Krithia

To the north-west, past the countless islands controlled by no one, and west of Vadath, is the continent of Krithia. Krithia is a continent, kingdom, and an idea within the Noble Clouds. Krithia stands for elegance, class, and nobility. Of course, this is how a non-krithian views the kingdom. To the average citizen, Krithia is a place of corrupt nobility, thieving merchants, and poor commoners. A noble of Krithia’s view of the kingdom is more of a game board. With villages, people, and cities as tools to use to gain more wealth and power.
Krithia is always in a state of civil war. This war is not waged with men or weapons. Rather, it is a war of intrigue, rumor, and diplomatic attacks. Lords and Dukes try to scramble for every bit of power they can by outing other lords for misdeeds or turning others against them. This leaves a power vacuum large enough for others to step in. The King may take and give land, and often creates new nobles from wealthy merchants or war heroes from the great war. The effect is a constant changing of power within Krithia.
Krithia, the continent, is large enough to house several types of biomes. Forests, deserts, mountains, and large lakes are just a few. This gives Krithia a variety of goods which can be exported to other parts of the sky. The nobles that live on the continent are among the richest and most powerful. Dozens of cities, Hundreds of towns, and thousands of villages speckle the landscape. Some on the continent go their entire lives without seeing the edge.

Military

Each lord is permitted to create a “guard” which, more often than not, is a standing army. These guards are not permitted the use of firearms, but are often given a member of Krithia’s military to be stationed with them. These soldiers are allowed the use of firearms. On paper, they are given to a guard in order to help defend against Rippers. The real reason is to make sure the guard does not fight against Krithia. The official military of Krithia is chosen from exceptional guardsmen and sent to the main island for training.
A base soldier in the krithian military is given a simple blunderbuss. These are rarely used in battle, except against armored units or clockwork machines of war. As the soldier gains more recognition, they are given better and better firearms. Once the soldier obtains a title, such as a sergeant or a captain, they may commission a handcrafted firearm to their specifications. A veteran of the Great War might have a full armory of weapons to choose from but carries their favorite gun. The children of a soldier are sometimes gifted firearms from their parents. This means some soldiers can begin their career with a better firearm than most. These soldiers are expected to perform better than others of the same rank.
When a superior officer chooses, they may rank up a soldier two ranks below. A basic soldier has no power. An officer cannot promote a soldier to an officer but can promote a citizen into a soldier of the king's army. This is usually done during a war to increase numbers on the battlefield. A Captain can promote a soldier to an Officer, and they are given the option to recruit officers and soldiers into their unit. Upon reaching the rank of captain, an officer is given the option to go solo as well. If they choose to become a unit of one, they become specialists. Specialists are given the freedom to join any unit or to travel on their own accord. The life of a specialist can be dangerous, as they often put themselves into peril. A specialist cannot be promoted to colonel. A captain can be promoted to a Colonel by a General, and they are given direct order over several Captains. Finally, a General is allowed command over several Colonels. A Colonel may be promoted to General by the King. The King also has the power to promote or demote anyone they choose.

Nobility and Class Gap

To the rest of the world, when someone thinks of Krithia or the people thereof, they think of the Nobility. The Kingdom advertises its nobility to others and rarely brings up their common people. In truth, the vast majority of Krithians are the poor. They live in near squalor with almost every bit of money going to those who own their lands. There are some better nobles to live under than others, but on the whole people are treated poorly. The nobles, however, live a life of luxury. Even the poorest of Krithian nobles eat and bathe every night. They treat their personal view as more important than the people who serve them. The only that the nobles treat well is their guard. This is not only because of the drawbacks of unhappy soldiers, but also because their guard are accessories. Their armor is made to look elegant and beautiful, they are kept in the best shape possible.
The gap between nobility and commoner is incredibly difficult to bypass. The easiest way to cross the divide is by joining a guard and becoming a favorite of a noble, then impress the king. Other ways is to marry in. Many commoners take to banditry and pirating, which makes Krithian pirates the most common.

Appearance

Krithians Nobles have soft facial features and tend to be slightly overweight. Their hair is always clean and well brushed. The color tends to be brown or black, with variations depending on heritage fairly common. Krithian nobles have pale, well-kept skin. The easiest way to spot a noble in hiding is to inspect their skin.
The commoners are generally the same, though less well dressed, not as well bathed, and usually underweight.

Personality and Maneurisms

Krithians instinctively view themselves as greater than others. Even the kindest Krithian treat other people as less fortunate who need to be saved. The cruelest of Krithians treat others as insects which should be squashed for amusement. The standard Krithian is passive aggressive at most, and sarcastic at best.
Most Krithians have the attitude that other peoples problems are not their problem. Rarely, will a Krithian Noble go out of their way for anything that does not benefit them.
The charm of Krithians comes from their storytelling. Krithians can read and write in general, and the most famous authors in the land are Krithians. Even commoners can read somewhat, they are taught by their parents. They have a knack for explaining their thoughts in interesting ways, not always on purpose. When someone would normally say “the weather is a bit bad today, agreed?” a Krithian would say, “Today is a bit depressed, hope it cheers up.” Krithian nobles are particularly annoying at this type of speech.

