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 Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:32 pm
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:40 am
Beliefs and Customs
Love As Thou Wilt
One of the driving forces of the pride, and the only 'law' Blessed Elua left with the pride. Because of this, D'Angelines are quite accepting of all types of romantic relationships, be they heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Sharper pleasures are accepted as well. Forced copulation is not only a crime, it is also heresy because it violates this precept. Because of this, it is very rare in Terre d'Ange. Laws about consent are very strict- sexual relations with cubs, juveniles, and those who have been adolescents for less than a month are prohibited.
Terre d'Ange has an extremely sex-positive culture. All forms of sexual relationships between consenting adults (one-month+ adols and adults) are welcomed. The concept of infidelity is virtually non-existent and it is not at all uncommon for someone to have a consort and lovers in addition to a spouse. A consort is an officially-recognized partner. They do not have the legal status of a spouse, but they do have some standing.
Marriage
Marriage is done primarily for alliances and having children. It is not considered to be the ideal romantic relationship or better than other relationships. Same-sex marriage is not practiced, for the simple fact that marriages are expected to produce children. Forced marriages do not happen because they would be heresy, but love may not always be the primary factor in a union among the nobility. Even so, no D'Angeline will remain in a loveless marriage. Divorce is not prohibited, and can be started by either mate. Married noble females often take the House name of their mate in addition to their own, while married commoner females will either keep their own family name or take the family name of their husband instead.
D'Angeline marriage ceremonies are carried out by priests of Elua and Naamah. The ceremony begins with the priest of Elua touching the earth and embracing the sky. They then anoint the foreheads of the couple with holy oil. The anointing is repeated by the priest of Naamah. Vows are exchanged. They are always the same for the man and woman. The priest of Elua then holds out their paws in an embrace and asks the couple to seal their union with a kiss. The priest of Elua says, "Let it be done," concluding the ceremony. Sometimes couples do readings from scripture during the ceremony, but this is not a requirement.
Names
This is OOC info. Names are most often French, unless a family has outside influence. An example of outside influence would be Captain Dalasini'ua nó Delaunay; his father was from outside the pride, and as such, has a name that does not fit the French theme. Members of House Courcel are "'Name' de la Courcel" if born in, and "'Name' de la Courcel de 'House' (or nó 'Name/Night Court House' if a former Servant of Naamah) if married in. Nobles are "'Name' de 'House'" or "'Name' l''House'". Commoners have no prefix in front of their family name. Servants of Naamah often are "'Name' nó 'Night Court House/Household owning their marque'", sometimes with their family name before the 'nó'.
Prostitution
Because of Naamah's experiences, prostitution is highly revered in Terre d'Ange and considered sacred. Prostitutes are referred to as Servants of Naamah. The most elite of these are the courtesans of the Night Court. And one is not looked down on for making use of a Servant of Naamah, ever, so long as heresy is not committed.
Worship
Though D'Angelines follow Elua and his Companions, they have no religious ceremonies save for marriage and the induction into various clergy and the Servants of Naamah. They do, however, offer prayers to their gods, often with crushed fragrant plants and flowers.
Gossip
There are few D'Angelines who don't love their gossip. Even in dark times, they love to hear what the latest scandals and big bits of news are. It is especially important in dark times, really, as it keeps them from becoming too depressed.
Love of Beauty
Being a fairly beautiful group themselves, D'Angelines have a bone-deep appreciation for beauty in creatures, nature, and works of art. There is a downside to this, however. Because of their own beauty, they think quite highly of themselves and have a tendency to be snobby and isolationist towards other groups.
Equality
The culture of Terre d'Ange is largely egalitarian, though females do not fight. Males and females both inherit and descent is reckoned through both parents (though family/house name is more often taken from the father).
Hybrids and non-Felines
Hybrids and non-felines are welcome within the pride. There is no stigma placed on them, though hybrids rarely marry (since most are infertile) and non-felines are unable to marry about their species.
Familiars
Though familiars don't usually have 'full citizenship' within the pride, they are far from slaves. If someone tries enslaving a familiar, or otherwise mistreating them, they are tried as if they had done so to a non-familiar species.
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:48 am
Government
Terre d'Ange is ruled by a monarchy. The royal family is House Courcel, descended directly from Blessed Elua. Both males and females may inherit the throne, usually father/mother to son/daughter, though infertile Kings and Queens often name a cousin heir. The heir is called the Dauphin(e).
There is a legislature, in the form of Parliament. There are sixteen seats, two for each province, and one each for the monarch and their heir. The seats are hereditary. If the monarch does not have an heir of age, they are given two votes. A majority is needed for things to pass- in the event of a tie, the monarch casts the deciding vote. The entire Parliament is rarely filled, unless something very important is being decided. Nobles accused of crimes may be tried before Parliament.
Under ideal conditions, each province has its own feudal hierarchy, and is ruled by a sovereign Duc or Duchese. The ruling noble houses of the provinces are called the Great Houses.
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:49 am
Judicial System
Terre d'Ange has a judicial system that is similar to the modern-day judicial systems we are familiar with. Appeals may be brought directly to the monarch, who may choose to hear the case or decide that the previous judgement was appropriate and refuse to. Torture of prisoners is not practiced, and the prison (located near Champs-le-Guerre at current) usually has humane conditions. However, public strikings may be given as a punishment. The death penalty is the sentence for high crimes such as treason, though convicts may be given a choice of how they wish to die. These choices include poison or some other form of suicide, or they may choose to let a specific creature (with supervision) end their life or for a royally-appointed executioner to do the dead. Crimes that are still high in severity, but not so high as treason or heresy (forced copulation), generally result in banishment and/or being stripped of all titles.
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:06 am
Festivals
The Longest Night
The Longest Night is the major holiday of Terre d'Ange. It is celebrated on the winter solstice each year. This tradition predates the arrival of Elua and his Companions, but Elua liked it so much that he adopted the holiday.
D'Angelines typically celebrate the Longest Night by holding masked balls. These are called the Midwinter Masque. The masque at Cereus House is particularly notable. Cereus holds the masque every year and all the other houses of the Night Court go there. Costumes for the masque may vary widely, but households traditionally come dressed as one particular theme. In the Night Court, no contracts are accepted for the Longest Night. The Dowaynes each have tokens to the Midwinter Masque they may choose to bestow upon patrons. The Midwinter Masque at the palace is also quite extravagant.
The holiday centers around celebration of the sun's return, so two people always play the Winter Queen and the Sun Prince at the masque. The Winer Queen appears as an old female clad in rags, stooped and hobbling. The Sun Prince, a young man clad all in gold (or sunny colors, since gold that has been worked is rare), enters when the astronomer calls the hour of the sun's return and all the lights (usually phosphorescent plants/fungi) are covered. The Sun Prince taps the Winter Queen with his gold-tipped spear and she lifts off her rags, appearing as a young female. Cereus always provides the Winter Queen for its masque and the Sun Prince is chosen from among the other houses.
Joie, a type of fermented drink made from the juices of flowers that grow only in the heights of Camlach, is drunk on the Longest Night. D'Angelines consume small dishes of it and say to each other, "Joy to you on the Longest Night."
Cassiline Brothers mark the Longest Night by holding Elua's vigil. They spend the entire night meditating in temples of or shrines to Elua.
Fête
Basically, a big party celebrating something, such as a birthday, marriage, or engagement.
Progressus
When the King or Queen choose to survey their lands, the event is called a progressus, and there are generally small fêtes all along the route. These are often held to show the entire pride the new Dauphin(e) or new mate of the King/Queen.
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