Khaeros

Physiology & Appearance | Notable Characters | Additional Information

General Facts

Vhalurian society is built upon two key concepts: Governmental Order and Religion. The social classes are organized by law, with the exception of the clergy and the division between high and low commoners. These exceptions are present due to the nature of social power each of these three groups does or does not wield. The people of Vhaluran, no matter what class, are typically fierce supporters of their King and Military. They are nationalists, believing that their way of life is the best.

Vhalurian society is also heavily built on religious beliefs in addition to historical and governmental beliefs. Vhalurian society treasures endurance, courage, honesty, and piety. The King is easily the most scrutinized citizen when it comes to morality, followed closely by the Vhalurian Knights. Members of society who are devout to the teachings of the Church of Vhaluran and to its morals are typically viewed with more respect. Prayer is quite common, both in private and in the Cathedral’s Grand Chapel between sermons. Life-changing events are often labelled as blessings from various deities, and are considered sacred. Chief among these is the act of marriage. Sacred to Elysia, the principle deity of the Church of Vhaluran, weddings are some of the most celebrated affairs in the city. These are followed closely by births and deaths, which are consacrated to Solian and Vhariel, respectively.

Vhalurians distrust what they cannot see or easily discern. For this reason, throughout history, mages have been typically distrusted by the magically uninclined Vhalurians. Despite their distrust in the arcane, mages are given a rather large measure of respect. Although they are commoners by law, the power of a mage is well-known as terrible and beautiful at once. However, few Vhalurians have ever personally seen a spell cast, stories of the power of the arcane are often enough to liquify a veteran soldier’s knees.

Government

Since the rise of the first Vhalurian King, few things have changed about Vhaluran’s government. Even though military coups have happened and small changes have been made, the basic principles of the Vhalurian Government have remained constant.

The whole of the Vhalurian territory is ruled by a King. Although the first King and a few others rose to power through strength of arm, this is not the usual tradition. The title of King of Vhaluran is a hereditary one. The crown is passed from father to son, as the King passes away of various causes. When no direct heir is apparent, the crown is often fought over by the noble Houses.

Beneath the King, are the Vhalurian Knights. They are made up from males of various noble families, who are always expected to serve the Kingdom and its people, typically through the military. However, it is not unheard of for a King to bestow the title of Knight upon a worthy commoner. They are trained as the most superb cavalrymen in the lands and are held to a strict code of honour and justice. Like any citizen, they are often religious to some extent, but are expected to keep a clear mind when handling their duties.

Also within the military, under the direct command of the Knights, are the common soldiers. Often these men are infantrymen, archers, scouts, and even the odd commoner cavalrymen. Both the Knights and the common soldiers are considered a part of the military arm of Vhaluran. Among the duties of the city’s troops are public defence, domestic control, and law enforcement during peace time.

Even though Vhaluran is mostly based on military positions, the King usually employs a Magistrate both to advise him and to carry out judiciary and executive decisions whenever he or the First Knight is not available. The Magistrate receives a great deal of respect from the King, even though he does not share the same kind of prestige the Knights enjoy.

Army

The modern Vhalurian Army was first formed by King Gareth of House Caliborne. Like most of the authorities within Vhaluran, soldiers are at least nominally religious. They are almost always low commoners, although there have been instances where a nobleman desired to serve as an infantryman rather than taking his birthright to enlist himself as a squire in the Knights.

The Vhalurian Army and its members are given supreme authority. The command of a Vhalurian soldier, even at the lowest rank, is no less powerful than the King’s. Not even a nobleman may disobey a soldier by law. There are of course, exceptions. These exceptions are the King and his Queen, and of course the officers within the Army itself. No civilian nobleman or even cleric of the Church of Vhaluran may command a Vhalurian Soldier.

Even though the King is the one to have the final word on everything, the First Knight is the one that occupies the position of a general in the Vhalurian Army. He is also usually the one to assume the throne if no member of the royal family is alive. The First Knight may do many things without royal authorization. He may use force against any band of hostiles intruding on Vhalurian lands, administer criminal punishments and recruit and discharge members of the Vhalurian Army. Attacks on other civilizations or against a stagnant noble house requires direct royal authorization.

