Waejir

National Overview

Dominant Culture

Waejiran

Population

The majority of free persons within Waejir are Treahni and considered ethnically Waejiran, however with the vast area the empire covers, regional subgroups exist.

The Ethnicity of slaves are again mostly ethnic Waejirans, but foreign ethnic groups are certainly present.

Castes

Waejiran society is divided into castes, each with different legal rights, responsibilities, and status. With the exception of the High Nobles, it is possible for persons to rise and fall within and between these social strata.

High Nobles

The royal caste of Waejir, the High Nobles form the highest level of government and enjoy near complete freedom within the empire.

Nobles

The nobilty of Waejir are acknowledged by the high nobles to administer the empire, and act as the bulk of the government decision making on municipal level throughout. Many Nobles own land, from which they should be able to support themselves. Even those who do not can expect a certain guaranteed income from the crown.

Guildspersons

The tradespeople of Waejir who have organized into groups of related trades for mutual protection and profit. The guilds came to be as a means of collective bargaining with the government regarding issues which affect their operations.

Military

Military persons come from all castes within Waejir, with one's social status generally equalling to their rank within the military itself. Nobility as Senior officers, free soldiers in the middle ranks, and slaves at the lowest ranks.

Clergy

Those Waejirans who are committed to a life of worship and service to the gods form a separate class of citizen, They have their own standing and rank amongst the clergy of their particular faith, and each temple has its own hierarchy. Commoners and others may join temple as lay-members having a connection to the temple, but not being considered part of the clergy proper.

Commoners

The bulk of Waejir's citizens, the common folk work at whatever trades they can find gainful employment in. They have little political power, and are largely at the mercy of the Nobility or other wealthy patrons. Some commoners find themselves in near serfdom, working land in exchange for property rights, and a place to live. It is circumstance more than social class that keeps families attached to the land for generations.

Slaves

In Waejir slavery is an open and common practice, originating in the days of the seven cities when thralls were captured in war and forced into servitude. One may become a slave by choice, effectively selling themselves and gifting the profit from such sale to a person of their choosing. Every town large enough to support a regular market has a slaver's block where slaves are auctioned.

Being a slave in Waejir isn't as bad as it may seem on the outset. Many slaves are specialists and highly skilled or educated in their fields. While a slave lacks the full rights of any common citizen there are still a few rights afforded to all Waejirans:

• Slaves must be allowed to attend temple services appropriate to their chosen patron deities.
• Slaves may marry (another slave) and have children, however any resulting children are born slaves and are the property of the slaves mother's owner.
• Slaves may own property, with the permission of their owner, although this is often a contentious issue.
• A significant number of the lower ranks in the Waejiran military are slaves; whom can earn their freedom through service.
• Slaves can be granted their freedom through a legal process by their owner.

Government

Head of State

Emperor, Waejiros.

Capitol

The imperial capitol and site of the Emporer's Palace is Waejiradur.

Levels

National

Waejir as a whole is ruled over by the Emperor, who is the head of the royal family.

Principalitiy

The empire is divided into a set of principalities, ruled over by the local high noble Prince of Princess from each major city.

Principalities may be sub-divided and under the direct purview of individual high nobles other than the Prince or Princess, as the local Royal family member sees fit.

Fief

Individual Noble families may have control over one or more estates containing farms and other lands upon which a commoner class may dwell and labour at the behest of the nobles controlling that land.

City

Within cities the local nobility forms a senate, which decides matters of municipal importance. The city is governed under the oversight of the local high nobles, who hold power of veto over any decisions made by the senate or their elected representative chair.

Town

Within towns, where a high noble does not reside, a council similar to the senate in cities may exist. This council usually is formed from a mix of nobles and the wealthier guildpersons residing in the town. An elected chair may represent the town as a singular figurehead.

Legal System

At all levels of government laws are decided upon after debate and voting by the council which oversees that level. Any law made by the nobles or councils can be overruled, or repealed by the high noble who holds jurisdiction over the territory in which the law was decreed.

Enforcement

Due to the multi-tiered nature of the Waejiran populace, they have a complex legal system for enforcing laws upon the different castes.

Police

Cities will have a city watch composed of professional soldiers whom enforce the laws and edicts of the empire and the local municipality.

