Post by Elloria on Feb 22, 2012 22:45:00 GMT -5
Use with permission from me only.
Weather:
- The islands of Itasus vary widely in terms of climate, but all have four basic seasons - winter, spring, summer, fall. Winter and fall are characterized by lower temperatures and tropical storms. Spring and summer are characterized by higher temperatures and calm seas.
- Itas is the smallest, central island but it is equivalent to East Falkland. It, like Namontas, has characteristics from all the other islands. Itas is considered sacred and not to be fought over because it is the island from which all Itasans originated. The Academy of Itasus was built here in year 980 YNK (Yawata No Kami) and encompasses the entire island.
- Amateas is the second smallest island, equivalent to the entire archipelago of Puerto Rico but with geography more similar to just mainland Puerto Rico.
- Fukarudus is the third smallest island, equivalent to the area of Kodiak Island. Fukarudus is characterized by plains and gently rolling hills that are swept by wild winds. It and Namontas are furthest from central Itas.
- Sariatus is the fourth largest island, equivalent to the area of Jamaica. It is characterized by a range of volcanic mountains and highly fertile valleys/plains. The volcanoes are a mix of dead and dormant. There has not been an eruption in nearly 8000 years.
- Engias is the third largest island, equivalent in area to the island of Panay. Engias is an island of many rivers and streams, teeming with fish and other river wildlife. The river valleys are ideal for rice farming.
- Kashidis is the second largest island, equivalent to Sardinia in area as well as sharing some geographic characteristics. It is generally a stony, grey/brown landscape with plateaus and small mountains. Further inland, the air tends to be more arid. The animals of this island all blend in frighteningly well with the terrain and constant vigilance is required to protect one's self from predators. As a result, the Ishinomori and lesser clans have all developed a knack for infrequent blinking. Because it is an unforgiving climate in relation to the other islands, criminals are often kept here under the watchful eye of the Ishinomori who have perfected the unblinking gaze.
- Namontas is the largest island on Itasus, comparable in size and geography to Hainan island. Like Itas, it shares characteristics with all the other islands. Though it is not considered sacred land like Itas, it has been declared a neutral ground. Here is where all inter-island trade occurs and where the fleet resides. Far from the civilized areas is where the constant battles for control are waged by members of the major clans.
Culture:
Technology and Education:
- Writing is based on Chinese characters. Words for clothes and religion are based in Japanese. Food is a mixture of the three. When dealing with commerce, words are based in Chinese. Words concerning the arts/music are a mixture of Japanese and Korean. Weaponry is a mixture of all three, but leans more heavily in Japanese. Likewise, words for martial skills are based mainly in Japanese. Any other words, such as the island names, generally follow the phonetic sounds of one of the three languages.
- The entire populace can read and most can write. Every member of the noble clans can read and write and only the noble clans learn the art of warfare. Everyone in the noble clans is also taught basic Broddring Common in case they wind up travelling to Teirm. This skill usually drops off as years go by unless the person becomes part of the trading fleet.
- Technology is equivalent to Medieval Europe/Asia (? Whatever it is in the world of Eragon.) The noble clans control how and when technology is used and by whom.
Traditions and Values:
- When a person dies, a lament is sung by the clan members specifically taught the funeral lament for three days and three nights while the body is bathed (water) and covered in salt (earth) for purification while air is constantly circulated through the room via fans or wind. On the fourth day, family and friends gather to celebrate the person's life with a feast. Prayers are sent to Fukurokuju, god of longevity and death who is said to safely guide souls into the waiting arms of Yawata no Kami. At dawn on the fifth day, the body is cremated and the ashes scattered at sea. Pure white clothes lacking all adornment and pattern are worn at this time by the family.
- When greeting each other, Itasans bow to one another. If it is a first meeting and they are unsure of the other person’s status – which is rare – they both give a deep bow simultaneously. Otherwise, the person of lower status will bow lower than the one of higher status. The deepest bows are given to clan leaders – particularly those of the major clans – and spiritual leaders. The next deepest are given to elders. When acknowledging children, adults will usually only incline their heads or bend very slightly forward. This custom arose as a way of saying “I trust you not to stab me in the back/I highly respect the power you represent.”
- When introducing someone to another person, it is customary to give the person’s surname and given name as well as the appropriate honorific and an explanation of where they stand either in the clan or in the town. Friends and family, on the other hand, are slightly less formal when speaking to one another or greeting each other and tend to either use less formal honorifics or drop the use entirely.
