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asha-mage · 2 years

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Loial just blinked in confusion. “Of course I know. You two practically announced it to the world. Or rather the Women’s Apartments, but that was good as, things being as they are in Mahfal Dedaranel.”

“What in the name of the Light are you talking about?” Mat snapped so loud that the soldiers ahead of them turned, but Mat did not care, twisting in his saddle to stare up at Loial.

Loial shifted uncomfortably atop his Dhurin, ears twitching. “…You claimed the right of being Rand’s Heartsworn. Cue’vin.”

Mat nodded slowly. That was the word Lan had told him to use: Heartsworn, along with the formal phrasing he had given. He had assumed it had been some sort of statement that he was Rand’s armsman or bodyguard or some such. But now hearing it spoken back to him in the Old Tongue made his stomach sink. That part of him capable of understanding these things, that quiet swell of memory in the back of his mind, told him Cue’vin was stronger than that. Implied more. But what exactly eluded him.

Loail kept right on. “I know the tradition is not really recognized much in the south anymore, and has not been since oh, the War of the Hundred Years? But the Borderlands keep many of the old ways that others have forgotten or lost, and it makes sense of course, that you still retain it- it was Manatheren that began the tradition after all. After the Breaking of the World, when it really seemed like human kind might be driven to extinction, there was a great pressure in many of the burdening survivors for humans to continue their family lines, for the good of the species, even at the cost individuals who…ah….could not love partners with whom traditional reproduction was possible.” Loial’s ears were twitching wildly now, and his eyebrows had drawn down in embarrassment. Mat just stared at him, and he kept going.

“It was Manatheren that first formaly reconigzed the bond between two persons of the same gender, or rather, between Prince Akiaean al Pelen, who was the greatest warrior of his time, and Paedrig al Minias advisor and companion, but within two hundered years almost every nation acknowledge the bond between two persons of the same sex, to the point that when Queen Amaresu of Almoren refused to marry as it would betray her oaths of devotion to her own Cue’vin, the Elmrian, the nobility of Almoren where forced to accepther decision. By the time of the Trolloc Wars, Devotion of the Spear and the Dawn, a collection of stories detailing relationships between Cue’vin, was so popular that they had gained something of a mythology around them, and were widely culturally recognized, or at least respected and honored. Few copies remains of it however: I read at the Royal Library at Cairhien, which of course makes sense as Almoren would one day become Cairhien, though few remember that Amaersu as more legend there, and none realize how much Tova, and now Cairhien owe to her. The Trolloc Wars are to blame I am afraid, so much was destroyed during the ravagining of the Shadow, and afterwards there was a shift away from viewing Cue’vin as a distinct relationship from the bond between men and women, so the stories lost of their importance, especially in the South, though in the Borderlands-“

“Loial.” Mat interrupted, voice he knew, deceptively calm. “Are you telling me, that everyone thinks that Rand and are….Married?”

Loail blinked at him. “Well. No. Not exactly. But…not not exactly that either.”

Mat shook with rage. All that effort into sneaking around and hiding and keeping their relationship private and Light- everyone knew! And thought-

Mat felt the profound urge to scream. And to strangle Lan Mandragoran with his bare hands.

-WIP Snippet from Sworn, Chapter 7: Strings

#Cauthor #WoT Fic #Wheel of Time #Rand al'thor #Matrim Cauthon #Here's a fun game: 'spot the mythological refrences'#I am Very Clever #(He was in fact not at all clever)#Loial

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talesfromnatea · 6 years

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The Countries of Natéa

Beobyra – Founded about a thousand years ago by the legendary Queen Thyra of House Valkyria who came to find a new place to live for her people. Where she and her people came from is unknown, but they arrived where the capital Thyragård now lies. After hand, the realm expanded, eating up many smaller other countries along their borders who now may or may not remember that they once weren’t Beobyrians.

Ever since the realm’s first days, it has been ruled by the Valkyrias. A family of powerful warrior witches, who are said to be blessed by Beobyra’s great deity; the Mother Goddess. They’re said to be chosen by Her, and therefore have unquestionable right to the country and its people. At least mostly unquestionable; there has been rebellions, but they have always been dealt with fast and mercilessly. No survivors.

