Cinera
Directly north of the Republic it shares a border from Franlius to Astraea along the north fork of the Invex river. It is a hotbed of intrigue and divided loyalties as ambitious warlords rise and fall. Cinera is a nation that thrives in the atmosphere of constant conflict and warfare. Life there is hard and rough, as death always lurks around the next corner. The warrior class is praised for its might, a status they protect jealously. There are extreme divisions between warriors and commoners, who are considered little more then slaves. The few citizens that relocate outside of Cinera are usually fleeing from some intrigue or dishonor that would cost them their lives.
Geography
Cineran is located directly north of the Republic, it shares a border from Franlius to Astraea along the north fork of the Invex river. It has a number of important cities, each with their own unique traits.
Cair Coradon
Capital city. In the central plains of Cinera, suddenly rises a rock formation. This natural anomaly rises 200 feet straight up before becoming once more, a flat plateau. On top of the rock formation the fortress of Coradon was built long ago. It has never been taken during times of war, although it often has changed hands with the nation's infighting. Along with the fortress stands the imperial complex and the buildings of the High Council. In the plains below has grown a vast and sprawling city. Every day
Cinerans come to Cair Coradon to swell its numbers.
Anorad
Second city in importance in Cinera and most populated. It is home to great festivals, each more warlike then the next. Anorad is the closest city to the Iridine border and for this reason it is also a very important military center. Recently it has also become home of the Cineran branch of the Ereal cult.
Cinera (village)
Small fishing village on the west coast. It is the legendary birth place of the first emperor of Greater Cinera. Traditionally, all new leaders of the nation go to Cinera for the ritual crowning. For this reason there is a very rich and opulent sanctuary in this otherwise minor settlement.
Cair Cainen
Fortress town in eastern Cinera. It was originally built to act as a first line of defense against the Kelestians and Iridinians. It serves that purpose still, even with diminished numbers.
Markad
Cineran sea port. It is home of the greatest slave market in the known world. It has gained a reputation over the centuries as the most dangerous port, indeed the most dangerous city, the world over. All manner of goods and people are said to be found in Markad at the right price.
Appearance
Cinerans of pure blood tend to be olive-skinned like their Iridinian cousins. A few have paler skin, and as for those of mixed blood, the variety is dictated by the lineage. All Cinerans almost without fail are dark haired. Fair-haired men and women are considered to be weaker and are discriminated against. Cinera's survival-of-the-fittest mentality has bred a nation that tends to be taller and more muscular then average. On the other hand, Cinerans also tend to not live as long as the denizens of neighboring states.
Culture
Cinerans worship strength, boldness and audacity. They pitilessly prey on the weaknesses of others, tell insulting jokes with rabid frequency, and are considered loud and arrogant by most foreigners who encounter them. Any Cineran who isn't pressed into virtual slavery because of the status of his parents or as payment for debt and dishonor, usually follows the warrior's path. All Cinerans, men and women, know how to fight to some degree. Indeed, the only way a woman can be recognised and allowed some degree of freedom is if she can fight on her own. When Cinerans marry, the new couple will have a contest with the fighting-dirk. This is a widely-honored ritual in Cinera, even though deaths are frequent. If the woman wins, she will gain a measure of respect from her mate. If she loses, however, she can expect a lifetime
of servitude to the man who now owns her.
It is important to note here the singular role the fighting-dirk plays in Cineran culture. All Cinerans carry at all times on their person, a small blade of some sort. If many of them are proficient with the weapon, even more are lethal with it. Every single Cineran male believes himself to be an expert with the blade.
Relationships of power are the basis of the Cineran society. All Cinerans either own or are owned. However, the lowliest peasant in Cinera is granted some land. This parcel may be ridiculously small, but none can take it from him (unless by death). This man may own his piece of land, but he almost always is owned in turn by a more powerful man. This second man owns his own land (not always bigger) and the first man, but is in turn owned by a third. This hierarchy permeates the whole of Cinera until the level of the more important warlords. These wealthy individuals usually own vast expanses of land, and countless men obey them.
There are many ways ownership comes about in Cinera. Foreigners who do not seek the protection of a citizen can freely be made slaves by any Cineran. Children of a Cineran and a non-Cineran are considered slaves. This stigma remains on the child unless certain conditions are met: someone buys the child his right to be Cineran (which usually means this benefactor becomes the new owner of the child), the child flees Cinera, the child kills a Cineran to take his lands and rights. If the child follows the third course, he must defend his new acquisition for a year before being recognized. Women are always owned by their father, husband, or protector (male). The only exception to this is if the woman proves herself (ritual fight of marriage) — at that time she can be considered equal to her man, although never superior.
