The Tawdonian Empire

The Tawdonian Empire, or just "The Empire" stretches from the edge of the Great Wastes to the shores of the Northam Sea and then south through the Rocklands, along the coast of the West Hurn Sea to the Southern Forests. It is ruled by an Emperor, who oversees the entire Imperium from his throne in Tawdic City. The Empire is a vast, organized culture, due to its history of imperialism. Imperials consider themselves to be at the forefront of human innovation and progress.

Imperials have been raised to believe in a single Deity and a single church. They are unlikely to be tolerant of ideas different from the ones they were raised believing. They have been taught that anyone who does not believe in NOS is a heathen, or that their Deities is just NOS in another form. The church of NOS teaches its followers that balance in life is the key to happiness. All Imperials strive to find balance in their lives. The happier an Imperial is with the state of their life, the more vigorously they will pursue balance. Fearing, that if they become too unbalanced, that they may lose those thing which are making them happiest.

Despite the social disruptions caused by The Plague, the Empire is still a highly structured society. There is very little if any chance for upward social mobility. This is seen as the proper way of the world. “NOS has put me here for a reason”. The two pillars that are The State and The Church dominate the society. The driving financial motivation for most citizens is to earn enough money to buy their citizenship the following year.

From the time they are small children, Imperials are encouraged to pursue talents they possess as far as they can take them. There is a great need in most Imperials to be the best at something (or possibly several things). To an Imperial there is no such thing as good enough. There is always some aspect of every skill to be perfected or improved on. Greatness is defined as being very, very good at one, two or three things, not being adequate at a great number.

= Roleplaying an Imperial =

Looking like an Imperial
The dress of most Imperials resembles that of Medieval Europe, or the time of the Holy Roman Empire. The upper classes wear expensive fabrics and ornately decorated robes and gowns. The Merchant classes, while they cannot afford the expensive fabrics or decoration of the aristocracy, will still dress in bright colours and may own several changes of clothing. The poorest labourers and slaves tend to dress in simple earth tone fabrics unless they are lucky enough to obtain an old garment from their employers. But under these circumstances the garment are likely to be mended.

Imperial soldiers wear mostly metal armor. A Knight of NOS would not be seen on the battlefield in anything less than full plate. It was the evening sun reflecting off the plate of the Imperials, which earned them the nickname “red knights” during the first battles with the Conthestani. Foot soldiers wear as much armor as they can afford. Most veterans have chain and some plate.

Sounding like an Imperial
Imperial speech is riddled with references to their god. Learn which areas of life are covered by each aspect and make reference to them when speaking of these things. For example, Sim is the aspect responsible for winter (and as such for snow and ice). While we might say, “Be careful, the bridge is slippery this morning”, an Imperial might say “Sim has left his touch on the bridge. Be careful not to slip.”

The Imperials divide the year into three seasons. In each season, one aspect of NOS dominates over the other two. These seasons are called The Reign of Sim, The Reign of Ney and The Reign of Olt. Traditionally, weddings take place during the Reign of Ney and it is considered lucky to have been born during the Reign of Olt. (See Important Dates below)

Imperial Names
The Tawdonian Empire is heavily influenced by the Roman and Byzantine Empires, so Roman, Greek, or Latin names are typical for Imperials. They also branch into typical Medieval Fantasy, so these name options can stretch into French, Spanish, and other central European languages. German and Germanic sounding names, however, are reserved for Conthestani. Imperials like titles and organization, so any title an individual may have is proudly displayed before their name.

Example Imperial names are Leona Rey, Doctor Iroveth Cato, His Honour Marcus Evandrus.

= History of the Tawdonian Empire = [Amcreva this is all you babe]

= Religion = See NOS.

The religious order of knights of NOS is known as the Order of the Talon.

= Important Imperial Places =

Tawdic City
Tawdic City, or Tawdic, is the capital of the Tawdonian Empire. It is where the Primus and the Emperor reside. It is a huge, sprawling city, with clearly defined rich and poor districts. It is also home to the heads of all the Guilds, although there is no public office of the White Roses.

Tawdic City is a city of commerce. Money is constantly changing hands, and living there on top of paying citizenship can be costly. Many go to Tawdic in hopes of opening a business, earning money to live, or just seeking shelter from the dangers of The Frontier. However, many find themselves unable to afford citizenship, and find themselves as indentured servants to pay off their debts. Despite being the "City of Riches", the poor district outnumbers the paid citizens by 2:1. Made up of beggars, indentured servants, and 'unregistered' citizens, it is also a hotbed for crime.

