UPDATES
TERMSSix people with differant backgounds (rl and mushing) one day decided to create a world to roleplay in. What they started with was the idea:
Craft a unique theme and world, a world where everyones story matters, where everyone can contribute as hero or villain.
In just a few hundred hours Anwethia became that world. Our world has its own 'terms' which when first encountered maybe confusing, so this is to try and help clear up the confusion by comparing the 'terms' to what you may be used too.
Quote..
"We have pilfered concepts from various places and times in earth's history, fantasy novels we like, and our own fevered imaginations. -We- are not medival Europe. We are many things, but we are not a historically accurate mirror of medieval Europe, nor do we try to be, nor do we want to be."
Salamander IC 15 March 3500
So until we can do a write up and include in news, here goes!
Thane - The ruler of Liosliath - In our world there is no 'royal' line. Think more of dynasties, where the throne will be held by one and his/her ancestors until some event has the throne change hands to another one of the major clans. Per news history "From that day forward the King became known as the Thane, as whoever sits upon the throne of Liosliath does not own the land, rather holding it in trust as it's ruler and protector."
In other worlds possible close equivalants could be:
1. High King - or -
2. Emperor - or -
3. High Chief
4. Monarch
Pennaeth, is the clan head of one of the five major clans, who has given his/her allegience to the throne of Liosliath.
In other worlds possible close equivalants could be:
1.A King who owes allegience to a High King - or
2.A Duke/Duchess - or -
3.A named Prince/Princess. (not of a royal family)
Duc - Each major clan will have in the past absorbed minor clans. One of the minor clan who holds lsnd for the Penneath is a Duc. In other worlds possible close equivalants could be: Baron/Baroness
Barwyn - The lowest of the 'noble' titles. One who holds lands that are part of a Duc holdings. In other worlds possible close equivalants could be: Lord/Lady
In our world all the nobles would have learned some profession before they took over the leadership position.There is not a 'court' life where a few are waited on and do nothing. These are people who rule (lead) by example and not by inherited title. The nobles do have a retinue of loyal retainers - such as warriors (warband), advisers, bards, mages and servants. While feudal in the sense there is a class structure (news Hierarchy), there is also the realization each member of a clan contributes and is of value. Still - It is a tendency in Liosliath that one of a lower class who commits a crime against one of higher class can expect a harsher justice than from a crime committed against lower class.
Commoners - Basically everyone without a title. See NEWS HIERARCHY
Allting - A council made up of the Thane and five Pennaeths. This council resposibilities include, but is not limited too, advising the Thane and selecting a new Thane if a Thane dies and has no adult offspring.
Caer - A defended castle / fortress. In times of conflict those who dwell in the area of the caer will seek safety behind its walls. A caer is functionally close to a capital city for Penneaths.
Laws (see NEWS LAWS)
Thane is virtually above the law (as ultimately, he/she *is* the law). Also,the Pennaeths (highest noble of a clan) have similar position in their individual clans.
Liosliath has three different courts: High Court (Thanes Court), Caer Courts, and the Assizes.
TRAVEL TIMESProvided as a guideline for those who are interested, no one is going to hold you to these guidelines! Note we are currently using a 1.5 compression, being 1.5 RL days per IC day.
Travel times are always debatable as road conditions, weather, health, weight carried and other variables will always be a factor. Roads in Liosliath, outside of Carraig itself, are dirt. The best and most traveled roads being hard packed, yet still rutted by wagon wheels. Roads also will follow the natural contours of the land, going around rock cropping's, tree stands and the such. In short - roads are rarely straight for any length.
A person has a walking speed of about 3 mph for sustained times. Given a 10 hour 'daylight' day and allowing for breaks to eat, drink and rest - a typical person can cover about 25 miles in a day.
A horse with a rider, trots at about 8 mph, canters/lopes at about 15 mph and can gallop for limited time at about 30 mph. Given a 10 hour 'daylight' day and a lightly loaded horse and rider, a easy ride will cover about 70 miles in a day. A hard ride would cover about twice that being 150 miles per day.
Liosliath is about 800 miles in length, about 300 miles wide east to west at its northern border (being Naithair Mountains) tapering to about 80 miles (Carraig on east shore to the west shore) in width.
