Vivessa
Vivessa
[Viv-e-c-a]
“Red Amber.“
A
Crowned Dragon since defeated. An Empire lost.
A
people known only for their past and never the present. Known as the farthest
western land of Royale. Once the Crown of the land, but no longer when the
Royalian Revolution occurred. Vivessa was an empire built upon slavery and
the nobility of the blood, where only the aristocracy could hope to have say.
Where
they once ruled all, they are now ruled upon. Where they stood upon the backs of
Royalians, they now are subjugated by Royale. Occupied by Royalian forces, the
Vivessan aristocracy, often called a “senate” is only in power by allowance. The
council of nobles that rules Vivessa is controlled by the Royalian military.
Uncontrollable Greed.
Known
as materialistic, narcissistic and vain; the Vivessan people are painted with a
broad brush. They do not follow the Vesiput Code and therefore are seen as a
people without honor by Royale. Vivessans are said to fall to the 7 vices easier
then other Royalians due to not following a code of honor.
It is
true that forms of gambling are far more rampant in Vivessa then in the other
Royalian provinces. Drinking of alcoholic beverages are also not as heavily
monitored. However, impairment is no excuse before the law and indulgence is
often cruelly punished by Royalian authorities.
Laws
Laws
were and still are harsh and biased, reflecting the social stratification of
Vivessan society. The murder of a commoner is treated as less serious than
of a nobleman. The upper classes had the most rights; the wealthy often escaped
punishment by paying a fine. These laws are used by the Royalian military to
keep control over the Vivessan people. Among Vivessa, men have more rights then
women and children, where Vivessan nobles could deflect punishment to their
wives, and children.
Religion
In a
land of darkness, Vivessa worship Reinn Anon, Lord of Light and Storms.
Royalians do not intrude upon this reverence as it is not the Royalians who
reject the Lord of Light, but the Lord of Light that rejects them. Secondly most
common, Vivessans worship Nau'ar Lord of the Sun and Ambition.
In the
early morning whichever day the sky is clear and when the sun starting to rise,
Vivessan people opened the east doors of their houses to let the sun shine into
their houses. This expels all demons, and bad spirits from the house while
exposing ones own body to the early morning sunlight which gives a fresh, good
temper, and healthy body.
Where
Royalians celebrate the Longest Night (Pyrmogae 21st) as the night closest to
their Dark Lord, Vivessans celebrate the Longest Day (Cynteya 21st.)
Unlike
Royalians who bury their dead whole in graves; The Vivessans incinerate their
dead and place their ashes in ceremonial urns, the remains then placed in stone
tombs.
Art and
Culture
Frescoes and marble statues are a common sight in the larger cities. Especially
within churches and cathedrals to Reinn Anon and Nau’ar. Dramas are acted out
both on large stages and in open-air public places in Vivessa.
Festivals are large celebrations and devoted to a specific City. These have
traditional foods, dancing, handmade decorations, parades, concerts, and theater.
_______________________
Additional Traits:
Vivessian R
Living in a society controlled by the Royalian Empire, you
have spent many years training to face the Royalian ministers and the Black
Guards that they employee. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Knowledge checks to
identify undead (and their special powers and weaknesses) and a +1 trait bonus
to weapon damage rolls against undead.
Coin-cunning:
Raised in a society where capital was worth more then other lives, you receive a +2 trait bonus on Perception checks to notice coins, gems, jewelry, and valuable trade goods. You gain a chance to notice such goods whenever you pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not you are actively looking.
All Original names and references to the story they are from are Copyright of Nathanial Davidson.
