State of the Chronicles, June 2009

And so another month comes to a close on the blog--we covered a lot again this month, and also hit 200 posts!

To everyone that reads the blog, thanks for your support

Sekiyan Goverment, Day 8

Who will take over running the government if the current head of state is incapacitated? How is this determined? Is there an heir apparent (either actual or political)? What happens if the heir is a minor?

If a ruler becomes sick and is expected to recover, the high chamberlain will serve as ruler while the rightfull ruler recovers. If a ruler dies or has to step down, the oldest child of the ruler (if the ruler has any) succeeds him/her. If the ruler has no children of ruling age (what this age is varies among the races), the head lord/lady in waiting will rule.

If the heir is a minor, the high chamberlain will serve as regent for the child until s/he is old enough to rule on his/her own.

Sekiyan Govenment, Day 7

What are the easiest/most common ways to advance in status--amass more money, marry well, get the king's eye, etc? How much resistance is there to someone advancing in social status?

The best way to move up the social ladder is to work hard and get the right people's attention. How much resistance there will be depends on the size of the advance (so a lower class person making the jump to the aristocracy will be more likely to get resistance at first)

Sekiyan Government, Day 6

Is the relative power of a country or king usually measured by the size of the army, the number and ability of the wizards, or the amount of money/trade flowing through it?

All three ways--but the primary yardstick is how much trade is flowing through a land.

Sekiyan Government, Day 5

Who provides support services for the head of state? What are they called: King's Councilors, Cabinet ministers, Secretary of State? Are these hereditary offices, appointees, career civil servants, or elected officials?

Every ruler has their circle of officers, which are usually appointed by the ruler (but the people can express their preference for one candidate or another) Their titles are not uniform--all envoys report to the High Chamberlain, while the court wizard would be caled the High or Royal Mage

Sekiyan Government, Day 4

Who has the right to levy taxes? For what purposes? On what or whom? Can taxes be paid in kind, or do certain things require money?

Only the rulers can levy taxes, usually to keep schools, the courts, and the military running. Generally, the rarer the item you are buying, the higher the tax (but they are not so exorbitant that no one can pay them) If you can't pay in coinage, you can negotiate an alternative item (usually food)

Sekiyan Government, Day 3

•What services does the government or head of state provide: schools, wells, courts, an army to protect people from the Vikings? What services are provided locally or privately?

The governments provide fair housing, schools, fair trade, a court system, and defense, which in turn have their local branches.

Sekiyan Government, Day 2

What is the basic form of government in this country--feudal aristocracy, oligarchy, absolute rulership, democracy, what? What forms of government are used in neighboring countries, and why are they the same or different?

All five races are ruled by some form of monarchy--the elves, avris, and fairies are ruled by an absolute ruler, while the humans and dwarves are ruled a by a form of constitutional monarchy.

Sekiyan Government, Day 1

How has the presence of non-human races affected law and government?

Non-humans have had to fight for sovereignity and their rights much like the humans have (only these struggles took place long before our story begins)

By request: More gestures

How is looking into a person's eyes when you talk to them viewed? (In America it's considered attentive and desirable, but in Japan it can be taken as too agressive or rude like you're trying to stare the person down.)

Sekiyans take the American view around familiar people and those in positions of respect, but the gesture gets the Japanese meaning around people you don't know well

By Request: More Gestures (part 2)

What about sticking your tongue out at someone or the little Japanese expression often seen in anime where you pull your bottom eyelid down and stick your tongue out at the same time?

Sticking one's tongue out at someone/thing means the same thing it does on Earth--the Japanese variant on Earth gains the connotation of playfulness on Sekiya. (eg. it means you're only being silly)

By Request: More gestures (part 1)

One of my writing buddies on LiveJournal had some excellent ideas for extending the gestures topic, so here they are:

Does spitting mean anything? Is it insulting to spit on a statue or in the middle of a conversation or in other context?

