Arcadia
As the name suggests, Arcadia is a gentle, pastoral utopia.
Small farms dot the hills, and neat, orderly cities are built as hubs. There’s
a place for everything and everything belongs in its place. The society is governed
by a strict system of rules and mores, and laws are rarely broken. Training in
both the legal and social expectations begins very early, and is a continual
process.
The Arcadians call themselves the Cultured Peoples, or
Cultured Folk, and pride themselves on their refinement, civilization, and peaceful
society. Everyone receives a basic education, and the local Scholars’ Guilds
are fastidious about preserving knowledge for the generations to come. Though
there are some people wealthier than others, hoarding money is seen as severely
selfish, so there is not vast income inequality.
Physically, the ideal Arcadian is slim, fine-boned, and
delicate-featured. Anything bulky, broad, or oversized smacks of a lack of
civilization. Pale coloring is the norm, though there are a few groups of
people in the south of the country who are dark-skinned and black-haired. In
the northern areas, many young men find these unusual-looking women exotic and
beautiful, as long as they are slim and fine of feature.
As Arcadia believes their strength lies in the family
structure, there is a great emphasis on marriage. All young women of sound
health and mind are required to be wed by their twenty-fourth birthday, or face
exile. As men are the primary breadwinners and often need to complete their
educations and apprenticeship, there is no maximum marrying age for the male
half of the population. As sexual relations outside of marriage are considered
taboo, possibly resulting in the loss of employment, social censure, and, in
extreme cases, legal consequences, most Arcadians tend to marry young. If a
baby is born six, rather than nine months after the wedding, it’s simply not
mentioned in polite conversation.
Overall, the society is patriarchal. Girls are under the
protection and authority of their fathers or another male relative until they
marry, at which time that transfers over to their husbands. A woman cannot be
forced to marry against their will, but if she does not marry in time, she is
sent beyond the walls of Arcadia. Once a girl is gone, she’s never to be spoken
of again. As she’s considered to have dishonored herself and her family by
failing to attract a mate, she’s no longer worthy of mention within Arcadian
society.
Titles are very important. A young woman is called ‘Miss
Lastname’ until she’s reached the age of seventeen, where she can be married.
Until she’s wed, she’s known as ‘Maiden Lastname’. After her marriage, she’s
addressed as ‘Mistress HusbandsLastname’. A boy is known as ‘Master’ until he’s
married. Then he becomes ‘Mister’. If he holds a position in the community of
high honor, like in government, he’s called by his title, ie ‘Commissioner’, as
it invokes high status.
The main form of religion is worship of the Hallowed Stars,
which are believed to be the source of wisdom and life. There are numerous
rituals and symbols associated with this faith, and it is a big part of daily
life. Parish priests are some of the most powerful leaders in the community. To
openly defy one is to open oneself up to serious disapproval from the public.
Most Arcadians’ biggest fear is social censure. As they
consider themselves civilized and cultured, they care very much about the
opinions of others. ‘But what might people think?’
is a common worry.
Arcadia is protected by a massive stone wall that surrounds
the country on all sides but the Southern coastline. Nobody gets out or in
without having a good reason, and the borders are very secure. The biggest
threat to this security comes from the Dark Lands, mysterious and lawless places
inhabited by a variety of evil, supernatural creatures. Between Arcadia and the
Dark Lands lies the Wildlands. The inhabitants there, a fierce race of
barbarian warriors known simply as the Wildlanders, are seen as savage and
primitive by the Arcadians. Unfortunately, the Wildlanders are the only people
capable of effectively defeating the evil which comes from the Dark Lands.
For the past two generations, the Arcadians and the
Wildlanders have had an agreement. The Wildlanders will protect Arcadia’s borders
from the Dark Ones, and the Arcadians will send females beyond the walls to be
the warriors’ brides. Arcadian law states that any woman facing exile (that is,
has reached age twenty-four without marrying) will be sent as a bride, commonly
called a Tribute.
No comments:
Post a Comment