The religion, known in the rest of the world as the Mother’s Temple, and with it the culture of Beobyra is mainly based on the belief that one day a great war between the lost gods and their own goddess will come. It will be the End Times for Natéa. And when that time comes, they will be ready to fight for Her. Therefore, they prepare themselves by warring other nations, by learning how to conquer, and are therefore the rulers of a huge part of Natéa. Battle is very important, because only the bravest, most skilled, most loyal warriors are allowed entrance into the Mother Goddess’ Blessed Lands after death. Everyone else will cease to exist.

However, not only war matters to the country. They’re Natéa’s biggest iron miners, the western and northern borders being completely covered in iron-rich mountains - the Iron Crests, as well as skilled smiths, and has a lot of agriculture. Especially since huge parts of the country is covered in meadows; there is only one single forest in Beobyra, on the border to Aellwyn. The rest of it is smaller mountains, and most of the cities are built on top of these to make them easier to defend.

The climate is cold, due to being as far north as anyone but the bravest adventurers can get before the invention of helicopters. There is a land on the other side of the mountain range, but no one has yet returned from venturing there. Nevertheless, there are a few weeks every year during summer which are very hot (in northern standards, at most 30o C). These are the laziest weeks of the year among the denizens who can afford to be lazy. Most Beobyrians appreciate the cold far more, although the incredibly cold winters (in the northernmost parts of the country the temperature sometimes goes below -30o C) ensures that even the poorest must prioritize proper winter clothing directly after food.

Aellwyn – Beobyra’s closest neighbour, one of the smaller countries around. They lie at the very tip of the Northern Peninsula, and might at one point have been a part of Beobyra. Historians differ on the subject. They have their own royal family, although they’re mostly ruled by their bigger neighbour, and are a part of the Beobyrian Empire. They have so been since the birth of the Empire, being the first conquered country, which did not become an actual part of Beobyra. They share a lot of Beobyra’s culture, however, speaking both Beobyric and worshipping the Mother Goddess.

However, their version of the religion is slightly less violent. They do not believe that you must’ve fought in war to be granted access to the Blessed Lands, instead believing smaller ways of fighting – sometimes just surviving – is enough. Their beliefs lay ground for the modern day general way of worshipping the Mother.

This country is known to be a crime den. Full of corruption and even the royal family is said to be ruled by those with the most money. Especially the smaller coast city Draumarre by the is a favourite place for the darker parts of society. Which is why it’s more known by the name of Pirate’s Port.

Other than crime, they’re surprisingly good at art. Many famous artists of all kinds – painters, authors, dancers – are grown up in Aellwyn. This can supposedly come from the multiculturality of the country. Both criminals, entertainers, and merchants flood into both the port towns and the capital, Seothra, since profit is always good.

In modern days, Seothra is also Natéa’s fashion capital.

Waeldé – A country which is basically a huge forest. Their capital lies in the deepest part of the forest, and the main part of the population are forest sprites and hybrids such as satyrs and centaurs. The country is a couple hundred years old, and was founded by the first people who dared venturing deep into the thick forests.

They’re famous for their natural sciences, such as medicine. Their forest is full of useful and/or deadly herbs, and they know almost all of them. They’re also experts at nature-friendly construction. Many of them live in the trees, with elevators and bridges everywhere to help those who cannot climb for one reason or another to travel among the tree crowns. Other than this, they’re also major wood exporters, obviously.

Their climate is warmer, their winters rarely going beneath -5o and summers often lying on 30o. They pray to their forest, believing it to be the home of spirits even more in contact with nature than the dryads. Their forest is their source of life, after all, and they wish to show it proper respect. It gives them food (plants and animals both), shelter, medicine, and everything else they could possibly need.

Also they are ruled by royalty; a family of satyrs – House Desroches – sit on their throne. However, they’re not owners of the forest like the Valkyrias are the owners of Beobyra. They were chosen by the people rather than by any deity at the beginning of Waeldé and can therefore be replaced.

A hundred years ago they became a part of the Beobyrian Empire, as one of their most treasured subordinate countries, and the Waeldéans are very content with this. They receive protection against both internal and external threats and good business in exchange for taxes and certain non-independence.

Trima – Neighbour to among other countries Waeldé. Trima is a thin but long country, which follows the coast and only goes a few miles away from it. The clear majority of Trimins live along the coast, only a few farmers and craftsworkers taken up the grounds away from the sea. Trima is one of the older countries in this part of the world, even though it has grown the past hundred years.

