The Fair People of Develesja
Be it commoner or king, farmer or thief, these are the people that call Develesja home. Explore this page for information on Develesjan customs, culture, religion, and other aspects of the nation's society.
Geopolitics
The Kingdom of Develesja is ruled by a singular monarch. This title is passed down through absolute primogeniture; the oldest heir claims the throne regardless of their gender. Develesja is divided into the Margraviate of Sivá Hora, the Duchies of Sladké TůnÄ›, and the Margraviate of Skaletaj. The two margraviates are ruled by margraves, while Sladké TůnÄ› is ruled by a grand duke holding dominion over the dukes ruling the individual duchies.
Within each region, the ruler's land is divided among burgraves, whose title is not hereditary and who rule over and manage sections of land, usually from a castle or fortress. These fortified mini-capitals are often likewise home to a knightly order, whose grand masters are regarded as an authority almost equal to that of the burgrave. Knights and mercenaries are paid in portions of shipments they help protect on Develesja's trade routes, among other luxuries.
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Towns and smaller territories within Develesja are either owned and managed by the margrave or duke, in which case a vladyka is appointed to manage the settlement, or are independently owned by thanes who obtained land as a thank-you gift, usually for rendering military aid to their superiors. Small villages are ruled by elders referred to as starosta, who are usually subject to the authority of the nearest thane or vladyka.
The Farmer's Lot
Anyone outside of the above listed societal groups is considered a commoner, save perhaps for the oracles and clerics devoting their lives to Develesja's deities. Commoners may not own land themselves, and typically labour on land owned by a noble. In spite of this, the lives they lead are fairly independent – they live off parts of what they grow and trade the rest for tools or other goods. It is typical for landowners to call on the workers inhabiting their properties for (unpaid) help with farm work, repairs, or construction in place of collecting tax.
Religion
Develesjans practice polytheism, and much of their religion is linked to nature. Their primary god is Perun, god of thunder, storms, and lightning. Another deity of importance is Svarog, god of fire and 'craftsman of all things', who punishes those that diverge from the commonly accepted societal structure by burning them in his furnace. His son and heir, Radegast, is often regarded as the god of the sun and battle. The god Veles holds dominion over cattle and agriculture, Stribog over wind and weather, and Živa over life, health and affection.
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Gods in Develesja are believed to reside in the heavens, and thus have no need for earthly temples. Most rituals, sacrifices and other religious events are held outdoors, in places believed to be sacred. Most larger settlements have such a place nearby, or were built around the place in question.
Many traditions and celebrations are tied to the worship of these deities, and are celebrated across all of Develesja.
Develesjan Holidays .
Feast of Spring .
Fourth Sunday in April
A straw figurine symbolising Morana, personified death, is decorated and then carried out of the celebrating settlement to be thrown into a stream. This is believed to hasten the definitive end of winter and usher in spring and summer.
Kupala.
Summer solstice, end of June
A celebration of nature, fertility, health, and warmth, celebrated with various games, leaping over fires, or ceremonial bathing. Dancing, singing, and feasts are all common activities during this holiday.
Winter Solstice.
December
A series of celebrations tied to the harvest and winter. Traditions include sprinkling grain over people, carolling, burning tree stumps, or organising parades to show off elaborate masks and costumes.
Weddings .
Any time of the year
Arranged marriage is prevalent among nobility. Same-sex marriages are allowed, but are seen as forfeiting any noble titles that would have passed on to a biological heir. A custom specific to Develesja are (mutually agreed upon) staged "kidnappings" of one of the spouses.
Burials.
Any time of the year
The dead are usually carried out of their homes through the window. The corpse is then burned, accompanied by ceremonial lament so passionate that the mourners can oft be seen clawing at their faces or arms in grief. Burials are often performed at crossroads, to ease the soul's journey into the afterlife.
Fortune-Telling Rites .
Any time of the year
These rites are comprised of singing and dancing followed by a sacrifice, animal, material, or human, after which the cleric leading the festivities reaches out the gods and is momentarily clairvoyant. This act is then followed by a hearty feast and further celebration.
Travel & Trade
Various trading routes and roads criss-cross Develesja, connecting the most important towns and cities. Travel is primarily done on foot, or in a cart driven by cattle. Only the wealthier of Develesja's residents can afford a horse or horse-drawn carriage, and the more fortunate still traverse the region astride their Lokaj.
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Messengers run between larger towns, on Lokaji or horseback, and, for a price, are willing to deliver messages to villages as well. Though these individuals rank among Develesja's peasantry, they are taught to read and write, and will stop at each town on their route to collect messages from the residents, so they can read them out to the recipients later.
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The main currency in Develesja are groschen, two-sided silver coins bearing a pattern showing the current capital of Develesja.
Naming
The residents of Develesja have Slavic names. Commoners typically only have first names or nicknames, though they may occasionally gain a surname denoting some quality, item, object or concept they are associated with. Nobles typically have surnames denoting the family's place of origin (not the place where the specific individual was born!).
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It is rare for a Lokaj to be given a name similar to any known human. Instead, Lokaji are named after concepts (Faith, War, Endeavour, etc.), qualities (Swift, Steadfast, etc.) or nominalised versions of those qualities (Alacrity, Ingenuity, Trustworthiness, etc.) These names can be in Slavic languages or in English.
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Note: When this website refers to 'Slavic languages', the intent is to either use diacritics or anglicised versions of names – if choosing Russian, Ukrainian, etc. as your language of choice, please do not use Cyrillic letters.
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Tip: Your character may join an existing burgrave, thane or vladyka family through roleplay or using the Background: Prosperity token from the Fated Favours store. Alternatively, you may be presented with the option to create your own vladyka family – but you may go no higher in rank.
Diplomacy
Develesja's northern neighbour is the sprawling nation of Astrathal. The nation is widely considered to be a region-spanning cult, with rulers and residents alike obsessed with the night sky and celestial bodies. The Enlightened Palatine of the Starwrought Court has kept his nation firmly isolated from Develesja following their historical conflicts.
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Develesja enjoys warm, friendly trade-focused relations with its other neighbours. It imports fabrics, dyes, and spices, while exporting metal, construction materials, weapons, and educational resources from Skaletaj.
Let those who deem our parley lacking
in strength seek to contend with us instead,
and, in their folly, lose both boon and ally dear.