In towns, or smaller settlements, there may be a small militia force, comprised of volunteers or the local noble's own soldiers, who maintain the local laws.

Courts

A system of courts exists for determining guilt and punishments.

Lower Court

At the lowest tier is the public court, where accusations of criminal actions can be heard and countered before a publicly appointed judge. Contract disputes and property disputes are also generally heard at this level.

Landholders

Within the domain of a noble family, they may choose to hold court, sitting as judge over any tenants on their land, or persons alleged to have committed an offence within their territory.

High Court

For serious breaches of Imperial law, the local High Noble may decide to hold court on the matter, and sit as judge over the matter.

Guild Tribunals

Within the guilds themselves is a system of enforcement and contract law which is entirely under the purview of the guilds themselves. Generally used for keeping fair practices and deciding on matters of concern specific to their membership.

Military Tribunals

For offences committed by and within the military, senior officers will hold trials and determine guilt and punishments according to their internal regulations.

Lawyers

Lawyers and Litigants are members of the Litigant's guild. These scholars of law and jurisprudence may be hired to argue on behalf of anyone facing trial on either side of case. Lawyers specializing in contract law may also be hired during negotiations to ensure a fair and legally binding contract between two or more parties.

Scaenar

Scaenar are appointed members of the nobility or senate who serves as record keepers of legal decisions and outcomes from trials.

One can usually appeal a decision at all but the highest courts, asking to be tried at one level higher than the trial they just underwent.

It is the scaenar whom hear these appeals, and decide whether some fault in the legal proceedings occurred which warrants a change to, or veto of, the decision. They may also decide to pass the matter up to a higher court for a retrial.

Generally a matter can only be appealed once, and almost never will they be appealed after being given to a higher court for retrial.

Punishments

Waejiran law requires dictates two forms of punishment for those found guilty of breaking the law.

Restitution

Restorative justice in which the goal is making the victim whole, returning them to the state prior to any loss incurred. If it is not possible to restore the victim the guilty party may be caused to suffer some equivalent loss themselves.

Deterrence

Punishment which imposes additional fines, jail time, enslavement, or similar additional burden upon the guilty party, as a deterrent to further criminal action. For example a noble guilty of certain crimes could be stripped of their social rank, and privileges.

Specific Laws

Beside the general laws of most places against body violence, theft, destruction of property, and the like, Waejir has some unique laws which shape the behaviour and social order of its citizenry.

Hair

In Waejir membership in a guild or status as a slave involves being tattooed with a mark on the nape of the neck designating one's affiliation to a specific Guild or Noble House. As such, laws dictating socially acceptable hair length for various strata of society exist to easily spot a person's guildmark or slavemark.

• Only the nobility may wear their hair past their shoulders, but often wear it in a up style to avoid confusion.
• Free citizen's hair should not hang lower than their chin
• Slaves have the back of the head shaven. The lowest their hair may hang in the back is in line with the back of their jaw and earlobes on each side.

Slaves

Slavery is legal in Waejir, and slaves are afforded a certain rights which are for all citizens of the empire. While considered property, they are still a special case, so killing or other body crimes, are viewed differently when a slave is the victim. Slave's themselves have very little legal recourse if they are accused of criminal behaviour, as well their owner may be held liable for any law-breaking committed by their slaves.

Slaves are always marked with a circular slavemark upon the nape of their neck which identifies their owner's family. Should a slave be transfered to a new owner or granted their freedom this mark is altered to indicate the change in status.

Vocanei

Breeding of vocanei outside of the purview of the Breeders guild is considered a crime. The guild takes this matter very seriously.

Taxation

Taxes in Waejir are collected at regular times to ensure the crown has monies for public works, and to provide income to those working public offices. Additional taxes may be levied as required for specific reasons if agreed upon by the local government as necessary.

Land

Free persons who rent land will pay a tax to their landlord, or the crown at some annual rate.

Import and Export

Duties collected on certain goods being imported and exported from Waejir provide compensation for the material wealth leaving the empire.

Tolls

Imposed on anyone passing through gates, across certain bridges or along the imperial roads these taxes are collected for the local government, and help offset the public costs in maintenance and construction of such.

