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[loominggaia]

ETIOS LAW

LAW

Laws don’t differ much between different Etiosi holds. However, these laws may not apply to independent settlements within Etios territory, such as the Folkvaran military bases, Lamaish colonies, and nature preserves.

Nobility:

-The High Chieftain of Etios Nation may be male or female, but must be an adult. New chieftains are decided by ritual combat, in which the old leader is challenged by a new one. This is a fight to the death, and the last one standing becomes High Chieftain.

-Commoners, fae, and monsters are not eligible to rule Etios Nation. Only gaians can lead the kingdom or its holds.

Education:

-Schooling is not free, nor mandatory. Families are largely responsible for educating their young, though professional teachers can be hired for more formal education. This private tutorship is paid on a year-to-year basis.

Social Welfare: 

-Polygamy is legal in Etios Nation. In all marriages, there is one designated “head of household” (HOH) who is granted the right to own property, bank accounts, and other assets. Their spouses do not have these rights unless the HOH dies and has designated one of them as the next HOH. The HOH may be female or male, but must be an adult. The HOH may marry as many spouses as they can reasonably provide for, and must pay a special yearly tax for each one. Failure to pay the tax will nullify the marriage.

-Gaians may only marry other gaians. Different gaian species are permitted to marry each other.

-Gaian families may adopt orphaned gaian children. They cannot adopt commoner children, and commoner families cannot adopt gaian children. Fae children are not permitted in Etios territory at all, and if one is found, they must be deported to their kingdom of origin.

-Only gaians can own assets such as property. Commoners can only rent from gaians.

-All Etiosi citizens are entitled to a minimum allowance of grain and meat each month, which is granted by their local community silo.

-All Etiosi citizens must contribute 25% of whatever goods they produce to their local community silo. If they don’t wish to give up these goods directly, they can donate gold in its place equal to the value of the goods.

-Any gold or resources in the community silo must be used to benefit the community. They may not be given to foreigners or even other Etiosi communities unless given direct permission by the High Chieftain.

-Immigration is a simple process, so long as the immigrant is gaian. All gaian species can earn Etiosi citizenship by working a certain number of hours in a community labor camp. Once they have accumulated enough hours, they are granted the right to buy property and marry.

Religion: 

-All citizens are free to practice any religion of their choosing, so long as their religious rituals abide by local laws.

Censorship: 

-Media which directly encourages terroristic acts or harm to Etiosi citizens is prohibited.

-Etiosi citizens have the right to freedom of speech, and are free to criticize their leaders without legal consequence.

-Citizens may challenge each other in ritual combat to settle legal or domestic matters. However, this combat must take place in a designated community hall before several witnesses to be valid. The match is over when one combatant either taps out or dies. The winner shall not face murder or assault charges for the events that occur during this ritual.

Military: 

-Adult gaians of either sex may join the Etiosi military, so long as they are physically fit. However, females are restricted from most direct combat roles.

Slavery: 

-Slavery is not permitted in Etios Nation in any form.

Magic: 

-Magic use is broadly legal, but certain types of magic (such as necromancy) are prohibited.

-Magic must not be used to do harm to people, land, or property except in certain cases of self-defense.

-Using magic to break laws results in an extra charge.

Nymphs: 

-Nymphs are not considered fae in Etios Nation. Rather, they are in their own unique category of people.

-Nymphs may register with their local Nymph Pact Committee, which oversees the kingdom’s compliance with the Nymph Pact.

-Nymphs may become Etiosi citizens if they choose, but this will forfeit their eligibility to join the Nymph Pact Committee.

-Nymphs who are not Etiosi citizens, nor affiliated with the Nymph Pact Committee  are considered “Aspects of Gaia” and subject to the same laws as wild beasts and land.

Monsters: 

-All monsters are banned from entering Etios Nation and will be killed on sight.

Environment: 

-Etiosi Nymph Pact: All industrial technology and machine automation is prohibited. Domestic goods must be produced by hand. All imported goods must be made of natural and biodegradable materials.

-All organic waste must be composted, either on a citizen's own property or a community facility. The exception is the manure of peoples, which must always be disposed of in a community facility to prevent the spread of disease. Community facilities must transport the waste to one of the designated dump zones along the coastline. This poisons the waters and prevents enemy Aquarians from settling in those areas.

-Corpses of peoples must be burned within 3 days of death. These corpses may not be mummified or otherwise preserved in any way. This prevents the spread of disease and the raising of zombies.

