@Dinh AaronMkI'm thinking of an app involving a nomadic race of giants. They used to be a scourge to the empire but more recently a major group of them swore fealty to the throne and are gradually integrated to the system. The giants are a minority within their society with the rest used to be slaves. Things are changing since their integration to the empire so there are free cities and less oppression on the tiny people yet the region is still a wild place. They are at the fringes of the empire, acting as a rump state against foreign invasions from that direction.
Would it work or should I write up a different app?
@Dinh AaronMkI'm thinking of an app involving a nomadic race of giants. They used to be a scourge to the empire but more recently a major group of them swore fealty to the throne and are gradually integrated to the system. The giants are a minority within their society with the rest used to be slaves. Things are changing since their integration to the empire so there are free cities and less oppression on the tiny people yet the region is still a wild place. They are at the fringes of the empire, acting as a rump state against foreign invasions from that direction.
Would it work or should I write up a different app?
As giants I'm hoping you're not talking about anything as large as or larger than Skyrim giants tbh. Otherwise, sure; write up an app and I'll see what you got.
As giants I'm hoping you're not talking about anything as large as or larger than Skyrim giants tbh. Otherwise, sure; write up an app and I'll see what you got.
I actually did think of giants that big. The point would be that giants are few in numbers but their might compels people to do their bidding and in the region basically complex webs of giant alliances maintain the order. So you got a 4-5m tall giant which may have a mate or a few offsprings ruling over an entire subdivision of territory who swears allegiance to the ruler of said territory unit. Then these lords would be swearing fealty to higher lords until you get to the king and such. So in a population of a few million you'd probably have thousands of giants total who live semi-nomadic life.
<Snipped quote by Dinh AaronMk>I actually did think of giants that big. The point would be that giants are few in numbers but their might compels people to do their bidding and in the region basically complex webs of giant alliances maintain the order. So you got a 4-5m tall giant which may have a mate or a few offsprings ruling over an entire subdivision of territory who swears allegiance to the ruler of said territory unit. Then these lords would be swearing fealty to higher lords until you get to the king and such. So in a population of a few million you'd probably have thousands of giants total who live semi-nomadic life.
Name and Title of Vassal State: Kingdom of Asceria
Ruler: Illyrin Kaçadere
Race: The native elven peoples of the Sceri Basin, Ascerians are a hardy folk. Derivative from their nomadic ancestry, Acserians typically possess a more tightly-built frame, typically amassing tone over raw mass as they make the most of every muscle. They are also noted for their complex set of pupils - ordinarily green or blue in color - Ascerians are gifted with very keen eyesight, able to discern objects with greater clarity at extreme distances. Most Ascerains possess skin tones that range from snowy pale to dark redwood, though the most common tones which are expressed stand with a distinct, reddish hue. Likewise, their hair most commonly manifests itself from shades of bone-white to blonde or bloody crimson, with black or brunette hair being quite rare. Though gifted with famously long elven lifespans, it's more typical that an Ascerian first die to disease or violence before coming close to the end of their natural dotage - a fact no doubt coupled with their cultural propensity for conflict and adventure. On average, an Ascerian will stand at approximately 190cm, with deviations being based more heavily on ancestry as opposed to sexual dimorphism. There appears to be a discrepancy between the number of births between males and females within Ascerian diaspora, with male births seeming to be considerably lower than their female counterpart, yet the phenomenon as of the present seems to be poorly-understood.
I talked with Aaron about it some in PMs, the actual area is more concentrated to the East along the river and the mountain range.
History: From beyond the Eastern Ranges, the elf-folk of the Sceri Basin have long held a less-than-stellar repute from their neighbors. Much has been spoken and told of the acts of they and their brethren, yet few of these tales involve cowardice. They and their ilk have long been touted as pillagers and hellions - with these yarns exaggerated or otherwise. Proto-Ascerian society at that point had largely been comprised of small, individual roving tribes, who had at large only reverted into larger coalitions in order to fuse tribal weddings or drive forth potential alliances for an upcoming incursion. Atop their famed greatwolves, the Proto-Ascerians of the East stormed through settlements with lightning speed, often traveling hundreds of miles per day in hot pursuit of a string of villages or outposts to siege. The times of the era were a harsh one, few could dissent; Clashes with men and dwarf were quite common, and for what the Proto-Ascerians lacked in organization they more than happily took in cultural cannibalism. When tribes or settlements were defeated in Proto-Ascerian battle, customary ritual would foresee the integration of their survivors into the clan of the vanquisher. Feuds between loyalties and bloodlines, then, were commonplace among Proto-Ascerians, and had by in large grossly inflamed tensions not only between Proto-Ascerian peoples and the peoples of the hamlets they now found themselves anthropophagizing, but also between individual clans and even inside of clans themselves. The loose, constantly-shifting nature of Proto-Ascerian society paved way for a chaotic, constantly-shifting arrangement, one where wealth and status was lost as easily as it had been gained, for which the fluidity of life itself was seen, perhaps viciously, as free as life itself. Life was orderless, anarchic perhaps, but certainly never dull.
