Millisymph

Millisymph is a nation on an istmus connecting Ruencia and Lamadien. The istmus is cut with a strait connecting the Eastern Sithonian Ocean and the Sinking Sea, somewhat similar to Earth's Panama. The kingdom profits handsomely from the trade through the waterway. After being roughly used as a battleground during the Great Western War, the kingdom maintains a heavily armed neutrality in the regional politics, and limits military passage through the waterway.
== History ==
=== Pre-Millisymph ===
The two main land areas claimed by Millisymph were inhabited by indigenous tribes. Coastal tribes on both sides fished, but tribes on the southwestern portion fished from shore while those to the east developed boats. The easterners met the southwesterners, and began trade. In time, the tribes banded together for reasons unknown.
=== Early Millisymph ===
The name Millysymph is from a largely lost indigenous language and means essentially "far water singing," the concept that people who lived far apart could sing or join together. The southwestern land area is called Millisymph oeste (West Millsymph) and the eastern land area is called Millisymph este (East Millisymph),
=== Great Western War (1589-1627) ===
Main article: Great Western War
After the Pengaldian armies has great success against the Empire of Trynser, they siezed the Millisymph Waterway with the aid of his Arumelian allies. Later, Trynsern made a counteroffensive and besieged the Millisymph capital of Durmando, where the Pengaldian army was based. In that battle, Trynser and Pengaldia destroyed the city. Later, Millisymph Rei Gerald (King Gerald) and his native army recaptured the capital, forcing both invaders to retreat and give up control of the waterway.
=== Trynsern-Zazimar War (1736-1740) ===
Main article: Trynsern-Zazimar War
While Millisymph remained neutral in the Trynsern-Zazimar War between Zazimar and the Empire of Trynser, there was serious concern that its neutrality might not be recognized. So it had cannons built and loaded with demon dust which actually was more for a deterrent and show than for actual effectiveness. Before it was made public, the then secret operation was called Project Lace Engine.
== Geography ==
Millisymph touches the Eastern Sithonian Ocean, the Bays of Khoren from both sides, and the Sinking Sea, It shares a border with Gorunden to the south-southwest, Nashugant to the south-southeast, and Tasedeon to the east.The Bay of Millisymph, part of the Bays of Khoren, is shared by Millisymph, Nashugant, Laerdis, and Madrigos. El estrecho de Millisymph (Millisymph Strait) connects the Easthern Sithonian Ocean and the Sinking Sea, physically dividing the nation with the larger land mass (Millisymph oeste or West Millisymph) to the southwest and the smaller (Millisymph este or East Millisymph) to the east. This ironically means the nation's west coast is east of its east coast and visa versa.
Areas on the coast are often rocky, but Millisymph does boast some fine beaches, especially in Cathros and Milspar.
== Government and politics ==
=== Government ===
Millisymph has a rei and reina (king and queen) who are over a feudal system of duques and barones (dukes and barons). Most ducados (dukedoms) are overseen by duques and duquesas (dukes and duchesses), and baronías (baronies) by barones and baronesas, but there are exceptions. Some baronias are part of a ducado, but some are directly under the crown.
Rei Geraldo VII has technically been king since 1740 when his father, Geraldo VI, died. Born in 1728, his mother and Geraldo VI's third and only living wife Princesa Marisol de San Marino, served as regent. By law and tradition, she would continue as regent until her son either reached the age of 16 or was married, whichever came first.
Duques include Duque Miguel Amorando, husband of Geraldo VI's eldest child Dulce Fulmando, who oversees the city of Fulmando.
=== Politics ===
Individual cities are generally free to handle political issues as they will as long as they don't conflict with government authorities or go against generally-accepted customs.
=== Laws ===
==== Guilds ====
In cities and immediately surrounding areas, many professions can only be practiced for sale to others by registered members of an appropriate guild. (Making an item for personal use is often ignored.) Exactly what is regulated by a guild varies by area. However, in almost all medium to large areas the following professions are regulated: merchants, masons, mages, healers, shipwrights, pilots, armorers, alchemists, solicitors, sailors, and courtesans.
Anyone involved in the making of demon dust must have official recognition by a government authority; even then, its production is primarily limited to the city of Fulmando.
Mercenaries
Technically, citizens of Millisymph cannot be mercenaries (armsmen hired by a non-noble); however, foreigners can be hired by someone of knightly status or higher (in some cases, a master or mistress could do so). Some Millisymphians will renounce their citizenship to become a mercenary; some do this until they retire, then pay to have their citizenship restored. Exactly how this works can be very confusing.
