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have had a husband. From this we must conclude that she is required to
maintain the appearance at least of celibacy during her reign. Any
other speculation is sheer waste of time and quite certainly is no area of
investigation for any proper scholar.
* SO much for 'prissy'.
Nyissa
COINAGE
Nyissan coins are triangular, and their weights are not exact
(Nyissans routinely shave the edges of coins)
GOLD
'The Golden Queen' a 5 oz. double triangle with a likeness of
Salmissra in each quarter worth about $625.00
'Golden Half Queen' 2' oz. triangle worth about $312.50
'Golden Quarter Queen' I Y4oz., triangle worth about $I56.25
SILVER
Silver Queen - 5 oz., worth about $31.25
Silver Half Queen - 2 !' oz., worth about $15.62
Silver Quarter Queen - IY4oz., worth about $7.81
COPPER
A large triangular piece worth about 50 cents
COSTUME
Nyissan city dwellers wear loose robes of lightweight silk
embroidered and decorated. In the country, shorter robes.
Nyissan men shave their heads.
Nyissan women wear elaborate and somewhat revealing gowns, lots
of jewelry and a serpent crown. The fabric of her gown is almost
transparent. Hair worn Egyptian-style. All body hair removed.
Armor - such as it is - chain-mail vest.
Weapons - short, poisoned knives, short bows with poisoned arrows.
Ceremonial swords and long-handled axes like Halberd.
COMMERCE
Nyissans are much into commerce. A great deal of profit is made in
slaves and in trade. They seem indifferent to the finer points of
haggling because the Angaraks pay so much for slaves (a form of life
insurance). Nyissans are deceitful and not above giving short-weight
and adulterating the product. They don't trust each other much.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Again a theocracy. Salmissra is not only Queen, but also is high
priestess. She is supreme, but the court functionaries wield a great
deal of power. Court is rather like a cross between Egyptian and
Chinese. Many functionaries are eunuchs. The Queen's whim is law,
thus everyone tries to stay on her good side to protect himself. Very
political, very conniving, Byzantine.
Commoners are simply laborers, but slaves do all the heavy work.
(Slaves have their tongues removed.)
RANK