But, come the Gaulletics. What would soon come to be known as Asceria would be brought unto the fold - if not unto by heel for lack of trying. Initially, the divisions between Proto-Ascerian tribes had long divided not just individual chieftains, but also their many wise-men and witches in council. Some had long foreseen the sheer power that the Dark Men from across the seal could bequeath unto them, yet in that same breath their opposites warned that the strength lent to them from their would-be ally was not their own. The divisive opinions mattered little in the end, for those who would be lent unto the Dark Man would find themselves absorbed along their wind, and for those who might resist would lead to little aside from a chase back unto the Sceri from which they came - and from which they had long not belonged. The clans and battle-families which had long found themselves fighting side-by-side in alignment of their wrongs with the Dark Men of the West divided even their fragmented society greatly, until the vast and varied peoples of the Mountain Pine were solidified and their culture claimed; In that sense, when the dust settled and their people firmly a vassal, Asceria - then - was born.
Aptly, the description to fit the relationship that the Ascerians have toward their overlord is one of acceptance, and little besides. Above all, Ascerians are nothing short of proud, and the aptitude from which the Gaulletics have routinely subverted or thwarted both the efforts of not just Ascerians - but of their friends and foes alike - has earned them something of a...begrudging respect.
Respect and cooperation are not always two sides of the same coin, however, and that is a fact that is a painfully omnipresent statement as to be seen whenever one walks through the lands of the Ascerian. The Mycorian language is only spoken in the most absolute of circumstances, regulated only unto middlemen and adjudicators for Móirens. Metropolitan Mycorian fashion is discarded and disrobed for the native cloth and pelt of Asceria's sparked artisanship, from the ornate stone-and-wood, jagged architecture of Asceria displacing any mention of Mycorian masonwork, such that any Merchant Guild or Embassy shall stand out in the Ascerian settlement as to display it like a zoo. Even the Imperial Cult has been ritualistically cannibalized, butchered and carved before Ascerian totem-poles and prayer flags as saints become spirits and prayers become majicks.
But alas, an Ascerian likewise has long known the mantra of obligation and mercy unto concord. While Mycoria has earned a their respect, the same certainly cannot be said for their friendship. And with the rumors of a rapacious disease tearing apart Mycorian society - one which only afflicts the Dark Ones - the true nature of their relationship shall be brought to bear, and perhaps with it, Mycoria shall witness whether Asceria shall ride into the future atop her majestic greatwolves with her, or toward her.
I'll make a flag and a better claim when I'm not on vacation and I have access to my computer. In the meantime, here app
[Name and Title of Vassal State: The Kingdom of Kur-Myrthina Full name: The Blessed Kingdom of Kur-Myrthina, commonly known as Great Myr. Ruler: King Hesti (IX) Risha Shabbini - the Blessed King is ordained by the religious authorities as the physical embodiment of mortal divine power and so commands an enormous amount of respect from his subjects. He technically functions as an absolute monarch, though imperial oversight, a powerful and established religious administration, and a heavy, overladen royal court has restrained this power for centuries. King Hesti is the thirteenth king of the Shabbini dynasty. He makes his capital at the great port city of Shabbini, historically the third of Kur-Myrthina's six blessed cities - all of them ports that grew rich on imperial prestige.
His Majesty has thirty-six legitimate children.
Queen Nalulah Rishe Ibizari, High Priestess of the Ibizar - Thirty years ago, the Blessed King broke convention by marrying the young Nalulah, eldest daughter of one of Kur-Myrthina's twelve great religious landholders, the Archons, the High Priestess of a mystic order known as the Ibizar. When Nalulah's mother died, she took over the leadership of her order. Aside from their esoteric duties and ritual functions, the Ibizari are responsible for the maintenance of all irrigation and sewer systems in the Blessed Kingdom. In return for this duty, they are afforded a royal monopoly on salt production.
