Epirions

Epirious The oldest known human civilization on the continent this Empire is a warrior culture. Locked in civil war for centuries warriors of all kinds permeate all walks of life. The brutal century’s long civil war divided the present day empire bitterly. The last decade has been a healing time. A final push by a pair of brothers who lead the military in several battles, gutting private militias controlled by corrupt senators, nobles and the rich from continuing the wars and brought peace to the empire. A populace of warriors tired of fighting itself and hungry for internal peace finally is controlled by those with integrity and honor. The last decade has been a reorganization and realignment of the nation. The senate and the military have learned to work hand in hand to quell any and all monstrous threats including goblinoids and even chimera.
Language (Spoken and written) This is the cornerstone of linguistics on this continent that most human languages originate from. To others it sounds as if they have a deep accent but this language is the closest living spoken language to the old world Atlantean language. It is often overly formal and some times over descriptive and other times it becomes over simplistic. The dialects of other languages make it difficult for translations sometimes, especially when it comes to mutated or local slang words. Many words are similar giving an easier ability of Epirians to translate others languages. This ancient language is the reason the common or trade language is used by everyone. The written form of this language uses the Atlantean alphabet like many others. Written translation is very simple.
Literature (Fiction, Non-fiction, educational, historical) Artistic writing is dominated by long form poetry, epic fictitious tales and high adventure. Very few biographies are recorded in this form for public consumption but are often written for private family histories (a common practice of almost all households in this Empire). Text books for learning are often very short but highly detailed for specific subjects. Philosophy, architecture, mathematics, language studies and economics are covered by all but the dominating subject matters involve military and combat. Tactics, historical records of battles and weapon design and use are also widely covered by many.
Music The musical tastes of this culture are very simple. Small wooden pipes, lyre and basic drums cover the majority of instruments while others do exist most are imported and rare. Singing is also favored preferring a deeper female voice over male voices songs are almost always about romance, tragedy or war. Most songs seem to be in a narration format as if telling the story to the listener.
Arts (visual, paint, sculpt, carving etc…) The visual arts are dominated by sculpture in stone, marble in particular. Often leaders or heroes are immortalized in statue form. Painting does exist but it is more likely painted on walls of buildings, homes and theaters. Some more portable paintings do exist but are almost always on wood or paper but all are very rare. Wood carvings, precious metals castings and the like are also common.
Architecture While most buildings in all the cities are dominated with shorter basic geometric shapes, square, hexagon, octagon, triangle, sphere and the like. Single story homes and small businesses with rooftops that are usable living space often for a dining area are the rule for most. A few two or three story buildings do exist but are often part of massive wealthy estates, nobles or even senate officials. Large imperial buildings are crafted from solid marble, concrete and granite block, artistically decorated with gold leaf, bronze and beautiful carvings in stone.
Gardens (Agriculture) Most household gardens are smaller herb gardens mostly for cooking, home remedies, or scents for bathing. Larger estates do cultivate fig, date, apricot, apple and pear trees as well as a few rare orange and lemon trees. Olive trees are popular in the orchards and rarely at home.
Clothing (materials, fashion, colors) Clothing is often flowing and light. Toga, robes and frocks dominate the fashion for both men and women. Almost every citizen has and maintains at least a gladius sword, boiled leather chest plate and grieves. A blade is almost always carried in some form and those who do not carry one are often looked at with great respect or as a fool.
Cuisine Fish and chicken rule the protein at the plate with vegetables following closely behind. Breads are often flat bread sometimes topped with herbs spices or other items. Pasta with sauces ranging from reds to whites full of aromatic spice and flavor are common as well. Food is cooked with olive oil and local flour blended from various grains.
Pets and animals Exotic pets have been all the rage in this empire. Jaguar, lion, tiger, wolf, griffon, and many others are desired. Just about any and all animals or magical creature that can be captured and displayed, trained or the like can be found.
Religion Old and familiar to those who study history this society maintains a theology of the ancient world. The Atlantean pantheon is almost exclusive to Epirious as few outside the empire follow it. With a pantheon of many goddesses and gods it seems to have something for everyone.
Festivals Janus feriae – (The Planting) The celebration of the past and the future often invoked through Pan. This is celebrated on the spring equinox, the first day of the year.
Pan feriae – This is the direct celebration of Pan as the god of nature. It is celebrated during A Till (April)
Centurion feriae – This celebration honors the soldier, the centurion as not only a warrior but the protectors of the empire but the emperor and the senate. Gladiatorial games are celebrated throughout the entire month of May Pole (May)
Adonic feriae – This celebration revolves around love, sex, marriage and fertility. It is celebrated during the summer solstice. Red sashes and red flowers are often decorations. Often orgies are organized during this celebration. Slaves are forbidden from public celebration but are sometimes pulled into private celebrations.
Persephophoria feriae – The celebration of the last of the large harvests from the summer crops acting as a way to honor Hades without invoking his name. While never truly invoking his name this holiday celebrated death (the end of the crops) and the life giving sustenance the crops will give through the winter. This event is named for the wife of Hades. This is celebrated in Knock Over (October)
Dionysus feriae – This holiday celebrates the first snow fall with spiced wine and elaborate theater, a celebration of success of the last year.
Hunt Heims feriae – Celebration of the winter hunts to help sustain food stores. Honoring Artemis and archery this festival has competition for the best archer as well as gifting of those who need a new bow and arrow. The hunting of deer and stags are the favored hunt for the winter. This is also the time to pray for fertile fields for the next season. Celebrated during Deice Ember (December)
Hunt Aestas feriae – The summer celebration of the hunt honoring Apollo. Also a celebration of archery as well as the spear and javelin, competitions accentuate this. The hunting of birds like the giant ground endry are common and the favored hunt. This is celebrated during (July)
Tempus feriae – Celebrates the time balance once every four years.
Economy (exports, production items etc…) The economy is stapled but is dominated by agriculture and slave labor. Not the only culture to have slaves but the largest. Feeding the masses of citizens and centurions is a monumental job and they produce enough to export grain. Olive oil and olives are also a huge cornerstone of sales to the rest of the world. Textiles follow with the massive cotton cloth and twine products that compete directly with Tower Rocks wool industry. Dried and salted fish are exported as well in addition to quality pearls.
Military Superior training, extreme self-discipline, quality equipment and a warrior culture keep this military as a super power on the continent. The fact that they do not rely on iron and steel but the Elysium bronze, a secret maintained by the empire for centuries means they do not depend on the mercy of Tower Rock for supply. The surgical precision of infantry movements and the ability to remain calm in combat due to training keep them sharp. The centurions are paid well, work hard and train hard. The military is smaller but maintain such strength with all around quality soldiers and equipment.