-Livestock must have access to adequate food, water, and space in their enclosures.

---> Main Etios Nation page <---

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[loominggaia]

FAEFARAS (FOREST ELVES)

Native to the Arcadian Forest region of Evik. The Faefaras had a close relationship with dryads and limniads, welcoming them into their earliest civilizations like family. Their deep respect for the nymphs drove the Faefaras to live in harmony with trees and plants.

Instead of cutting down trees, they developed magic spells to help trees grow into useful shapes, creating living wood structures like houses and bridges. Today, the Arcadian Forest is home to the biggest trees in the world, and this is due to magical intervention that the Farfaras practiced for thousands of years.

These colossal trees acted as hosts for fungi, plants, and other resources that the Faefaras depended on, so they cared for them as valuable crops. Many of these trees are still alive today, and are known as “Old Mothers” or “Big Mommas” by locals.

Through magic and diplomacy, the Faefaras managed to gain dominance over their native region early on. They were generally disdainful towards the local satyrs and pushed them out of their territory. They also had much conflict with the Dalor faun tribes, who were conquered, forcefully assimilated, and occasionally enslaved into Faefaras civilizations. However, the Faefaras met their match when they expanded east towards the region of Waterwalk, as the local cecaelia and sirenes were too tough to conquer. These Aquarian tribes would later assimilate themselves when Mogdir Kingdom was founded, joining the Faefaras and Dalor under one big power.

Today, the Arcadian Forest is still home to many elves with Faefaras ancestry. They enjoy generational wealth and social dominance passed down from their ancestors. They are stereotyped as rich, snobby, and insular because the wealthiest classes in Mogdir Kingdom tend to be Faefaras. However, the Faefaras consider themselves to be refined and hard-working, and their people are credited for many great advancements in the arcane arts. Mogdir Kingdom’s most notorious crime family (The Verdus Syndicate) is of Faefaras descent, and it is believed that they hold even more power than the royal family.

BIOLOGY

Faefaras elves were identified by their greenish-gold complexions, straight forest-green hair, and brown irises. They stood at an average elven height and had uniquely shallow-set eyes. Their ears were straight and angled upright.

They were quite resistant to plant, tree, and mold allergies, and elves with significant Faefaras ancestry still enjoy this benefit today.

CUISINE

The ancient Faefaras were primarily foragers. The forest floor was their domain, and mushrooms, insects, and vegetation made up most of their diet. But they would quickly discover beekeeping, mushroom-farming, and pitter-ranching, and these technologies helped them jump ahead of other peoples in the area at the time.

While the Dalor fauns and Archtop satyrs were still wandering around in search of forage, the Faefaras had settled permanent homes that they could expand upon for generations, farming and ranching their way to a powerful civilization.

FASHION

In their shady native forests, the Faefaras were not very exposed to the elements. They were largely protected from rain, wind, and sun by the giant trees they cultivated, and this lifestyle was reflected by the fragile clothing they wore. They usually wore simple garments woven from grasses and accessorized with flowers. Giant mushroom caps were worn as hats, while soldiers protected themselves with armor and helmets made from animal bones and large nutshells.

Face paint was considered common daily wear for both sexes. These paints were made from many things including crushed plants, blood, and bone meal, and were usually applied around the eyes and on the lips. This paint was not only fashionable, it also helped to camouflage the Faefaras from predators.

ARCHITECTURE

The Faefaras lived in a wide variety of structures. They were best known for the colossal trees they cultivated, which acted as living tenements that could house hundreds of people inside the trunk. These structures were called “Skyblockers”.

However, they also built simpler, ground-level domiciles out of soil blocks. These were known as “Arcadian root domes” because of their rounded shape. The soil was seeded with plants, and the structure would become stronger as the roots took hold. Over time, these little plants would grow into mature trees, and what was once a dome of soil would transform into a tangle of sturdy, living tree roots with a cavity inside, where a small family of elves could dwell.

The Faefaras seemed naturally drawn to circles and organic curves, and this was very apparent by the structures they built. They were always circular or oval in shape, with rounded windows and domed roofs. Most notably, their structures blended in perfectly with the surrounding landscape, creating harmony with the ecosystem.

RELIGION

Early Faefaras tribes looked to nymphs for guidance, particularly dryads and limniads. These nymphs worshiped trees and plants as the most important aspects of Gaia, so the Faefaras followed suit and developed a heavy reverence for these elements as well. The elves would build upon this concept to develop a religion called “Arcanism”, which emphasizes the importance of magic and its ties to nature.

