Difference between revisions of "Britannian Culture"

Revision as of 22:42, 28 December 2010

Britannia is an interesting mix of monarchy and theocracies. Many incorrectly assume that the different towns of Britannia have adopted this Virtue or that for political reasons but the truth is that Lord British was wise and watchful over his people and saw different Virtues already deeply rooted in the towns. So while, Lord British is very much the monarch presiding over the realm with strength, kindness and insight, most of the various towns govern themselves through the application of their favored Virtue.

Holidays

Britannia of Fracture has two well known holidays and they are Quicklight and Harvest Vigil.

Quicklight - Named for the Quicksword and the Lightbringers that wielded it against the Enchantress Minax. Quicklight is observed three days after the Spring Equinox (March 23rd earthling time). Observances of Quicklight range from raucous feasts to festivals, carnivals and just peaceful parties. Bards retelling the tale of the fall of Minax are pretty much expected.

Harvest Vigil - In contrast to Quicklight, Harvest Vigil is a somber fortnight of reflection. It is an unofficial holiday that occurs in the last two weeks of the harvest month (October 15th though 31st earthling time). Candles and bonfires are lit near the moongates to mark the time of the Great Tragedy when the monster Exodus sent hundreds of its minions through the gates to attack all the towns at once. Obervance of Harvest Vigil consists of the candles and bonfires by the moongates, quiet family gatherings and the sending of food and drink to good neighbors. Revelry, dancing, music and story-telling are almost unheard of during these times.

Social and Political Ranks

The highest rank a person can hold in Britannia is that of Lord. Oddly enough, there are many, many lords in Britannia but only one ruler of the Realm. In his absence the Realm is governed by a council of twelve known simply as the Council. They are the leaders-elect of the eight towns dedicated to the Virtues, the Knight Commander of the Britannian Guard, the Vice-Admiral of the Royal Navy, the advocates-elect of Nujel'm and Vesper. Each of these seats comes with its own responsibilities to the domain they control. The council meets four times a year to debate and vote on issues.

Ranks:

• Lord/Lady - Anyone with deeded ownership of more than 1000 acres of land and lineage of ownership tracing back more than one hundred years.
• Duke - Anyone with deeded ownership of more than 700 hundred acres of land and lineage of ownership tracing back more than one hundred years.
• Count - Anyone with deeded ownership of more than 500 hundred acres of land and lineage of ownership tracing back more than one hundred years.
• Baron - Anyone with deeded ownership of more than 300 hundred acres of land and lineage of ownership tracing back more than one hundred years.
• Magistrate - A druid of Yew elected to the High Court.
• Druid - A a trained emissary of the Virtue of Justice and has authority to sit in legal hearing throughout the realm.
• Knight - A member of a Knightly Order, often denoted with a Sir or Dame before the name. However some women have elected to be called Sir rather than Dame.
• Magus - A legendary master of wizardry.
• Arch-Mage - A grand-master of wizardry.
• Admiral - A military rank granted to a member of the Britannian Guard that has control of six or more warships.
• Vice-Admiral - The highest military rank bestowed on a naval officer. A Vice-Admiral has control over the Britannian Navy branch of the Britannian Guard.
• Mayor - An elected official given capacity to rule a single township, village or city and has limited authority over the attached Britannian Guards stationed within his or her jurisdiction.
• Captain - An owner of a sea-going vessel needing ten or more sailors to handle.

Notable Persons

• Lord British - The ruler of Britannia for the past several hundred years. Though not particularly war-like he is said to be nigh unbeatable in combat and is nearly a legendary magus. He went missing in the Underworld some time ago.
• Lord Blackthorn - A close friend to Lord British, Blackthorn stepped forward to rule as regent when Lord British disappeared. Blackthorn's rule severely damaged the credibility of the Virtues and the Britannian Guard as he used the latter to enforce strict and cruel laws regarding the former. Blackthorn went into hiding when the Shadowlord attacked Castle Britannia and has not been publically seen since and is feared lost alongside Lord British.
• Lord Sir Sentri - The stoic leader of Serpent's Hold. He marshalled the defensive forces of the Hold against the Shadowlord and the Britannian Guard not long ago, but has not been seen since.
• Sir Ustan Windgard - The spokesperson and nominal leader of the Lightbringers when the Shadowlord came to Britannia. Sir Windgard has disappeared along with all other known Lightbringers.
• Magus Jaleal Fae, Magus Grorst Havoc and Magus Mikel Previn - The three most well known and powerful wizards in Britannia and leaders of the Council of Mages of Moonglow. These three were particularly outspoken in their rebuffs against Lord Blackthorn's rule and were forced into hiding before the climactic battle at Serpent's Hold. They have not been seen since along with many other members of the Council of Mages.
• Sir Markton of Jhelom - The commander of the Britannian Guard and the Knight Commander of the Guard's internal knightly order. Sir Markton is the living embodiment of valor on the field of battle and a rallying cry for warriors of the Realm to seek training and entrance into the ranks of the Guard. During Blackthorn's rule Sir Markton severely and publically dressed down by servants of Blackthorn for turning the efforts of his Guardsmen away from the subjugation of dissident citizens in Vesper to fight off an attack on Minoc by the Shadowlord. After that Sir Markton was kept at Castle Britannia doing administrative work.