The old Elbonian Empire unified numerous smaller cultures under the umbrella of a single government. After the Empire fell and chaos reigned, these individual cultures separated once again. In some instances, old regions reverted to their old ways, army units who identified mostly with a particular culture imposed that culture on the area around which they were stationed, or a past kingdom went on a conquering spree before itself falling apart. In this way, neighboring kingdoms can be very different from each other, while sharing similarities to kingdoms they do not border.
Some cultural quirks instituted by the old Empire are still common among all the kingdoms, and serve to keep at least some amount of cultural unity among the people of the continent.
Among these quirks are social class and identifiers of one’s social class.
Borrowing from TMNT: Mutants in Avalon, social class is divided into five levels, based on a rating system. The rating system is based on individual occupation, and is identified by an animal type. In ancient times, the people were divided into various clans who held animal totems. When the Empire rolled over the continent and united the people, these animal totems gradually indicated the social status of descendants of those clans. The leaders and allies of the Empire formed the highest classes, while the lower classes were composed of those clans that fought against the Empire. Eventually, the lower classes were integrated and formed the mass of laborers, farmers, and unskilled workers of the Empire.
This continues to this day. In most kingdoms, individuals are required to wear some identifying mark to show their social class. This mark is in the shape of the animal that represents their class. This can be conspicuous jewelry, a patch, an armband, a flag, a tattoo, embroidered clothing, etc.
Each rating has dozens or hundreds of sub-ratings within it. Player-characters may roll on the appropriate table (by occupation) to determine their social class animal.
E: slaves, criminals, tramps, hobos, most foreigners (from outside the kingdoms), pretons.
Some cultural quirks instituted by the old Empire are still common among all the kingdoms, and serve to keep at least some amount of cultural unity among the people of the continent.
Among these quirks are social class and identifiers of one’s social class.
Borrowing from TMNT: Mutants in Avalon, social class is divided into five levels, based on a rating system. The rating system is based on individual occupation, and is identified by an animal type. In ancient times, the people were divided into various clans who held animal totems. When the Empire rolled over the continent and united the people, these animal totems gradually indicated the social status of descendants of those clans. The leaders and allies of the Empire formed the highest classes, while the lower classes were composed of those clans that fought against the Empire. Eventually, the lower classes were integrated and formed the mass of laborers, farmers, and unskilled workers of the Empire.
This continues to this day. In most kingdoms, individuals are required to wear some identifying mark to show their social class. This mark is in the shape of the animal that represents their class. This can be conspicuous jewelry, a patch, an armband, a flag, a tattoo, embroidered clothing, etc.
Social Rating
Each rating has dozens or hundreds of sub-ratings within it. Player-characters may roll on the appropriate table (by occupation) to determine their social class animal.
E: slaves, criminals, tramps, hobos, most foreigners (from outside the kingdoms), pretons.
- Rat
- Weasel
- Magpie
- Adder
- Frog
- Lizard
- Newt
- Toad
- Tortoise
- Wolf
- Skunk
- Raccoon
- Possum
- Porcupine
- Aardvark
- Bat
- Vulture
- Flounder
- Eel
- Lamprey
D: serfs, laborers, artisans, travelling merchants, mercenaries.
- Mouse
- Goat
- Hamster
- Hedgehog
- Rabbit
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Squirrel
- Chicken
- Crow
- Duck
- Goose
- Gull
- Bluejay
- Pidgeon
- Sparrow
- Turkey
- Beaver
- Boar
- Monkey
C: skilled laborers, soldiers, wizards, squires, wealthy merchants.
- Woodpecker
- Robin
- Puffin
- Heron
- Horse
- Seal
- Lion
- Pig
- Mole
- Donkey
- Cow
- Cat
- Trout
- Bass
- Catfish
B: military officers, clerics and priests, courtiers, land-owners, knights, extremely wealthy merchants.
- Dog
- Fox
- Otter
- Dove
- Falcon
- Owl
- Pheasant
A: nobles, royals, high priests/clerics, generals/admirals.
- Elk
- Eagle
- Peacock
- Swan
- Mink
Species and Race in Elbonia
The old Elbonian Empire was founded by dwarves, taken over by humans, and infiltrated by halflings.
- Dwarven history starts with the founding of the Empire and its spread from the Sunward mountains and across the fertile plains.
- Human history starts with their pledge of unity with the dwarves, and the rapid expansion of the Empire throughout the continent.
- Halfling history is long, going back before the dwarves appeared. However, halflings love keeping secrets and never discuss their origin. One of their favorite secrets is how they tricked the dwarves and humans into thinking the Empire began with them.
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