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Introduction
The Empire of Empirias is the cold home of the noble and graceful Moon Elven people. Empirias with jewel-like cities and crystalline spires that reach for the skies is known to other nations as "The Crystal Empire" and it certainly lives up to the legends. Despite ( )eathtaking natural scenery and stunning locales, the Empire is a very dangerous place. With strict enforcement upon certain magical practices and with Civil War beginning to ( )ew between the Emperor and his own sister, Empirias is in for some tough times ahead. The Empire is spilt into five regions: The Frozen North, Coastal East, Mountainous West, Boggy South and the Verdant Central Plains. No matter where you are in the Empire, temperatures remain low. It is advised that all races (including the native moon elves) dress warmly when outside and try to keep out of the political troubles best they can. If it is shelter from the storm you seek in this land it is advised to head to the city of Eos, home of the World Famous Arcane University or travel west to Lumina, the Emerald city built in the mountains. Remember: keep your head down, keep out of the blizzards and NEVER enter the Midden, the lost city neath the thriving empire.
About Empirias
Climate and Weather
North Empirias is one of the coldest places on the whole planet. Covered in snow and ice all year round and host to raging blizzards there are no settlements here nor much in the way of life. Blizzards are frequent and windstorms can be quite common. The north gives way to a more liveable climate around the capital city with less chance of freak weather. Western Empirias is quite temperate, enjoying a mix of sunshine and rain storms. While it remains chilly in places, especially the more mountainous regions, the west is the warmest place in all of Empirias, along with the central expanse which is similar in weather patterns. The south of the empire is the wettest area and prone to freak storms and flooding all year round. East Empirias is the wind storm central and sees coastal flooding often.
Terrain
The far north of Empirias is solely mountains of jagged crystal and stone that separates the empire from the empty wastes beyond. Most of the land north of the capital city is made up of endless fields of white snow and jagged cliffs and valleys. If one is ( )ave enough to venture out ancient ruins lost to the ice may be found. The land around the capital is more tame with mostly flat ground and a wide open river. South of Empiriyaid, dividing it from the city of Eos, is the great Crescent Lake. The snow gives way to grassy plains to the west and central expanse. The west is known for gentle rolling hills and looming jagged mountains as well as the start of the Great Forest. South is the wet lands where the vast majority of the tributaries of Empirias' main river flow. The land is boggy and wet all year round, especially in the winter months. East Empirias is stripped bare by the harsh winds. It is home to large cliffs and shingle beaches as well as many caves and sandy dunes.
List of Cities and Location
The Empire has six major cities which are all ruled by a lord or lady, usually associated with a major order or related into the royal family. Each of these cities is the capital of a Hold and while all hold's are ruled separately they all answer to the Crown, regardless of allegiances. The Holds are all separately named as well. They are: Heavenspire, Eosphorous, Southeim, Seahold, Verdant and Eyriehold.
Empiriyaid- the Imperial Capital and seat of the empire. Situated in the central northern area of the great snow fields. The city is built in four tiers. The outer tier is home to the lower class workers, the slums and factories. The second tier is mostly shopping districts and homes for middle class people as well as schools and other places of work (like small shrines, houses of healing and other things). The inner tier is home to the rich and the important buildings. The Grand Cathedral is in the east, the paladin barracks in the north, the great Archives in the east and the city hall in the south. The fourth tier is on a raised hill and houses only the royal palace. Empiriyaid is in Heavenspire and is ruled by the Crown.
Eos- located in the hold of Eosphorous, the city of Eos is made up of both ancient ruins and more modern buildings. The oldest of all these buildings is the White Spire, home to the Arch-mage and most important parts of the Arcane University. The oldest buildings of the city are based more central, with newer builds on the outer levels of the city. The spire however, is on the water front. While the city is often battered by blizzards due to not having the same protective tiers and walls of the capital it is well known for it's large markets and various gardens. Many of the older buildings are connected by suspended walkways while the newer ones are made from the same crystal as the capital. Eos is in the Eosphorous hold and is ruled by the Arch-mage and an elected governor.
