Post by Laurel Elswood on Jul 31, 2016 23:46:12 GMT
> the wind is howling
>> can you hear it now?
Duszai -
Duszai are not born to every human in the world. The population is heavily in favor of those bonded with spirit animals only because they have a distinct advantage. Duszai are born alongside their human counterpart, growing at the same pace as their bonded human. Those with Duszai's always develop one specific trait of their specific animal. For example, if one had a bear for a Duszai, that person could have superior smell, or even have superior strength over others. No one is truly sure how this trait develops, but by their thirteenth birthday it is extremely noticeable and highly encouraged by the adults.
Scientists have discovered that Duszai are not random. There is a distinct way to know what sort of Duszai a child might be born with. It does not matter what Duszai the mother has, when it comes to species the Duszai will always follow the species of the father. If a father has a feline Duszai, then the child's would be feline as well. In addition, Scientists have discovered that while the father determines the species, the mother determines the exact size. If the father's Duszai is a jaguar, and the mother's is a Siberian Husky, than the child would have a Duszai ranging from a house cat to a Lynx. The size of the mother's Duszai directly correlates to the size of the child's.
Duszai are very much their own independent creature. While personality traits are shared between Duszai and Bonded, the two are not necessarily the same being. Duszai are flesh and blood, they can die from sickness or wounds, they can starve and they need food and water to survive. If their bonded dies, they live on, and if they die, their bonded lives on. Chances of either surviving long after the other has passed is rare. Duszai can communicate with both other Duszai and bonded/humans. Most Duszai do not, choosing to converse with other Duszai and their bonded only.
It is considered taboo for a human/bonded to speak with a Duszai of higher status. The hierarchy is rather easy to understand, as Duszai that are carnivores are automatically higher up in the social chain. Every ruling family are a family of carnivores. However, that doesn't mean omnivore/herbivore Duszai are looked down upon. They still are of much higher rank than humans, and some have even taken a seat as Queen.
The Four Kingdoms -
The North American Continent has been split into four kingdoms. Merrick, Concord, Arcadia, and Weston. Arcadia spans from the west coast all the way to the Great Lakes, covering most of the Mountainous range of North America and touching across the planes. It's West coast is short, northern enough to be cold and dangerous in the winter. Arcadia borders all three other kingdoms, allowing it ample trade. It is the largest and most spread out of the kingdoms. Arcadia is the most lenient of the kingdoms, bonded and humans live in peace side by side and humans have the most freedom within this country. Argo, the human city, hides within Arcadia's great expanse, though only few in Arcadia actually know it.
Weston creeps along the west coast, dipping down into the south before bordering against Concord along the southern coast. It is one of the smaller Kingdoms, though it inhabits most of the desert land and it tends to struggle with water sources. Fires are common in Weston and so is drought. Weston borders Arcadia and Concord only, and tends to import more than it exports, including fresh water. Weston's people can be viscous at times, and when drought hits, it's very much Duszai against humans. When struggle comes, the population tends to dip southwards as the humans migrate north to Arcadia, to escape the oppression and lack of resources.
Concord is the southern most country, it's expanse is one long strip along the southern coast. You can get from the coast to the innermost part of Concord in a day, though going from one end to the other will take time. Concord is most certainly one of the least in favor of human rights. They have a sort of slavery in place, slave contracts can be drawn up, and though it's meant to be as humane as possible, many contracts are grueling and change without the knowledge of the humans who enter them. Arcadia is the only country who does not recognize these contracts, which tends to threaten trade between the two countries. Currently Concord is dealing with uprisings from a singular group who is trying to abolish slavery, but the King and Queen are intent on squashing any rebellion.
Merrick is the northern most country, containing the entirety of the Northern peninsula and curling around the Great Lakes before running across the border of Concord to the coast. Merrick is the second smallest of countries, but it is the most successful. As well as nearly the most oppressive and aggressive against humans. While Concord holds slave agreements, Merrick tends to ignore the human populations, the police force tends to turn a blind eye, or immediately blames the human population. Merrick currently is ruled by an elder, insane, king, who wants another war with Arcadia, but the eldest son is in works to plan a more peaceful approach that will put Merrick in a position of power, with the use of an illegitimate, but much loved, daughter of Arcadia's king.
Capitol Cities -
Merrick's Capitol city is New York. Concord's is New Orleans. Arcadia's is Seattle. Weston's is Los Angeles. The cities are very much similar to the actual cities, and reside in the same place. The only difference is they are country capitols.
Ruling Families -
Each ruling family has specific species for Duszai.
Merrick's ruling family possess large, aggressive feline Duszai. The line of succession for the Elswood family has always been the eldest male. However, with Merrick's current King near mad, he's decided that the second eldest son will be his heir. In retaliation the eldest son over-threw him and took the throne by force. While the shift in power is extremely new and fragile, he has no intentions of letting it go. Not that his younger brother seems to understand that as he bides his time to strike as well.
Concord's ruling family possess a variety of crocodilian Duszai. The line of succession for the Cimorelli family can be slightly complicated. A ruthless family, the biggest or strongest Duszai determines who is next in line. But that doesn't mean another sibling could assassinate the strongest Duszai and leave the heir without one to take his or her spot.
Arcadia's ruling family possess hulking, impressive Ursine Duszai. The line of succession for the Diesing family is a little more simple. The next heir is chosen by his or her spirit. The child that comes into the world with a Grizzly by his or her side is destined to become the new King or Queen. If two siblings find they have the same Duszai, then there is a nation wide vote for the next King or Queen.
Weston's ruling family possess swift, vicious canine Duszai. The line of succession for the Vacarro family is a little different than the other kingdoms. Instead of an elder heir, the successor is selected from numerous trials he or she must go through and pass. These trials are called The Hunt and are done only when the current King has died or has chosen to step down. A new Hunt has been decided upon as the old King desires to step down. Each of the siblings have chosen to either attend the Hunt, or support their candidate.
Member Groups -
There are only two official membergroups. When asked which membergroup your character finds themselves in, you need to ask whether your character has a Duszai or not. If your character does not have one, then they are HUMAN. If they are, then they are BONDED. People with Duszai are referred to as 'Bonded' or 'The Bonded'. We keep track of the population of each kingdom, but we only file characters under Bonded or Human.