Princess Na-Sabira Rishe Shabbini, Assistant Treasurer of the Merchant Monopoly, Countess of Siltano
Magister-Royal Pyrus Risha Keltani, Minister of Finance, Grand-Duke of Vix, Grand Chamberlain of the Blue Temple
Aya 'Mother Silver', High Priestess of the Kur-Indarali - Leader of another of the twelve Archons, Aya, like all leaders of the Cerulean Order of the Kur-Indarali, is a freed slave. The Order is responsible for the charitable foundations and urban welfare projects that characterise a lot of piety in the monetary religion of the Myrese. Over the centuries, the Kur-Indarali have allowed aristocrats to build vanity or personal projects under the guise of holy charity. But Aya, known as 'Mother Silver' for her open preaching, immediately became a thorn in the side of the royal administration upon her elevation to her post a year ago for demanding investment in real infrastructure projects.
Race: Myr - the Myrese are a race of humanoids noted for their ‘amber’ skin (in fact Myr skin can range in tone from beige to bright orange) and who without exception have white, depigmented hair. Their eyes range in colour but are most often shades of brown and green, but blue, purple and yellow are also possible. They are noted for their youthful complexions which often last into middle age and short height among other humanoids - females usually stand at around 5 feet (152cm) and males average 5’3 (160cm).
Populations of humans, dwarves, and a particularly significant population of Gaülletics also inhabit Great Myr as well as members of many other races.
The Myrese are known throughout Mycoria for their mercantilism, materialism, and strange adherence to their particular form of piety. Considered useful to the imperial administration due to the strategic location of their island kingdom, its fertile lands, and its pliant population, the islands grew rich through loyal imperial service. Myrese priests are known for the ritualistic nature of their worship. Myrese aristocrats are known for their extravagant taste.
Although they often consider themselves more civilised than many of their continental neighbours - or perhaps because of this - the Myr have been easily bought off by the Empire consistently over the years and in return have shown unwavering loyalty. Their reputation among their neighbours is mixed due to their reputation for collaboration with the Gaülletics, and while it’s common to find their merchants all over Mycoria and indeed the further Empire it’s rare indeed to find settled populations of them outside their islands.
Some in Myr - including members of the powerful religious authorities - claimed that the construction of the Arllánco Canal was an imperial reward for the loyalty of the kingdom. In the last century the canal’s construction has improved Kur-Myrthina’s fortunes even more.
History: Kur-Myrthina as a kingdom predates the Empire’s arrival in Mycoria. A unified territory, according to the annals, for sixteen-hundred and eighty-two years, Kur-Myrthina for many centuries existed as a pious but poor island kingdom in the warm seas of the south. Although the land is bountiful and fertile, the islands were prone to violent summer storms, disease outbreaks and raiding, and so for many years although power was ordained by the Blue Priests in the person of the Blessed Monarch the kingdom operated more as a loosely connected series of tribes with competing interests. From this a strong aristocratic culture developed and a strict hierarchical system of understanding caste.
A thousand years ago the Myr underwent something of a maritime revolution and over the next three-hundred established trading posts up and down the coast of Mycoria. Myrese merchants brought huge boulders of ice from the north and then ferried frozen produce to the northern kingdoms and established tentative trade routes criss-crossing the coasts and islands and making river expeditions in their shallow-bottomed Scuttler ships. These ships were no good for long distance travel so while Myrese society grew increasingly urban and advanced their purview did not extend beyond the sea.
Myrese merchants were some of the first intelligent life forms encountered by Imperial expeditions.
The arrival of the men of Gaüllo was an instant revelation in Great Myr.
Blue is the sacred colour of the Myrese religion, and their priesthood, who wear robes of blue, are known as the Blue Priests. Much Myrese scripture, which is normally in the forms of songs and poems, also contained references to the spiritual purity of the colour blue, both in explicit and allegorical terms. The blue skin of the Gaülletics caused the High Priestess of the time, Shatana of Ylino, to sanctify the arrival of these imperial conquerors as heralding the coming age of Menaya-Allo, the ‘blue rain’, the prophesied period of endless prosperity and eternal life prophesied to be the destiny of the Myrese. The proclamation was convincing enough to the Myrese, who immediately began to profit monetarily from selling out information about other kingdoms and brokering tentative peace deals with native belligerents with whom they had pre-existing relationships in the name of their new Imperial overlords.