Gransys- this city is housed in the Southeim hold in the depths of the wet lands. Gransys is partially built into the cliff of a deep gorge. The city is rather run down, mostly made of wood and tough stone. The lower down the cliff face you go, the more beaten up the city becomes. The very bottom of the city is home to criminal gangs and vagrant thugs. The topsiders are just the same, corrupt and stuck up. The only plus side about the city is it's booming textile industry and fishing. It is ruled by a Mayor elected by the High Council.
Weysolin- the old city of the hold of Seahold. Weysolin was once a pretty picturesque city with painted pastel buildings built on the gentle hills that lead down to the sea. Years of violent storms and collapsing cliffs has stripped the city of much of it's charm. The city's name is taken from the High Elven language and roughly translates into "Moon". The city is the major hub of most of Empirias' trade due to it's status as the empire's only port. The main naval base is also situated in the city as well as various shipwrights and sailing folk. The city of Weysolin traditionally belongs to the Paladin's and thus, an elected official working for the Knight-Commander takes care of it.
Vyrantiin- The Verdant's city. This city is the third largest in all of the Empire. The city is surrounded by rich farmland and gem mines which makes it also one of the richest cities. One of the main features of the city is the Veridian road which is lined with shops selling everything you could think of. As the city is the first one on the road and on the Emeralis River leading from Weysolin, Vyrantiin sees most of the wealth flowing through the Empire from the outside world. The city is owned by the Valonde family, prominent members of the High Council.
Lumina- the second largest city in Empirias and capital of Eyriehold. The city is built into the mountains and is made from beautiful green stone and crystal. Lumina is well known for it's incredible stained glass windows, present in nearly all of it's architecture as well as it's astounding wealth of flora. The peoples of Lumina all dress in: green, turquoise or blues to keep with the aesthetic of the city. The most impressive sight in Lumina is the Grand Temple of Ivunluna with floors of stained glass under which the waterways of the city flow. It should come as no surprise that the Holy Order have the biggest foothold here and thus, the city is led by Cerissa Empirias.
About Moon Elves
Appearance
Skin: All moon elves are usually born with stark white skin the colour of snow. Moon Elves who are of more southerly heritage typically have a slightly darker skin tone and the elves who live in the east are slightly darker toned than they. Freckles and beauty marks are a common trait found across all moon elves regardless of origins.
Hair Colours: Moon elves can have a variety of hair colours. The most common of these are white, all shades of purple and all shades of blue. Darker blues and pastel purples are slightly more on the rare side but are much more common than blond or black hair. The rarest of hair colours are fuchsia, pastel pink, grey and pastel turquoise. Moon elves do not have a om( )e to their hair.
Eye colours: Moon elves can have any colour eyes though shades of blue, purple and green appear to be the most common.
Physical: Moon elves are all fairly short. The average height for women is 5'4 and for men it is 5'7. You will find no moon elves standing over 6 feet tall. Moon elves have the typical pointed ears that all elves have. Moon elves have fairly large ears and they tend to stick out from the side of their head. Moon elves are able to express themselves with their ears like another form of body language. A sad or tired elf with likely have droopy ears while an angry or excited elf's ears will stick outwards.
Other: Many moon elves may have scarring due to the recent wars. It is not an uncommon occurrence for some moon elves to be without their ears due to Empirias having a practice where criminals have their ears cut off to distinguish them from the common folk. However many prisoners of war after they were liberated from the Ieeren were found with their ears removed. The empress herself was one of these soldiers and it is well known that Arch-mage Kyne suffered similar treatment at the hands of the paladins.