Their main source of income and necessities is fishing. Almost all Trimins work in the seafood industry, be it as fishers, as fish merchants, at seafood restaurants, or with crafts such as making fishing nets. The few farmers do not suffer any need, being able to sell as much potatoes and carrots and apples as they want. The climate is about as warm as it is in Waeldé, except for the colder winds coming in from the sea. Due to the warmer climate, despite being other-side-of-the-bay neighbours with Beobyra, they can work in the water most parts of the years without risking frostbite.

One unusual thing with Trima is their fashion; due to their long workdays in sometimes waist-high water, the Trimins wear much shorter skirts and even shorts than what is deemed decent in most of the world. Often, they only reach their knees. It is for practicality, but because of this there’s certain stereotypes and rumours going around in other countries about the citizens of Trima all being harlots.

The Trimin worship three goddesses; the Goddess of the Moon, the Goddess of the Sea, and the Goddess of the Sky. These three are said to be wives, and whenever it storms it is because they’re having an argument. Therefore, the Trimin often pray for their goddesses’ marital happiness. There are multiple temples spread across the coast, and a few away from it, for worship, but three main temples. One for each goddess. These are among the oldest buildings in Trima, from before the country was advanced enough to create such a thing on their own. Therefore, they imported architects; the Sea Temple is designed by Peosanira for example.

The country is a theocracy, ruled by a council of each Temple’s High Priest or High Priestess, and not yet a part of the Beobyrian Empire although the Empire seems to have plans to change this.

The Northern Widths - On the other side of the Iron Crests lies the Northern Widths. It is impossible to get here without a helicopter. The sea outside its coasts is too stormy, and the mountains too dangerous to cross. The country is snowy ten out of twelve months, and full of both mountains and plains. Here lives a people of nomads, who mainly works with reindeers and similar animals for a livelihood. Not much is known about it. No one has ever crossed the mountains on foot and lived to tell the story.

Drahenport – On the other side of the Grey Sea lies the Western Continent. The first country you will meet, would you sail from Aellwyn or Beobyra to the closest landmass, is Drahenport. A small country, bordering only to Peosana. Probably it was once part of its neighbour, although this is mostly assumed due to its size, and the fact that they speak Peosàn and worship the deities and spirits mostly known as the Peosani pantheon.

Drahenport is Natéa’s first democracy, and is ruled by a council of chosen representatives. Most of them are retired merchants. Its people – the Draheni – are mainly merchants and crafts workers who do not produce much raw materials of their own. Neither do they grow much of their own food. Most of their resources are imported from Peosana and the rest of Natéa, and they travel over almost all the world on a regular basis. Drahenport’s capital, Drahen, is Natéa’s trade capital.

As earlier mentioned, the Drahenira speak Peosàn – Peosana’s language – and they worship Peosana’s pantheon. This also means that many of them lives after the laws decided by Peosana’s Sanath, despite being in another country. However, while this is the religion most them believe in, the country is full of temples from many, many belief systems. Both for the sake of foreigners and because during their travels some Drahenira have converted.

Peosana – On Drahenport’s southwestern’s side,you’ll find Peosana. The country is a former part of the Beobyrian Empire, but due to a rebellion Beobyra decided they weren’t worth to keep and are now independent once again. Peosana is an incredibly old country, supposedly over two thousand years. Of course, the country hasn’t always looked like today, and has grown and shrunk since its founding. But the name of Peosana can be found in scriptures since that time.

The realm is of a humid, tropical climate, yet somehow sports an enormous oak forest. The Peosanira claims it is because of the spirits preferring this kind of tree, for an unknown reason. This forest is known as Tamyr, and is Peosana’s most holy place. It was after almost they were forced by the Beobyrians to cut it down and then burn the remains the Peosanira rebelled against the Empire, and was left on their own devices.

Their cuisine is full of spices, and they have some of the strongest foods in Natéa.

The realm is ruled by the Sanath, who has supreme power and right over both the country, people, and religion. Peosana is a monarchical theocracy, and the Sanath is believed to not only be chosen by the deities to rule, but is also the High Priest/ess of the religion. The only one wandering the mortal plane who has direct contact with the deities. Therefore, their power is never questioned. If one did that, it would be questioning the deities themselves. For that part, the Peosani pantheon is enormous and has more deities than anyone knows. There are the big ones, such as Zanã and Zalû – the Sun and Moon, and Alith, God of Baking. There’s also ones specific for one area. The River Goddess Salina mostly stays in the City of Salena, which she is the patron deity of. And many families have their own deities. It is a complicated religion, which is sometimes mocked among non-believers just because they have deities for most everything.