As Myrese religion is also built around the worship of material wealth so the accumulation of goods, the unprecedented splendour of the imperial war machine, their fine clothes, and indeed their raw wealth were all interpreted as symbols of holiness by the Myrese clergy. The slightly bemused Gaülletics readily accepted that they could simply hypnotise the Myrese into submission with displays of wealth and gifts. In this capacity, the Kingdom’s religion has been left alone, though often studied by Imperial researchers on sabbatical, keen to understand its strange esotericism and see the gold-tipped spires of the Blue Temple in the capital city Shabbini. The Empire garrisoned a lot of soldiers on the islands over the centuries, helped to fund the construction of its defensive structures,
Although the religious authorities hold a lot of temporal power in Kur-Myrthina, the civic authorities grow well developed on the imperial model. The Myrese have learned a lot from imperial infrastructure and their own cities, although they contain shocking displays of disease, inequality, hardship and slavery, also feature soaring spires, aquaculture, steam-heated bath houses hewn of marble, and a variety of other public structures. The construction of these monuments is considered a pious act. With the coming of the canal the kingdom's fortunes, long feared to be stagnating, were revived for a century known as the Shining Summer. Those old anxieties have been revived in recent years as a pervasive fear of the weakening centralised imperial administration heralded by several religious sects as signifying doomsday or the end times. Some of these sects, it is feared, could turn to extremism or violence to spread their heretical views. This has shaken the decadent and byzantine Myrese royal and religious administrations into unrest for the first time in hundreds of years, and finding for the first time no Imperial support, the self-fulfilling prophecy has caused a lot of consternation in the Blessed Kingdom.
So my biggest comment I have to make is that between the time the Gaülletics arrived and now, the Merchant's Monopoly would have most likely taken over any organized trade by Kur-Myrthina. While I'll offer a bone that Kur-Myrthinians could be members of the Monopoly, or have residents who work for it; it does not really equal the same trade networks as possible and if anything they'd just have the ability to make send a little bit home skimmed off the top. Most likely in the times between then and now, the old trade infrastructure would have broken down along the lines of independent actors and not entirely dependent on being from a single location, and mostly trading in the general economic production of the region, and not high-luxury items. Because it otherwise seems that the kingdom is moving on a momentum of trade that would have disappeared.
So my biggest comment I have to make is that between the time the Gaülletics arrived and now, the Merchant's Monopoly would have most likely taken over any organized trade by Kur-Myrthina. While I'll offer a bone that Kur-Myrthinians could be members of the Monopoly, or have residents who work for it; it does not really equal the same trade networks as possible and if anything they'd just have the ability to make send a little bit home skimmed off the top. Most likely in the times between then and now, the old trade infrastructure would have broken down along the lines of independent actors and not entirely dependent on being from a single location, and mostly trading in the general economic production of the region, and not high-luxury items. Because it otherwise seems that the kingdom is moving on a momentum of trade that would have disappeared.
Their religion causes them to covet luxury goods.
My idea is that the independent Myrese trade networks were confined to the shallow coast and rivers of Mycoria and after the arrival of the Empire all of that infrastructure would have been ceded to them immediately. The fact that they use flat-bottomed shallow boats similar to (scaled up versions of) Chinese Sampan meant their networks were unsuitable for trade outside the province anyway. I'll leave the degree of their involvement in Imperial trade networks up to you at any rate - the point isn't really that the kingdom is rich, only that its aristocrats and priests are. I'll hopefully be able to show the destitution of its 'impious' common people.
My idea is that the independent Myrese trade networks were confined to the shallow coast and rivers of Mycoria and after the arrival of the Empire all of that infrastructure would have been ceded to them immediately. The fact that they use flat-bottomed shallow boats similar to (scaled up versions of) Chinese Sampan meant their networks were unsuitable for trade outside the province anyway. I'll leave the degree of their involvement in Imperial trade networks up to you at any rate - the point isn't really that the kingdom is rich, only that its aristocrats and priests are. I'll hopefully be able to show the destitution of its 'impious' common people.
I personally think that the idea is fine at any rate. If it's just a straight class divide between the upper-echelon aristocracy and ecclesiarchy with the rest of greater Myrese society, then I would think that it would likely start to crumble pretty quickly without the backing of the rest of the Mycorian imperial apparatus. I can assume (and correct me if I'm wrong, here) that it's mostly a case of the Gaulletics only caring insofar that they receive their cut (which is by percentile the Lion's Share, but the native Myrese are enamored by their baubles that some don't even realize the extent to which they're actually getting screwed over in this little partnership), and so long as all the dividends are paid out, they largely leave them up to their own devices if they play ball with Mycoria.
