ASHAPUR - The Society of the Silken Knot

[Squeaks]

I think there's probably some stuff somewhere, but I'm quickly trying to set some of this out for you. This is the development of the society. There will always be things that clash, because my memory, the extent of notes I have (impossibly badly organised too sadly) and the rewrites of section over a looooong time are proving things difficult to not get bits that conflict slightly.

THE SILKEN KNOT

The Silken Knot is a term used for Ahsapur's society. They're a desert culture on the Eastern continent, incredibly defensive and there's not been much evolution in their society over the entirety of it's existence.

Ashapur lies in a massive area of desert and arid surroundings. Incidentally, Selediri DO exist there, but they hide themselves completely, as they find the culture of the humans to be hideous to their own nature. Some are hunted,a nd some enslaved, as is the culture itself.

The Silken Knot is actually the preferred method of assassination used by the nobility - a scarf with a knot in it used as a garrotte to strangle the other nobles. It's considered 'clean' because no blood is pile and it requires skill to use, giving honour to the dead, as they're not marred beyond the damage to the throat....no severed heads or anything preventing true honours in an open-casket funeral, as some choose - others choose other methods; internment in a shrine to Tsibi or cremation are popular to novels. Burial in the open in not an option, save for slaves and the Nameless Dogs, or the lowest of society are called. Most of these 'burials' result in the corpses being spoiled by predators or the massive Ghuul Vultures.

Ashapur is a political mass that operates in a subtle game of death between noble houses. Discussions of politics are rarely held face-to-face, but between silken sheets that obscure the view, however easy it is to know the voice speaking. Most nobles wear veils and masks in public. Often, this foils assassination in public, as most nobles send out decoys and empty palanquins, but most dare not send assassins in public, and night is their preferred time.

In the past, assassinations were also limited by the prevalence of the Tsibi CUlt, as the goddess of Death is not fond of people taking it upon themselves to be paid killers - Death is natural or bought through warfare, where people are all too aware they may die, and are prepared for it - somehow, unexpected death upsets her, and her Temple Guard are renowned for their constant hunt for assassins. Many of the lesser organisations have been annihilated by her temples.

Since the emergence of the Sythys Cult, her prevalence has been endlessly challenged in Ashapur, and her power to limit the activities of assassins is lessened, especially since the Sythys Cult offers this service as expert poisoners and suchlike. It brings in high levels of funding, but has the same effect as duelling did for European cultures on Earth.

At the height of Ashapuran society is the Pavishate - the Pavishar is the utter head of their nation, and is inviolate where assassins are concerned - it HAS happened, but, when it has failed, entire noble houses have been exterminated as a result, in public, by slaves, who relish their revenge a great deal. Remarkably unpleasant and a decent deterrant.

Below him are the Padishars, the 'lesser' nobles, who are large in number. They are in state of flux, as they can be removed from grace, and others can be elevated. History is not a huge element in this, and bloodlines are not considered to be the greater factor in their eminence; ancient families do not enjoy much of a boost to their status; they simply show brilliance in their playing of the games of the Silken Knot.

The society is dominated by it's reliance on slavery, and many slavers rise in power with their ability to do well at that particular 'art'. Slaves certainly outnumber the nobles in each House, but the 'very common' people (The Nameless) often have no slaves or simply one or two. They are definitely a sign of status. Slaves are carriers of messages and they are the bearers of many fates in the culture. If you wish to insult someone, send them a slave you don't like much, as they'll kill them and feel much better about being insulted by their enemy afterwards. To the owner, it's no great loss either.

Slaves form a part of the national army, as they are highly efficient at soaking up missile fire, exhausting the enemy supply of them in the process. Some Houses will armour their slaves and arm them well, as they sometimes dislike the unnecessary loss of wealth in throwing them away; however, it far more preferable to see slaves die than citizens of the nation, however low they may be.

Free citizens cannot be made slaves. This is inviolate. They can be killed, 'lost', imprisoned, but never enslaved. The Pavishar CAN bypass this, but reserves this for nobles he doesn't care for, and occasionally someone who comes to ask for a decision at court he doesn't care for much either.

Ashapur is a hotbed of machination and illicit activity, but this is where it's strength lies, for no section of the society is unused to risk or too comfortable in their beds, which breeds a toughness that has seen them survive for so long.

The pirate city of Hanghaven is Ashapuran royal property, despite their absolute denial of such a thing. This is where their slavery gains it's greatest productivity, but they buy slaves from the Wolfborn, who have no understanding of it, just that they can get money for people who were stupid enough to surrender or just sit like rabbits awaiting capture. The Federation also give large quantities of their own people to Hanghaven, when their disappearance is more necessary than any penal servitude. The Bandit kings are rumoured by the Empire to provide slaves, but they actively attempt to prevent the operation of slavery on their borders, which has involved more than one full combat in the past. To them, slavery is an utter perversion.

to be continued...if you want, that is.

Usual apologies for typing errors and stuff.

[Willowran]

of course we want more