 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Extensive bartering. Market-place in most towns and villages. Ship
building is a major industry around Val Alorn.
RANK
THE KING
Hereditary. Always wears his crown. (Has a crown built onto his
helmet for wars.) State robes are very fine and h-ft=ed with ermine.
THE EARLS
Actually Clan-chiefs. Some 30-40 of them.
LORDS
The hereditary nobility' Associated with land. Can be invested at the
King's whim.
WARRIORS
Not exactly noble, but treated with more respect than commoners.
COMMONERS
Unlanded men - farm workers, dock-hands, etc. largely drawn from
the descendants of Thralls (Thralldom was abolished at the end of
the 2nd millennium)
* We chose not to follow the institution of thralldom (slavery). It was present
in Europe
during the Dark Ages, but it would have served no purpose in this story.
The social structure of Cherek is quite fluid
and upward mobility is very common. Any man with a sword or axe
can rise to warrior status and can in time be made a Lord by the
King. Chereks are quite concerned with proprieties of such things.
MODES OF ADDRESS
The King is called 'Your Majesty' on formal occasions but is often
called by his first name even by commoners. Nobles are called 'Lord
John' on formal occasions but again often called just 'John'.
MANNERS
Much care is taken to avoid offense. Chereks are touchy and
quarrelsome. Boasting is permitted but no insult. Chereks sing a great deal
but not very well (loud). A lot of feasting and drinking in the winter.
Fights are common but the tendency is to use clubs or staves rather
than swords to hold down the fatalities. Adultery is not uncommon
but is severely punished when caught.
HOLIDAYS
Erastide - Midwinter
Festival of Belar - Spring
King's Birthday - Varies. Now midsummer
Cherek's Birthday - Fall
Victory Celebration - For Battle of Vo Mimbre - Midsummer
POPULATION
Probably 2 million total