Society
These notes refer to the culture of the central Urig area, which sometimes sends wanderers into the vassal kingdoms such as Wahattu. These visitors are viewed by the provincials with a mixture of fawning, resentment, and dread, much as a "proper English" visitor would be seen in 1860 outback Australia.
Urighem is a human empire, which over millennia
has incorporated a number of other kindreds into its society as
well-regulated minorities: Kabir dwarf metalworkers, the desert lizard
priests of the True Sun, and the occasional demon-blooded tieflings that
pop up in the grand old wizard families. Gnolls and dekanters (the
snout-horned goblins of the desert) are sometimes brought in as
slaves. Rare specimens of the Ayotochin race (armadillo-folk) are in
high demand as jesters and entertainers.
The skin of most human Urig is light to deep brown, with straight or curly black hair. Some city and rural districts have well-understood exceptions, showing ancestry of paler Northerners, or of the black folk from upriver who are known as persuasive bargainers.
A shaven head in both males and females is a
sign of high rank, although sometimes covered with an obvious wig signifying particular offices. Most garments are of white linen, showing much skin
in the warm climate, with jewellery and accessories marking out status
and fashion. Soft goat-wool cloaks see citizens through the few chilly
nights in winter, and are also worn as protection from the sun by folk
in the outlying vassal lands.
Until adolescence Urig children are treated somewhat as housepets -- possibly commanding affection, but liable to be sold or adopted up, down, and across society, the only way in which mobility can happen. At the coming of age all Urig are tattooed with marks of social station and household on forehead and dominant hand. They will occupy that station for the rest of their life, until death or exile take them. Those who turn out less than competent in their assigned profession often find nominal inferiors, well-rewarded, to help them. Marriage is arranged. Ideally it takes place between adoptive siblings. A rigid code of etiquette and honorific language governs every interaction outside of one's immediate household.
Although nominally patriarchal, in practice Urighem is closer to equality of the sexes than most of the kingdoms to the North. Its long history is full of female Ilu-Barag who reigned from behind a false beard. Any woman who avails herself of a like accessory will find that even military command is not closed to her. Perhaps the unsentimental approach to child rearing deserves some credit for this liberty.
The
line of the god kings, the Ilu-Barag, is deeply incestuous and depleted
from frequent intrigue. The current Ilu-Barag, Harganossar XXVII, has
never been seen in public and conducts official business from behind a
yellow veil. The other high offices of state are nominally hereditary,
but in practice these families are always on the lookout for gifted
children to adopt from the lower orders, the secret of the state's
robustness over millennia. A substantial bureaucracy deals with the
waterworks of the river, the growing and distribution of crops, and
every aspect of civil life. Many of these roles overlap with the
priesthood of the Dead Gods.
The official magistrates, known as the Eyes of Hawk and Vulture, have secret agents everywhere. Any public show of dissent is assumed immediately to be one of their traps. The eight armies, one at each road terminus and two in the capital, are fighting forces in theory only. The officer corps serve as fraternities for rakes and wastrels whose respectable families long ago decided against an industrious way of life. The ranks are packed with criminals, misfits, and barbarians. Anyone who can see clearly knows that it is only geography and a few historical accidents that protect present-day Urighem from disaster.
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