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An ancient Empire that unites diverse peoples. Ten different peoples; five primary languages; three capital cities (out of respect to various ethnic groupings). Its lands vary from vast open steppes to sophisticated cities to great open ports.
In the far north there is the white city of Vas Olan - where for three months of the year the daylight lasts for twenty hours, and for the opposite three months of winter, the night is equally long. The snows here can be cruel - and sometimes the sea itself freezes solid, and the citizens go skating on the frozen green waters. For the waters are always a strange rich green, even when the summer evening mists are touched with pink and violet ...
The people of Vas Olan have a strange courtesy and rituals that go back into the dawn of time. The speak of trolls in their legends, and strange boggarts of the night who will tease and perplex the weary traveller. The castle in Vas Olan is known as the Ice Palace. The core of it is made of white marble and glitters and shines in the snow and the frost as though it was made from crystal ...
Further to the south and at the foot of the mountains lies the great city of Piertzen. Here the rivers runs slow and strong, fitting fir the great artery of trade that runs through the heart of the Begman Empire. Great palaces are found on its shores, though none so proud and magnificent as the palace known simply as the Summer Palace.
Finally, to the East, there is the city of Begma itself. Core of the Empire, it is fabulously beautiful and home to the seat of government, housed in the great castle complex known as Hrad.
The government of Begma is known as monarchal democracy. Each of the thirty states that compose the Empire have their own Parliaments (known by different names in each of Begma's five different primary languages - and let us not even think of the thirty-five minority languages). Each of these send representatives to the High Parliament, which exists to advise and warn the monarch - who has the power of veto over their decisions. In reality, the monarch rarely over-rules something that has over-whelming support in the High Parliament. The King can initiate legislation (but rarely does so) and can dismiss the High Parliament - and State Parliaments too, and order an election (this happens more frequently). The King is also the ultimate Court - after someone has gone through the long legal process.
Suffrage is based on property ownership. Anyone (male or female) over the age of twenty-five who holds more than ten acres freehold, or fiufty acres stakehold has the right to vote. In cities, properties are given a nominal acreage. Thus owning an apartment in a good neighbourhood in Begma, Piertzen or Vas Olan (or another city) might be seen as holding two hundred acres. That means one gets the vote - and has to pay corresponding taxes.
There are steam trains in Begma, and bicycles - but no cars. Some areas of the Shadow are heavily industrial; others are still strongly rural. Many precious metals and jewels are mined here - and also crafted - for Begma believes in offering added-value products rather than raw materials. Thus, even the mushrooms it grows are harvested and dried as porcini before being exported. Most famous, of course, of the agricultural products are the Begman wines from the vineyards that are a common sight on the hills in the southern half of the Empire. Society in Begma varies. In rural areas, the peasants can seem extremely primitive in their beliefs and customs (one might call it superstition). In urban areas, civilisation has reached a high and polished level (some might even say decadent). Café society is popular, with coffee houses, patisseries and cafes seemingly on every corner - most favouring dark wood, long mirrors and lots of marble.
Everyone
enjoys the theatre, opera and concerts; walking, riding or driving in
the Parks in the afternoons (skating in Vas Olan). Artists are valued
members of society - and frequent guests at the salons held by the nobility.
Women have some civil rights (particularly in urban areas) but are still
second class citizens in comparison to men - few middle or upper class
women work. Sons inherit first in order of age; titles and property
rights then pass to daughters in most parts of the Empire (a few remoter
areas still favour a brother's son over a full daughter, but this is
rare).  |
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