Fashion
It may seem trivial to travellers to the Empire but for Moon Elven nobles it can be a life or death situation. Current fashions are big and extravagant gowns made from the riches fa( )ics money can buy that are piled high with jewels, furs, lace and even fresh flowers. Feathers are pinned into hairs and the men prance around in velvet suits in deep rich colours. Military wear is common for all genders and typical standard fashion. Younger women tend towards more shorter, lolita-esq dresses. A current obsession of the Moon Elves is their love of masquerades and the masks. These masks give an elf an extra accessory to show off their unique style while at these parties. The popularity of these masquerades has become so great that even the Grace himself hosts one. Thigh High boots are a popular choice to go with the military uniforms, along with sweeping cloaks and hats. Heels on shoes are almost required due to moon elves being vertically challenged.
Sub-styles/Variants
Fashion in the city of Eos is much more focused on mages robes and military uniform than large rococo gowns and lolita. Their robes can either be practical, with many pockets and belts to carry all their items, or extravagant to the point where they make a lady in her gown look under dressed. There are some rules for how Sorcerers and above ranks should dress in certain situations, as well as uniforms for the battle-mages but, these are only for political events and parades.
Lumina has some strict rules on what colours people's clothes may be if they are a resident of their city. Mainly they are required to wear: green, turquoise, blue and aqua. White and pale yellows are also allowed. Their clothes are also less extravagant than some other places. This is done to keep the whole aesthetic of the city.
People of the East and South tend to dress more modestly than others too, as those areas are much more dangerous and dirty, with harder work and harsher conditions, than other places. Those who do dress in luxurious clothes and such tend to stay as far away from the muck and danger as they can.
Vyrantiin in the central province is well known for it's jewels and metals as such, higher varieties of gemstones and metal-working are incorporated into their clothes. They also have better access to dyes and pigments which they use to colour their clothes with so will have a higher variety of coloured cloth to pick from as well.
Mistakes in Moon Elf Fashion (for OC makers ;) )
No victorian styled clothes but, inspiration can be taken from it. They main style is rococo and military style so try to stick to that.
No revealing outfits, Empirias is very cold and you wouldn't want to walk around exposed.
Gothic lolita is stictly forbiddon, leave that to the Dreamer race with the victorian fashion.
Hair style isn't much of a problem but I wouldn't start giving your characters mohawks and shaved heads and stuff.
Having a braid in your character's hair (like Kyne) is symbolic of wood elf marriage, be careful if your OC is in a relationship with one :)
About Empyrean Culture
The Orders- a Brief Look
The Holy Order is one of the biggest and one of the most respected orders the empire has. The Holy Order, as it's name suggests, tasks itself with the control and enforcement of religion (and religious law) in the Empire. The order is home to priests and priestesses of all types, as well as healers. The Holy Order also technically helps govern the Paladin Order making use of the Paladin soldiers as guards for their temples. The Holy Order once governed the Arcane University but, that practice has long since been abandoned. The leaders of the Holy Order are the High-Priestess who serves the Goddess Ivunluna and the Grace (often referred to as His Radiance, the Grand Clarity, the Voice of Evanura) who serves the All-Father.
The Paladin Order is tasked with maintaining the level of dark magics and out of control mages within the Empire's boarders. They are strictly against: necromancy, blood magic, dark magic, energy magic and any kind of magics/potions/powers that manipulate the mortal mind. The Paladin Order contains several sects of soldiers, some more battle worthy than others. The Order was created in response to the creation of the Arcane University many Eras ago. They are always governed by a Knight-Commander and her band of Champions.
The Arcane University is a sanctuary for those who wish to study magic in peace and hone their skills. The University originally started as a simple Archive to catalogue the artefacts found in the ancient city of Eos. Since then both the city and the University have grown into much more than a simple archive. People from all over the world travel to the University to learn magic and other various studies. The University had once governed the old Court of Shadows before it's fall but, those days are long gone, even if the magics discovered by the Court are still taught. The University's leader is known as the Arch-mage who keeps a council known as the Inner Circle.
