Ancient Kirin Society

Ancient kirin society was the original culture of the continent of Eithne, and existed from the creation of the world until the year 700, when kirins were wiped off of the face of Hireath at the conclusion of God’s War.

*The details of the culture of kirins have been lost to history; precious little remains of their once mighty kingdom - only ruins and scattered archaeological finds. As such, only reincarnated kirins (and those they have chosen to share with) are aware of any accurate details.*

## Overview

Ancient Aodh was a highly advanced, urbanized society. Most kirins lived either in the glittering metropolis of Valore, or in the smaller cities in the surrounding area. Relatively few kirins lived in the countryside and practiced agriculture; sophisticated technology allowed for most kirins to avoid heavy manual labor entirely.

Their culture heavily focused on and idolized art and beauty, and had an almost obsessive relationship with constantly beautifying their cities further and further. Sciences were also important, and Aodh was one of the most advanced societies of its time, only perhaps bested by the kin of Breim - however the basis of their technologies were so different, that both had inventions the other had no access to.

Despite their love of art and science, Aodh society also idolized warrior culture, especially during the later years of their development. Among warriors, Dragon Hoplites were held in especially high regard, and the third most powerful being in their empire after Ignacio and the King was the Commander, a military leader.

Ancient Kirin Society was socialist, and fairly egalitarian; although there was a clear leadership structure, the society was not stratified, and all ranks and professions freely interacted with one another. Differences in wealth and opportunities were fairly minimal; public schooling and healthcare helped all kirins pursue their goals and dreams. They had no gender norms, and had a very open and accepting view of sexuality.

## Society

* Kirins were socialist; their society was built on a very strong basis of free public services and safety nets. Education and medicine were both free, and public services were plentiful.
	+ All kirins were entitled to basic sustenance and housing. Those who could not work would receive benefits from the government, although everyone was encouraged to find some way to enrich society.
* Currency was used, but mostly as a more efficient way to conduct private trade and purchases. The society was extremely egalitarian, with only minimal differences in wealth.
* To support the many services their society provided, kirins had advanced and efficient bureaucracy and excellent databases.
* Kirins appreciated beauty, but were not materialistic. Great art collections and exhibits were state property, and open for anyone to enjoy. Kirins usually did not seek personal wealth or opulence.
* Kirins were extremely nationalistic and equally xenophobic. All kirins had an aversion of gods and breeds other than their own, and sincerely believed the other nations were their lessers in every regard.
* Kirins did not practice slavery or indentured servitude. Manual labor was occasionally used as a criminal punishment.

### **Law and Punishment**

* Despite the presence of a watchful and loving god, the kirin society was not an utopia. Crime was still a thing, although Ignacio would assist his kirins in keeping the peace.
* Kirins had three courts: civil court for small disputes between private parties, criminal court for more serious issues, and high court, which would handle appeals from the lower courts.
* Punishments would range from fines to manual labor for minor crimes (including civil court disputes), to imprisonment and finally execution. Kirins were averse to killing their own; capital punishment was only given for very serious crimes (treason, multiple 1st degree homicide etc). Life sentences in prison were more common.
	+ Capital punishment was generally conducted in one of two ways: beheading, or being thrown into Mt Oriel, with the latter being the more severe punishment.
* Criminal behavior was very stigmatized, as criminal activity was inherently selfish, and harmed the whole herd. Repeat offenders or those guilty of serious crime would often be met with suspicion and considered lesser than other kirin (although still better than other breeds).
	+ Bringing disputes to the civil court held no stigma.

## Culture

Very little concrete proof remains of the ancient kirin society, and as such, all of this knowledge belongs to the resurrected kirins alone - and even the Heralds of Ash have been less than successful in resurrecting any real version of their ancient way of life.

