PROSPHORON

 

Spoken languages:

• Thnétos (Common/Human Language)

Demonym: 
Prosphorian
 

History:
The current ruling Family came into power due to a war with Tyritáke 200 years ago. The Ruling family in Tyritáke assassinated the previous Ruling family of Prosphoron, which instigated a succession war. Tyritáke came down into the borders of Prosphoron, whose call for aid went unanswered, perhaps due to high-level corruption. The Palaiologos family rallied defences to save the country, and has been ruling it since then, with Aeonia arranging a political marriage to offer as tribute, and Skudra offering the Heir of one of its noble houses to serve as a Ward to the family. The Palaiologos installed the current trade routes, and Prosphoron has since become one of the wealthiest nations on the continent from this installment.
 

Ethnic ratios:

• 64%    Anthrôpoi bloodlines

• 15%     Poétés bloodline

• 12%    Ektromai bloodline

• 9%    Other Bloodlines

Climate and lifestyle:
The dominant feature of the climate is alternation between prolonged hot and dry summers and mild to cool winters with moderate rainfall. Rainfall occurs largely between the months of April and October. January and February are the driest months, where thunderstorms occur sparsely once or twice a month. 

Forests are prized, as they are used for ship-building and fuelwood in high demand. Oak and pine wood are particularly valued for shipbuilding. While not lacking in crops for it’s bakeries or wood for its ships, Prosphoron is not blessed with an abundance of precious minerals, jewels, or metal deposits, instead relying on Trade with allies to supplement the nation’s military and building requirements.
The Diet of a Prosphorian primarily consists of fish, cheese, olive oil, walnuts, almonds, and fruit such as quince, figs, apples and pears. They are indigenous to the lands of the Country and are appreciated by aristocracy and common people alike. Only upper middle and higher Prosphorians are able to afford Lamb. They seldom eat beef, as cattle are used to cultivate the fields for the small amount of vegetables that are available such as onions, garlic, olives, mushrooms, celery, leeks, lettuce, spinach, turnips, eggplant, cabbage, white beets, nuts, apples, lentils, raisins, and dried beans. Poultry and eggs are freely available to all houses. Honey is often used in cooking as a sweetener as the cane sugar we have is not available. Bread is an essential staple of the table, bakeries in Prosphoron are numerous and plentiful. 

Being a city of trade makes other exotic products available to citizens of higher echelons who have the means to acquire them, such as silks, spices, perfumes, and slaves.

Society:
Prosphoron has a class system, which consists of three different social strata: 
The upper class includes the local aristocrats, state functionaries (government officials), senior military officers, and large landowners, who are the only citizens entitled to a family name. 
The middle class includes merchants (business owners), industrialists (Managers of large-scale item production), and owners of medium-sized landed properties. These Citizens have a first name, with the name of the town they were born in as their identifier. Eg: ‘Colchas of Angistrion’ For those seeking entry into elite as their ideal, emulating the tastes of the aristocrats, food included, was a way to start. 
The lower class includes wage-earners (working-class) and paupers. 
Clergy however, don’t have a specific social class but they receive special privileges and they are distributed throughout all of the classes, depending on Religious ranking.
The ruling family of Prosphoron is the Palaiologos Dynasty, which is headed by its patriarch, Autokratōs Iōannēs Palaiologos and his consort Sophia Palaiologina, formerly a Markisia of Aeonia.

 

Prosphorian Names:

Atham, Aneas, Aella, Aeitus, Atilius, Cassian, Chloe, Dana, Domita, Elissa, Elena, Elias, Galine, Iason, Iounia, Iothanos, Lara, Lexandre, Loukos, Maia, Marea, Nervina, Nonus, Ortho, Olivros, Quirra, Samanthus, Scavola, Spuros, Tatius, Thassos, Thanion, Xene, Xelethon, Xrisso, Vellona, Vibine, Varos, Yastina, Zani, Zuzan.
 

Culture:
Art and culture are celebrated openly here, as Prosphoron has the most open borders, and is the most tolerant of a mixed racial and social society. Some of the Noble families have seen the influx of foreign beings as a disadvantage to Prosphoron however, as they feel the country has begun to lose its unique identity.

MaGic in Prosphoron
While Proshoron is the most racially diverse Country in Evropi, it would be easy to assume that with more magically competent Citizens, that the Nation would have a Mage’s guild. 