The High Council consists of high ranking nobility from all around the empire who deal with lesser problems that don't need to be ( )ought before the imperial throne. Usually these problems consist of minor property disputes, fines, petty crimes and other small problems. There is a council house in each major city and in some small towns as well where needed. All members of the Council must swear absolute loyalty before the Emperor/Empress and their children (should they exist) in order to be inducted into the Council. There are no leaders of the council as they all must work together, regardless of origins or standing.
The Ruby Moon Roses are the most influential and well known of all the assassin Guilds throughout Empirias. Identified by their scarlet cloaks, coats or other items of clothing, any one of their assassins, spies, or thieves can be hired for a price of course. They work out of an old fort in the south near the city of Gransys that very few outside their ranks may access. Their current leader is unknown, even to members of their order and is simply known as "Fade".
The Court of Shadows is an old order, once part of the Arcane University but, now fallen into ill repute after the Void years in which the Court almost annihilated the University and overthrew the Empire. Each of the old members turned themselves into near immortal living liches who devour the living. The Court, while defeated and pushed into the furthest corners of the Empire is always looking for new blood in it's ranks, be they mages, assassins or blood cattle to be used in their experiments. The leader of the Court of Shadows is a man shrouded in mystery simply known as the King of the Court.
Eclipse is a newer order that opposes the Holy Order, Paladins and Court of Shadows. They're not too keen on the current Emperor and Empress either and would destroy the crown's rule if they could in place of their own order. It is not truly known why Eclipse dislikes the other orders. Perhaps they wish for complete disorder, perhaps they wish to remake the whole world in their image. What ever it is, their leader, "The Heaven Sent" will do almost anything to achieve their goals.
Other Races in Moon Elven culture
Sun Elves
Due to the ongoing tensions with Hollandiris, the High Council and Royal family agreed that all sun elves should not be able to become proper nobility or own large plots of land, however, they may own housing and work at a reduced salary than most other races. They are not allowed to become priestesses/priests in the temples but may become healers if they have served long enough as a healer. Most jobs a Sun Elf may have involve serving someone higher in society than they or shady dealings. Plenty of Sun Elves find ways to make honest livings by selling exotic handmade goods at the many market places and bazaars. Most moon elves wont even notice sun elves in the streets or as servants making it much easier for them to act as spys and transfer themselves from household to household gathering information. Over all, Sun elves tend to be treated better away from the northern cities and towns where the presence of the Imperial Crown is more keenly felt.
Wood Elves
Wood elves and Moon elves tend to get along very well mostly due to their countries being connected and their existing alliance. Wood elves are not really allowed to become high ranking nobility but, they are still highly respected throughout the empire. Typically they tend to be found acting as herbalists, healers and lore-keepers. While the Great Forest does ally itself with Empirias, wood elves prefer to not travel too deeply into Moon elven territory, mainly due to how barbaric some wood elves may find the moon elves love of assassination and intrigue and sometime due to homesickness.
Fae
Fae are somewhat feared by the moon elves due to their immortality which unnerves many of the native people. Fae tend to sit on the outside of moon elf society most of the time preferring to watch the mortals about their days while trying to learn as much as they can from them for the life of a moon elf in the eyes of a fae in but a blink of an eye. The University lets them join with only some reluctance as fae magic is very potent however, fae are sometimes a little reckless when it comes to safe practice of magic. Fae who actually join into the moon elven society live just the same as everyone else in the empire and some have integrated themselves so well into society they have become like another force of nature, barely noticed.
Ieeren-Draconis
A lot of Ieeren in Empirias are either slaves, servants, homeless or exiles with nowhere else to turn to. The horrors of the siege of the lower lands of Empirias are fresh within the minds of the conflicts survivors, including the Empress herself. Ieeren tend to keep to the more poverty ridden reaches of the cities or to the wilds where it's less likely and ex-soldier with a grudge is going to find them.