### **Etiquette and Language**

#### **Language**

* Kirins spoke with an accent that would be an equivalent of east African in our world; strong enunciation, although not the same variety of inflection. Their accents sound distinctly foreign to modern residents of Hireath, as the accent died out with them. It also makes any transformed kirins immediately obvious the moment they open their mouths.
* Their language was devoid of gendered terms. Kirins would often refer to each other as “they” unless the other party indicated a different preference.
* Kirins favored wyvern, fire and sun related phrases, and would often describe particularly beautiful things by comparing them to any or all of these (‘She truly is a flame made flesh’). Greetings and farewells also centered around similar themes (‘Go with Sol’s light’; ‘We meet before His Flame.’)
* Calling a kirin another breed (hippocampus, pegasus, unicorn or horse) was a particularly seething insult. It was generally reserved for real enemies, or when someone really messed up.

#### **Manners**

* Kirin society was generally respectful, but egalitarian. When meeting, two kirins would dip their heads to each other regardless of age or rank; only the King and Commander were bowed to.
	+ Two kirins who were friends or family would often greet each other by gently touching their muzzles together.
* Modest public displays of affection (friendly touches, short kisses) were considered acceptable in all but the most formal situations. More intimate displays of affections were considered tacky.
* Baring your canines at another kirin was considered threatening or rude, depending on the circumstance. It was often used to emphasize an insult.
* Lowering of the head and brandishing one's antlers in the direction of another kirin was seen as insolent and challenging behavior. If combined with pawing, it was an extremely heavy insult; basically a way of saying that you considered the other kirin too weak to respond to your challenge.
* Kirins practiced somewhat ritualized duels to solve conflicts and relieve tension between friends and enemies. Kirins were encouraged to pick a “nemesis” in their own profession to help both of them grow; these relationships would generally be friendly but competitive.
	+ In classic (antiquated) duels, two kirins would square off against one another using their blessings, hitting each other with their tails and pushing their bodies together, similar to a wrestling match. These duels were tests of strength and stamina, and not intended to harm the other. In modern kirin society, they were mostly performed as entertainment, similar to pro wrestling.
	+ Modern duels would generally be non-physical, such as art competitions, debates or other skill/profession showcases, often judged by friends and impartial observers.

### **Gender and Sexuality**

* Gender roles were non-existent, and one’s genitals and/or identity did not in any way limit what or who they could be. Masculinity and femininity were personal preference, not indicators of binary gender.
* Kirins who felt body dysphoria could ask for their god to change them to their desired body. For more temporary changes, shapeshifting medallions were readily available.
* Both polyamory and monogamy were accepted and respected, and about equally common.
* There was no phobia towards any sexual orientation among kirins, and they had no concept of virginal purity. Sex was considered integral to a healthy lifestyle, although not as casual as in modern Aodh.
	+ Pleasure was considered a virtue, but not indulged with hedonism. True pleasure came from things and people you loved. Having many lovers or partners was not stigmatized, but certain self-restraint was more or less expected. If your love-life began to tend into hedonism and consume other aspects of your life, it was seen as unhealthy.

### **Family**

* Kirins could form families regardless of the compatibility of their genitalia, and would use shapeshifting amulets to conceive. Before the relationships between gods grew strained, Ignacio could also gift couples children without the use of natural conception.
	+ Although there was no cultural pressure to have kids, as the Bond grew darker, the inherent superiority complex and nationalistic ideals of the kirins generally led most to want to “strengthen the nation” with a new generation.
* Kirins usually lived in nuclear families consisting of the parents, their partners, and the shared young children.
* Kirins were expected to show loyalty to their nation first, and family only second.
* Herd loyalty was achieved through early weaning of children from their families. Many children would leave home young for apprenticeships, and even before then, schooling and much of the childrearing would be handled by professionals.
* As the result of focus on the herd, rather than family, orphans would generally be raised in orphanages with highly tutored carers. Orphans would often rise to become respected officials and experts.

### **Education**

* Kirins had public schooling that all children attended, and the society had almost 100% literacy.
* Mandatory schooling began at age 6, and continued until age 16. Youths who joined various apprenticeship or training programs would still have some regular classes throughout their education (although less than those who did not apprentice). Subjects taught included literature, mathematics, sciences, kirin history, art history, fine art, religion and philosophy.
* Past age 16, those who sought to become Heralds would study theology within Ignacio’s Sanctum, and those who sought to be Masters would advance on to university for a mixed program of various fine arts and sciences.
* University was available for anyone talented enough, and was free to attend. Graduation from University would be between ages of 20 and 24, depending on subjects taken. Youths could retake entrance exams each year if they had failed last time.
* Public debates and open attendance lectures were a popular pastime for kirins of all ages.

