A Culture of Red and Gold

Significance

Damesk is a very religious country and it reflects in every aspect of their lives. The church, military, and politics are all synonymous. They are quick to cull what they perceive as corruption through a lack of faith or devotion to Phrixus or the advancement of the Dameskan Empire. Whether it is carrying around the Dameskan Edicts on their person, wearing the colors of their nation and God, or forgoing taboo colors such as green and violet, the people of Damesk are generally considered zealots by outsiders.

History

Before Phrixus and his ascension, the Dameskan people were united under a calling and common cause. They were a group of people who wanted to carve out a piece of Vyril for themselves, who had struggled against the elves and other various races. Setting themselves apart from their fellow humans to follow the Warlord.

It was to this crimson banner, with an emblazed longsword in gold, that the people of Damesk grouped under and found strength in that sense of purpose. Phrixus was strong, unapologetic, and demanded the world where others preached peace, diplomacy, and humility.

When Phrixus did ascend, these colors became the color of their pantheon. The religious fervor and fealty to the cause only made the colors and decor more important. Unity against the opposition - the rest of the world - would keep the Dameskans alive.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Dye

Festival of Colors by Alok Mazumdar

Assorted Color Scarf by Mardanda Vandergriff

It is no small secret the Dameskans favor the color red above all. Dye, and the production of it, is a major industry in Damesk. Every person of faith, which is nearly every Dameskan, owns clothes in various hues of Red - though white, blue, and yellow are also acceptable. It isn't just clothes, though. Their banners, linens, carpets, and just about anything that can be dyed red, usually is. Not to say everything, but the prominent color in Damesk is red.

While there is no lawful ban on the colors purple and green, no one in Damesk would be caught wearing such colors. They're the colors of their enemies, of nature, and counter to their belief and representation of Phrixus. If any dye maker does make such a color, it is usually to enhance or accent something else. But never clothing. Example : A tapestry depicting a battleground. The green would be used for the grass and the violet might be used for shading or other colors.

Gold

While there is jewelry made of silver and gold, gold features prominently in other aspects of Dameskan life. It is softened into threading for wealthy clothing and decor, poured into accents on the floor and walls, and were there more of it in Vyril, would arguably be as prominent as red is in the Dameskan culture. Given how prevalent it is, though, you wouldn't think of it as a scarce resource. In Damesk, it isn't exactly seen as a precious metal so much as wealthy accent. Even common Dameskans have some manner of gold. Neither is it used for something so base as currency.

Concrete and Gold by Robert Wilinski

Geography

The area known as the Divine Dispute isn't important to the Dameskans just because they want to conquer the entirety of Yandelar, but because there is literally gold in the mountains. Almost all of their gold comes from the Divine Dispute mountain range if it isn't confiscated from other countries they've conquored or invaded.

The dye is much easier to mass produce, as it comes from an easy to grow, common root herb. Any Dameskan can grow them but there are larger farms that supply dye-makers.

Peas Growing by Phil Hearing

Value

Culturally and Socially Significant

Rarity

Red Dye is extremely common - Gold is quite prevalent

White Temple by Calder Moore

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