This religion is now the most dominant faith in Mogdir Kingdom. Its appeal has since spread far beyond elves, and it is now practiced by many different fae and even some gaians (but rarely by commoners). Modern Faefaras descendants are still highly likely to be Arcanists.

DIPLOMACY

The first Faefaras elves were quite isolated from other peoples. They did not encounter much competition for resources, which allowed them to thrive uninterrupted for a long time. When they eventually encountered large groups of Dalor fauns, they had developed powerful magic to defend themselves and take over the Dalor’s territory with ease.

However, as they moved eastward, they encountered swampy regions filled with powerful Aquarians. The Faefaras could not conquer these peoples, so they instead established trade routes with them, which would benefit their growing settlements back west.

Around the year 3100, the Faefaras elves and Dalor fauns joined forces under one power called Mogdir Kingdom. This impressive kingdom beckoned surrounding peoples, and the Aquarians that the Faefaras failed to conquer in the past would agree to join under its rule willingly, making the kingdom even stronger. Today it is one of the world’s Great Kingdoms. Most Mogdiri elves still claim Faefaras ancestry, and this is apparent by their unique green hair and golden-green complexions.

SEE ALSO

Elf

Mogdir Kingdom

Ask: Elf

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[loominggaia]

SWEEDY CORPORATION PRODUCTS

OVERVIEW

The Sweedy Corporation, founded by Swilton Sweedy, is the largest supplier of snack foods on Looming Gaia. Their products are most popular in the company’s homeland of Zareen Empire, but also have a large presence in the Empire of Damijana and other Great Kingdoms. Nothing Sweedy produces can be called “healthy”, but they can certainly be called “tasty”, “cheap”, and “convenient”. With countless products spanning over a thousand years, this ancient company has become a household name all over the globe.

TUBE CAKE

The Sweedy Corporation’s flagship product. The Tube Cake is a very dense, tube-shaped cake with a sweet creamy filling inside. They come in 3 different sizes (Bite-sized, medium, and jumbo) and a wide variety of different flavors. Their ingredients are a closely-guarded secret, but one thing is known for sure: they are packed with an absurd cocktail of preservatives.

These cakes were invented during the 4th Age, when automatons were starting to take many jobs away from peoples. The future was uncertain and the robot apocalypse was on everyone’s mind, so Sweedy took advantage of the fear and invented a tasty, portable food item that would supposedly “never spoil”.

Anxious Zareenites hoarded Tube Cakes with such a fervor that the company struggled to meet demand. Militaries, hospitals, and other large entities ordered entire bunkers of these little cakes in case of disaster. Over time the hoarding has slowed down, but Tube Cake sales continue to spike in times of uncertainty.

Today, over a thousand years later, bunkers full of them can still be found…and the cakes are somehow still in perfect, edible condition.

SWAMP SWEETZ

Sweedy executives noticed the large influx of Aquarians–particularly mermaids–fleeing to Zareen Empire during the Aquarian Wars. They responded with a product that would “appeal to the Aquarian palate” and released Swamp Sweetz; slippery gummy candies shaped like frogs, snakes, and turtles. These shapes were chosen because such animals were familiar to Aquarian peoples and commonly eaten by them.

Few other Zareenite companies had tried appealing to Aquarians at the time, so these candies were an instant hit that has since become a classic staple for many Aquarian Zareenites. Other peoples, however, tend to be turned off by the slippery texture and “creepy” shapes.

SNIPSNAP BAR

One day, a Sweedy executive was out and about when they noticed four children fighting over a chocolate bar. The children tried to break it into even pieces, but started to squabble because the pieces weren’t exactly even. It was then that a brilliant idea struck, and the executive proposed their idea to Sweedy: a large chocolate bar with deep indentations, which guaranteed that it would always snap easily into nine equal squares. Their bosses were on board, and the Sweedy Corporation once again had another hit on the shelves.

What makes Snipsnap bars unique is the precise attention to its measurements. Sweedy’s quality control department spends extra time measuring each and every bar to ensure that all the pieces are equal, all the way down to the microscopic level. While the original bars are plain chocolate with no frills, different flavors and varieties became available later, and the same precision is applied to them all.

If the bar has nuts in it, employees ensure that each square contains the same number of nuts, shaving all the nuts down to a uniform size. If it has caramel stripes, they ensure that each line covers the exact same surface area of each square, and so on.