Public Works

The government of Waejir does build and maintain public works for the benefit of the populace as a whole. Each Principality or municipal government is responsible for its own areas, but generally the more urban and wealthy regions have better funded projects.

Roads

City streets, and major roads connecting Waejirs cities and towns are paved with cobble or flat stones. This improves travel time along these roads, both due to surface material, long straight lines, bridges, tunnels, retaining walls, and levelling of hills and gullies. Improved roads will have regularly placed toll houses to collect taxes and duties used for the maintenance.

Secondary roads will see some improvements to the road beds, bridges, ferry crossings, and the like as needed.

Tertiary roads are more likely just commonly used track ways that wind and twist their way through the local terrain avoiding steep slopes and other hazards. Often crossing watercourses at fords, rather than having bridges or ferries.

Irrigation

In agricultural regions systems of dikes, flooded patties, and aqueducts help spread water sources to more distant fields.

In urban centres pressurized water systems are possible depending on local terrain. Usually just public fountains or wells from which water is collected and carried by household members or servants or slaves.

Slave or livestock powered pumps are used to lift water when a natural source at sufficient elevation is not available.

Most homes will have a cistern for collection of rain water, in dry seasons these may need to be filled from public water sources.

Where pressurized water systems are not practical wells will be dug into underground aquifers to provide public or private water sources.

Sanitation

Only a few areas of the major urban centres has effective sewer systems, which provide an outflow to the nearest flowing water.

Most villas, and larger houses will have a latrine pit built into their basement, which needs to be shovelled out periodically by dung haulers.

Poorer homes will use simple chamber pots, and either dump their wastes into the gutter, or give it to the dung haulers when they make their rounds.

Public Baths

Bathhouses, both public and private, are available for the citizenry of Waejir. They are regulated by the Bathers Guild, and provide a social meeting place as well as serving hygienic purposes.

Commerce

Waejir has strong internal and external trade maintaining a healthy economy.

Agriculture

Various regions of Waejir produce local foods on large farms which provide produce to the cities in networked local trade. Regional variants in crop choices and agricultural practices will be suited to local terrain and climate.

Many houses will have small walled or rooftop gardens to supply some produce or herbs for the household.

Crops

Grown in cultivated fields, flooded patties, terrace farms in sloped terrain, or orchards.

Cereal

Day grain

The plateau and northern prairie region produces most of the day grain consumed in Waejir.

Pot Grain

Grown both on the Plateau and in the Western foothills.

Mud Grain

Mudgrain is grown along the floodplains of the Untaltar, as well as in terraced farms in the southern foothills.

Orther

Lentils, and other grains are grown in the plateau region as well as in smaller localized regions.

Vegetables

Root

Root vegetables are grown in local gardens and farms and often stored in cold cellars for consumption outside of the growing season.

Leaf

Cabbages and the like are grown in local gardens and farms. usually available in season, with some preserved through pickling or fermenting for off-season supplies.

Legumes

Beans, peas and other legumes form a significant portion of the typical Waejiran's diet. They transport and store well for use in the off-seasons.

Fruit and Nuts

Tree fruit

Many varieties of apples, peaches, plums and citrus fruits are common throughout Waejir. Most farms will have orchards spaced amongst their fields to help prevent wind erosion of topsoil as well as provide shade for less sun tolerant crops. Along the southern jungle edge plantations producing more exotic fruits found growing wild in the rain forest are common.

Dates

Date palms grow best along the Untaltar and in scattered oases throughout the desert regions. Some plantations exist on the plateau.

Tree Nuts

Almonds, and a few varieties of hardwood nuts are grown in orchards primarily in the western foothills. A few more exotic nut varieties are harvested along the southern jungle's edge. Some shrub grown nuts are propagated along the borders of fields similar to trees providing windbreaks and shade.

Melons and Squashes

Melons and other vines fruit are common throughout Waejir. Regional preferences or hardiness will dictate which varieties are locally produced.

Berries

Fields of berry bushes are propagated in a similar manner or orchards. they also are used for hedges between crop fields.

Other

Sai

One of the most common beverages in Waejir is Sai, which is grown on plantations throughout Waejir with specific regional varieties having distinct flavours.

