Grimslarian

The Moreru Era (ME)—named by the Grimslarian empire that ruled the known world at the time—was from 726GE to 1,003GE until The Great War ended. After the war, a new era began known as Ditsui Era (DE) which ushered in the beginning of a multiple empiric rule. Kingdoms that fought and won against the Grimslar Empire founded their own empires. Borders were drawn, and the smaller kingdoms had new emperors to serve.

Peace between the empires lasted for about one hundred years until 1245DE, when the Empire of Ba attempted to take land from the Grimslarian Empire. The Empire of Ba, unsatisfied with the Treaty of Empires, took land by force. The Ba Conflict only lasted about two years before Ba was destroyed from within. In 1247DE, the Ba Conflict ended, and the Empire of Ba became known as the Barren Lands as the dark energy of Necrosis spread across the land, consuming everything. All that remains is ruins, ghost towns, and Darkfen, the last remaining city of Ba ruled by the evil that was unleashed.

Fashion

Noble women wear corsets to tighten their waists and give them a sleek upper figure. Their dresses are bouncy and wide, with elegant frills and patterns. They wear many hair styles but almost always have ornate decoration pinned their long hair.

Women who have reached their eighteenth birthday wear a veil or face cover when in public. The style of veil varies and has little significance outside of the fashion world. The poor wear cheap cloth or even black lipstick made from charcoal as it’s considered a most basic form of cover up. Colored lipstick is for the brothels and more shady women. The wealthier women wear neutral colored lipstick under their veils. No woman would risk appearing without her undergarments, so why risk showing bare lips if her veil were removed unexpectedly.

Noble men wear button shirts with monotone-colored jackets and slacks. Every man, regardless of social standing and eighteen years or older, has a fashionable hat they wear in public. These hats are typically a boiler or top hat, but the styles can vary.

Lower-class citizens do not have any fashion and will wear whatever they can afford. Often the lowest class will wear clothing thrown out by higher classed citizens. These outfits are torn, stained, soiled and in very worn.

Food & Drink

The Grimslarian people are known for their combination of bread and meats. They shred seasoned meat and bake it directly into loafs of bread. The breads are typically topped with sweet and tangy sauce made from tomatoes. Meat breads make for easy meals on the go for traveling merchants and busy city workers.

They are also known for their specialty ale, known as Succubus Sweat. It is a slightly sweet ale that gives you a very calm and relaxing feeling. So much so that you eventually lose the ability to move if you drank enough.

Garabo

A small flightless bird often kept by commoners as a food source as they produce one to three eggs daily. Garabo birds can reproduce quickly if they are not maintained, since they lay many eggs and are genderless. This means any other Garabo can fertilize eggs as long as it is not their own. Their eggs are used in many dishes in the Grimslarian Empire, especially the Garabo Egg Tart, a sweet pastry.

Pixy Pumpkin Pie

A brightly colored pie made from the pixy pumpkin found in The Diree Forest. They make the pie with multiple colored pumpkins so that when sliced, each slice is a different color. They topped it with roasted Pixy Pumpkin seeds, giving the flavor a sweet yet salty crunch. The pies are expensive, as getting the key ingredient requires trade with the Diree elves. The Pixy Pumpkin comes in a variety of bright colors such as yellow, orange, blue, pink, purple, and green.

Geography

Diree Forest

A massive dense forest centered in the heart of the Grimslar Empire. Diree Elves and Grimslar have had an agreement since before the Great War. Resources can only be harvested from the forest with permission. The resources are off-limits to everyone except the Diree Elves, who trade with those outside the forest. The Grimslar Empire has an agreement that allows them to rule over the forest and treat it as a kingdom within the empire. This allows for imperial law to protect the forest but also by the Diree and another inhabitance that live within.

Grimslarian Express

The Grimslarian Express is the first to operate a train line on the main continent of Nisumari. The former Secretary of Transportation to the Grimslarian Emperor found the Grimslarian Express. He realized an organized train system was needed and could be done for a fee. They found the Grimslarian Express to provide a faster way to travel. Their rail system stretches through every empire on the main continent.

Shattered Coast

This once beautiful landscape of white cliffs and rolling waves is now harsh shallows of death. Before the Great War, the Shattered Coast was a sight to see and a beloved landmark to help sailors navigate the Grimslarian Sea. When approaching the coast, people would gasp and gawk at the beauty of the whitewashed cliffs. They were known as Grimslar’s White Walls and were a beacon of hope for lost ships.

