Emai! I have a few questions about Kebri and Kebreni (my favourite Almean state and language).
Mark has said that Kebreni religion is similar to Japanese Shinto, but what is it actually like? We know that there are shrines, nahra and priests suh, but is there an organised priesthood and a pantheon accepted by most believers? What do the Kebreni call their religion anyway?
How is Kebri governed? Is it a republic, a kingdom, a feudal state or what? linna lord suggests an aristocracy, but just having the word does not mean having the concept expressed.
Also, what's the origin of the toponym Kebri, beyond Methaiun Kevrei? And why did the Kebreni stop calling their island Davrio?
What are the Kebreni people like, that is, how do other Almeans see them?
Kebri
Re: Kebri
Forgot to answer this... unfortunately I don't yet know that much about Kebreni religion. Here's something I wrote earlier about Kebri's government:
The current king is named Theruz'ir. He's part of the Muk (?New?) dynasty, which has been in power for over 600 years. There is only one previous dynasty, the fiem (?Old?) dynasty. The Kebreni are very conservative about their kings, who are considered one-third divine. Kings? actual power has varied greatly, however-- often they are mere figureheads. Theruz'ir does have an influence over the government, but his role is more head of state than head of government.
The legislature consists of four houses, representing the four self-governing sectors of Kebreni society: the clergy, the nobles, the cities, and the king?s household (which means his lands, the royal government, and the navy). Most of the city seats are now elected, but some are still reserved for guilds and universities.
The head of government is the melah'te mitaseu or King?s Agent. In theory he?s appointed by the king; the reality has always been more complicated. In medieval times the Agents were effectively monarchs who chose their own successors-- or were overthrown by another feudal lord. For awhile clerical Agents were chosen, to keep the nobles from fighting; during the Verdurian wars, naval commanders were appointed. Since then the Agent has been a noble with strong urban support, or an urban merchant with strong support among the nobles.
The colonies are ruled by naval commanders, answerable to the Agent.
How do other Almeans see Kebri? Generally with some alarm and annoyance, since they have been rather arrogant in their trading and foreign policy over the last few centuries-- they once conquered Erenat, they fought three wars with Verduria, and even the flaids found their economy dominated by Kebreni banks before they modernized.
They're one of the most advanced countries on the planet, already competing with Verduria to colonize other continents. As you can imagine, this produces both admiration and envy. (On the other hand, some people prefer them to the Verdurians because they seem more honest: they freely admit to pursuing their own interests, where the Verdurians see themselves as the heirs of the Cadhinorians and guardians of the Plain.)
Overall they have a strict public morality (e.g., no public displays of affection) and a very free private morality (that is, you can do as you like at home so long as you're discreet about it).
The current king is named Theruz'ir. He's part of the Muk (?New?) dynasty, which has been in power for over 600 years. There is only one previous dynasty, the fiem (?Old?) dynasty. The Kebreni are very conservative about their kings, who are considered one-third divine. Kings? actual power has varied greatly, however-- often they are mere figureheads. Theruz'ir does have an influence over the government, but his role is more head of state than head of government.
The legislature consists of four houses, representing the four self-governing sectors of Kebreni society: the clergy, the nobles, the cities, and the king?s household (which means his lands, the royal government, and the navy). Most of the city seats are now elected, but some are still reserved for guilds and universities.
The head of government is the melah'te mitaseu or King?s Agent. In theory he?s appointed by the king; the reality has always been more complicated. In medieval times the Agents were effectively monarchs who chose their own successors-- or were overthrown by another feudal lord. For awhile clerical Agents were chosen, to keep the nobles from fighting; during the Verdurian wars, naval commanders were appointed. Since then the Agent has been a noble with strong urban support, or an urban merchant with strong support among the nobles.
The colonies are ruled by naval commanders, answerable to the Agent.
How do other Almeans see Kebri? Generally with some alarm and annoyance, since they have been rather arrogant in their trading and foreign policy over the last few centuries-- they once conquered Erenat, they fought three wars with Verduria, and even the flaids found their economy dominated by Kebreni banks before they modernized.
They're one of the most advanced countries on the planet, already competing with Verduria to colonize other continents. As you can imagine, this produces both admiration and envy. (On the other hand, some people prefer them to the Verdurians because they seem more honest: they freely admit to pursuing their own interests, where the Verdurians see themselves as the heirs of the Cadhinorians and guardians of the Plain.)
Overall they have a strict public morality (e.g., no public displays of affection) and a very free private morality (that is, you can do as you like at home so long as you're discreet about it).