Spices

Waejir produces a wide variety of spices. these are grown in particular regions which are best suited to each. The spice trade is one of Waejirs most profitable exports.

Herbs

Most herbs used in Waejir are produced in small batches in local gardens, maintained by households, or in the case of medicinal herbs the apothecaries and temples.

Silk

In a small localized area near Oheidur, silk trees orchards produce the finest silk in all of Entorais. Silkberry plantations exist in other regions, but produce a less luxurious fibre.

Herds

Herds of livestock are kept for meat, and other products, as well as beasts of burden and labour.

Horses

The northern prairie region has many ranches which produce quality horses for those citizens of Waejir that can afford such luxury.

Rabbuc

Rabbuc herds are raised for milk, meat and leather throughout Waejir. A few species also produce shaggy coats which are combed for textile fibres.

Teica

Teica are raised primarily for meat and hair fibres, but milk and leather are secondary products.

Poultry

Ducks, geese, chickens, and other birds are kept for eggs, feathers and meat.

Lizards

Some regions ranch large lizards for eggs, meat and leather.

Fish

Fish farming is generally limited to regions where mud grain patties are used. Shallow water species like mud fish are raised in the patties, and help keeping pest insects and other species from damaging the cereal crops. Some arthropods are also farmed in this manner.

Wysps

Most farms, and nearly every orchard will have wysp hives which help pollinate the crops and produce local honey.

Hunting

The hunting of large wild game and birds is generally a sport for the wealthy.

Small game animals may be trapped or hunted by farmers for both removal of threats to livestock and crops, as well as supplementing the diet of their household.

Trapping

Trapping is the primary means of gathering live animals, or fur-bearing species for their exotic hides and pelts.

Fishing

Fishing along the rivers of Waejir and from the Torcastan sea provides a substantial source of protein in the diet of Waejirans living along these rivers and the coast.

A variety of small to large bony fish, eels, and others are caught by net or with lines.

Large marine mammals and reptiles are hunted with nets and harpoons.

Cage traps for crabs and other crustaceans are used alongside diving for shellfish, sponges, and corals.

Gathering

Some plant varieties grow best in the wild, and are gathered during their appropriate seasons. Generally this includes specific medicinal herbs, fungi, flowers, and some nuts.

Industry

Waejir's industry relies primarily on treahni and animal labour. Some engineers have improved the machines available for lifting, cutting, and moving of bulk materials, but the power behind these machines is usually muscles, when wind or water wheels are not feasible.

Resource Extraction

Waejir covers a very large part of the continent, therefore a number of regional specialties exist within the Empire's border allowing internal trade networks to supply products other nations can only import.

Mines and Quarries

Most mines and quarries in Waejir exploit surface deposits of the desired material., shaft style mines will exist where veins of the material breach the surface, but the main deposit is deeper underground or inside of a mountain.

Placer mines along mountain streams are common through the western foothills.

Stone

Sandstone, limestone, marble, granites, and slate are the primary stones quarried in Waejir. Local deposits dictate which is available, and primarily used in local construction.

Clay

Clay for pottery, porcelain, or bricks is mined in Waejir. The finest clay is found in the mudflats of the Untaltar.

Coal

Coal mines in some areas of the Plateau and northern region provide fuel for industry, cooking, and heating.

Sand

Sand for construction is readily available from the desert, however the quality of fine grained sand used for glassblowing comes from specific regions of the desert.

Metals

Iron, Tin, Lead, Copper, Silver, Gold, and more are mined throughout Waejir, depending on the local geology.

Gems

Most gemstone mines in Waejir are in the Western foothills, although some jade and amber is extracted in the southern jungles.

Forestry

Most lumber comes from either the foothills of the mountains, or the southern jungles. Wild woods are maintained in other parts of Waejir, but the size and quality of timber in these regions is considered superior.

Hardwood

Jungle trees producing rich tones and grains are felled and cut locally to provide wood for construction, furniture and other woodcrafting. Some trees of the Coastal region and plateau are also used locally.

Softwood

Pines, Spruce and other softwoods are most common along the Foothills and slopes of the Western mountains. A varieties of softwoods grow throughout the northern regions and supply local needs.