After the Great War, the coastline became known as the Shattered Coast. Named for the white cliffs being broken apart from the effects of war. Grimslar built fortresses along the coast for defense. This caused the cliffs to become barraged with catapult stone, and ballista missiles to the point the cliffs crumbled to the sea. Not only were the cliffs destroyed, but the fortresses atop them came tumbling down to meet the sea. The water changed from rolling waves into harsh, dangerous shallows. Soon after being named by sailors as The Graveyard of the Sea. To this day, ballista missiles and shipwrecks can be seen scattered along the cliffs as a reminder of the horrid massacre that took place.

Blood Wall Massacre

The Blood Wall Massacre changed the white cliffs of Grimslar to the Shattered Coast. During the battle, countless lives were lost on both sides, resulting in neither side claiming victory. The Tharish, Vroth, and Umi navies united to defeat the White Walls and take control of the Grimslarian Sea. The strategic location of Grimslar forced the armies to circumvent Vroth to reach Junarite and Ba.

Grimslar knew taking out the fortifications on the cliffs could only be done from the sea. The invading army knew there would be casualties, but they didn't expect the numbers to be so high. By the end of the battle, the Umi and Vroth’s navy had suffered heavy losses, forcing the Tharish navy to defend the seas alone. However, the fortresses of the White Walls were destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides died and thousands more lost at sea. It was the highest casualty count in history, and neither side gained any significant advantage from the slaughter.

Tryn

Tryn is the enchanted city of the elves. Tryn is the only major city that has a connection to the Forgotten Forest and its Diree inhabitance. This connection allows the royal house of Tryn to get lumber and other resources from the forest without damaging it. This is one of their major exports in supplying resources to the Grimslar Empire.

Since Ba was destroyed, Tryn remains the only Asherian kingdom on the main continent. Tryn follows the Grimslarian empire, but still values Asherian's belief in elven superiority.

Laws & Regulations

Although it's not illegal, Grimslarian society disapproves of women who don't cover their mouths in public. Society looks down upon women who go bare-faced in public, treating them as if they are indecent. It is an extremely disrespectful and disgusting practice to have a woman’s mouth exposed.

The same applies to men who don’t wear their hat in public. Wearing their hat shows they are dignified and respectful to their culture. Even if your hat is in a shameful mess, you should still wear it to show respect to your culture.

Religion

The central temple to Photonic is in Nimgrin, but with Grimslarian being one of the largest empires, almost all gods have a temple or place of worship. However, there are prominent religions that are recognized more than others.

Hangmen

A human religion that believes humans are the one and true species of the world. They believe all humanoids were once human and through vale and despicable acts; they created the other species. Just as their martyr and savior, the Hangman, was hung to save those who followed him, they believe all those who oppose the Hangmen’s beliefs are subject to hang by the neck and waist. The punishment is normally not lethal as they are hung by the waist and neck in public to humiliate them until they break and agree with The Hangmen’s beliefs.

The Hangman was hung for his belief that all humans are superior during a time when the Ashera, were growing in power. While his hanging should have stopped the growth of the Hangman’s followers, it caused it to explode. His hanging caused the previously unnamed organization to become a named and continent-wide religion called The Hangmen out of respect for him and his bravery to willingly sacrifice himself.

With his belief that his death would open the gates to the afterlife, many of his closest followers begged him to fight as they feared for their leader. However, he knew he would save all who follow as his God would not forsake his truly devoted. That his death would grant him ascension to his gods’ world and allow him to be the ferryman that transfers his gods’ followers to the afterlife.

The Hangmen’s worshipped God is that of Mikudi (Photonic). They believe he is the one and only true God. That all other gods are false, and all energy comes through the Hangman provided to him from Mikudi (Photonic).

Their symbol is a man hanging from a thick braided rope from a Hangman’s post or simply the rope and male figure.

Society

Coming of Age

At eighteen, people traditionally give girls a veil as a birthday present, symbolizing etiquette and respect when they wear it in public. The veil is a symbol of etiquette and respect when worn in public. It shows that they are a respectful, law-abiding citizen.

At the same age, men are given special hats that must be worn when in public. These hats are bowler or top hats, but the style is not significant. Often, peasants who cannot afford a new hat will make them from old sacks or material. While it is a proud honor to don a hat, if poor, it can also be shameful. Even hats made from old materials must be worn in public, and those who wear them must simply deal with the shame of being poor.

Economy

Grimslarian Fur Trading

A specialty of the Grimslarian traders is their furs. They have become world famous for the quality and selection of different furs that are traded. The fur street in the trade capital, Nimgrin, has a very warm and cozy feel while having a very smothering overtone of wealth. It truly is a marvelous sight to behold.