The case of Great Myr as I can envision it is sorta like India or Malaysia under British rule where you saw like gigantic sprawling structures and princely kingdoms of insane amounts of wealth while surrounded by a pretty neglected countryside that was ready to fall apart at first notice. Its geopolitical situation would control a lot of the southbound trade, but because the Myrese ecclesiarchy and aristocracy are so intertwined with Mycoria's merchant class as a whole, they never get the real opportunity to capitalize on the position for themselves - and even if they had, they sure don't possess the military might to thwart a full-fledged Mycorian incursion.
My idea is that the independent Myrese trade networks were confined to the shallow coast and rivers of Mycoria and after the arrival of the Empire all of that infrastructure would have been ceded to them immediately. The fact that they use flat-bottomed shallow boats similar to (scaled up versions of) Chinese Sampan meant their networks were unsuitable for trade outside the province anyway. I'll leave the degree of their involvement in Imperial trade networks up to you at any rate - the point isn't really that the kingdom is rich, only that its aristocrats and priests are. I'll hopefully be able to show the destitution of its 'impious' common people.
That's fine, I was seeking clarification to make sure something didn't get lost in translation, as it were.
I do thing @Yam I Am as some good points and I want to see how this turns out before I add anything to the map and do the imperial census(es) that are owed.
I personally think that the idea is fine at any rate. If it's just a straight class divide between the upper-echelon aristocracy and ecclesiarchy with the rest of greater Myrese society, then I would think that it would likely start to crumble pretty quickly without the backing of the rest of the Mycorian imperial apparatus. I can assume (and correct me if I'm wrong, here) that it's mostly a case of the Gaulletics only caring insofar that they receive their cut (which is by percentile the Lion's Share, but the native Myrese are enamored by their baubles that some don't even realize the extent to which they're actually getting screwed over in this little partnership), and so long as all the dividends are paid out, they largely leave them up to their own devices if they play ball with Mycoria.
The case of Great Myr as I can envision it is sorta like India or Malaysia under British rule where you saw like gigantic sprawling structures and princely kingdoms of insane amounts of wealth while surrounded by a pretty neglected countryside that was ready to fall apart at first notice. Its geopolitical situation would control a lot of the southbound trade, but because the Myrese ecclesiarchy and aristocracy are so intertwined with Mycoria's merchant class as a whole, they never get the real opportunity to capitalize on the position for themselves - and even if they had, they sure don't possess the military might to thwart a full-fledged Mycorian incursion.
Thanks for giving such developed thoughts! I would definitely agree with all of your points. I would also add that compared to all of the other nation sheets posted so far, I'm imagining Kur-Myrthina has relatively weak defensive capacities (apart from being a chain of islands with a thickly forested interior), having long relied on imperial troops for their security due to their proximity to the province's major maritime trade lanes.
fish (anchovy, swordfish, eel, grouper, crab, oyster, clam)
barley
grapes
iron
lead
alum
salt
Tribute production
alum
wine
saltpeter
sugarcane
citrus
The Kingdom of Kur-Myrthina also has the Minister of Finance and the Assistant Treasurer of the Merchant Monopoly in the official service of the Empire.
Alright everyone: I'm considering opening the IC soon but there's some logistical leg work to do before we begin. I want the 0th IC post to be a large collab, I'll write up the start of it, but the thing is I have to figure out how to even organize the collab moment. I don't want to start the RP on several pages of quick and shitty one-of posts and I want to run it all through one post and then dump it.
So there are two options to compose this big-ass post for me to assemble it. Or three, maybe. First being a large group DM where the 0 post is written, or we can even take it into a Discord for real-time posting. If it's a Discord I have to sort of figure out time zones for everyone so we can crunch it all out then; in such a case I can just set it up and we can work it out then.
Or I can set up a Google doc.
I suspect in the foreseeable future there may be two moments we have to do this. Depends on the direction we take and what sort of logistics I can work out as GM. I'm not really a fan of doing large group scenes where we all contribute a paragraph's worth of content per post for pages. I'd rather get it all done in one time-block, compose it into a single post, and put it out into the world.