Dreamers
Dreamers outside of their homeland are rare but when they do travel across lands they cause quite a stir. Empirias is no different with their mistrust of these strange winged people with their blind eyes yet who live as if they can see. Overall, moon elf society is uneasy with the Dreamers due to their worship and adoration for the Gods who once spurred on a coup of the throne. Due to this mistrust, and fear, moon elves tend to act with strained politeness towards the Dreamers, simply to not invoke their fury.
Gods and Worship a Brief Overview
The most sacred God of the Empire is it's beloved mother, Queen of the Silver Moon, Ivunluna. The mistress of ice and snow is believed to of shed her tears upon the fledgling planet when she was imprisoned upon her own moon and that these tears became the first moon elves. Her daughter, Ceclia the Heaven-ward, is also held sacred as the Goddess of Birth and Creation in Empirias along with her consort, Dinari, God of Stars and Divination. While Cecila and Dinari only have small shrines and temples, the Goddess Ivunluna has entire towns and settlements built in her name, her cathedrals crystalline and works of art. Despite the Goddess's actions during the Void years, the people still adore her.
Moon elves hold the All-father, the Dynast King, Evanura the Sun God as sacred as his wife. While many legends say he betrayed his wife, Moon elves have long believed that the Goddess of the Earth, Veridia, put him under a spell using forbidden magic she gained from the Traitor God and forced him to attempt to rip the divinity from Ivunluna. However, a part of him that was still free refused to harm her and trapped her on the Moon.
While Moon elves consider Veridia an enchantress and blame her for their mother's fate the do still hold her in high regard along with her triplet ( )others as deities of nature. Moon elves also worship Ar-arisa, beloved friend of the moon goddess as a deity of joy and revelries. Iustia is another highly loved God, despite his status as a lesser power. Moon elves start their court cases with prayers to the God of Justice and Law and decorate their prisons with his imagery.
Arkane is another Goddess loved by the moon elves for in the myths of old it was the Goddess of magic, one of the daughters of the Traitor God, that descended from the heavens and smote the Court of Shadows with her power. It is said that by doing this, the Goddess invoked her divine fathers, Eden and Valanora, to aid her power, killing the Goddess in an instant. She has a temple in her name built upon the site of the final battle of the Void years in Eos.
Worship of Um( )a, Eden and most of all, Valanora are strictly outlawed in the empire for they are each considered forces of evil, despite Valanora being the ( )other of Ivunluna. There are still shrines and depictions of them all over temples as to not invoke their fury but, worshipping them is a crime. Placing an offering at a shrine to sway the God's favour is not illegal but, bending knee and praying there is punishable by either a hefty fine or imprisonment.
Love and Marriage
Love is a very important thing for moon elves as they tend to live impossibly long lives and choosing the correct spouse is important. The Empire does not frown upon same sex marriage nor on marriage of more than one spouse if the people all getting married consent to the partnership. Weddings are grand ceremonies, planned for months, sometimes even years in advance. Entire families come together to cele( )ate the union of two (or more) people who have chosen to stay together. That being said, divorce is not illegal, it just has to be approved of by the High Council. Weddings usually always have some form of pink in their themes, a subtle nod to Amoris, God of Love and Marriage. More traditional decor involves masses of flowers and silk drapes.
Poorer couples tend to get married at small temples with their families around them rather than spending years to afford a more complex wedding. Ceremonies are short and sweet with a priest/priestess of a chosen God. Colours that are worn are white only for all genders, perhaps with a little bit of colour if they have more money to spend. After the marriage there is usually drinking at a local tavern or a meal at a restaurant. If a tavern/restaurant cannot be afforded, the families of those getting married will make everything by hand. Though the ceremony may be small it is no less important to those involved. The day usually ends with a large party and much drinking.
Middle class people have larger weddings at larger temples in the presence of many more people. Middle class moon elves typically wear shades of white, grey and silver, a nod to the moon Goddess. The ceremony typically lasts anywhere from two to five hours. After the ceremony is complete, those getting wed will be asked to swear their love before Amoris, God of Love. After all ceremonies in the temple are finished the closest members of the families (parents and siblings) have a small dinner back at home before heading to a bigger meal with all their invited guests. After the larger meal (usually a buffet) there will be a party with music and dance. Sometimes these events are split over two days.