This is not the case. 
With Commerce being the major income for the nation, and most of this influx being mundane supplies, the Prostatai are concerned about the effect that magic, particularly magical -artisans- would have in the current social structure. Faster production of potentially higher-quality goods than any non-magical craftsman could produce for little to no cost is a threat that would very likely destroy the country's’ economy. At least, as they see it. Therefore, the guilds go to great lengths ensure it does not interfere with their livelihoods... or those of the nation, of course.
Magic is therefore kept somewhat muted within the majority of Prosphoron, though it is certainly not illegal to use. Mages are welcomed into the Prosphorian military, religious and government roles. There is even an official role of office known as the Mystikos who oversees the maintaining and upkeep of Aeonistic temples. A number of Philosophical and mathematical societies exist that include magic in their studies, and as long as it does not affect their trade markets, the Guilds are content to let the scholar learn what they please.

Clothing:
The cut of clothing in Prosphoron is essentially a conservative round-necked tunic, though color and patterns abound. Embroidery and patterned weaves are used on clothing borders. A different border or trimming round the edges was very common for the upper class, and many single stripes down the body or around the upper arm are seen, which may denote class or rank. The middle and upper classes follow the latest fashions at the Court. Clothing is very expensive for the poor, who wear the same well-worn clothes nearly all the time, though dyed cloth is available to them.
 

Religion: 
Main religion of Prospheron: Aeonic Polytheism (Aeonism)
Bythos: Father of Silence
Ennoia: Mother of Wonder
Nous: Aeon of Reason
Aletheia: Aeon of Truth
Logos: Aeon of Judgement
Zoe: Aeon of Prosperity

While Holy days and Sabbats are spread throughout the year to venerate particular Aeons, certain celebratory festivals are recognised throughout the Country as culturally significant. These will be covered in further detail in the full rulebook.

​

Places of Note:
Halkethon (Capital)
Sequestered off from the Mainland, the Capital of Halkethon is home to the upper echelons of Prosphoron and their servants. This includes the reigning Autokratōr Iōannēs Palaiologos, and his consort Sophia, a former Marquess of Aeonia. The island is linked to the mainland by a tidal causeway, making travel there for the delivery of foodstuffs and supplies possible only during certain times of the day from the neighbouring military town of Hrysoporta. When the tide is high the rich entertain themselves with court and other political affairs while the rest of Prosphoron toils to keep the country provided for.
 

Angistrion (Large City)
The port of Angistrion is the largest city in Prosphoron. A hub of trade and commerce, all the trade routes in the area lead to this economic marketplace. There is little you cannot get in Anistrion, provided you have the means to acquire them. Oil, wine, salt, fish, meat, vegetables, medicinal products, timber and wax. Ceramics, linen, and woven cloth were also items of trade. Luxury items, such as Silks from northern Asia, perfumes and spices are available. Trade in slaves on behalf of the state is not uncommon, but also available for the purchase of private individuals who can afford their price and upkeep.

Edrênopoli (Military Fortress)
Located on the border of Prosphoron and Katpatuka, the fortress of Edrênopoli has stood for centuries. It’s primary purpose is to prevent raiding from the Katpatukan tribes after the spring run-off from the mountains has nurtured the crops to maturity, as a form of scouting outpost. Defectors and prisoners of war are sent here for training to better Prosphoron’s interests, while protecting the country's economic assets at the same time.
 

Hrysoporta (Military Town)
Charged with the protection of Halkethon and her people, Hrysoporta is the military town where the Akolouthos  (Chief of the Elite Guard) and his Varángōn (along with their families) may be found. The Spatharios (Royal Guard) also stay here when not in Halkethon performing their duties. These soldiers must be prepared at all times to be summoned for duties, and military service is seen as a coming of age ritual and a duty handed down from parent to child.There is no distinction of rank between genders in Prosphoron; a female may carry any rank a male can, and the female counterparts of titled male partners bear the feminised form of the male partner’s rank. Hrysoporta is a multicultural place, even soldiers who were previously from Sküdra and Aeonia that have now chosen to give their lives aiding Prosphoron, are able to freely traverse its streets and byways.
 

Keleos (Large City)
The major source of valuable timber in Prosphoron is sourced from the lords of Keleos. Felled, treated and prepared, the logs are easily driven down the river road to Angistrion once ready, to be used for fuelwood and ship building. The Alkyóna are the predominant family in Keleos, and keep careful watch over the wooded areas and their inhabitants.
 

Cylene (Small Town)
a number of folk tales have been written about this region, which was once said to be inhabited by many magical beasts, including a dragon which lived near the lake. Though the creatures appear to be long gone, the villagers of Cylene appear to be rather tight-lipped on the validity of the tales, and are naturally distrustful of strangers to the area.