The widest ranging mercenaries guild in Millisymph was Los defensores de Millisymph (The Defenders of Millisymph).
==== Weapons ====
Weapons are highly regulated. Staves are generally ignored if not used as a weapon, and knives are acceptable if used for cooking or work; otherwise, a knife kept out of site will generally be ignored. Weapon use for self-defense is generally accepted.
Possession of larger weapons and of bows requires a license (although bows may generally be used for hunting in the wilderness well outside of a city).
Possession of firearms is restricted to the military, nobles and their guards and, in some areas or under special circumstances, city guards and police..
== Society ==
=== Ethnic Groups ===
The people are sometimes called Millisymphers by outsiders, but generally prefer being called Millisymphians (although they often call themselves Millies). The Millisymphian population includes a number of races. The population is about 75% mainstream Human, 9.5% Gnome, 4% Elf, 3% Goblin, 2.5% Dwarf, 2% Thalosian, 1% Halfling, 1% Merfolk, and 2 percent other.
=== Language ===
Like most of the Lamadien Region, the culture is primarily Lamadien and the primary language is Thisslam (sometimes called Thissalaman or even Lamadien). Fully fluent Thisslam speakers and writers can generally speak and write the very similar Thissalin respectively, but not at full proficiency. Other languages with a significant number of speakers include Arumelian, Elven, Gnomish, and Trynsern. Mages and alchemists often learn written High Kastebani, and some older noble families and others also know Vennin.
=== Religion ===
Main article: Millisymph religions
The most common religion is a mix of indigenous beilefs, Daeism, Gnomish beliefs, and the Divine Circle. Millisymph is one of the most religiously tolerant nations. However, inland areas, and small, seldom-visited coastal towns, are often more divided and less tolerant.
=== Class ===
Also see Dating, Marriage and Sexuality
Differences in status/class are taken very seriously in Millisymph. Not showing proper respect to a noble/royal can have extremely serious consequences. The primary divisions are slave (which would be by law), serf, freeman, master/mistress/knight, and noble (including royalty).
Falsely claiming a title is also taken very seriously; the usual punishment is a fine, but sometimes removal of property and permanent demotion to a lesser division can be made.
=== Calendar ===
Millisymph used the Lamadien calendar. Major holidays and festivals included New Year's Festival, Festival of Leathane, Nodia (The Day that Doesn't Exist), Grand Carnival, Padrig's Day, and others.
==== Birthdays ====
For the most part, people in Millisymph did not keep track of birthdays except for those of royals and sometimes nobles. Age was determined by birth year, not day. Almost everyone's "birthday" was considered to be the first day of the year.
However, by about the beginning of the 1700s, more people were keeping track although age was still determined by birth year. 
Celebrating a birthday was still highly unusual as of 1742 except for that of royalty and some nobles.
=== Millisymph oeste (West Millisymph) ===
There are some significant regional differences between Millisymph oeste (West Millsymph) and Millisymph este (East Millisymph), especially in the inland areas. While both parts of Millisymph emphasize boating and fishing, agriculture, ranching, mining, and manufacturing are more common and economically important here than in the east. A higher proportion of dwarves, gnomes, goblins, and thalosians live here. Many people here lean toward Daeism and/or Gnomish beliefs.
=== Millisymph este (East Millisymph) ===
A common saying is, "an Easterner is never far from the sea." Many of the nation's and even the world's best sailboats come from here. A higher percentage of elves and merpeople live here than in the west, and many people lean toward Divine Circle beliefs.
== Culture ==
The culture is a mix of influences from indigenous traditions, greater Ruencia, and the Lamadien Region, with influence from Pengaldia and Gnomish traditions and others. Fortunately for visitors, the four coastal cities of Cathros, Durmando, Fulmando, and Milspar are generally more tolerant of "foreigner" ways, although isolated coastal and more inland areas may be more traditional and less tolerant.
Standard rules can be somewhat relaxed on holidays, although they may also be more strictly enforced depending on the particular holiday.
=== Gender Roles ===
Through most of Millisymph, men are generally expected to be head of businesses and women to be head of households. (A primary exception is a bordello which is often run by a woman). 
