LARP 2007 Shamibelian Culture FAQ
From FiranMUX
Contents |
OVERVIEW
Shamibelian society is a theocracy dedicated to monotheistic worship of the god Obala, who the Firans more commonly know as Drik. The priests rule the city, but there is little formal law. Most disagreements can be settled with brawl or duel. Obala is said to favor the victor.
SHAMIBELIAN MEN
All Shamibelian men are soldiers first. Any other job they might have is secondary. He might be a priest, a slave auctioneer, or raider. By divine law, men own living things: slaves and livestock. The only "things" they have are they can carry with themselves, like tents, armor, and weapons, and booty. Their livestock and their things can be stolen, but their slaves can never be taken from them against their will.
Men might gather with one another in bars or taverns or the baths and jockey for status and fame with stories of the wealth their wives or slaves bring them. They gamble, worship, and make preparations for the coming war seasons. Another popular pastime is raiding; taking another man's livestock or things. Weapons are not used. It is normal to be raided, not a true insult. But no one is to be killed, and no slaves are to be raped without the permission of his or her master.
SHAMIBELIAN WOMEN
By divine law, only Shamibelian women may own "things" - land, buildings, furniture, and so on. This gives them political power. When a woman is married, her husband owns her, but she still owns her things--and his. Many a Shamibelian husband has returned to find that his wife has gambled away all the furniture and his personal possessions while he was gone.
Outside of the home, they dress in burquas and are accompanied by another female (slave or free) at all times. When speaking to a male who they are not related to, women speak /through/ a slave escort or through a door. They often gather at the baths or tea house to plan and scheme, where men cannot enter.
GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS
Slaves can greet and address each other any way they wish. When greeting a Shamibelian, however, they say, "I strive to be worthy." Shamibelian men greet each other by touching right fist to right fist. Shamibelian women greet by hugging. Common farewells are "Obala's will," or "Farewell, faithful servant of Obala."
LAND
Land is only owned by Shamibelian women or the state. Once land is cleared, its boundaries memorized and registered by its owner, it and the buildings upon it cannot be taken from a Shamibelian woman against her will and the whole Shamibelian Army will fight to protect that right if need be.
QUAINT SHAMIBELIAN LAWS
- If a Shamibelian Master is killed, and the killer cannot be identified, all of his slaves are assumed to be guilty and put to death.
- Shamibelians write down their secrets and keep them in hidden places. If a secret is revealed, by accident, the teller must be leeched for forgiveness. If it's revealed on purpose, it means a blood feud.
- Priest of Obala Tatomir has outlawed recap juice and the growing of the redcap plants to punish Ticanee slaves for their rebellious ways.
- If a full blooded Shamibelian is murdered on a plot of land being cleared for a woman, the land is considered "haunted" and uninhabitable, forfeit to the state.
- When women are pregnant, they go off together to have the babies, and they negotiate and trade with one another. Whichever child they present to their husband is the one he must accept as his lawful heir.
- If a Shamibelian woman does not own a cleared plot of land by the time she turns 14, she is sold into slavery.
Slaves
Slaves do the daily work of Shamibelian society, from grunt field work to skilled crafting. Slave "status" is often based on how skilled the work is. Grunt field laborers are treated the worst while fine artisans and dependable overseers are kept in better conditions, even gaining fame for their work. Shamibelian and haffie slaves are considered to be the best. Bonduins are the next most powerful in the slave hierarchy. Then Ticanee. Firan and Vrelanders are considered the most worthless slaves one can own, but they are cheap and in plentiful supply.
PERMITS & TRAVEL
Paper permits are key to slave life. If you can think of it, it needs a permit: learning a skill, walking around unaccompanied, carrying a weapon, anything. Any Shamibelian can stop a slave and demand to see his permit. As a result, there is an active black market in forged permits.
SLAVE TEMPLES
Slaves do have temples, meant to bring them towards Obala's teaching. In reality, many serve as meeting places for slave resistance and "underground railroads." By custom, only Shamibelian who is allowed to enter is the High Priest of Obala in a city. In Anarinuell, that Shamibelian is Tatomir.
