Imperial
While the term "Imperial' is often used to refer to 'those of the Empire', it holds another meaning also. Ever since the Unification and the Imperial Law of Travel and Citizenship was implemented across the Continent, a fifth ethnicity had an explosive growth; namely those that were a mix of two or more other cultures. These people, more so than any other, have become known as the true Imperials - taking after Leopold himself, who's bloodline has mixed with every corner of the Empire. Being of such varied descent, however, means that there are no strict Imperil traits. Commonly, an Imperial take on the darker physical traits of each parent. For example, a child of Ha'nahe mother and Ikaté father may have inherited the dark grey skin of the mother and forest green eyes of the father. Though there are some occasional exceptions to this, the dark hue tends to breed true in the Imperial bloodlines - except for the white hair of the Boerjh, which proves a persistent trait. It is not unusual for Imperial children to be seen as a symbol of the Unification, and are commonly raised to embody the Imperial ideals of stoicism, pride and ambition, though one cannot say that those of Imperial ‘blood’ have one singular culture. An Imperial from the Three Kingdoms will likely be very different from one that hails from Harrovehl.
If one was to attempt to nail down an Imperial culture, it is the trends and behaviours set by Leopold himself and his Imperial Court, the actions of which shape the Empire. The Emperor has always been seen to take facts at face value, accepting them for what they are, even when he has endeavoured to change them. There has always been a genuine attempt in the Emperor to understand what goes on throughout the Empire, even as he uses that understanding to shape it. Likewise, while Leopold and the Imperial Court may attempt to know that which oppose them, there is never any question of who is right and who is wrong; the Empire is ever the way forward, and while it is not wrong to learn from those that are brought into the fold, they shall be brought in line. Thus, if the Empire, and therefore, the Imperials, can be said to have one philosophy it is that one can appreciate the arguments of others without being swayed by them. Anything that does not lead to improvement can be safely discarded. This way of thinking is what breeds the ambition typical in Imperials, who are taught to realise their beliefs through action, and that they are right to shape the world in accordance to their will as long as that will is that of the Empire’s. It is unfortunately not rare for those who try to learn from the Emperor’s example to act with bullheadedness rather than the open pride of Leopold, yet it is perhaps not too surprising that few can live up to the standard set by the Ever-And-Never Dying.
The greatest inspiration for what has become known as Imperial architecture stands at the very heart of the Empire: The palace of Leopold's Rose. Thought almost rectangular in shape, the rounded edges, gilded with electrum and silver, gives the immense building a grand air. Further adding to this effect is the facade, made from engraved, dark grey stone, depicting scenes from throughout the Continent's, and therefore the Empire’s, history. Banners symbolising conquests and splendor line the palace’s insides. While much of the floor is cold, unadorned stone, walkways of richly coloured carpets cut like blood across the most well traversed corridors. Grandiose, clean and direct, with straight edges, subtly rounded, is then the norm for Imperial architecture. Though no building is as much a symbol of this as the palace itself, throughout the Empire, the style is mimicked. Most new structures built since the Ever-and-Never Dying came to power has in some way been inspired by the capital. As with the Empire itself, its housing states purpose, grandeur and an everlasting presence.
And just as its architecture, the Imperial fashion is set by the Capitol; more precisely by the Imperial Court. At the current time, pleated kilts and skirts that start just above the hips are popular, intertwined with a complex system of length and ornamentation to display wealth and status. Commonly at the Court, and other influential factions in the Empire, the cloth is coloured in accordance to political philosophy - red for those that belong to the vehili position, green for those that take the fri stance, and blue for those few moderates that do not subscribe to either inclination. Around the warmer climates of the Central Continent and the Pivotal Cities, bare upper bodies are the norm, though vests are worn on colder days. At ceremonial or celebratory functions, headdresses with long, colourful feathers make for the typical fashion statement, attached to a leather band or cap in turn adorned in either complex embroidery, precious metals or gemstones. A full cloak of feathers is only allowed to be worn by those of the absolute highest social standing, such as Leopold Himself, the Last Whisper and the Grandmaster. That the Matriarch has also historically been allowed to wear one is often a point of contention at the Court. Finally, though piercings are incredibly uncommon in the Pivotal Cities, tattoos are all the more common. Straight black or white lines on arms, shoulders, chest and neck often interconnect in such a fashion as to suggest an animal or element, without making it too evident. Collectively, Imperial fashion may well be too cold for the outer reaches of the Empire; yet it still sets the trend that those areas strive to follow.
If the Imperials have a system of governance, it is that of the Empire itself. The Imperial Law streams from Leopold, and is channeled out through the Imperial Court and its departments, then funneled down the Pivotal Cities and sent out across the cardinal directions, influencing the whole of the Empire. Often, Imperial Law is not overbearing, yet it is absolute, and when defectors are found they are dealt with through the quick and harsh hands of the justicars, travelling judges who’s retinues sole dictate is to ensure that Imperial Law is followed and obeyed - they do not deal with national issues unless directly asked by the regional head of state. It can be said that every part of the Empire is free to construct its own form of internal power structure, yet the Emperor’s Will always loom above them.
Being that Leopold himself is from Ikaté, many Ikaté names are today typically considered to be Imperial, although many bear a sign of southern influences. Typically, they begin with a consonant and consist of three to four syllables, with masculine names ending on a constant and female on a vowel, while those that are neither or both male or female tending to end their names on silent constants (such as ‘oh’ or ‘iah’). Last names tend to more closely correspond to the culture which the Imperial is born in, and in Ki’Allack, all but the most progressive of Imperials use the appropriate prefix.
Given the definition of Imperials essentially being ‘those in the Empire born with multiple heritages’, it does create an interesting situation with the city of Khaluhmn, which has historically always been a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. One may say that even before the Empire, Imperials populated the City of the Great Score, though few would do so. Instead, khalites tend to be seen as their own ethnic group, not because of anything visual distinction between them and the Imperials, but because they are noticeably a product of the cultural heritage of Khaluhmn, rather than that of the Empire. However, as there is no immediately evident difference between the two, the differences are seldom a point of focus, although the distinction is there for those that find it useful.
It is estimated that about thirty to forty percent of the population of the Continent are Imperial, becoming more and more prevalent with every generation. They are found on all sides of the Empire’s political spectrum, yet as a rule, there is a trend in most courts of being somewhat more lenient towards Imperials. If this is because the way Imperials are raised makes them more likely to conform to Imperial Law and therefore be more loyal to the Emperor or whether there exists a cultural bias is, perhaps, something better left unsaid. There is, however, no doubt that New Leopold herself is of Imperial descent, with her white hair and darkly tanned skin. While many of her followers are from walks of life that feel as if they have been suppressed by the Empire, there are a notable number of Imperials among the Truists, especially within the Ordo Non. It appears that being of the proper bloodline does not guarantee loyalty.
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