- Beyond the bows, the body language and gestures of Itasus are incredibly subtle and generally go unnoticed by those outside of Itasus. This contributes to their “foreign, alien” appearance to Alagaesians, because they generally appear utterly expressionless to outsiders. Itasans, on the other hand, believe the openness with which Alagaesians move through the world is unbecoming and barbaric – speaking of a lack of control and serenity.
- Any oath made is sworn on one’s honor, which naturally ties it to familial and Yawata no Kami’s honor. The most powerful oaths are made first on the honor of Yawata no Kami, for there is no greater shame than failing to honor Yawata no Kami to Itasans.
- The glory of Itasus and Yawata no Kami are of paramount importance to the Itasans. The honor and glory of the nation and Yawata no Kami is intrinsically tied to family/clan honor, which is in turn closely tied to one’s personal honor. To bring shame upon any one of these three is to bring shame upon all of them. While all the clans believe this and teach this, the major clans follow it with the sort of fanatical fervor seen in religious zealots.
- After Yawata no Kami and Itasus, the clan is considered the next most important aspect of a person’s life. Because a person’s actions is a reflection on their upbringing – which is overseen by the basically the entire clan – it is considered disgraceful to the entire clan if a person’s actions are not honorable. Clans will often mete out harsh punishments to those who shame them. Whether the person is cast out (if an adult) or severely beaten (child or adult), few will ever argue the corrective action that is taken. It is considered a matter of course.
- Elders are treated with respect and deference due to their experience and wisdom. If one is the clan leader, one always listens carefully to what the clan elders have to say and take their opinions into consideration when making a decision that affects the whole clan.
- Clan leaders are always spoken to with great respect because it is believed that Yawata no Kami gave them the right to lead the clan. Even elders speak to the leaders with respect.
- Defeat in battle does not necessarily equal shame. To gracefully accept defeat is just as important to Itasans as winning. The belief is that Yawata no Kami chooses who shall win and who shall lose. Thus, regardless of the outcome, it is the will of Yawata no Kami and therefore in the best interest of Itasus.
Religion:
- Itasans believe in four deities: Yawata no Kami, Zhayu, Benzaiten, and Fukurokuju.
- The primary deity and considered the protector of Itasus is Yawata no Kami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachiman). Nearly every prayer is sent to Yawata no Kami and never do Itasans shorten the name of the god. Second in importance to Yawata no Kami is Zhayu. These two are always closely tied together because they create a balance. Where Yawata no Kami is considered nearly pure yang (positive energy), Zhayu is considered nearly pure yin (negative energy). These two traditionally have no gender and are represented by two dragons intertwined, but Yawata no Kami is often identified as male because traditionally males protect the home and family while Zhayu is identified as female. This identification of Zhayu is purely arbitrary and exists for the purposes of balance.
- Zhayu is often given the title of Executioner while Yawata no Kami is given the title of Protector. This is how these two are viewed, but it is only in rage that one prays to Zhayu during battle and this is strongly frowned upon because it represents one’s loss of control over the baser human impulses.
- Benzaiten is the goddess of life and all that flows – words, water, music, knowledge, etc. When a woman is pregnant, the clan will pray to Benzaiten for a safe pregnancy and birth and that the child will be strong and intelligent. It is believed that she ferries souls from the loving arms of Yawata no Kami or from limbo into this world that they may learn from the experiences and enrich their existence – and by extension, bring greater glory to Yawata no Kami.
- Fukurokuju is the god of death, guardian of all the world’s knowledge and has been entrusted with the task of judging if a soul is worthy of being in the presence of Yawata no Kami. When someone dies, prayers are sent to Fukurokuju to ensure a safe journey from this life into the next and that he will look kindly upon the soul and judge it worthy of entering into Yawata no Kami’s presence.
- Every household, no matter how poor, possess a shrine dedicated to the four gods. It consists of three statues – a large one of Yawata no Kami and Zhayu, flanked by Benzaiten on their right and Fukurokuju on their left.
- Every clan in Itasus has a sub-sect that is completely devoted to serving the interests of Yawata no Kami. The members of these sub-sects are collectively known as Yawata no Kami no Chuushin-bu (Heart of Yawata no Kami). They meditate and commune with the gods more constantly and intensely than anyone else in Itasus. This lifestyle allows them to develop a deeper relationship with Yawata no Kami, leading to an “opening” of their eyes to the hidden wonders of the world. As a result, all members of this sub-sect possess similarly colored eyes – a blackish-purple color. How purple the eyes appear indicates how deep the affinity with Yawata no Kami an individual possesses. Those possessing light purple, crystalline eyes are considered to be one with Yawata no Kami. All members of these sub-sects are of exceptional beauty and grace, seeming to shine with the light of Yawata no Kami’s benevolence and love. It is traditional for members to have their bodies tattooed – to a far greater extent than anyone else in Itasus. Members are treated with great deference and respect in Itasus for the deep connection they possess with Yawata no Kami and the “sight” they have been granted by Him.