The city is patrolled by the Tawdic Guard, and offshoot of the Imperial Army, though there are also two Talon Knight outposts found here as well. The Tawdic Guard is paid using the citizenship costs of the city, though it is not unusual to see bribes take place when it's thought that no one is looking. The Tawdic Guard, though not explicitly, generally ignores the poorer end of the city, prioritizing protecting those with power and the money to back it. Complaints about this from the lower classes have so far fallen on the deaf ears of the Emperor.

Tawdic is also home to the biggest NOSian cathedral in the Empire - The Tawdic Cathedral. This cathedral is gilded in sacred silver, but only from ten feet up, as all gilding below that has been scraped off and sold by those who covet the rare material. It is here that, only religious holidays, the Primus visits in prayer, before giving a large public sermon in the centre of the city. Tawdic Cathedral is run by priests, clerics, and paladins of NOS, and is attached to one of the Talon Knight outposts.

= Important Dates = The Imperial Calendar uses the OOG Roman months (January, February, etc.), as opposed to the Fey calendar which has its own naming scheme. It is split into three seasons rather than four, known as the Rise/Decline of Ney, Olt, and Sim, named for the god NOS. The rise of one aspect is also the decline of the previous aspect, and the holidays usually cover two days - one to celebrate the end of one, and another to welcome the new.

The Rise of Ney/Decline of Sim is the end of the winter season, and a celebration of rebirth and spring. The Rise of Olt/Decline of Ney is the beginning of summer, which transitions from the freedom and fun of spring into a more serious summer and autumn. The Rise of Sim/Decline of Olt is a harvest festival before the long winter, and is often a time of reflecting on those who have passed.

Please note that though descriptions may mark 'day', for OOG reasons, holidays all happen at LARP games that month, and so holidays are listed only by month as bookings change from year to year.

March

The end of March signals the Decline of Sim. This festival is a time of new beginnings. In the week prior to the festival, homes and businesses are cleaned from top to bottom. This can even take on an air of ritualistic cleansing/purifying of the home. The day itself is a serious moment of inner reflection. Forgiveness is asked of others for wrongs against them. It is also a traditional day for the execution of criminals.

Followed by this is the Rise of Ney. This is a joyous day. It is the beginning of the Imperial New Year. The blessing of the fields in preparation for planting highlights the morning of the festival. The afternoon is marked by community celebrations such as plays and dances. Children perform ribbon dances for their parents. Coming-of-age parties are held in the evening for children who have reached the age of 13.

June

This month marks the anniversary of the day Sidram I declared NOSianism to be the State-Church of the empire. The defenders of the faith (The Talon Knights and the Imperial Army) are recognized on this day. Prayers are said for their success on the battlefield and the Army often puts on marching displays for the people to watch.

July

The end of July is the Decline of Ney. Many Imperials consider this their favorite holiday. The rich hold elaborate masked balls. Presents are exchanged. There is generally much drunken revelry in the streets. This festival is considered last chance to party before the more serious season of Olt begins.

At the Rise of Olt, recognition is given to workers. The highlight of the day is the Procession of the Guilds. All the guild members, church hierarchy and other professionals (e.g. Imperial college professors, Imperial bureaucrats etc.) gather at the largest guildhall in town. They all dress in ceremonial robes. From there, they hold a procession through town to the largest Church. The order each guild marches in is considered a symbol of their importance and strength in the town. The position of first guild in the procession is hotly contested throughout the year and is often the cause of feuds between guilds. Once at the church, there is a service held where the guilds and their members are blessed. In addition to the Procession of the Guilds, The Emperor (and his representatives) traditionally hands out pardons on this day.

September

This month marks the Emperor's Feast, It is on this day that all Emperors are crowned. Large feasts are held to celebrate the successes of the current Emperor and to wish his good fortune in the future. Lesser dignitaries will often sponsor public theatrical presentations of the great achievements of past Emperors. All Imperial appointments and commissions begin on this day. It is on this day that all Emperors are crowned. Large feasts are held to celebrate the successes of the current Emperor and to wish his good fortune in the future. Lesser dignitaries will often sponsor public theatrical presentations of the great achievements of past Emperors. All Imperial appointments and commissions begin on this day.

November

The end of November is the Decline of Olt. This is the Imperial harvest festival. Great feasts of all the best fall foods are prepared throughout the Empire. The Emperor (and regional officials) hands out food to the poor prior to joining their households for banquets of legendary proportions. The Imperial Colleges hold final exams in the weeks prior to this festival. Those students that pass their exams are graduated on this day. Following this is the Rise of Sim. This serious day is spent tending the graves of departed family members. Leftovers from the night before are often left on the graves for the dead.