Oriati (Giants) - Titannic humanoid creatures with adults ranging between 4-5 meters (13-16 feet) tall and possessing incredible physical prowess. Their official name is Avargeum derived from how the giants call their race in their own language (Avarga) but everyone calls them Oriati or just giants. They can walk for leagues and can continue doing this for days without having anything to eat. Yet their endurance turns around considerably on peak exertion when they could overheat within minutes. Giants are often seem lumbering if not outright lazy yet they do it for a reason. Oriati are fearsome warriors but also considered decadent. They prefer to rest and let their significantly more numerous servants do most of the work. Oriats are territorial and only gather in large numbers during festivals or times of war. Though can fast for days end the Oriati are the best known for their voracious appetites. They also used to eat people but nowadays it's heavily frowned upon.
Boyuli - When the Oriat tribes invaded the Empire they did not arrive alone. They brought their servants along. They ranged from slaves and indentured servants to non-giant tribes subjugated to their rule. Oriats were not particularly choosy who served them, so long they did. They had the tendency of releasing the servants who would be incapable of accompany them during the next migration. As such a lot of the Boyuli are no longer serving the Oriat or even part of the Empire. Yet enough of them exist within the Roaring Realms that they are still significant. Compared to ordinary subjects the Boyuli are often more trusted and some of them may acquired special privileges for their birth.
Location:
History:
The Oriats were one of the many tribes of giants wandering across the continent. Legends tell that all the giants were once united under King Arslan to form the Avarga Empire. Yet after his death the empire split between his sons and eventually dissolved back into warring tribes. About 250 years ago a number of giant tribes migrated west which lead to conflict with the the lands of Mycoria. This heralded the beginning of the so-called Giant Wars which lasted over a century. The Empire was wholly unprepared to face their oversized foes and the enemy's tactics were unlike anything the Empire faced before. The Northern province of Transvaalium immediately fell into their grasp. At one time the giants penetrated deep into the Mycoria only to be repelled in a triumphant victory. Yet the damage was already done and restoring peace to the North seemed impossible. Transvaalium and its neighborhood became known as the Roaring Realms, a hostile land dominated by the might of giants. The defeat of Kang Khutul at Móriens marked an end to the giants' attempts to conquer the Empire. Consequently the North began to stabilize with only sporadic raids conducted by the giants. The two sides established trade relationships and the empire even created trade posts within the Roaring Realms. Though officially at war with giantkind in practice the various tribes were often invited as mercenaries. They participated in a number of Mycoria's succession wars, the Oriat Tribe in particular earned special renown within the empire.
This lead to the so-called Mycorization of giantkind. They adopted imperial goods, imperial techniques and gradually absorbed Mycorian culture. Of course the Oriat Tribe were the pioneers in this process and managed to amass an impressive collection of cannons. Lead by Kang Obould the Oriats began to absorb other tribes, soon becoming one of the greatest hosts within the region. Then they decided they should become the only tribe within the region. Obould asked the Mycoria for support and he got it. They were given the best armament a giant could have and on occasion even received help from the imperial forces. The last stages of the Giant Wars were between the Mycoria-supported Oriat Tribe lead by Kang Obould and the loose confederation of tribes that refused imperial influence. Obould won and brought peace to the North once again. The Oriat ruler was rewarded handsomely by the empire and his lineage became vassals to the Mycorian throne. Of course the giants had a long century ahead with even more changes to their society. The Roaring Realms became a bulwark for the empire against the northern threats and in return the Oriats could rule the lands as they felt like it. Since their duty is to secure the borders the Oriat are rarely called to arms by Mycoria to fight elsewhere yet there had been a fair number of exceptions. The power of the giants is very attractive to emperors and even a symbolic army of Oriats could have an influence on the troops' morale. Oriat society can be the best described as semi-nomadic. While a few giants embraced the sedentary lifestyle their majority still lives in tents. Oriati are secluded folk who are rarely seen in groups more than a few families. Their numbers is almost insignificant compared to the amount of subjects they are watching over. Each family head is a de facto noble within the Roaring Realms. They have authority over a small fief or even own a fortress. They in turn are subject to their chieftains, princes, warlords and ultimately the Kang himself. Annually the leaders gather together to celebrate the harvest and to hold the Khurai during which they discuss matters and formulate new laws. Compared to the Oriat their subjects mostly experience sedentary lives. The Oriat are not interested in the small nuances of governance so the cities and districts largely enjoy a degree of autonomy. Their obligations only exist in the form of taxes and tributes. So long they keep the Oriat satisfied they enjoy peace. The Oriat generally encourages tolerance and their laws mean to treat every subject as equal to each other. The Roaring Realms are nothing like the barely populated ghost lands they once were and they appear to be teeming with life. A number of inhabitants enjoy their freedom and try their hardest to not think about the frightening giants who rule over them.
