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| Godless Merethetis |
| Merethetis:
Merethetis is a nation built on its control of the seas. Merethetan merchant ships are a common sight in every port in the known world, and the fearsome warships of the Merethetan navy accompany them everywhere. Even in the navy�s absence, ships of other nations must constantly beware of the numerous Merethetan pirates and privateers that ply the waters looking for plunder. Because of their uncontested rule of the oceans, the Merethetan navy�s reach extends to every port and navigable river in the known world. A constant stream of riches from trade, piracy, and conquest are constantly shipped back to the Merethetan nobility, whose decadence increases with every passing year. The nations various dukes and barons are constantly attempting to outdo each other in terms of clothing, jewelry, and other markers of conspicuous luxury. Fragile horse-drawn carriages convey these nobles from their vast country estates to the port cities, where they oversee their armies of servants and employees as they power the various industries that support Merethetis� maritime economy. As most of the day to day running of these industries is performed by servants and employees, those nobles not commanding in the navy occupy themselves with a never ending progression of parties, debauches, and duels. While there is no true slavery in Merethetis, there is a fairly rigid caste system that, to many, smacks of slavery at its lowest levels. At the top of the hierarchy is the small army of titled nobles and knights. These wealthy individuals control the navy, all shipping, and the various industries that support these efforts (shipbuilding, logging, etc.). Below them are the employees, who account for roughly thirty percent of the population. Employees are skilled tradesmen, both in the military and the private sector, whose status is passed down through a hereditary apprenticeship in a trade. Fathers train sons, mothers train daughters, and in this way, employees maintain their greater level of income, respect, and freedom based solely on skills passed down through generations. Merethetan employees have formed guilds in order to solidify and protect their freedoms. Chief among those freedoms, is that unlike servants, employees may not be pressed into naval service. At the lowest rung of Merethetan society are the servants. This class of laborers performs all of the menial tasks in Merethetis. While many are as skilled as the employees that govern them, servants are not protected by the hereditary rights assured by the guilds. Servants have, in fact, very few rights at all. Unemployed servants are subject to mandatory naval service or prison for being a drain on the economy. Once a servant is employed, he may not legally quit that employment without the written permission of an employee or, in some cases, a noble. The greatest lack of freedom, however, is that, unlike employees, any servant, in any work, for any reason, can be pressed into naval service at the whim of the fleet. The only true exceptions to the Merethetan caste system are mages. Mages of any sphere (save death) are viewed as a valuable commodity, and afforded the respect of employees, or even, in some cases, minor nobles. While there are a smattering of mages from various traditions, there are a few mage guilds specific to Merethetis that deserve special attention. First, there is the Fairwind Brotherhood. This male-only magical order works directly with the navy and merchant fleets, sending air mages to increase ship speed and aid in the defense of flotillas. In Merethetan society, a Fairwind Brother is afforded the respect of a high-ranking employee. Fairwind mages connect to the Air Sphere, and are trained to sing in order to bring about casting. Second, there are the Green Mages of Lhesiv. These water mages defend the island of their namesake, and explore the depths of the oceans along the Merethetan coast. It is said that their secret vaults are filled to bursting with the treasure of a thousand sunken ships. Third, there are Earthfire Masters of Ento. This reclusive order holes itself up in the great castle whose name they share. Split evenly between fire and earth mages, this order is devoted to the defense of Castle Ento, and the creation of enchanted items for the Merethetan military. So prolific are the Earthfire Masters, that artificed items are standard issue for all high ranking officers in the Merethetan navy. It is a closely held secret how these reclusive mages manage to create such a massive stockpile of items. Lastly, one must take into account the recent, and, to many, disturbing presence of the Knights of the Shining Host. King Andon, in his old age, has come to put much importance in their dogmatic belief systems. Accordingly, he has sent his eldest son, Prince Ravdon, away to train as a Knight himself. His younger son was being trained as a White Mage by a Knightpriest, but failed to make the proper connections. For their part, the Knights of the Shining Host wish to gain influence over the ruling family of Merethetis, for in doing so, they will control the seas. The nobles in Merethetis, unwilling to give up their decadent ways, eye the Knights with suspicion, and growing hatred. |