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COINAGE
Large numbers of gold and silver coins from the period of the civil
wars of varying weights and purity. Practice is to weigh them and
check extensive tables for value.
One of the provisions of the Treaty of Tol Vordue was that
Arendia would use Tolnedran coins, which they do.
COSTUME
SOLIDLY MEDIEVAL
Because of the nature of the country, Arendish noblemen never leave
home without being fully armed and at least partially armored
chain mail and surcoats inside wool or linen or fancier fabrics,
elaborate robes, crowns etc.
ARMOR
Arends are a little heavier into plate armor than other nations - not
quite the free-standing suit, but breastplates and strap-on guards
over upper arm, forearm, thigh, shin, front of throat. Full visored
helmets (not hinged). Weapons: swords, axes, maces, lances, etc., etc.
WOMEN
Very medieval. High waist. Pointed cap, etc. Lots of brocades, etc.
Heavy cloth.
BURGERS
(Townsmen) Merchants. Guild-type hose, jackets baggy,
tam-o'shanters. Cloaks, robes, very elaborate marks of rank on robes etc.
SERFS
Usual serf-stuff, burlap, rags. Arendish serfs are badly
downtrodden.
FORESTERS
(Asturians) Robin-Hood stuff. Nobles encumbered by their mail but
they wear it.
COMMERCE
The Burgers try, but Arendish nobility is so stupid that they keep
putting obstacles in the way. Needless embargoes, prohibitions on
the removal of gold from the fiefdom, etc. Taxation is brutal in
Arendia. Lots of smuggling and tax-evasion. Tax-collectors are
frequently bushwhacked. (Standard item of apparel for
tax-collectors is a thick, close-grained, and well-fitting plank under the mail
to
protect the back from arrows - not uncommon to see a tax-collector
ignoring the two or three arrows stuck in his back.)
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Strictly feudal - vassals, serfs etc. Arch conservative. Nobility very
uppity. Tremendous importance of HONOR. Code of dueling to
avoid warfare. Formal meeting of Knights - charge with lances. The
fight on foot afterward. (Considered bad form for a mounted man to
attack a man on foot.) Usual King Arthur stuff.
Some degree of courtly love - all pretty formal.