=== Greeting ===
It is traditional for friends, family, friends of friends, even bosses and employees to give each other a kiss on the cheek when both meeting and departing. In this custom, gender makes no difference. The kiss is simultaneous, and theoretically on the cheek. While such a simultaneous kiss is not always easy, in practice two greeting people often put their cheeks together and make a kissing sound with their lips. 
For strangers, a handshake with the right hand is more common, although the greeting kiss is acceptable. 
Note that between people of different status, there are regional and personal variations. Many employers, for example, prefer their employees initiate it. A commoner should not, however, initiate this greeting with a noble. 
=== Clothing ===
In general, men and boys wear shirts and pants and women wear dresses, and young girls wear dresses or blouses and skirts. Boys often dress like men, but very young boys often wear dresses. Both men and women are expected to keep much of their bodies (chest and back down to the top of the ankles) covered. Strapless dresses are often allowed for female entertainers. For young girls, dresses may be a little shorter but should still fall significantly below the knees. Some people wear robes; customs on that vary by area.
An exception to the usual rule is that Las Hermanas de Surrea often wear pants.
People with tails (such as zorra personas) were expected to keep their tails covered in public. There was a fair amount of tolerance of recently-arrived foreign visitors in large coastal cities, but they would often be subject to stares and were expected to dress appropriately very soon after arrival. (Natives who exposed their tails were likely harlots).
=== Dating, Marriage and Sexuality ===
==== Dating ====
A young couple dating is expected to be accompanied by a duenna, which is an elderly woman who keeps an eye on unmarried girls. Physical contact between the dating couple is expected to be limited to hand holding and hugging, although kissing involving the lips and tongue can be allowed (the greeting kiss is, of course, fully accepted). Rules are generally less strict in the four large coastal cities.
==== Marriage ====
Because of the variety of religious and cultural influence, marriage laws and traditions can be confusing and even contradictory. In general, they tend to follow Daeist beliefs. By law, males may be married at the age of 14 and females at the age of 12, but most wait until they're older (although a female who's over 20 or so may have more difficulty finding a mate). Polygamy is accepted, although no man may marry more than three or four wives (the exact number is debated). Polyandry is not accepted through most of the country, but does exist in some areas. Females are expected to be virgins before marriage; this can be verified by physical or magical examination by women.
Marriage typically begins with a betrothal. The betrothed man and woman typically do not live together and are expected to not engage in sexual congress until their formal marriage. If a man is to take an additional wife, he is expected to wait at least a year and a day before having another marriage.
It is rare for a man to marry above his division. Some exceptions can be made for knights who may be elevated before (likely on the same day as) their wedding to a status equal to their betrothed. For women, having a dowry equal to four months income for a higher division can mean marrying a man of a higher station. However, this is not necessary.
Foreigners are usually allowed to follow their own customs as long as they don't disturb Millisymphian society; as with most things, tolerance is much more likely in large coastal cities.
==== Sexuality ====
Sexuality is not defined in terms of orientation or lifestyle, but in terms of activity. In general, coitus and sodomy are forbidden outside of marriage (although such activities in bordellos that pay their taxes on time are generally ignored. However, in some areas a bordello is expected to have a sign reading "Nodia" on its front door. This gives them more freedom but also less protection). Other forms of sexual activity are generally covered by custom, if any, not by law, and are ignored if practiced in private.
Rape is defined as coitus or sodomy where at least one party is unwilling. A victim is expected to scream for help; this expectation has resulted in what some would see as miscarriages of justice.
"If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you."
"If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty dragons of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days." 
The punishment for a person convicted of rape is execution by stoning. However, in practice, convictions only occur if reported by two or three witnesses, so convictions are relatively rare.
=== Cuisine ===
Millisymphian food has a reputation for being very spicy. This reputation largely comes from the exporting of the habanero pepper (called habernero in Trynern). However, it actually has a wide range of flavors and while many spices are used for cooking, not all food is spicy. Many dishes also have subtle flavors, especially seafood which is often a major part of the diet. 
==Cities==
Its four largest cities are the capital Durmando, Fulmando, and Cathros of Millisymph oeste, and Milspar of Millisymph este. Cathros, Fulmando, and Milspar are typically overseen by a duque and/ot duquesa or a conde and/or condesa, and Durmando by the rei and/or reina. Actual city administration is typically left to others.
There are two holy cities, each devoted to a particular religion. These are Pogrondia (Daeism) of Millisymph oeste, and Greple (Divine Circle) of Millisymph este. They are under the appropriate religious authorities.Category:Millisymph
Category:Ruencia
Category:Lamadien