The Grand Game

There is an unspoken, but important, aspect of being a Krithian Noble. This is referred to in jest as the Grand Game. This game is not played with chips, dice, or figures. It is played with people, land, and loyalties. No one can win this game, as new players are always entering the fields. The Grand Game is played through letters, during social meetings, and through business deals. Not everyone plays this game, but the effects are felt by even the lowliest of nobles. The greatest player of this game is the king, whomever that may be at any time. Because anyone who can become king must master this game completely.
A victory in this game includes gaining power, obtaining more land, and rising your reputation over others. This is done by weakening others reputations, assassinating key people, making clever business deals. One who plays this game will not kill their opponents. Instead, they gloat over their enemies after ruining them financially and socially.
Even commoners play this game. They can become nobility if they scheme well enough and the events of the Game can be beneficial or detrimental to them. Some clever commoners use their status to manipulate the game unseen.

Goverment

Krithia’s government is a monarchy. At the top is the king, Gerard Alden, who resides in his great clockwork castle which hovers above the city Bescara. He rules fairly to his people but has a bad habit of toying with the drama and debates of his nobles. Beneath the king, is the Lords and Ladies. These are given ownership of large islands or several small islands. They have the rights to create and enforce their own laws but must pay their homage to the king. For lords who own more land than they can control, they set Dukes and Duchesses in charge of smaller islands or cities. Citizens who live under a lord work for that lord. They pay taxes to them, who in turn pay the king.

Power

Krithia controls many, many islands in the skies. Thus, they have access to thousands of different types of resources. The Krithian military is one of the most important assets of Krithia.

History

Krithia was formed of several tribes of humans which lived upon the island, krithia. They battled for thousands of years over control of resources. Several clans, tribes, kingdoms, and empires have risen and fell on this island before one kingdom was able to overtake all of Krithia. This kingdom was named Krithia and changed the islands old name to its own.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Show spoiler

Cania Cupitas
Flavia Lunaris
Pedia Fuscinus
Quinctia Columella
Lutatia Reginus
Auria Tasius
Maria Maecius
Sepunia Dexion
Munia Leptis
Pompeia Gaius
Matia Mico
Statia Fagus
Adriana Mathesius
Cloelia Augustanus
Petellia Surinus
Cocceia Jacobi
Licinia Cerinthus
Ateia Dardanius
Clovia Aloysius
Trebellia Cornix
Ateia Concessus
Visellia Hardalio
Claudia Sartorius
Didia Egbuttius
Canidia Varialus
Papiria Noster
Septimia Censorius
Grania Durus
Pomptina Schlerus
Caprenia Clodius
Postumia Decius
Talmudia Assanius
Visellia Clodian
Nasennia Linus
Manlia Bibaculus
Seia Gracilis
Gegania Genesius
Pomponia Verullus
Nasennia Gallio
Armenia Garilius
Hosidia Quarto
Valeria Bellicus
Feliciana Olennius
Paula Ahala
Hosidia Cita
Pupia Maximius
Caerellia Paulinus
Vagennia Sisenna
Suedia Rutilius
Plinia Caelinus
Tettia Scrofa
Sennia Hortensus
Bruccia Sisenna
Pupia Hybrida
Pomponia Faustinius
Sittia Bonus
Axia Carus
Mucia Florus
Caesetia Superstes
Sittia Vitalis
Accoleia Dubitatius
Babudia Tullas
Sidonia Damasippus
Fufia Maius
Sestia Agricola
Nigilia Ramirus
Gavia Tarsicius
Floridia Liberalis
Velia Orientalis
Fufia Crispus

Masculine names

Show spoiler

Planesium Calvus
Tedusius Falconius
Albinus Lucullus
Philolaches Sura
Ludovicus Aper
Saturio Bellator
Modestus Orientalis
Dinia Servanus
Phygia Liberalis
Isidorus Faber
Menaechmus Metilius
Fridericus Meminius
Candidus Flavinus
Gorgines Vedrix
Melaenis Scribonius
Lyco Gordio
Mnesilochus Corbulo
Megadorus Quintillius
Lesbonicus Damasippus
Cleostrata Naso
Henricus Seneca
Crocotium Isauricus
Lydus Piso
Philoxenus Paterculus
Sangarinus Indus
Palinurus Zoilus
Cleareta Trebellius
Plesidippus Fronius
Leonida Tremellius
Sosicles Remigius
Romanus Censorinus
Artotrogus Augendus
Panegyris Eburnus
Advocati Maritialis
Isidorus Ausonius
Acropolistis Marcallas
Stephanium Maecenus
Paegnium Romanus
Sangarinus Gessius
Sobersides Messor
Pleusicles Concessus
Sergius Campanus
Tranio Photius
Augustinus Nigidius
Phaedromus Clodian
Sycophanta Ramirus
Phaedromus Pertinax
Severinus Superbus
Acanthio Tiburs
Aristophontes Traius

Family names

Family names are given and taken by the King. It is quite possible for someone to be born in one family and become a member of another without marriage. The King decides these names on the fly and creates new families when he wishes to stir up trouble or continue a plot of his.

