~The Kingdom of Rhen~
Geography:
Rhen is a kingdom placed in a lush forest setting, at the lower base of a smaller mountain range, although the overall territory scope of Rhen is remarkably vast. The kingdom has grown exponentially over the last century, and has always been rightfully considered their own superpower since the kingdom's original founding. There’s a larger stretch of plains to the west within the kingdom, otherwise, it’s a kingdom renowned for being littered with a sparse array of vibrantly colored flora and trees that change with the seasons. Rivers, lakes, and small streams are abundant within Rhen, easily making it a place for fertile crops and casual fishing while still having an abundance of water for the people, animals, and other uses the kingdom requires water for. The palace of Rhen itself is located at the northernmost portion of the territory, just before the mountains begin to ascend upwards.
Seasons:
TBD
People:
The people of Rhen all bear a similar complexion; that being generally tanned to a varying degree. They are people that frequent the outdoors, so they typically appear a bit sun-kissed in the spring and summer, with them fairing a bit lighter in the winter. The royal family, nobles, and higher class in general mostly reside in the capital city, Vicar. The working and lower classes live throughout the kingdom, with the highest concentrations of people being in the center of the kingdom and the outskirts. Farmlands are more along the semi-central portion and outskirts of Rhen's territory, while market towns and housing communities fair closer inland. Vicar itself is the city known for its congregation of diverse marketgoers and equally diverse vendors. The market season is most active in spring through fall, with a variety of goods and services being offered. The general people of Rhen typically wear lighter clothing that comes in a variety of bright colors. Women typically wear simple dresses and shawls, with higher-class women having typically extravagant corsets paired with skirts that have various embroideries. Men of working or lower class typically wear lightweight collared shirts and simple trousers. Higher-class men usually sport various waistcoats and vests, and better tailored trousers. Royalty is an exception, of course, the more lavish the better. For knights, on duty, they typically sport sturdy yet lightweight silver armor. Their chest plates are engraved with the kingdom's primary symbol; that of a two-headed dragon, one black and one white.
Economy/Political Structure:
Rhen is known for its vastly large economic independence. They provide much of what they use and craft for themselves through naturally available resources. Though, as a more working and warrior-based kingdom, they primarily fancy themselves with quality crops and goods, as well as well-crafted weapons and armor. Natural resources are things that are a plethora within Rhen, and trade with most others usually involves things such as precious materials that Rhen may lack, but overall, Rhen is not economically reliant on anyone. Politically, the King and Queen’s words are absolute law. There is a high table of nobles that discuss and provide suggestions on certain laws and decisions, but overall they only have the power of suggestion. The King and Queen's child(ren) typically are granted the power to oversee the prison system, external trade affairs, the people's grievances, and other special privileges if they're deemed competent enough to properly perform the tasks. In the five major provinces of Rhen, the responsibility of being the second authority of these lands belongs to the Dukes and Duchesses of the five duchies within them. Rhen’s military is segregated into three forms; knights of the first order, general knights, and civil enforcers. The knights of the first order are the highest-trained and most skilled combatants within the entire kingdom, as well as the most decorated and respected with members usually affiliated with higher houses and noble families. It’s a smaller force, but they are their own lethal and utterly fierce army, with these members typically having been training since their very early years. Typically the First Order knights both serve and are primarily stationed in and around Vicar to be at the disposal of the royal family (commonly as personal guards), and are the only knights permitted to accompany anyone outside of the kingdom. General knights are the kingdom's military backbone, and while not as specially trained as the first order, they are fierce defenders of their kingdom. These knights are most often placed around the kingdom's borders. Civil enforcers are basically the kingdom's police force. They ensure civil matters are handled properly, handle domestic altercations, enforce laws, and generally serve the people while still reporting to their superiors.
Notable Customs/Traditions:
TBD
Notable Laws:
Above all else, thieves are looked upon as the greatest sinners in Rhen. Punishment usually amounts to the loss of a ‘wicked’ hand. Murder has various punishments; stoning, hanging, burning, beheading, etc. It depends on the severity of the murder and context behind it. Lying about things such as citizenship and taxes typically amounts to 10 years in prison, with an additional 5 years of hard labor. Treason ends in either execution or exile, though most often execution. For most other crimes, public shaming is the punishment, followed by various prison and labor terms depending on the crime itself. The law is most lenient with children, mothers, and the elderly.
Religion:
The most common religion in Rhen is Orolythicism - an ancient belief system revolving around cosmic energies and a few notable deities. Their main teachings revolve around spirituality and ancestry, and these teachings are often passed on through stories, written accounts, and moments of both guided and quiet meditation. They often express and practice their beliefs through meditating in shrines, sharing religious stories and myths, and the collecting of figurines depicting important symbols and deities.
Sacred Symbols:
White Roses; Represent love and promises within the kingdom
Dragons; Certainly one of the most important aspects not only in terms of the most common religion, but they are also sacred symbols in general to the kingdom as a whole. In Orolythicism, the first pair of dragons were born from a dying star, where the goddess of life and light -Lumirissa- and the god of death and darkness -Jespixer- adopted them as their own. The two dragons came to be known as Ziselaer - defender of the night-, and Rhentrase - guardian of the sun-. Together the two dragons represented balance. In later accounts, as these creatures multiplied, they were deemed ‘the chariots of the gods’, and freely ruled the skies, heavens, and everything in between. Only the human souls beloved and blessed by the gods were ever visited, and as rumor has it, bonded with these beasts. It is deeply believed by most practicers of Orolythicism that should a soul worthy enough of being blessed by the gods themselves emerge, the presence of dragons will descend upon and grace the world again.