If one Cineran incurs a debt to another, he can be forced to serve this man if the debt cannot be paid. In duels, if the opponent is not killed, the
loser can either be made slave or owned by the winner. Whether one or the other depends on the previous status of the man and the clemency of the
winner. A victorious Cineran can in fact lose his status if his decision is perceived as unjust by his peers. Matters of honor are very important to
Cinerans, and they are very fond of duels.
In this warlike society, feats of arm are a person's greatest assets. Cinerans show little patience for the professions that require long studies. Healers, herbalists, scholars and their likes are seldom Cinerans. But where disorder reigns, there is opportunity. Thieves are common all over Cinera but they are more often then not soldiers who happen to lift a few purses while engaged in more martial pursuits. The law favors illegal activities of all kind. Crimes and wrongs are settled with champions. The
right cause is that of the victorious champion, for it is said that Ereal will guide their hand.
Rumours & Word of Mouth
- "Cinerans claim to have some of the most potent and harsh liquors."
- "[A foul tongue, spoken by] a foul people."
- "Cinera is famous for their abilities in knife fighting, and even have their own style of using them."
Cineran Entertainment
Cinerans are typically described as the brutes of the world; outside of the barbarous lands they are the most well-known for their brutality, slovenliness and open attitude towards ferocious cruelty. These aspects partially disguise to the outside world their society's complex social fabric, attitudes, and mores.
The Cinerans upper classes, the warlords, generally find their amusement in genteel pastimes. Much as the Iridine nobility do, they hunt for game, place wagers on trivial matters, and vie for political power. Many of their more public amusements are curtailed, however, out of security concerns; after all, the only way to assume a noble's lands and titles are through his death. This does not lead to a very secure life for those nobles, and their enjoyments reflect this fact.
It is a fact that everyone in Cinera is the slave of someone else; the lower class, enslaved to the Cineran warlords, find their enjoyment in far more mundane activities. Topping the list is the perennial duo of drinking and gambling. Cineran drinking habits account for a large chunk of a man's reputation; an inability to hold one's liquor deals a serious blow to one's esteem about town. Similarly, those who haven't got the ability to sit down with a pair of dice and lose, quite graciously, several year's worth of earnings are viewed with disdain. While puffing on his foul-smelling pipe the Cineran peon will often abuse women and small animals, discuss at lengths his upcoming attempt to levy an army and conquer Iridine, or practice new and innovative techniques with the dirk.
One more unique facet of this strata of society lay in the curious Screnaca Coranadin, which translates roughly as "The Dance of Drizzling Blood". Men (and occasionally women) consent, for the sake of honor, entertainment, or pure drunkeness, to bind their right hands together. Holding dirks with their left hand, they proceed to strike at each other. The first to draw blood on the other person three times is declared the winner. Entire industries thrive around this form of entertainment, which the warlords detest with such loathing it is almost impossible to believe they share common blood with the
lower classes.
Cineran Religion
The major deity of Cinera is Ereal, the same Ereal that was introduced to Iridine during the Age of Kings. Priests of Ereal are the only ones, foreigner or otherwise, who are inviolate in Cinera. Even the most feared warlord does not enjoy such protection. Attacking or in any way harming any Erealite will incur a quick sentence of death. Over the last fifty years, an independent priesthood has formed, one that was quickly denounced in Iridine, but which has grown nonetheless. Like the society it lives in, it is very hierarchical, prone to violence and ruthlessness. Many traveling priests have compared them to the followers of Junia Gracious. Unlike Iridine's Soldiers of Ereal, they are recognized in Cinera, are organized, and enjoy a great deal of wealth. The last Iridine-Cineran war has also made these two religious groups deadly enemies. The Cineran faction of the cult of Ereal continuously casts covetous eyes towards Iridinian Monlon and its temple complex, where secret artifacts are rumored to be stored. Fortunately, they have so far not been able to convince any warlords of the necessity to claim the modest fishing village.
Cineran Politics
Formerly the Empire of Greater Cinera, the nation of Cinera is but a shadow of its former self, despite recent land acquisitions. The King, and under him the High Council — a constantly changing body of leading warlords — rule the country ruthlessly. It is the admitted goal of the Council to return Cinera to its golden days when it ruled as the greatest nation in the world. One of the obstacles in this quest is the Council itself, which is too occupied with its own power struggles to consider seriously elevating the King, let alone another warlord, to the status of Emperor.
Warlords in Cinera rise and fall, but precious few gain supremacy for any extended period of time. Cinerans and foreigners alike agree that only two things might one day unite Cinera: the ascension of a new Emperor or the threat of a major invasion.
The High Council
The leaders of Cinera are found in the High Council, a body ranging from 150 to 200 individuals. They are almost all warlords and their most trusted advisors and lieutenants; some priests have also managed to be recognized as a member of the Council. To gain such recognition, one must present himself before the assembly and ask to be counted among their numbers. If none object (a situation that rarely occurs, and only through an unusual fit of boredom), the supplicant is allowed in. If the man demanding entrance also has a protector strong enough, he will be accepted. If another objects, however, the result is a duel. If the supplicant is victorius, he is allowed to enter the High Council, while the loser usually is killed.