Approximate Distances in miles:
Caer Glas - Carraig (Road Junction) - 2
Carraig Merchants Square - Carraig (Road Junction) - 12
Carraig (Road Junction) to Tannis Bridge - 6
Tannis Bridge to
Naithair Mountains - 745 - Roughly 10 days travel by horse
East - West Junction (where E leads to Ley Rider enclave) - 150
West Northeast junction (W to Caer Pent - NE to Caer Cein) - 325
West Junction (W to Caer Righ and continuing to Caer Donn) - 725
Caer Cein (McDaid) to |Caer Righ (Gulban) to
Northern Road - 250 | Northern Road - 90
Piorad Pass - 22 | Caer Donn (Dutchas)- 210
Barren lands - 65 |
Caer Donn (Dutchas) to |Caer Pent (Melaghin) to
Northern Road - 300 | Northern Road - 185
Vik Pass - 18 |
Caer Righ - 210 |
Caer Wiell (Docartaig) to
Ley Rider Enclave junction - 80
Northern Road - 100
TitlesThis is provided to quickly address the question on how individuals would be
addressed in Liosliath.
While the nobles of Liosliath include the position holder, spouse and children,
the only ones addressed with noble title are:
Thane <name>
Spouse of Thane: Lord Thane <name> or Lady Thane <name>. Typically, save for
formal occasions, the spouse is addressed as Lord or Lady which holds true for
spouse of Pennaeth, Duc and Barwyn.
Pennaeth <name>
Spouse of Pennaeth: Lord Pennaeth <name> or Lady Pennaeth <name>
Duc <name>
Spouse of Duc: Lord Duc <name> or Lady Duc <name>
Barwyn <name>
Spouse of Barwyn: Lord Barwyn <name> or Lady Barwyn <name>
NOTE: Being given two titles at once (Lady Thane, Lord Pennaeth, etc) signifies
that the spouse is not the true title holder. The addition of 'Lord' or 'Lady'
acts as a diminutive. It does remains appropriate to address Thane, Pennaeth,
Duc or Barwyn as 'My Lord / My Lady'.
Children of the nobles are addressed in the same manner as discussed below.
When meeting someone for the first name and you do not have a reason to know
the person and his/her position;
Greeting to a male can be sir, master, goodman
Greeting to a female can be lady, mistress, goodwoman.
If visually you can reasonably determine the persons profession, use of the
profession is reasonable. (Merchant, Blacksmith).
When introducing yourself, use of a conferred title (being the staff approved
position title in +finger, example Commander, Castellan, Healer, Harbor Master,
Steward) can be used.
HERALDRYThe Heraldry of Liosliath and its five major clans.
Liosliath Throne =Arms: Eagle - Standing with wings spread, head in profile
tilted up and to the left. The eagle represents a Protector, a person of
action, noble nature, power, strength. Liosliath's banner is comprised of a
white eagle on a field of whatever is the currents Thane clan primary color
with the edge of banner (and shield) red. Niahl's banner (and shield) have the
white eagle on a navy blue field with a red edge.
McDaid = Clan colours; Black, silver and green; Cloth = Jet black background
with double green lines, the right is thicker with a thinner green line running
parallel to the first. Arms = A Spiked helmet over a Rampant Red Stag (rearing
on its hind legs).
Gulban = Clan colours; Red, silver and azure. Cloth = Crimson background with
three parallel lines, blue-silver-blue. Arms = An armoured arm, holding a
battle mace below is a diamond with alternating azure and silver wavy lines
denoting water with a fish in the centre of that shape.
Docartaig = Clan colours; Navy blue, silver and yellow. Cloth = Navy blue with
triple lines of silver alternating with yellow. Arms = A Passant (Stretched out
with one upraised right limb) sea serpent holding a harp with Firebrand over
its head.
Duthchas = Clan colours; Purple and green; Cloth = Deep dark reddish purple
with regularly spaced green lines that sandwiches a thin lilac double line;
Arms = A 6 point winged sun over a field of alternating lines of purple and
green, delineated by thin lines of black.
Melaghlin = Clan colours; Black, azure, and gold. Cloth = Black with a mesh of
light blue lines with a broad strip of golden yellow. Arms = A white dove with
red draconic wings, clawed legs and a serpentine tail is standing on a blue
branch; a sprig with red berries and oak leaves in the bird's beak, the right
leg holds a five pointed gold star.