### **Beauty and Art**

* All kirins were considered beautiful, regardless of appearance. However, taking care of yourself was very important - shining scales and polished antlers were the pride of any kirin.
* Scars and injuries were regarded very neutrally; neither particularly beautiful, nor very ugly.
* Kirin society was very accepting and supportive of disabilities, although many could be personally mended by Ignacio if desired. Kirins with disabilities would be directed into roles where they could still help their herd.
* Kirins absolutely loved artwork, and would beautify any spaces they were in. This included traditional fine art, but also architecture, garden planning and even the design of their daily tools, weapons and armor. They also enjoyed literature and theatre. Music was of less importance, but still composed and enjoyed, especially as part of plays.
* Art was filled with fire, wyverns, light, shadow and kirin themes. Kirin history was a particular favorite topic, and before God’s War, abstract and surrealist art was gaining ground.

### **Religion**

* Kirins were all extremely religious, and devout to Ignacio, who walked among them.  Other gods were not worshipped or acknowledged.
* Kirin culture was heavily based around Ignacio’s virtues of passion, creativity, courage, ambition, pleasure and leadership. While virtues were mostly understood similarly to modern Aodh, there were a few core differences:
	+ Passion guided decisions and lives. Kirins were encouraged to be passionate about everything they put themselves into, and would generally seek professions they were truly passionate about.
	+ Creativity was on obvious display from the kirin's love of art and beauty, but also their dedication to science and experimentation. Science was in fact considered a form of art, just one following laws of magic and nature, rather than those of beauty and symmetry.
	+ Ambition, along with passion, guided the kirins to be their best selves - to want, to grow. Stagnation was to them unnatural, and so they always sought to advance themselves and their fellow kirins.
	+ Pleasure, in its ancient form, was not the modern hedonism of Aodh - debauchery and wastefulness were considered impure and abnormal by the kirins. Instead, true pleasure was found in doing things you loved, and the people you loved.
	+ Leadership was seen as the virtue that could only be achieved by one who understood all the others, and sought to nurture the same virtues in those who followed them. Kirin culture revered their leaders like demi-gods or saints, and their society underlined the importance of obedience to authority.

### **Holidays and Ceremonies**

* Kirins celebrated New Year as the Day of Fire, the day they came into existence. Festivities included art showcases, plays, history lectures and aerial acrobatics by the wyverns. Neighborhoods or villages would organize large communal feasts serving good food and mild wines.
* Day of Sol’s Flame fell on midsummer’s day, the longest day of the year. On this day kirins would flock to Valore for a fire festival, and Ignacio himself would entertain his cherished creations with his boundless flame. Competitions and tests of skill were a-plenty, all in good fun.
* A kirin’s birthday was not considered a particularly remarkable event. Instead of birthdays, kirins celebrated life-events: sprouting of the antlers, first molt, graduations, apprenticeships and adulthood.
* Weddings were held in special wedding sanctums - essentially smaller chapels styled after Ignacio’s Sanctum. They were conducted by Heralds, and involved the young couple walking through a wall of flame together to mark their union. Celebrations were usually modest in expense, but with a lot of guests: typically not only family, but also neighbors and coworkers would be invited.
* Kirins considered burial into the earth or water unnatural and against their nature. At the end of each day, Ignacio would turn the bodies of his dead followers to ash. These ashes would be kept in decorated urns within large mausoleums bathed in light from massive windows. Each night, blue flames would burn above the urns, a sliver of their mortal essence.
	+ Kirins who had committed horrific crimes were thrown into Mt Oriel, and not given this burial.

## Technology

Kirins were highly advanced, and continued the development of their technology up until the beginning of the God’s War. Their technology was based around fire, light and electricity, as well as their byproducts (steam, heat etc). They did not use any of the magitech style technology of Breim, and did not understand it. Kirins used both natural fire and blessing imbuements to achieve technological advances.