King of Cinera
The current head of the High Council is the self-proclaimed King of Cinera. Once only a warlord among many, he was able to rise above the rest. Showing surprising statesmanship, impressive military and combat skills, and sufficient wealth, he was able to impose his presence over his adversaries. He has now been leading the nation for 20 years and is only too happy to promote its violent and divisive side. Under him, the High Council went from being seperated in two parties to being seperated into five parties. Upon graduating from the rank of warlord, this man announced he was to be addressed simply, and only, as King. This happened to be a practice used only by the Emperor in Cinera's greater days. Even though he is far from being the unanimous choice as leader, the King sits as firmly on his seat today he did twenty years ago.
Political Factions
The Imperial Party
A third of all the High Council are members of the Imperial party. The leading figures of this party are second only to the King. Its goal, as suggested by the name, is to seek out and find a man worthy enough to be named Emperor of Cinera and lead the nation to great accomplishments. Once so powerful they controlled half the Council, they received a serious blow two decades ago when a single member broke rank. One among them managed to elevate himself in such a way that he could be independent of his party, that man became the King. The result of this was to see the Imperial party fragment and its voice, although still heard, lose dominance.
The War Party
Fully another third of the High Council are members of the War party. They profited much from the Imperial party loss when they saw their already considerable numbers grow once more. These are the men who contribute most to give Cinera its reputation. Among Cinerans, these individuals are often considered even more brash than the typical Cineran. They have a passion for battle, one they fuel at any opportunity. Luckily for Cinera and the rest of the world, by their very nature, the members often find themselves fighting each other. During the last Iridine-Cineran war an alliance of most of the War party's warlords, along with the Anorad party, attacked Iridine. Their defeat has helped restore the balance with the Imperials.
The Anorad Party
Named after the Cineran city of Anorad where their power base is found. They are the political wing of the new cult of Ereal. Their membership is still small, but slowly gaining momentum. During the last war, their loss was in number while their influence increased. It was widely said after the Cineran defeat that things might have worked differently had the Anoradian leaders been heeded. Warlords of this party all have a priest among their advisors.
The White-Cineran Party
They could also be termed the pro-Iridinian party. They are a small group, mostly based around the south-eastern corner of Cinera, near Astraea. They remember their roots and seek to maintain some contact with their Iridinian cousins. When Cinera moved south, almost all of the White-Cineran party moved aside and refused to fight even though they were the closest to the border. Some rumors even suggest they help fight against their own countrymen, that remains to be proven. They have incurred the enmity of most other parties and only their skills in arms have kept their numbers alive.
The Blue Wheel Party
The color represents peace, the wheel symbolizes change. At last count they only had four members in the High Council. Their opinions and views are generally drowned in the general clamor of the more powerful parties. They want peace and stability, they want to bring wealth in Cinera but not at the price of war. They are generally regarded as insane or eccentrics. They are modestly wealthy and so can sometimes be of use to the other parties. For this reason they are still in existence. How long this lasts some say, depends on whether or not the War party can look up long enough to take notice of them. The very rare scholar in Cinera usually comes from this party.
Important Cinerans
Cenobus
Largest land owner in Cinera, he is generally considered the foremost member of the Imperial party. He once thought the Imperial dream would be realised, but the man who was to be King betrayed him. He is influential enough to be protected from the King's enmity but as the years accumulate, that protection is dwindling.
Amerton
Warlord of the War party, Amerton has recently suffered two setbacks. The first when his brother Rogias left for Remath, the second when the Cinerans were pushed out of Iridine in the most recent conflict. His skill with the fighting-knife is becoming legendary.
Restanen
Important member of the High Council until a year before the most recent war with Iridine. While preparing for that war, he mysteriously disappeared, and his body has never been found. His named is still mentioned frequently, leading most to believe he still walks the land. If so he is a power to reckon with for he used to command the loyalty of Cinera's elite legions.
Orien
Son of a disgraced warlord named Sacathos, his position was in grave danger among the War party until he made his move. He quietly disappeared from the High Council for a while, when he reappeared he had on his left a priest of the Anorad order of Ereal. Since then he has quickly risen to give the party a strong voice in the Council.
Maneus
The White-Cineran himself. Maneus is uncontested leader of his party and has great respect on both sides of the border. His temperament is much more that of an Iridinian then that of a Cineran. He has moved his powerbase as far to the east as he could, to be far from the intrigues of the Council. The tradeoff has been constant skirmishes with the neighboring Kelestians. Maneus is readily recognizable for his blond hair and beard, both uncommon traits among the swarthy Cinerans.