Next in the chain of command are the Vhalurian Knights, a group of heavy cavalrymen that are held to a strict code of honour, honesty, and nationalism. They are fiercely loyal to the city and are often quite faithful as well. The Vhalurian Knights also serve as the officers of the Vhalurian Army. They are a part of the Vhalurian Army as a whole, most often serving in their cavalry roles. However, it is not unusual for various Knights to be given command of groups of soldiers in battle to serve as their officers.

Even though both the Knights and the First Knights are higher in the chain of command, most of the enlisted men report to and take orders from the Captain. There is only one man in such a position in the Vhalurian Army at any given moment. He is the highest enlisted officer in the Army and often handles the day to day workings of the Army.

To aid the Captain and ensure that everything runs smoothly within the army, from training sessions to enlistment and organization, the Vhalurian Army keeps two or three Sergeants. They are directly beneath the Captain and may be promoted from any group of soldiers.

Soldiers, on the other hand, are the staple of the Vhalurian Army. They number the highest out of any rank. Soldiers in the Vhalurian Army are broken down into a few groups and are typically adressed by their group, namely: infantrymen, archers, cavalrymen and scouts.

Finally, Recruits are the entry level rank of the Vhalurian Army. A good recruit spends little time in this position before being promoted to soldier and assigned to one of the four groups. While in this rank, Recruits are issued their uniforms and showed the basics of military operation and law enforcement.

Social Structure

Although the Vhalurians are a young people, historically speaking, they have already developed a unique and structured society. Most individuals are broken down into a few social classes.

Nobility

Vhalurian nobility is a privileged elite within the bustling city. Members of Noble Houses are granted certain privileges in return for their services to the city and church. Although some Houses from the reign of King Gareth still survive, most were titled much later. Each noble House is typically made up of two to three members of the family.

By Vhalurian law, Houses may employ an armed guard. It is required by Vhalurian law that each House render a service to the city or church in some form or another, in order to maintain their title. Any House that fails to do so can expect the King to revoke their title.

Typically, it is not very difficult for a noble House to maintain their title. As long as a single member of the House makes a significant contribution to the city or church, a House can usually expect little trouble. Service among the Knights is most common, and is also a privilege reserved for the nobility and a few exemplary commoners. Becoming a Cleric within the Church of Vhaluran is a less common, but satisfactory means of maintaining a House’s title. Some Houses throughout history have also chosen to make regular, sizable contributions of gold and resources to the city to maintain their title.

Serving within the Vhalurian Knights is a privilege typically reserved for the nobility alone. Occasionally, a commoner might prove himself worthy of becoming a Knight. When this happens, he is thereon considered to be part of the city’s nobility. Vhalurian nobility can also usually expect special accomodations at large events such as festivals. They are also permitted to demand that they be served by a merchant before any common customers.

The Rights of Nobility

Nobility may be given or taken at the will of the King alone. These families are exceptional servants of great Vhaluran and are expected to continue their work for the kingdom, and thus, its people.

Members of any House are permitted access to any areas of governmental buildings that are not heavily secured. These areas include such things as a throne room, general governmental offices, and non-secure areas of military outposts and facilities.

The Head of a House, their spouse and progeny are considered to be Nobility. The remainder of their family are part of their House, but have no real rights as Nobility.

High Commoners

Even though commoners, both high and low, are referred to as just commoners, there is an unspoken, yet distinct difference between the two. High commoners are treated with a significantly larger amount of respect than low commoners. This is because high commoners wield indirect power through money, or in some cases, magic. High Commoners are almost always Mages and Merchants. As such, they are the only people permitted a shop and residence in the Merchant District. Even the Nobility is barred from purchasing a residence in the Merchant sector.

It is quite common for a particularly enterprising merchant to assist in equipping the army, usually free of charge. Even though it cuts into a merchant’s profits, such ventures are rarely forgotten by the King and his associates. These generous merchants are most often the ones that find themselves with large and vastly profitable contracts with the King on various projects.