General details on their technology/inventions include:

* Rotary press
* Good understanding of chemistry; capacity to produce early pharmaceutics. Vaccines for basic common illnesses.
* Advanced surgery, good understanding of equine and wyvern anatomy and the cause of ailments
* Steam engine, leading to industrialization: engines were used to power production factories.
* Airships. The ships were not motorized, but rather tethered to wyverns.
	+ Trains and steam ships were only on a very rudimentary test stage; kirins weren’t huge fans of water, and airships made train travel somewhat obsolete.
* Electric lights (but only blessing powered; generators had not yet been invented)
* Inside heating, piping and advanced sewer systems

## Ranks

### **The King**

The monarch of the kirins, chosen and guided by the Fire God. In perfect sync with their god, this kirin was the mortal leader of their people. Although the rank was not directly hereditary, it had been with the reigning dynasty for hundreds of years. The King was a ruler, guide and example.

### **The Commander**

The Commander was the king's second - the leader of the kirin military and police. Elevated into their position by the King personally, the Commander was both an adviser and a co-ruler of the King. In more peaceful days, they were the sword and hand of law. The Commander could act with absolute authority as long as they didn’t directly oppose the King’s law.

### **Royal Family**

The immediate family of the reigning monarch. They held no power, but were often chosen for key functions, such as diplomatic missions or public appearances. The new King would often be chosen from their number.

### **Herald**

Heralds were both scholars and priests, scribes and messengers. Most of them resided within Ignacio’s Sanctum in Valore, dedicating their lives to the god’s service. Others would travel to live in Sanctums around Eithne, bringing the light of the god with them where-ever they went. Enlightened by the direct guidance of their god, they spoke his word and scribed down the great achievements of their people.

### **Dragon Hoplite**

Dragon Hoplites were elite soldiers who fought alongside the mighty fire-breathing wyverns. Feared by wrongdoers and admired by the populus at large, Dragon Hoplites underwent a prestigious and notoriously difficult training regimen. Children would attempt to join the program either by voluntary recruitment, or being personally chosen by Ignacio (referred to as Invocation; a rare event). A recommendation from a hoplite parent could aid in initial selection, but did not guarantee a spot in the program.

Children aged 8-10 years would then be sent by their families to the secret training facility near Mt Oriel. Only a select few made it through the initial selection progress and joined the program; even fewer ever graduated. The training regimen was notoriously brutal and demanding both physically and mentally; being kicked out of the program, as well as voluntarily dropping off were both common. By the time the candidates were 16 and ready to receive their wyvern eggs, only about 5% of the initial applicant pool for that group would remain. After receiving and hatching their wyverns, youths would go through a further two years of training before graduating at 18.

Dragon Hoplites were more or less married to their jobs. They lived at the massive, city-like compound at Mt Oriel, which had been designed to accommodate them and their wyverns. They could have homes and families in Valore, but returned home only on leave; same applied to trainees.

In peacetime, Dragon Hoplites were the equivalent of Special Forces - they took on different high risk internal missions, such as apprehending dangerous criminals or disaster response. They also partook in peacekeeping, and acted as escorts for court officials, on affairs both internal and international. They often worked either alone or in pairs, but always accompanied by their wyverns. During God’s War, the Dragon Hoplites engaged as shock troops, and were widely feared (and hated) by their enemies.

Although a more prestigious and difficult to achieve rank than Armored Hoplite, Dragon Hoplites were not their superiors, and could not issue them commands. Dragon Hoplites, on the other hand, were under the direct command of the Commander and the King.

### **Armored Hoplite**

Armored Hoplites were the standing army and police force of the kirins, acting in typical patrol, border guard and peacekeeping capacities. Candidates would enter training between ages of ten and twelve; many would be dropouts from the much more prestigious Dragon Hoplite program. Although Armored Hoplites received extensive training, it was significantly less demanding than that of Dragon Hoplites, with a focus on discipline, teamwork and mastering several forms of combat. Mentors and like-minded youths would form an important social circle for youths training to become Armored Hoplites.

