous winter.
• Taralia: the celebration of fertility in which couples gather to show their passion in orgies that take place in the coliseum
• Basalia: the celebration of the dead who have passed on the previous year. A day of remembrance.
• Fearnalia: a grand day of commerce in honor of Fearn’an, the Guardian of Truth and Wealth
• Lanalia: a celebration of home and family. Everyone gets a day off from trade, school, and labor to spend time with their family
• Tashalia: a festival of luck and fortune, a day of gambling
• Lund Laichare: a week of games in honor of Laich’an, the Warrior Guardian
• Awenalia: a celebration of Awen’an, the Guardian of the Rivers. A swimming competition takes place starting at Thassolimani. Swimmers must swim upstream to Andronassa. The one who gets the farthest is declared champion until the next year.
• Lunalia: a celebration of the moon. It is a celebration for women, who dance in the moonlight in fields around their city or village.
• Lacanalia: a celebration of fire. This is a celebration for men, who spend the day wrestling or racing.
• Lund Elyonalia: a nine day celebration of Elyon’s might and the creation of Elyria
• Margenu: A three day market
• Cartinalia: a celebration of wine, a favorite holiday across the country. A day of drunkenness.
• Antarusium: a festival honoring the military as they purify and store their weapons for the winter
• Lund Comatach: two weeks of feasts and winter games
• Margenu: the winter market
• Consentalia: a celebration of life and the children born during the year
• Buoana Cosentori: the celebration of the victory of the Guardians and the Fall of Shahar’an