High Commoners, although they are given more respect than low commoners, are granted no special privileges by law.

Low Commoners

Low commoners are made up of untitled commoners who do not specialize in magic or a trade skill. Clergymen are a class of their own, and also do not fall in with the Low Commoners. Low commoners typically perform various tasks to make it through life. Many are unemployed fighters and laborers, who spend a good deal of time obtaining resources to sell to the Merchant District’s shops. A good portion of the low commoners also serve within the military as infantry, archers, scouts, and cavalrymen. Military service is a good way for a low commoner to elevate himself, as even the nobles are barred from defying the authority a soldier wields in law enforcement, with the exception of the Knights. Military service also tends to garner an extra measure of respect for a low commoner, and often even inadvertently grants the low commoner the priviledge of speaking with the King during his duties.

There are rare cases where a commoner within the military has distinguished himself well enough to catch the attention of the King. In the rare case of such an exemplary commoner, the King may choose to Knight him. Common Knights share all the privileges of the Houses with the exception that their title does not carry over to their family.

The Clergy

The clergy of Vhaluran are a unique group. They are totally unbound by the constraints of the social classes. However, this is not because of law, it is because the Church of Vhaluran has a small impact on nearly every aspect of society. Noble Houses will very rarely push aside one of the clergy in a crowded shop. The clergy also are the only ones permitted to reside in the two residential structures in the Cathedral District. The clergy consists of all initiates and clerics and the Patriarch. Unlike the rest of the clergy, the Patriarch’s word on spiritual matters usually goes uncontested. Even the King of Vhaluran himself will often bow before the Patriarch. Although the Patriarch has little direct power, he does have an indirect source of social power in his leadership of the Church.

General attitude towards the other races

The Vhalurians, despite their nationalism, are perhaps one of the races that have a easier time mingling with the others. Even though they tend to consider their way of living and nation better than anyone else, they are rather tolerant towards most of the other races, as can be seen below.

vs. Alyrians

The Alyrians are an incredible people. They have as much order as we do without having to uphold them as much as we do. However, this is where we excel them, for we know how to fight for our ideals on a daily basis.

vs. Azhurans

Their ways are mostly unacceptable, but we admire their reverence towards the Gods and their willingness to die in battle for their nation.

vs. Khemetar

They are treacherous and devious. We make sure to always watch our backs whenever they are nearby.

vs. Mhordul

Besides their brutal honesty, there is nothing else good to be said of this people. They are worse than animals.

vs. Tyreans

We have had problems in the past, but we respect their prowess in battle. Moreso, having good relations with them is always interesting, since their steel makes up for their lack of manners.

Names

Common male names for Vhalurians are: Michael, Matthew, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, Anthony, Christopher, Joseph, William, Alexander, David, Nicholas, James, John, Jonathan, Nathan, Samuel, Christian, Noah, Dylan, Benjamin, Brandon, Gabriel, Elijah, Kevin, Jack, Justin, Austin, Evan, Robert, Thomas, Luke, Mason, Aidan, Isaiah, Jordan, Connor, Jason, Cameron, Charles, Aaron, Lucas, Owen, Diego, Brian, Adam, Adrian, Kyle, Ian, Nathaniel, Alex, Julian, Sean, Carter, Cole, Wyatt, Steven, Timothy, Sebastian, Xavier, Seth and Richard.

Common female names for Vhalurians are: Julia, Julianne, Marina, Maria, Nadia, Marianne, Teresa, Juliette, Vanessa, Angela, Emily, Hailey, Sarah, Jessica, Audrey, Sophia, Victoria, Olivia, Gabrielle, Rachel, Amanda, Isabella, Nicole, Hannah, Rebecca, Samantha, Jenna, Katelyn, Caroline, Ashley, Katherine, Elizabeth, Alexandra, Lily, Stephanie, Alyssa, Mia, Jennifer, Andrea, Melanie, Natalie, Angelina, Leah, Chloe, Diana, Michelle, Lillian, Molly, Ella, Lauren, Brooke and Madeline.

Vhalurians employ surnames of mixed origins and meanings, but they usually depict some important trait that their ancestors were known for.