Outside of deities, the Peosanira also believes in the spirit world. The entire world is full of spirits stronger than the ones on the mortal plane (such as dryads, ghosts, naiads), and they’re worshipped just as much as the deities. Then there’s the Pravannala – the ancestors – which is an integral part of Peosani culture. Family is the most important thing in life, after serving the Sanath, and even after death it is believed that the ancestors stay around to protect their descendants.

They’re also known for having an impossible amount of festivals and carnivals. Due to their enormous pantheon and spirit world, there is some sort of feast nearly every day in Peosana. However, not all feasts are celebrated everywhere and by everyone, of course. Only the biggest feasts, such as Carai Zalû, Carai Zanã, Valhanha (the harvest feast), and Elinya (Midwinter celebration) are nationally celebrated. But if one goes to Peosana for a vacation, do look through the guide book to see where they’re going to have a festival and go there – if it is open for non-believers, of course. It is the party of a lifetime.

Peosana’s biggest sources of income is agriculture, oak wood, and diamonds. Along their western border toward Elawain enormous mountains rise. These are filled with diamonds. Or they used to be, at least, before Beobyra decided to empty them.

Elawain – Peosana’s frenemy of a neighbour. While there are differences, these two are also quite similar. However, they have been fighting over where the border goes among the mountains for centuries, and that does make friendship harder.

They prefer sweet foods, using a lot of sugar in it. Their architecture is quite unique, since they build only half of their buildings above ground; the parts where people live and cook often lie underground to keep the worst heat out and to get closer to the underground water reserves. Partially due to this, they have developed slightly lighter skin (those who have skin at least) than the Peosanira. It is also a result of covering up their bodies with cool fabrics whenever they leave their homes. This has become cultural by now, and is no longer only for convenience, resulting in the Elawaini doing it even when they’re in colder countries.

Dhurin – More known as the Desert of Dhurin, or Dhurin desert. On another part of the Western Continent lies the enormous desert Dhurin. It’s more than twice the size of Beobyra, which is a big country already. Not much is known about it; its residents - the Dhurinei - do not like foreigners. It is inhabited by tribes of nomads, who spend a lot of their time warring between each other. In the middle of the desert, an enormous city lies. Dhurinelle is it’s name. However, it is mostly empty. It is the place all the tribes gather for meetings or when they feel they’re threatened from the outside. It is incredibly rare anyone dares attack them, though. When someone tries, all the tribes will leave their differences behind and gather into one single army to protect their desert.

A second city exists, but it is abandoned. No one sets their foot inside, and it is believed to bring incredible misery if someone does. Too much pain have been inflicted on the Durinei in there. Only Death lives there now. They call it The Lost City, it’s real name long forgotten.

There’s also a couple tribes of merchants, who are never involved in conflicts outside of selling goods to the warring tribes. They have free access to all parts of the desert, and are highly appreciated among the other tribes. These are the only ones to, although very rarely, leave Dhurin.

Most of the tribes worship the Sun Goddess.

Sdahri - At the northernmost part of the Western continent, lies Sdahri. A relatively big country in size, although it is not very organised. No cities exists, instead its inhabitants all live in thousands of villages spread across the country. Every village is led by a village elder, or a few village elders, who rule the country together through a Council of Elders. Where they meet vary, and it is rarely in the same village twice.

Dolls have a significant meaning in their culture. It is believed they have souls, and must be treated as people; they’re dressed, washed, fed, talked to. How they look change greatly among the different villagers, but all share one trait; red pearls as eyes. This is for luck. It is also believed that a doll which looks like someone else will affect the Sapient, so one better treat it kindly.

It is a quite rocky, barren land. For many, it is pretty grey. Nonetheless, it is a popular place to travel to due to their many hot springs. A perfect place for a relaxing vacation.

Faerie - Is said to be north of the Western continent? The home of the Fae, where their rulers and Courts are said to be. According to myths, it’s possible for anyone to go there, but only the brave or foolish would ever try. If someone’s reached it, they haven’t come back. Only the faerie actually knows if this place is real, however, and none of them would ever tell anyone the truth. Nevertheless, most scholars have concluded that this place does in fact not exist, but who knows?

#natéa #worldbuilding #the countries #beobyra #aellwyn #the northern widths #trima #waeldé #peosana #elawain #dhurin #sdahri #faerie #high fantasy

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