Other names

Almost every Noble has a middle name. These names are usually chosen from an aesthetic perspective. Something that makes the first and family name sound pleasant together. For example, Fufia Belladonna would be named Fufia Belia Belladonna. Severius Demetin would be Severius Des Demetin.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Sineur

Average technological level

Krithis is one of the three great powers of Himinil. Thus, they have access tot he greatest technology. Their clockwork is among the sleekest and most intriguingly designed.

Common Etiquette rules

Etiquette is important to Krithians in private company and public events. Inviting someone to your home, or visiting someone, is considered a public event, even when no one is watching. The only time when casual speech is technically appropriate is chance encounters in the public. This means many young nobles "accidentally" run into each other on daily walks in order to gossip.
The etiquette among nobles is fairly complicated. Some nobles see proper etiquette as a game that can be toyed with. Breaking etiquette is not such as problem, but repeated offenses can give someone a bad reputation. The following are a few examples of etiquette rules.

• Only the Host may directly insult someone.
• Food must be eaten with the dominant hand first.
• Money should not be spoken about directly, but it may be written.
• Comments on dress must sound like compliments. "The way your dress reaks of a commoner is so lovely, dear."
• Money should not be spoken about directly, but it may be written.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

There are many customs among Krithian Nobles. Many vary from location to location. The following are a few common examples.

Balls

A Ball is an event created by nobles where one goes to socialize, dance, and meet new people. There are a few reasons why a Krithian would host a ball. The first and most common is to meet new people. A Noble may be invited to the home of someone they have never met before, purely because the other noble is curious about their holding or wishes to start making business deals. A Ball is one of the most deadly places for a Krithian Noble, as it is a fine place for an assassination.

Letters

It is common practice for a Noble to write letters to many other nobles as a way to keep in touch. Even bitter enemies write to each other with subtle insults, trying to coax out information from them. It is considered rude to not reply back to a letter. More paranoid Nobles only used trusted deliverers. Servants are often given the task of writing to nobles whom their master dislikes or does not wish to give attention.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beauty is important to a Krithian Noble. Both Men and Women dress as well as possible. Nobles bathe every day and wear a different outfit depending on the weather and aesthetics of the area.

Clothing

Krithian cloth is made primarily from wool and fibers. However, most nobility would not be caught dead in peasants clothing. Instead, their clothes are crafted from a silk harvested from a breed of domesticated, giant moths, specially raised sheep for wool and other expensive materials. The silken clothes are kept pure white, or they are died a bright color. Accents of black and decorations are common. A dress might have a full tapestry died into it and a hat could fade from green to yellow.

Womens Clothing

Women in Krithia are always seen in a dress. They may or may not wear a petticoat, but their legs are usually covered. The dresses that the Krithian Women wear are generally multicolored and designed as an outfit. Hats, jewelry, and other accessories all tie together. Some women have a better eye for design than others, but the major factor in how popular an outfit is is how popular the one wearing it is. Women's clothing is designed to be sleek and has a flow to their design. A good dress will appear to be one piece of cloth. A traveling Krithian Noble would have several dresses and a servant who only manages them.

Mens Clothing

Men in Krithia usually wear simpler clothes than women. Usually, Dress pant, shirt, vest or jacket or coat, and whatever other pieces that suit them. Gloves, pocket watches, hats, and broaches are some common examples. Men's clothing is designed to hide the male form, skin rarely being shown.

Body

The Krithian Noble standard of beauty for the human body is sleek. Small breasts are preferred over large, and overly large muscles are seen as risque. A bare-chested woman is seen as rude, but not overly sexual, but a bare-chested man with well-toned muscles is something that should only be seen in private. Slim figures are preferred, but overweight people can be seen as beautiful if they act with grace.

Gender Ideals

Men and Women Nobles are more or less equal in Krithia. A duke and Duchess have the same power for instance. Physical differences do contribute, for instance, more men work in mines and other hard labor intensive jobs.

Courtship Ideals

Most marriages in Krithia are political. Even peasants marry in order to make their lives better. Marriage for love is done, but among the nobility, it is a rare occurrence.

Sexuality

In Krithia, there are no social taboos about sexuality. A homosexual is treated with as much respect as heterosexuals. Mokso and Vadath have stricter taboos about such things, which causes a stereotype of Vadathians or Moksons who seek to live in Krithia being homosexuals. This is not always the case, however.