Dia Riodranes e Rocthurim

Dia Riodranes e Rocthurim (The Honorable Nobles of Rocthurim) is a Nation located in the North-East of Grimur. In the snowy hills and mountains of its homeland, inhabit a scarred, yet resilient people. Shaped by the terror their hateful gods inflict upon them, Rocthurim is a land of hardships. Rocthurim is the founding place of Dia Aperto Impesiune, which is its official religion.

## Government

Rothurim bases itself off of a group of documents dating back hundreds of years, to the day of blood rain, in which in the horror that followed, the rulers of the land signed a document dotted with their blood, preforming a ritual enacting their bloodlines to serve the common goal of keeping the gods at bay.

Now, each house of lords(Riodrane), who are those who have inherited this ancient curse serves a single purpose. Each house has also fallen under worship of a certain god, whom they, through their best efforts, work to thwart at every measure. it is quite easy to discern a noble, as they have glowing eyes, with the color of said eyes showing their house.

##### The Ireale House

charged with leading and directing each house through the nation, and working through foreign affairs.

Their motto: "*Until death may we march, for the blade of our ancestors stands cold.*"

Known for their glowing dark cyan eyes, the Ireale house was accused of starting of the day of blood rain, and has been tasked with managing the entire nation as a result.

members: Vaior Ireale, Anico Ireale

## History

The nation of Rocthurim was first officially founded after the day of blood rain, roughly 517 years ago, in which house Ireale first took the lead of the nation, and would continue to act as the guiding hand of the nation until today. Rocthurim has been relatively stable, occasionally fighting tribes from the north, and engaging heretics from their own land.

## Culture

The culture of Rocthurim, much like the many other things that exists within it, is built to serve a purpose. Built of a majority human population, Rocthurim also has small enclaves of vampyrs and giants. Every native to Rocthurim is tattooed on their forehead at birth. The tattoo represents their role in society, though slaves are branded over their tattoo. Generally speaking: the more intricate the tattoo, the higher you are in society. Due to this fact, tattoo artists are extremely coveted and secret positions. In the day to day, life seems very normal and comparable to other medieval lives. But dread often hangs thick in the air. The gods could strike at any time, after all. Heretics, or anyone who does not openly worship the gods of dia Aperto Impesiune are hunted down and killed.

### The Arts

##### Music

Music is, undoubtedly, big in Rocthurim. Every village one walks into seems almost alive, as people bang drums and blow bagpipes in the main square. Workers work with the sound of music, and people live with it every day. It is seen as a religious duty, and this is because it is. Some demons are attracted to the sound of silence, and this is the way of repelling them.

Known Music:

* An old song of legends, singing of the return of honor, and the return of the old gods: https://youtu.be/UsnRQJxanVM
* A folk song among the people of the mountains, often sung as they mine: https://youtu.be/IQFY0\_Em0z8

### General Societal layout

#### **noble class**

Nobles are generally allowed more freedom in both religious and lawful manners, and are allowed to speak to the creatures of the other worlds, something which the lower classes are not allowed to do. Due to this, Inquisitors, often seen as above the law, keep a closer eye on them. Often each noble house has an area of specialty. Nobles are in truth, land owners, or directly related to a land owner, and able to trace their linage back to a landowner. They have the most elaborate tattoos on their foreheads, often with the houses standards involved. They are exempt from being charged with crimes by the lower classes, but the noble classes may hold no such reserve for charging their fellow noble with a crime.

High Noble: Aith Riodran/i: Upon recognition of the Aith Riodran, who is the head of the Ireale house, and may only be the head of the Ireale house. The Aith Riodran is given land ownership, in name only, of all the unowned land within Rocthutim. They have power over all religious manners, and are appointed as an honorary Aith Liacoe. They do not, however have control of the land controlled by other nobles.

Noble: Riodran/i: A Riodran/i is the leader of a specific house, which is determined by the former leaders heir appointment. They do not need to own land, but get specific privileges over their land owning peers in their houses, like the ability exert political influence over those in their family. They also are charged with maintaining a family manor, which can be located anywhere.