Sekiyans consider spitting disgusting and insulting regardless of context, and it is especially insulting if you spit on a statue of the High Goddess

Sekiyan Gestures, Day 4

Last question on this topic:

What are the different ways of showing respect (bowing, saluting, etc.)? To whom is one expected to show respect--one's elders, superiors in rank, social superiors, teachers, priests, etc.?

Bowing is saved for the rulers of the different lands. Saluting is generally used among the military, the guards, and the dragoons. How you show respect to a Seer depends on where you are--in Telrain, the gesture is to clasp your hands together when the Seer enters the room, and if s/he returns the gesture to you and points his/her hands at his/her audience after clasping them, that means the audience is welcomed in the Seer's presence.

Sekiyans usually respect formally superiors to them, their rulers, and Seers. Family members do not require formal gestures, but they do warrant some kind of respect

Sekiyan Gestures, Day 3

How do overall gestures and body language differ between countries? Are there things that don't matter in one area that are mortal insults in another (eating with the left hand, etc.)?

The size of gestures means different things to different races, but a general explanation is the size of the gesture means how much the maker care about the topic.

Like I explained yesterday, crossing ones fingers is considered an insult, but only to the dwarves and the avris. Among humans and elves, it carries its traditional meaning of hoping for luck. (and among fairies, it means you're making a wish)

Another answer?

Should I delete what I originally wrote as the answer to today's question, or should I just leave it alone?

Sekiyan Gestures, Day 2

What gestures are insulting? What do they mean? Do some gestures differ in meaning depending on the culture or time (example: the American "V" for victory sign, which became the peace sign, is/was highly insulting in Europe)?

Crossing ones fingers does not mean hoping for luck in Sekiya--it is a gesture wishing a curse on those that see it, (akin to the middle finger on Earth)

Sekiyan Gestures, Day 1

Are gestures and body language in this society generally subtle, or not? Do people talk with their hands, or is that considered vulgar?

Sekiyan gestures run all across the board--some are subtle, and some are not. Talking with one's hands is a valid way to add description or emphasis to your point (storytellers do it a lot)

Sekiyan Foreign Policy, Day 6

Last question on this topic:

Which heads of state are related by blood or marriage? How important are marriage alliances? How do ties of blood/marriage affect foreign policy?

No leader is related by blood or marraige--Sekiyans find marrying for money in any form appalling. However, if a princess is in love with the prince of a neighboring land, then the resulting alliance is only the icing on the cake.

Sekiyan Foreign Policy, Day 5

Which countries are traditional allies? Which are traditional rivals? How do these traditions affect current foreign policy?

The elves' alliegences are known to change every few hundred years, so while this alliegence lies with the humans currently, it could shift to another race at any time. However, this does not mean they shun the other races in favor of their allied race.

The dwarves, meanwhile, are wary around other races (since they rarely receive visitors from the valleys), so care must be taken to earn their trust. Once you do earn the dwarves' alleigence. you have a loyal ally on your side.

Sekiyan Foreign Policy, Day 4

How much formal spying and intelligence gathering is normally done by governments? By the military? By merchants? Who has the best information-gathering system?

Governments and militaries only gather intel when the need arises or if they feel an important figure is in danger. Merchants are often told to share intel with the guard/government if it is valuable (eg. a rumor might have a clue to solve a mystery)

The elves have the best means of gathering intel--by listening to nature itself.

Sekiyan Foriegn Policy, Day 3

•How much do official attitudes toward other countries affect commerce and trade? Do merchants pretty much ignore tensions between governments as long as they can make a profit, or will this get them into trouble?

Even when two lands have less than stellar relations, merchants are still allowed to sell their wares

Sekiyan Foreign Policy, Day 2

How are treaties arranged? Are there any significant ones currently in force or coming up for signing?