Politics:
- Men and women are in roughly equal numbers across Itasus. They also are considered equal to one another socially – women have the same rights as men. This is true of all the clans, but the Kazan stray from this slightly. While women can certainly hold office in government and rule the entire clan, they are very rarely allowed to engage in combat. Their work is almost exclusively diplomatic, if they actually leave the island – which is also rare once they reach adulthood. Kazan women are considered sacred by the clan because they are carriers of the flame of life. As such, they are as fiercely protected by the men of clan as children are. Should a woman choose to lead a life of combat or otherwise place herself in dangerous situations, the Kazan do not argue against her decision as only a woman knows best how to serve Yawata no Kami and the flame of life. Once she has children, however, she generally ceases activities outside the island and focuses on raising her children with the clan. This view of women does not extend to the women of other clans. If a woman from another clan marries into the Kazan clan, she will only be accorded this respectful view if she goes through an elaborate ceremony that inducts her into the clan. This ceremony is not necessary for inter-clan marriage, but such unions are generally frowned upon. These couples as well as their children are treated somewhat harshly by the rest of the clan.
Marriage, Family and Sex:
- Monogamy is practiced by both major and lesser clans, but it is not unheard of for men and women in the major clans to practice polygamy. Polygamy, however, is relatively rare and generally only practiced in the head family.
- Divorce is not allowed. All marriages, whether in major or lesser clans, is considered a business transaction and is negotiated very carefully. The parents will generally see if a marriage is advantageous for both families and then set about arranging it. Sometimes the bride and groom know each other before marriage, sometimes they don't. Regardless it is considered dishonorable to seek to end one's marriage and extra-marital affairs are severely frowned upon - particularly between two separately married individuals. Anyone caught in an extra-marital affair or found in a relationship with someone who has tried to break from his/her marriage is severely punished - usually by partial castration (male) or mastectomies (female). The punished individual must then wear a single black zhenzhushi carved with the symbol of infidelity.
- Homosexuality, bisexuality, etc. are not necessarily frowned upon, but neither are they encouraged. The continued growth of Itasus is strongly desired and it is considered the duty of every individual to work towards this goal.
- Children are primarily raised in family units, but each clan works together within itself to raise its children. If clans are allied, it is not unusual for children to make friends across clans and even marry into other allied clans. But in general, children learn to place their clan's needs and desires before everything but the good of Itasus. On the other hand, children are rarely targeted during disputes between adult clan members. It is considered to be in bad taste and harmful to the growing glory of Itasus.
- Until the age of 12 or so, children will generally share a room with all their siblings regardless of gender. If the child is the oldest in the family, they are given their own room at the age of 12. The rest – if there are any – are then separated by gender. In the major clans, this is really only applicable to children under the age of four as children over that age are enrolled at the Academy and spend most of the year there. During school holidays and whatnot, the rule applies.
- Most clans practice absolute primogeniture when dealing with clan leadership – the first-born child, regardless of gender, inherits the title of clan leader. The only notable exception to this is the Ishinomori, who select their leader based on the person’s fighting/hunting prowess and the previous leader’s recommendation. The candidate or candidates are then sent out into the wildest parts of Kashidis on something akin to a spirit quest, seeking out the approval of Yawata no Kami. This quest lasts for a week, at the end of which the candidate(s) return(s). If they are able to present sufficient evidence that Yawata no Kami selected them – which is judged by the elders, spiritual leader, and clan leader (if still alive) – the person is then named clan leader.
- While the lesser clans merely perform a ceremony when a child comes of age, children of the major clans must first prove their worth in what is called Tong-gwa Uilye – a ten-day long graduation test at the Academy of Itasus. Students are first put through an obstacle course for five days, which forces them to use all of their training to make it out. Those who succeed then go head-to-head against each other in battles of strength, cunning, and skill after a day or two of rest, depending on how many exit the obstacle course. Each set of battles is conducted in rounds. As a student wins, they advance through the rounds until only two remain. These two are given another chance to rest before facing each other. Whoever wins is automatically granted adult/graduate status. Those who lost are judged by a panel composed of the leaders of each clan.