Low Noble: Ere Riod/i: Are members of a specific house, and not required to do much besides being that, but many have small manors in the mountain of Rocthurim, some lead the cities in Rocthurim, and others use their influence in politics and religious manners.(edited)

##### Noble courts

The courts of Rocthurim are large, complete with personal guards, advisors, and concubines. Some major roles can be found here:

* Truthsayer (Impesurinsja): The sayer of truth, and the final word in any noble's ear. They help manage finances and internal matters.
* Marshal (Aitaziuman): Commander of all troops under command of the reigning noble, they help decide military matters. Occasionally there will be multiple Marshals, but more often just officers.
* Noble Guards (Riodazium): The best of the best, assigned to protect the lord.

#### **Religious class**

With people drawn from both classes, the Religious class arguably has the most power in the nation of the three classes, though they are extremely decentralized. They are to please the gods, normally through sacrificial measures (Liacoe) or Hunt heretics through wider Rocthurim (Axio). The Liacoe are often the leaders of religious rituals to protect specific areas, many are assigned to villages, where they and their apprentices work to keep the village safe. The Aith Liacoe are those who lead the nation in religious matters, chosen by the Aith Riodran themselves, they preform larger rituals, often involving hundreds of Liacoe, Ere, and Axio to please the most powerful of the gods. The religious class follows the holy book of Dia Aperto Impesiune, whos complex instructions make the situation complex. Complicating it further is the fact that both people of the lower class and noble class may be apart of it.

High Priest: Aith Liacoe: The Aith Liacoe decide major religious matters, through use of majority votes. They also run major rituals. They have the final say on all matters about the Dia Aperto Impesiune and its surrounding holy books.

Priest: Liacoe: The Liacoe teach people of the Dia Aperto Impesiune and all important information regarding it.

Inquisitor: Axio: Appointed by the Aith Liacoe/i, they act as the religious police of Rocthurim, upholding the religious laws, as detailed by the Dia Aperto Impesiune and its surrounding religious books. They are the judge, jury and executioner in these regards.

#### **lower class**

Technically allowed less freedom, and less power then the Noble classes, the lower classes, in some ways have more freedom. Allowed to travel more freely, without the supervision of guards or inquisitors. In some areas of Rocthurim, those who see few inquisitors and even less tax collectors, mayors have elevated themselves to the role of the distant lords who rule over the land, in some cases even attaining lordship. With almost no political power, the people are extremely important in sustaining the nation.

Mayor or city administrator: Miedevius: Those who help nobles run cities, or run them themselves, being appointed by nobles, they act as the second most important figure in each city.

Professional Soldier: Azium: Chosen by nobles for their combat ability, the Aziumes are basic men-at-arms, they defend the people of Rocthurim as needed, and can be deputized by the Axio.

Freeman: Irieth: The Irieth are free land holders (different than land owners, they do not own it, but instead have rented it from a lord), often cultivating their small farms, which can be outside city walls, or in their small farmsteads.

Slave: Ere: The Ere are the lowest of the low. For minor religious infractions, the Axio may let the heretics live, and instead brand their foreheads and let them work. Ere do the hard work of construction, rowing, some farming, among other work and most importantly rituals, where they may participate as sacrifices and assistants. Ere may also work their way to freedom, after working a certain amount of years.

## Diet

Due to the harsh and cold climate, a common ingredient found in both a noble and peasant’s dish are berries. Berries grow in a abundance in the area, and berry farmers are incredible common. The most common type of berries are the Airyr Berries.

## Geography

   Rocthurim is interspaced with large mountains. While the majority of the land is snow covered hills, these mountains also make up more recognizable areas. The coast is the most habitable area, with taiga bordering the fearless ocean. Some say that the Spine of Old was formed when a horrible demon was felled by magic, and there lays the creatures bones, as they slowly formed mountains. Others talk of the Ice Tree, and the mysterious danger it presents.