Gadaene

Gadaene spends most of its time preparing for war. Its people are indifferent sailors and a rather raucous bunch of soldiers, being entirely too often undisciplined and unmanageable. On the other hand they have proven superbly imaginative, albeit individualistic, fighters and their natural instincts have often saved the day for them. Most other countries (with the exception of Sostaeran) take little notice of the Gadaenes. The Sostaerani, on the other hand, will gladly tell you that the only thing you can rely on a Gadaene for is to be unreliable. They will tell you their neighbors are lazy, frivolous and impulsive. None of these accusations will the Gadaene deny — they merely call it living for the moment.

The kingdom of Gadaene lies on the coast north of Remath and the Safelands. It is situated south of the more imposing kingdom of Tuchea. Lying largely unnoticed by the rest of the world, Sostaera and Gadaene are two ferocious adversaries. Gadaene and Sostaeran are lands of marked contrasts and hidden similarities. Its people are often forced into uneasy cohabitation because of proximity, but they would rather fight than live and work side by side.

Geography

The city of Gadaene was built along the coast many miles north of the mouth of the Tothean. It is situated in what was once a wooded area, but which is now a vast plain. The city grew following the whims of its inhabitants, not following any set plan. Because of this, it is entirely too common for people, especially strangers, to get lost in its twisting streets. The proliferation of gilt and decorative work makes one street very much like another. Learning a point of reference in the Gadaene mazes is an accomplishment in itself. The city has a few structures of particular note: the Royal Palace which sprawls in the center of the city and the Royal Gadaene theater, a monument rivaling anything found in the larger cities of the world. Gadaene also has many more smaller theaters, but none so impressive as the Royal.

Appearance

The Gadaene style of dress follows the country's tastes in all ways. If the cut of the clothes tend to be simple, even severe, they are on the other hand a riot of colors. An outfit that does not include at least four colors is immediately remarked upon and its wearer mercilessly teased. Gadaene men and women all tend to wear a certain type of hat. This is a small round hat with a flat top and a tassel emerging from it. Like the rest, these hats are of course very colorful. Many strangers tend to find this custom absolutely ridiculous and can't help commenting on the little object worn precariously perched on the head at an angle. The Gadaenes either take no notice of this or dismiss the comments good-naturedly.

Culture

Gadaenes are eccentrics, they tend to be loud but not arrogant, flashy but not shocking. They are showmen and performers at heart. Their innate exuberance makes them natural leaders. They tend to do nothing if not with flair and each Gadaene prides himself on his personal style. For all these reasons, the Gadaenes have embraced the arts. Musicians, poets, actors, all have flourishing guilds in Gadaene. A national pastime is for the city to cram the huge and very elaborately decorated theaters to attend various artistic presentations. Gadaenes work all trades and crafts, but their work is of questionable quality, if always incredibly made up. They will follow any trade that brings to them constant change and challenges, for this reason a surprising number become healers and herbalists. If the training
tends to be long and tedious, the trade keeps them going with constantly changing goals, whether it be new plants or new remedies.

Many Gadaene youth fall in love with the arena at a very young age. Relishing the thrill of the gladiator fights many flock to their training halls. Whereas many gladiators, especially in the Republic of Iridine and Cinera, are slaves, the fighters out of Gadaene are generally free men.

They enter the arena on their own terms and so often enjoy extraordinary privileges. Many, indeed most, star gladiators tend to be Gadaene. They also tend to be enormously popular with the public for their flair for style and their taste for showmanship. Gadaenes are accomplished one-on-one fighters.

Rumours & Word of Mouth

• "They are far too reckless and impulsive for scholarly work."
• "The Gadaene people wear a silly little hat with a tassel on it."
• "Gadaenes make excellent gladiators, I'm told."
• "The Gadaene people's style of dress is dreadful if you ask me. Far too bright."

History

The history of Gadaene and Sostaeran is unclear. According to the Gadaenes, the two kingdoms were once an important province of the Empire of Greater Cinera. Through subsequent wars and Cinera's declining might, the province would have gained its independence. The Sostaerani scoff at such claims; they state that they were indeed a protectorate of Tuchea in the past. Broken oaths and diverging interests caused them to rebel.

Aside from this nebulous origin, they both agree on the reason this province or protectorate again separated to create Gadaene and Sostaeran. The leaders of the newly freed nation, whether it be from Cinera or Tuchea, were twins. The charisma of one and the efficiency of the other guided their people as the fledgling state took its first steps. Unfortunately, a bitter dispute, the details of which none know or will reveal, drove the two brothers apart.

The conflict quickly took a life of its own and as the population took sides, civil war broke out. This war took many years and many more victims, when finally the two sides saw they were no closer to victory than on the first day. A truce was signed and one brother agreed to take the city of Gadaene, while the other twin took the not-so-far-off Sostaeran. The truce has never progressed to a peace treaty, as both kingdoms continuously fight skirmishes against one another even to this day.

Politics

In Gadaene the Aebens family rules. The head of the family bears the title The Voice of Gadaene. The current Voice is Kimmisen Aebens, six times king. Both nations count the reigns of their monarch in a similar way. The "six times king" refers to the number of years the man has ruled the nation. Both Gadaene and Sostaeran have patriarchal rules, passed down from father to son. This custom is causing Kimmisen considerable trouble. He has so far only fathered three daughters. Since they cannot inherit, the King must marry them off to men who would make suitable rulers. To the great chagrin of their father, Kimmisen's daughters are extremely willful and often refuse to go their proper way, causing a number of scandals for the Voice. Of course, the Aebens family is used to scandals of all sorts.

Kimmisen's chief advisor is his wife, Maes. Wicked tongues even suggest that the true ruler of Gadaene is Queen Maes, an allegation the King can never seem to quiet no matter what his effort to do so. Maes has allowed the coming of the cult of Ereal in Gadaene since its powerful foothold in Sostaeran became apparent. She is even rumored to be an important patron of their shrines. Maes is a powerful woman who can intimidate simply by her presence. Wicked tongues suggest she has held a life-long dream of becoming a gladiator. Others agree that she could very well have been.