Trainees would live at the barracks located in the countryside outside Valore, only coming home on leave. After graduating from the program at 16, they could also choose to live at one of the many smaller barracks dotted around Eithne, or at a personal residence - as the police force, the Armored Hoplites needed to have a presence everywhere. Compared to Dragon Hoplites, Armored Hoplites had a much easier time keeping up life and hobbies outside their profession.

Armored Hoplites were trained to work as larger teams, and encouraged to have close bonds with their fellows. They had their own internal hierarchy, in which capable soldiers who showed not only leadership quality, but also the ability to work well with others, would be promoted. Their internal rank system was: Hoplite, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain. The Captains answered directly to the Commander.

### **Physician**

Doctors in ancient Aodh were celebrated professionals, practicing with cutting edge treatments, and experimenting with new theories and medicines. They were famous even outside Aodh for their sheer technical skill as surgeons and medics. There were two main types: the more numerous ones who treated fellow kirins, and the Wyvern Physicians, who treated wyvern ailments and injuries. Physicians tended to be both practitioners and researchers, utilizing herbs and chemicals alike in their treatments.

### **Master**

Master was a rank bestowed to those who had dedicated their lives to fine art, and had come to embody Ignacio’s virtue of creativity in turn. Masters utilized theory and science in crafting wondrous paintings, mosaics, sculptures and the very buildings of Valore. Their favorite subjects were Ignacio, wyverns and the culture and history of their own people. Masters were beyond regular artists due to their high education, acting as illustrators for medical and scientific texts, gospels and storybooks with equal ease. Some fashioned themselves as inventors alongside their artistic work, and Masters often played crucial roles in the development of the herd.

### **Citizen**

Majority of the herd were simple citizens, and could work in any number of fields. The kirin society was advanced enough that only a few needed to do heavy labor, and as the kirin society was highly urbanized, professions such as actors, writers, shop keepers, clerks, scribes, cleaners and many others were common. In the more rural parts, most tended to be farmers, or work in crafting jobs, such as blacksmithing.

## Ancient Eithne

Ancient Eithne was extremely similar to the modern Eithne, and is perhaps among the continents who suffered the least direct changes in God’s War and its aftermath. However, there are still some key differences that kirins living today would notice when walking in their old homeland.

* Old Valore was the major settlement, and surrounded by miles and miles of suburbs and agricultural land.

* There was a landmass between Hissing Plains and Mt Oriel, rather than the current Bay of Oriel. Parts of the Dragon Hoplite Compound were within this area.
* Hissing Plains were widely settled, and were a popular place for Masters to live and work.
* Although ancient Eithne was heavily forested just like modern Eithne, the placement of forests was very different. The area around and between Old Valore, Hissing Plains and Mt Oriel was either settled or agricultural land, while the forests stretched from Darkwater Swamp southwards, covering the southern parts of the continent (including the location of modern New Valore).
* Darkwater Swamp was smaller and more heavily forested, generally less dangerous and not infested by alligators.
* The general climate was warmer and more humid all year around. The days within Ancient Eithne were made unusually long and pleasant by Ignacio’s direct influence.

### **Valore**

Valore, or Old Valore to modern equines, was a magnificent, glittering metropolis unlike anything that has been before, or since. The buildings were crafted with marble, limestone, wood, terracotta and baked brick, with a heavy emphasis on aesthetics. Valore was built on a strictly observed layout that placed Ignacio’s Sanctum and the Palace at the center, and had roads radiating out in all directions. Each city block would have the same basic amenities, and around 6 blocks would form a district, which would then have further services (such as theatres, bathhouses and schools)