Treaties are arranged by all parties involved, and when a suitable document is hammered out, it goes before all the lawmaking bodies of the parties involved. The current allance between the elves and the humans is considered to be like one, but it technically isn't a treaty because it didn't go through the proper process.

Sekiyan Foreign Policy, Day 1

Does this country have formal relationships with other countries? If so, who can be an ambassador/envoy? Are there standing embassies and consulates, or are envoys sent only when something specific comes up?

All five races keep regular contact with each other, and envoys can be anyone, but being chosen to be an envoy is more likely if they have a desired skill or are good in diplomacy. Envoys are sent only when a specific situation arises.

School in Sekiya, Day 5

How respected are teachers and scholars? Who supports them?

Sekiyan teachers are deeply respected, and are not to harm their students either physically or emotionally. They are supported by the Scholar's Guilds of each captipal city, which send funds and supplies to even the remotest parts of Sekiya.

School in Sekiya, Day 4

What areas are considered absolutely necessary knowledge for a courtier (poetry, languages, skill at arms, etc.)? Which are nice but not necessary? Which would be slightly embarrassing if anybody found out (a passion for comic books, etc.)?

Courtiers are usually taught in basic magia, history, languages, self defense, storytelling and music, to name some things. Skill in storytelling, literature, and crafting are not required, but nice to have. Writing and comamnding mystic scrolls (the fantasy equivalent to video games) would be embarrassing to discover, but not punished or discouraged.

School in Sekiya, Day 3

•What is the literacy level in the general population? Is literacy considered a useful/necessary skill for nobility, or something only scribes/clerks/wimps need?

Most Sekiyans read at the same level of a freshman in high school (or at an eighth grade level for the lower classes) Reading is enjoyed and encouraged by every class, and books the rulers enjoy see big sales if the ruler is seen reading

School in Sekiya, Day 2

•What education is available, and where? Are there schoolhouses in every town, or do ordinary people have to travel if they want to be educated? Are there universities? Private tutors?

There are school buildings in most towns, with the Seer standing in as teacher in the more rural areas (Telrain has a proper school building, but Galia does teach through stories).

Magia academies stand in for universities, and private tutors are availiable enough to suit any budget. (some will even accept food as payment)

School in Sekiya, Day 1

How much does it cost to get various levels of education?

School is free for most of the populace, but if you were to try and get in one of the famed magia academies, you could expect to pay anywhere from 2000 gold pieces to 10,000 or 20,000 gold pieces (2000 gold is still a lot of money in Sekiyan terms) to cover tuition, room, and board. Fortunately, financial aid is availiable and plentiful.

Meals in Sekiya, Day 6

Last question on this topic...

Are special arrangements necessary for entertaining guests of different races/species--taller chairs for dwarves, raw meat for werewolves, perches for harpies, etc.? How do the eating customs of different races reflect their cultures and biology?

Taller chairs are needed when dwarves are present, and wider chairs are needed when an avri is one of the guests. Among non-humans, the most important course may be different--in an elven dinner, the bread and salad courses are the main event, for example.

Meals in Sekiya, Day 5

•What shape are tables/eating areas (round, oblong, square, rectangular, etc.)? Where is the "place of honor" for a guest? Where do important members of the household sit/recline/whatever?

Tables are rectangular shaped, with the place of honor being the left end of the table. On nights when the family has no guests, others are discouraged from sitting there, under the assumption the High Goddess is the guest. As a result, the head of the household sits at the place next to the end of the left side of the table.

Meals in Sekiya, Day 4

What eating utensils are used, if any? Forks, eating knife, spoons, chopsticks, what?

Forks, knives, and spoons are all present--what they look like depends on the race and class of who owns them.

Meals in Sekiya, Day 3

What is the order of a typical upper-class meal--do they start with wine, then a sweet, then stew, then salad, or is everything brought in at once?

--Bread (with various items for topping)
--Salad (with whatever greens are in season)
--Entree
--Dessert

These four courses are almost always included, and depending on your host, more courses might be on the menu