Bamboo

Bamboo grows well throughout southern Waejir, and is harvested and traded like lumber. Some varieties of fast growing bamboo have been found and propagated along the riverbanks of the Untaltar.

Manufacturing

Most goods are made by hand, from raw materials or from secondary products of other trades. Most produced internally to the empire, if not locally, then transported from nearby.

At each stage along a products lifecycle different guilded and unguilded workers and crafters add complexity and value to the goods, until they reach their final purchaser.

Many goods are crafted in small batches or on a made-to-order basis. Everyday and consumable items are usually made in greater numbers in advance of sales, while one of a kind items are made to meet a request.

The processing of raw materials into crafting supplies is often smelly, dirty, and noisy, so is often restricted to the downwind, and peripheral parts of towns and cities.

Mills

Wind, water and manual mills are used for some stages of production for some products. these are generally at early stage production of materials, such as sawing lumber or stone, hammermills for some metalworking, grinding grain into flour, or the like.

Specialties

Crafters produce goods to meet local needs in every settlement. However a few areas are known for particular goods, and a surplus of those items are produced by larger numbers of craftspeople specifically for trade.

Pottery

The finest quality of porcelain clay is found near Kaithuradur. This city is famed for the quality, and beauty of works produced by its artisans.

Glass

Siudur located where the Untaltar meets the plateau is named glass town for the quality and variety of glass products produced by it's artisans.

Ironwork

Thanoradur is famed for its metalwork. The sheer quantity of local iron deposits has made this town into the primary supplier of bulk iron goods, and steel. It is here that the redsteel used to make the blades for the High Nobles' elite guards is produced.

Silk

Oheidur is named for its primary export, silk. the local region contains the only known biome suited to silk trees, and the silk-weavers of this town have made a name for themselves globally for their products.

Religion

Religious belief in waejir is strongly connected to the social order. Given the presence and demi-divine nature of the ruling caste, it is difficult to ignore the divine's impact daily lives of the empire's citizenry.

Dominant Religion

The most popular religion in waejir is belief in the pantheon of waejiran gods, who control and influence various aspects of daily life. Temples to the more important gods are in every city and town, lesser gods may have temples in regions related to their particular interests, and shrines or common temples exist to collective provide worship space for gods lacking a local temple.

Laws are in place permitting person to worship the gods. This does not give freedom to break other laws in the pursuit of said worship, but denying someone a chance to worship is considered a crime.

Minor Religions

Waejirans accept that other minority cultural groups may have different gods, spiritual beliefs, or practices. These are similarly protected as worship of the accepted waejiran pantheon.

Even followers of the Twin Goddess are allowed to practice their faith within Waejir, despite the conflict between Waejir and Quzonia, so long as they don't begin denying the validity of the waejiran gods.

Integration with Civil

Religion is part of everyday life in Waejir, but beyond the actions and edicts of the High Nobles does not dictate law or politics for the empire.

Priests of higher rank within the temples may be important politically, but the positions themselves hold no direct political authority.

The social strata within temple hierarchies starts at slave and rises to important noble persons, however one's rank within the temple structure does not necessarily match one's social rank outside of the faithful.

Architecture

Designs

Fortifications

The walls of major Waejiran cities are steep sloped on the outer face and surfaced with a type of porous brick. If a city is under siege the defenders can spill flammable liquids down the walls, which absorb and hold the fuel. Should attackers approach with intent to scale or breach the wall, the defenders will ignite the entire perimeter into a giant ring of fire. None dare try to scale such a wall as the intense heat can be fatal well before they reach the flames. The porous nature of the brickwork also works to cushion the impact of heavy missiles hurled by catapult against the walls, reducing their effectiveness.

Timekeeping

Calendar

Waejiran generally follow a calendar synchronized to the silver moon, with the new year beginning on the first full moon of Spring.

Timeline

Founding

Waejir was founded 1252 years ago when the first Emporer Dractius Waejiros and Gathered the High Nobles and united the Seven Cities under one government.

Dynastic Timelines

Waejir has been ruled by a single dynastic line since it's founding.

Geography

Waejir is a large empire which contains many different geographic regions and biomes within it's borders.

Landmarks

Constructed

The Wall

See Also

List of Waejiran Settlements