* Even common buildings would have impressive white marble facades, and roads would be paved impeccably. The city was so bright in direct sunlight that it would have been uncomfortably hot and bright for any non-kirin to live in.
* Valore was an architectural marvel, and a constantly changing art piece. Statues, fountains, fire sprouting fountains and artfully designed parks provided beauty and places of rest and refreshment among the busy city streets.
* The city had a comprehensive sewer system, as well as inside plumbing. Public buildings generally had hot water piped within the walls to provide heating. Water was brought in via aqueducts.
* The city was well lit; while fire and light manipulation were still used to light homes and streets, some public buildings had moved to electrical lighting.
* Important public buildings, such as theatres, baths or courtrooms, would be decorated with marvelous mosaics, paintings and statues. While outside facades would generally be fairly subdued in color (mostly utilizing white marble with a single accent color), insides were awash with colors.
* There was no division between classes/jobs in the city. Some of the more smelly or loud jobs would have workshops on the edge of the city, but neighborhoods were very mixed, and there were no “upper class” neighborhoods.
* Due to the size of the city, many kirins lived in apartment buildings, usually constructed in 2-3 floors with 4-6 families living in them.
* Insides of homes would generally have sparse furnishing. Wood, stone and various fabrics were common materials.

## Downfall

Although the kirins only marched to war in a sudden snap of violence in 690, the poisoned bond had been building up for generations, growing only more potent with each passing cycle of love, vanity and feeling of superiority. The kirins never became aware of, or could sense the changes within themselves.

It's hard to pinpoint when exactly the bond came to be poisoned, but kirin society slowly became increasingly xenophobic and elitist, with greater and greater emphasis placed on nationalism and the strength of the kirin nation. Their own sciences and arts continued to advance, but turned inward - their self-love and hatred of others was evident even in the artwork they made and the plays they created. For years before God’s War, kirins would shun anything that was not of them or Ignacio, and would occasionally experience an unplaceable, deep, seething anger towards the existence of other breeds.

A sign of the slow poison seeping through them was their slowly fading individuality. Kirins had always been socialist, but towards the last years of their existence, their entire society began to reflect the idea of an idealistic kirin whole, a perfect nation, a perfect mind, under one shining god.

With this came an increasingly powerful role of the leaders (Ignacio, King and Commander) over the other kirins; with Soleil in particular gaining a cult of worship around her. Where the original Kings had been guides and spokespeople rather than ironclad rulers, Soleil was a beloved tyrant, her will absolute.

The final gradual effect of the poison bond was a focus on military and physical might - not only by soldiers, but also inventions for warfare and art depicting violent scenes. For the last generations before the war, the kirin society produced many more Hoplites than they needed. By the time the war came, the kirins were primed for combat.

While the buildup had been long, the downfall itself was quick, and immediately obvious. One day in 690, all kirins were swiped into the shared hatred and destructive urge that now filled their bond. The poison bond led all kirins to first amass in Valore, and then march out into Sirith, killing, burning and pillaging as they went. As both they themselves and Ignacio spiraled deeper into madness and cruelty, their bond yet darkened. While during the first years of the war some semblance of the old society still remained, after the destruction of the Kin the kirins were too far gone to even upkeep their own culture. The effect of the bond was twofold: it both filled individual kirins with the need to burn and purge the world to remake it in their own image, and it made them operate almost as a hivemind. Kirins, as they were when they died, were no longer true individuals, but husks of the people they had been, compelled by the will of their leaders.

After their loss at Mt Skeldr and their subsequent retreat into Valore, all kirins were finally destroyed by the combined efforts of Alya, Argus, Kaia and their peoples. Not a single kirin was left alive, and the great achievements of their culture, now forever colored by their heinous actions, were lost to time.

## Modern Views

Aodhians have long believed kirins to be their cultural ancestors and that they were cruelly destroyed by the militant Alya and her pegasi. Only lately has this view of history come into question. The other herds all agree that it was Ignacio and his kirins who instigated the conflict and are doubtful of the Soleil line’s kirin ancestry. They don’t, however, question the Aodhian view of what the kirin culture was like before the war.

The kirin city of Valore is known to have been a glittering, magnificent metropolis of white marble and fine art, but also industry and innovation. They built buildings on a grand scale, from great open-air theatre to magnificent palaces and sanctums.

The kirins appreciated art in all its forms, as well as the pursuits of academia and more practical applications of their vast skills and knowledge. Among warriors, the Dragon Hoplites were especially esteemed, although Aodh attests that before the war, kirin society was not particularly militant.

Kirins are believed to have practiced slavery throughout their existence; one of the many arguments modern Aodh uses to justify their practice. Kirins are also assumed to have been heavily capitalist, and similarly classist as modern Aodh.