Richer people have money to spend on long posh ceremonies at large temples and much more fancier decor and clothes. They have many people there including people they don't even know from around the cities and from many other noble families. After the basic yet lengthy ceremony is over there is a gift giving cele( )ation then a big meal for the most important guests. After that there is a large ball at the highest ranked spouse's home which can last an entire night and into the next day. The wedding clothes worn will be themed after their family crests. For example, a lady from the Empirias bloodline (colour being ice blue and moon motifs) marries a man of the Bellrose line (lavender with rose theme). The ( )ide would wear purple and roses while the man would wear blue and moon themed accessories.
Royalty or those who have a political standing almost equal to royalty such as the governors of the cities and of the orders, have huge cele( )ations that can last over a week in which entire cities are invited to cele( )ate the love of those getting married. There is a parade as the couple head to the Grand Cathedral in Empiriyaid where there is a ceremony that crowds of people attend. There is then the gift giving ceremony, a meal, speeches, a huge ball and then a small group of close and personal friends/family attend a small ceremony in which the lovers pledge their entire beings to each other and vow to protect that which they own.
Pregnancy and Birth
Moon elven pregnancies usually last anywhere from a full 12 months at the most to only 9 months at the least. The more magic in a moon elf's lineage then the shorter the pregnancy will be. More magic in the blood also increases the chance of miscarriage and infant deaths. Healers often take special care of active mages who are expecting a child, especially if they are expecting twins or more. It is known that mages have given their very lives so that they can give their child a chance to live. This is not as uncommon as many would like to think and the experts in healing magic are spending countless resources to attempt to decrease the amount this happens.
Death and Funerals
No matter how long lived Moon Elves are death is an inevitability. As unreserved in grief as they are in love, the death of a loved one of ( )ings others to their side. Moon Elves have long believed that when you meet a person you form a connection, even with enemies! Marriage is said to tie two souls together thus, when a partner of a moon elf dies the elf is watched almost constantly for fear of them joining their lover.
Funerals are usually simple events no matter what the social class. Those in the lower class tend to cremate their dead and either have the ashes placed in an urn and kept in a temple or are sanctified and scattered elsewhere. The ceremonies are short with simple prayers with a priest/ess blessing the ashes. Bodies of the poor are washed in holy water before they are cremated.
Middle classes either inter their dead in the ground or cremate their dead also. Funeral ceremonies are longer with hymns and prayers being sung throughout the temple of choice. When burying the dead the coffins are always stuffed with flowers of the deceased's favourite colours or just their favourite flower in general.High class funerals are almost the same as a middle classes except they take place in a larger temple.
People of higher social standing (royals, arch-mages, champions...) have very large ceremonies at the Grande Cathedral. The whole populace mourns their passing. The preparations of the body are long and arduous, usually performed by priest/esses specially trained to handle bodies. The Grace at the time (if the Grace is not the deceased. If that is the case the High-Priestess or the Heir will perform the ceremony) performs the ceremony.
Holidays and Cele( )ations
1st of Dawn's Glory- New Years Cele( )ations. This cele( )ation is not specific to the Moon Elves but to all people's even if they all cele( )ate it differently. On this day, whole Moon Elf families get together to have a feast. Many go out into the streets to greet their friend's and neighbours. Many Moon Elves practice the old tradition of opening all the windows (or at least the front door) to let the last year out and welcome in the new year. People usually settle old grudges and try to get in contact with old friends this day as well. This is a day of renewal and rebirth and it is best to seize this chance to remake oneself.
30th Rain's Hand- Great Thaw Cele( )ation: This is the traditional start of the Empirias Spring and Summer. It is welcomed with large parades through the streets of the cities, all vi( )ant and filled with flowers. This is also the start of the party season so the Royals host a small masquerade ball for the nobility. From this day forward the empire is a hive of activity while the days are longer and warmer.
