Ma'trine

In Ma'trine money flows like champagne down a pyramid of crystal glasses. The average man is but the tablecloth, receiving only want is spilt without intent. ~ Jahov's Speech to the Broken Rally

Ma'trine is the wealthiest and brightest of the nations of western Alvarica. Not particularly rich in resources, people or land, it is technology alone that catapulted Ma'trine to its heights of power. The development of the Clockworks and the monopoly Ma'trine holds to this day on the technology cemented its power. It has also transformed Ma'trinian society into an extreme form of oligarchy, notorious for its inequality and the excess of the ruling upper class.
The capital of Ma'trine is its largest city of Cienne, where more than 50% of the national population is concentrated.

Society

Ma'trinian society is a pyramid of the extremely wealthy titled nobility at its peak, the lower aristocracy filling the ranks, and the vast poor masses below. Due to the Clockworks rendering uneducated labour largely unessential, the lower class has grown significantly over the past century. Most live in Cienne's vast slums or small towns, subsisting on meager government handouts and work in jobs such as sewage and refuse handling, where Clockworks are considered too valuable to use.
Quintessence users are highly valued, and the Ma'trinian government and major corporations regularly test new borns for Quintessence, offering lower class families lump sum payments in return for talented children. They are taken and given education and training in return for their employment at adulthood and titles of minor nobility.
The upper class of Ma'trine is renowned for its excess, luxury and extravagant parties. Important families are usually large, with many distant members who live a life of luxury on family wealth, serving as minor government officials while leading members manage family companies.
The nation is largely irreligious, unlike neighbouring Enquet.

Culture

Fashion

A lower-upper class woman's dress.

Military influenced men's fashion.

Fashion in Ma'trine has liberalised over the past hundred years. Woman's dresses are looser and simpler than they were in the past, and men's fashion has been influenced heavily by military dress.

Women's clothes are usually simple in design with elaborate embroidered or printed designs, often adopted from architectural motifs; abstract geometric designs are popular. Sequins, metallic fabric, feather or fur accessories, and lace are also extremely popular. Some women, especially those who wish to be seen as serious and businesslike, have adopted more masculine clothing using military designs.

Male fashion of the upper class is heavily influenced by military officer's clothing. Double buttoned jackets, with ornamented or military style buttons, usually worn over a cotton undershirt and simple dark fabric pants are popular. Less formal dress often constitutes a dress shirt, with denim pants, often worn with a vest and bowtie or cravat.

Jewellery also often follows architectural principles with its geometric design and motifs; popular stones include jade, pearl, ruby and emerald, with silver or gold, as well as chrome or aluminum. Men's rings, cufflinks and watches are also often highly ornamental.

Architecture

Ma'trinian architecture favours geometrical designs with motifs of mythology and the occult, as well as nature. Simple lines are used to create more complex shapes, with a certain level of abstractness. It is common to contrast curves with dramatic angles. Wealthier buildings tend to have complex ornamentation, while more utilitarian structures adopt a brutal, simple facade.

The luxurious interiors of the wealthy widely use marble floors with white or dark wood paneling, and bronze ornamentation and expensive fabrics are often used to compliment architecture. Sun motifs are popular, as well as inlaid mosaics and geometric patterns.

Structure

Ma'trine is an oligarchic republic, headed by the Egolante, the head of the Grand Curia. The Grand Curia decides legislation, tax and budgets and elects the Egolante every ten years. The Egolante is primarily responsible for war and diplomacy as well as some internal policy. Their Council Petite executes the legislation of the Grand Curia and manages ministries of government. The Grand Curia is formed of peers of Baron and above, and the Council Petite is chosen by the Egolante.

Type

Geopolitical, Republic

Demonym

Ma'trinian

Controlled Territories

• Cienne