Physical Appearance:
- Itasans tend to resemble a mix of Korean/Japanese/Chinese physical traits, barring average height. They possess thick, wavy hair varying from brown to black; their eyes are generally brown or black. Their height ranges from 5'6" to 6'6" and their build tends to be compact. Their skin is light to medium brown, and they have triangular faces. Average life span of Itasans is between 60-70 years. Males and females do not tend to differ widely in general build and women can be just as strong the strongest male. This only varies from clan to clan.
Diet:
- Rice is a staple on all the islands. While the Fukakawa have a monopoly on rice farming, each island has at least one or two small rice farms to help reduce the dependency on importing it.
- Itasans sit in a circle when eating. There are no chairs as Alagaesians know them, but cushions set on the ground to kneel or sit upon. Each person is given a bowl of rice, a plate, and a bowl as well as a set of chopsticks. Food is set on a revolving platter on a table in the center of the family. Before the meal begins, a prayer is sent to Yawata no Kami in thanks for the bounty he has given them. The family members then serve themselves starting with the grandparents (if they live with the family), then the parents and lastly the children in descending age order. If there are guests, the head of the family will test each dish and declare it safe to eat before letting the guests be served first. Guests get first pick regardless of age followed by the grandparents, parents and children.
- It is considered rude of guests to not compliment the hosts’ meal, regardless of whether or not one actually enjoyed the meal.
- Every meal includes rice. The rest of the dishes are many and varied, but usually include something solid like meat and some sort of soup or stew. Lunch and dinner sometimes incorporate some sort of dessert afterwards, though this may be something cooked or some sort of drink. During the meal, the family generally drinks tea. Whether or not it is sweetened depends on how wealthy the family is or if it is a special occasion.
Socio-Economics:
- Itasus is a mix between agriculture and hunting/fishing. The Kiyokaze, Kazan, and lesser clans of Fukarudus/Sariatus raise fruits/vegetables/grains. The Ishinomori, Hiroisora, and lesser clans of Kashidis/Amateas prowl their respective islands and hunt for the majority of their food. In addition, Hiroisora herd alpaca-like animals for their fur and the lesser clans centered at the bases of the mountains grow the cotton and other fibrous plants used for making cloth. The Fukakawa and lesser clans of Engias are the fishermen of Itasus as well as its rice farmers.
- The major clans control all trade between the islands and keep careful track of the goods produced in their own lands as well as what they import and export. Although commoners travel to and from Namontas, the major clans control prices of goods/services as well as distribution of profits. Commoners trust that the major clans will deal fairly with them and give them proper payment for goods/services.
- Most people travel by foot, though there are horses and carts available for transporting goods. There are a variety of ships as well for travel between islands as well as long-distance travel between Itasus and Teirm. In general, only the major clans can sail.
- War is one of the highest forms of ‘art’ in Itasus to the major clans. Although battle is not highly ritualistic, a meditative ritual is performed prior to and following battle. This involves offering prayers to Yawata no Kami, cleaning weapons and armor, and mentally preparing oneself for the high likelihood that death will come for you and your comrades. Outside of battle, each island specializes in a particular art form. Fukarudus is known for producing the best musicians, Kashidis for its sculptors, Engias for its painters, Sariatus for its glassblowers and Amateas for its literature. While the clans prefer the art produced on their own island, they respect the art of the other islands as well. Aestheticism is as important to the Itasans as pragmatism and they indulge in a wide variety of other aesthetic activities besides those mentioned.
- In Itasus, currency is called sari and takes the form of pearl-like stones called zhenzhushi. Zhenzhushi are roughly half an inch in diameter and rarely deviate from this. They are found in abundance on Kashidis, Namontas, and Itas in a multitude of colors. The most frequently found color is green while the rarest is black. In all zhenzhushi, the center of the stone is pure white. To differentiate between zhenzhushi and sari, zhenzhushi are harvested by a central bank and the symbol for Itasus is carved into the surface so that the white center can show through.
History:
- Itasus is in a constant state of civil war. From the first clan wars waged between 149 and 159 YNK to the present, the major clans of Itasus have fought each other and refined warfare into an art form. This constant warfare actually helps keep Itasus in political balance. Victories and losses determine political power and there is very little that is considered of greater honor than to fight for the clan on the battlefields of Namontas.
- Full history to be discussed in another reply, if I ever get that far.
Trade:
- Most Itasan trade occurs between the islands. All trade is conducted on the large island of Namontas and it is considered bad form to fight in the markets or attack traders enroute to Namontas. Namontas is the island closest to Alagaesia and thus serves as the port for trade with Teirm. Although much exploration has occurred in the surrounding areas, no other islands/cultures have been discovered.
