The Grand Duchy Of Lindel

The Grand Duchy of Lindel is a prosperous and influential nation in the Northern half of Zephyrus. It is a theocratic monarchy ruled by the Grand Duchess Ganessa Laphicet el Lindel which comprises the districts of Lind and Oster. Most of her advisers and the nobility are women. In fact, virtually every aspect of their society adheres to a matriarchal hierarchy which can be very jarring for outsiders. This has to do with the state religion that professes the importance of women as life givers and maternal figures.

Lind is a metropolitan district where most of the country's population lives amid architectural wonders made of marble and limestone. Great cathedrals, opulent mansions, angelic monuments, and of course the sprawling palace of white and silver where the Grand Duchess presides. Crystal clear canals crisscross through the city, allowing not just boats or gondolas to pass through but river dolphins as well. The whole of it is kept meticulously clean by a workforce of men. The people here are cultured and finely dressed, enjoying a high standard of living. The visual and performing arts are a major part of life in Lindel, producing many famous musicians and painters.

Oster meanwhile is rural, being mostly farmland and undeveloped countryside. The people here are poorer and simpler, plying the fields to grow most of Lindel's food. What development there is is given over to industry to avoid causing pollution in Lind. Unsurprisingly this causes tensions between the two districts and is actually just one of many grievances. Decades ago Oster had been annexed by Lind both for its resources and to act as a buffer against the aggressive Naern Empire. While the two districts shared a common religion, the people of Lind were more orthodox and thus another cause for conflict. So far it has not devolved into armed conflict but there have been riots in the past.

The religion of Lindel centers around the worship of Three Goddesses. Each represents a facet or stage of life. Growth, nature, and family are common themes. The Grand Duchess serves the dual role of head of State and head of Church, thus she participates in many rituals and ceremonies on top of her duties as ruler. She is assisted by Nine High Priestesses who in turn oversee every Priestess in the Grand Duchy. It is the Priestesses who tend to the spiritual needs of the common citizen, working at the churches and temples. In times of war or strife, the Grand Duchess can call upon the holy order Paladina, made up of warrior women from noble houses who have dedicated their lives to the Church and the Goddesses. They are given holy powers to assist in their duties as well as resplendent arms and armor. Be it lance, sword, or even black powder weapon. They are as at home on foot as they are on horseback and it is said that the most elite will ride on the backs of pegasi.

The society of Lindel can be difficult for outsiders, specifically men who are more used to a patriarchal culture. While not widespread, misandry is not uncommon. In more radical circles men are seen as crass or barbaric. Violent. Before the Grand Duchy's formation, it was believed that it was the fault of men that led to many destructive wars that nearly led to their region's downfall. Of course, this may all be myth. On the whole people are just wary of male outsiders who have a tendency to not understand the social norms. Who speak down or belittle those who would someday be mothers, a role thought very important. While the authority and prestige of Guilds are recognized, the Collegium does ask that men keep a low profile to avoid friction. Traders and merchants from Lindel who travel abroad do tend to be more progressive and accepting, having to understand that things work differently in other districts and nations.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License