Imperials

The race that dominates the majority of the southern hemisphere. The most civilised, numerous and prosperous race.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Follow Japanese/Chinese naming conventions

Masculine names

Follow Japanese/Chinese naming conventions

Family names

There are large families with lots of subgroups. The family name is seldom used unless a person is being formally addressed. The suffix 'no' is also used- imperial for 'of' e.g Chowa no Ota.

Other names

Suffixes are used to denote rank. -seria high rank male, unmarried

misra- high rank female, unmarried

hem - person of lower rank.

misna - married or taken woman of high rank

sef- slave/servent

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

There is low and high imperial as well as regional dialects in the vast nation. There are separate writing systems to go with all of these.

Culture and cultural heritage

Imperial lands have been stable since the Years of Darkness. (link to come) Since the first emperor brought in the first edicts the people have obeyed, believing that social cohesion above all is what keeps them civilised.

Shared customary codes and values

The word of the Emperor is absolute. People pray to him every day with the words "I am a tool of the Emperor, may my hands, acts and words serve him" this is said ten times before the day begins. It is half meditation and half pray.

Average technological level

Skilled chemists can use electricity and have a vast knowledge of pharmaceutical preparations. While access to the secrets of the past is restricted to the upper classes there are some hints of changes in access occurring.

Common Etiquette rules

Politeness and reserve. It is unseemly to show emotion too openly. That is not to say Imperials are not passionate, they are, but this is not shown to strangers. Clenthyness is also important. To be dirty is to be thought low born.

Common Dress code

Cotton is worn by workers. Higher born wear silken Shi, tied with an oi. It mirrors traditional Chinese dress and is worn by both genders. A thick stiff coat is worn to keep off rain- a soba. Government officials wear silken coloured robes.

Art & Architecture

Art is central to city culture. Imperials love poetry, playing music, singing and dancing. All are quite reserved and sedate. The exceptions are love poetry and paintings and carvings which are a riot of form and colour and can be quite risque.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Imperials celebrate the solstaces and equinoxes. At the summer and winter solstice, the Emperor issues edicts that will guide the population. His government then implement his wishes through officials and local governors. This is considered a time to celebrate.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Births are many, each child is named and given imperial citizenship a few days after birth and entered into the national records.

Coming of Age Rites

None as such, save getting married. Adulthood is a number not a right earned.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Cremations, usually as soon as possible after death. Ashes scattered into the wind or the sea in coastal areas.

Common Taboos

Sex before marriage, more for the occurrence of children born out of wedlock. This is very much frowned upon unless it is a case of rape. Even then chemists can prepare infertility draughts for both male and female. A child born without a stable home is seen as careless and uncivilised.

Common Myths and Legends

Like Southerners there are many legends of the aug wars and how the Empire won, saving humanity. Even the Southern champians of Jane Franklin and Echo Charlie (Link to come) are remembered fondly.

Historical figures

Emperor Sep- credited with having a staggering 47 children (he had many concubines) and so setting up the Concubine ranking system and inheritance system that has persisted the last 250 years. He was also the one to lower marriageable age from 18 to 14. At the time this was to offset short life expectancy.
Emperor Tikrhi/secundus- Raised among the equatorial archipelagos Secundus was a product of the days before the Emperor was secluded to his palace. He was stolen for random but the pirates decided they did not want to give the Imperial heir back and gave him a new name as they were unable to pronounce his Imperial name. Secundus only returned on the death of his mother. His Father died days after and issued and edict on his deathbed that an Emperor and his concubines could not leave the palace for security reasons. Thus Secundus was trapped. While he was never comfortable with his title he was considered a fair ruler. He really did not like having a palace full of concubines however and sired only three children.
Emperor Mesphit- The grand farmer. Again from a time before the seclusion edict, Mesphit owned a large farm outside of the First city. As he prefered to spend his time there he avoided the bloody succession that marked his sire's death. Soon, he was the only candidate left for the throne. On his succession, he devoted his rule to food security and improving the lives of those in rural areas.
Emperor Ryoku- The first Emperor. It was his tactics and pledge to aid the southerners when he took power that made him a hero across the continent. Acknowledging the sacrifice of his southern neighbours he placed the first edict to encourage immigration of southerners to Imperial lands' For they have paid in blood for the right to live among us.' Over the last 400 years more and more Southerners have chosen to leave the south. This has caused some friction among the urban populations.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Black hair, wide eyes (though few have them) lighter skin tones (denotes higher ranks)

Gender Ideals

Females should be small, petite and graceful. Femininity is defined by study as well as physical appearance.

Courtship Ideals

Some families arrange marriage. Engagements can be from age six. Marriageable age is fourteen though mainly wait till late teens to wed. A matchmaker is involved in marital negotiation.

Relationship Ideals

Couples are monogamous and remarriage only occurs in the event of death.

Major organizations

The government is divided into separate departments, recognised by their coloured robes. Agriculture- Green Imperial- Purple Virtue- Light Blue Legislature- Brown Diplomatic- Black Health- White Infrasructure- Orange Treasury- Red Yellow-Trade
Observism (Link to come) is the only other tolerated religion outside of Imperialism.