37th Mid-year: Victory Day, the Fall of the Court of Shadows/Anniversary of the end of the Void Years- While most races cele( )ate this day, the Moon Elves see this as one of the greatest days of the year. The day is filled with military parades lead by the Paladins and Arcane University before the Grace and the Knight-Commander address the populace from the Grand Cathedral. This is also a day of mourning where many go to the Temples and shrines to pray for the lives of all those who were lost defeating the Court of Shadows.
21st Hearth-Fire: Heart's Day- Pretty much Valentine's day but in honour of the God Amoris rather than a Saint. This day is the day where lovers give gifts to each other and spend time with each other.
26th Warmth's End: Cele( )ation of the Three Orders- This is a day where the three Orders of Moon Elven society (the Holy Order, Paladins and Arcane University) come together to renew their alliance though friendships are often stressed. The three heads of these Orders traditionally dine together and the whole event is often awkward. At least there's a parade.
20th-30th Harvestmere: Harvestmere- This cele( )ation is the ten days of harvest where all the farmers ( )ing in their harvest and the summer ends in Empirias. This is the last of the Balls and there are great feasts hosted by the city lords where anyone can come to eat. It is usually ended with the Blood Moon Ball though this can fall somewhere before the end of the ten days or after it depending on when the Blood Moon shows.
40th Moonshadow: Sacred Night- The cele( )ation of Ivunluna in Empirias. This cele( )ation is hosted by the High-Priestess who will invite all people's of all races into the Grand Cathedral at night to pay homage to the Goddess. Food and accommodation are provided for those who cannot return home.
40th Dusk's Gloom: End of Year Cele( )ations: Once again not specific to the Moon Elves. Tradition is simply that people gather at the closest temple and wait for Midnight where the head of that Temple will ring out the bells over the city to signal the passing of one year and the start of the next.
Empyrean Currency
The currency of Empirias is known as tokens. Each of them are handmade in the Great Archives of Empiriyaid. Each token is inscribed with the signature of the ruling monarch of the time of it's making and the signature of the one who made it to avoid forgeries. There are three different values of tokens and each are listed below:
Stone token- Made from a simple grey stone that has been polished to a ( )illiant shine. An eight pointed star has been carved into it on one side in intricate patterns.This star represents the God Dinari.
Copper token- Made from simple common copper in a rounded shape with scalloped edges. It is decorated in intricate etchings of vines and flowers to commemorate the Empirias/Great Forest alliance.
Silver token- Shaped like a crescent moon to honour the Patron Goddess of the Moon Elves, this token is actually an alloy of platinum and silver chosen for it's superior lustre.
Gold token- This token is in the same shape as the copper token; rounded with scalloped edges except it has a delicate sunburst etched onto it in honour of the All-Father.
Skystone Token- A blue iridescent crystal, almost opal like in nature, is tumbled into a lovely cabochon and then decorated with the royal family's crest.
Moonstone Token- A crystalline token, decorated with carvings of the night sky. It is not known weather this material is simply manufactured crystal or gem quality moonstone.
Diet and Food
Empirias is largely made up of harsh terrain and environment. Most of the fruits, vegetables and grain are grown in the central and western provinces or shipped in by boat from other places in the world. Empirias is teeming with wild beasts so hunters can make a great deal of money hunting down the more elusive meats. Most livestock are kept on farms. The most popular meat is venison as deer of all kind are a very common sight in the empires wilds and on it's farms. Farmers also tend to keep cattle and sheep as well. Fishing occurs on the coast and in the southern wet lands as well as on the rivers. Fishing villages and towns can be seen along the water's edge in almost regular intervals.
The most popular edibles in the empire are sweet treats like cakes and biscuits and tea. Herbalists have been known to create beverages and these would be the Empirias equivalent of energy drinks. |