Grimslar Navy

The Grimslarian navy has always been the strongest out of all the land-based empires. Only the Tharish Empire’s navy surpassed Grimslar after the Great War, when the Tharish Kingdoms united into the Tharish Empire.

Rings of Grimslar

The city of Mythlinde is divided into nine districts, which are called rings and are based on grades of metals. Citizen of the Grimslar Empire are born into one of the rings which determines the rights and liberties they have while in Mythlinde and other major cities within the Grimslar Empire.

Mythlinde’s rings were built around each other, with the Adamantine Ring at the center and the Copper Ring being the outermost. The rings show where the citizens’ dwellings live. Except for lower ring businesses not being allowed in higher rings, there is overlap for commerce and security. The Greys have their headquarters in the Titanium Ring and many security stations in the other rings, but the fewest in the Generic Ring. It is common for merchants of the Silver Ring to have establishments scattered throughout all rings. Even the Generic Ring if a merchant has a shady side to their business.

Each ring border has walls to physically divide the people and help keep order. To travel through multiple rings, you must stop at each ring check point and show your papers. Light trains run through the city, stopping at each ring border for Greys to check passenger’s papers if heading to the higher rings. Using the train to travel to the lower rings does not require having papers checked.

Ring Influence Outside of Mythlinde

The Rings of Grimslar’s influence have expanded outside of Mythlinde. Per the Emperor’s ruling, the rings apply to all citizens of the empire. Those who live outside of Mythlinde are assigned a ring based on their family’s social status, occupation, and size of the settlement they live in. The large the city, the higher the ring the citizens are placed into. For example, cities that have Blacksmiths that use ruby orbs automatically have access to the Silver Steel Ring social status. This is because the wealth of those who can afford a ruby blacksmith’s work would be of Silver Ring or higher wealth. However, the only citizens of a city that can have the Adamantine Ring's social status are those of Mythlinde due to it being where the Emperor lives.

Those visiting Grimslar from outside the empire are placed in a temporary ring to decide their liberties and restrictions. People from outside the empire can buy visas from banks to travel to the empire. The higher the ring access needed and the longer the stay, the higher the price of the visa. For merchants and individuals who regularly travel to the empire, there are business visas that remain valid for years but cost more.

Showing your value through the proper paperwork grants you access to specific rings. Artisans from Westis can show their papers at the city gate for a temporary visa to access the Silver Ring and lower. Claiming to be an adventurer (adventurer visa) allows you access to the Steel Ring and lower.

Residents of the empire receive paperwork indicating their social status, allowing them to travel freely within their ring or lower. If they stay within their ring social status, they do not need to pay for any visas or fees when traveling within the empire.

Generic Ring – Slums

The slums do not have its own ring but are scattered throughout the Copper and Bronze Rings. The Greys keep the main streets leading in and out of the city clear of any generics in order to keep travelers safe.

Copper Ring - Agriculture

This ring is the outermost ring to be the closest to the outer walls and farms. Farm owners do not live in this ring as they stay on their farms but are still considered coppers when in cities.

Bronze Ring – Seaports & Sky Harbors

This ring has sky harbors and seaports mixed with warehouse districts. Sky harbors mostly line the waterfront, but there are a few in other places for Steel and above to use for travel.. There are also smaller air harbor stops within Steel and higher rings. The AGE vessels that travel to and from the smaller air harbors within the city are known as AGE Trollies.

Iron Ring - Low Artisans

The Iron ring is home to mostly lower-class artisans who deal in lower-quality materials and offer less expensive/ quality wares.

Steel Ring - High Artisans

Living within the Steel Ring are the high artisans who deal with medium to high-quality materials and offer mid-grade wares.

Silver Ring - Merchants

Those who live within this ring are wealthy merchants who own many of the lower artisans’ shops and businesses. While considered wealthy, they are of the lower-class nobles.

Titanium Ring - Security District

The residents of this ring are guards, royal guards, and other members of security services that help patrol the city. This ring comprises guards, royal guards, and other security service members who patrol the city. Watchmen and militia live in lower rings.

Silver Steel Ring - High Nobles

The citizens of this ring are the wealthiest of all the nobles within the empire, excluding royalty. They are merchants and traders with worldwide trading companies. They employ Shinnies to run the smaller parts of their businesses.

Gold Ring - Royal Center

This district differs from the rings, as it is the center where the Emperor lives. This district is known as the Center Ring, with the Emperor ruling the rings of Grimslar around it.