This treat remains a favorite for busy parents who wish to silence their kids with a treat. When they reach for a Snipsnap bar, they have peace of mind knowing there will be no further squabbles. It’s also a popular treat for large groups of friends, classrooms, and even military battalions to share. The way the bars snap has a highly satisfying and addictive quality that keeps customers coming back.

PEPIPOPS

Much of Zareen Empire lies in the cold, unforgiving mountains of Evik. These regions were popular with Halostiran immigrants who sailed to the continent from an even colder, harsher one. These Halostirans were comfortable here, and their growing settlements caught the attention of the Sweedy Corporation. How could they market their sweets to a population who had never seen sugar cane, and who had no familiarity with sugary flavors?

The solution was Pepipops, Sweedy’s first frozen product. They are creamy slabs made from milk, a common staple of the Halostirans, but topped with sticky caramel and sugary sprinkles. The combination of milk and sugar went down smoothly, and not only was the product a hit with Halostirans, but many native Zareenites loved it too!

KRIZPINZ

Sweedy was starting to run dry on ideas as other companies flooded the market with all manner of snacks. The company decided now was the time to take a risk, by branching out from sweets and diving into the world of salty snacks. Crispies were already an immensely popular food item globally, but especially in Zareen Empire, so these baked veggie-chips seemed like a safe place to start. They would give their version a hip, snappy name: Krizpins.

But how could Sweedy ensure their brand of crispies stood out from the crowd? The answer was Krizpin, an adorable little mascot they used to advertise their new product. Krizpin was simply a baked chip with a face and stick-limbs, but this basic design appealed to children and made him easily recognizable. Sweedy marketed the mascot aggressively, making deals with media companies to release comic books, games, and even cartoons about his adventures.

The plan was a massive success, and to this day Krizpin remains one of the most popular mascots not only in Zareen Empire–but in the world!

LOOPY HOOPZ

Flying off the success of Krizpinz, Sweedy decided to branch out yet again, this time into the cereal market. They had learned that a good mascot was essential, so they teamed up with Lor Galor media to bring the already beloved cartoon character, Loopy the Hoopsnake, into their product. This simple ring-shaped cereal was made of puffed rice and obscene amounts of sugar like many others, but what made it unique was its red coloring that made the rings vaguely resemble Loopy, and the white goat-shaped marshmallows that resembled his sidekick, Grumper the Goat. Each box contained a small Loopy toy, and the back was full of mazes, crosswords and other child-appropriate activities.

This cereal is by no means healthy–just like all of Sweedy’s products–but that didn’t stop the company from marketing it as “part of a balanced breakfast” to fool parents into buying it without guilt. The product continues to fly off the shelves, generation after generation. As long as Loopy remains hip with the youth, so too does Loopy Hoopz.

HARTIES

Zareen Empire has a rather diverse population which has immigrated from all over the world. Matuzans are among them, hailing from the so-called “Kingdom of Romance”, but it is a demographic that Zareenite food companies didn’t used to cater to very much. That changed when a Sweedy employee of Matuzan heritage made a proposal…a marriage proposal to the CEO!

Traditional Matuzan cuisine was served at the wedding, including heart-shaped breadsticks called Hartsas. As the couple enjoyed their food, they got an idea, and Harties were conceived. These crunchy, heart-shaped little baked goods are coated in chocolate or yogurt and topped with sprinkles. Though Hartsas are traditionally served at weddings, date nights, and other romantic occasions back in the motherland, Harties are a smaller, more portable version that is eaten any time.

Zareenites of Matuzan descent appreciated the familiar food, but its mix of sweet and salty flavor as well as its satisfying crunch appealed to peoples of all kinds. The snack has since become popular all across the globe, especially during romantic holidays.

FRUTINUT

Another classic confectionary creation by Sweedy, Frutinut is a variation of a traditional Zareenite snack called partinut. Partinut is peanuts covered in chocolate with a hard candy shell, but Frutinut adds a twist with a layer of fruit-flavored gummy candy between the chocolate and the shell. The result is a sweet, salty, and fruity explosion of flavor!

Each Frutinut candy is quite a bit larger than a partinut, so it’s easy to tell the two apart at a glance. But to add even more distinction, Sweedy produces the Frutinut in fruit shapes corresponding with their flavor. The larger size makes this candy more popular with heavyweight peoples like ogres and centaurs, who find it easier to handle and more filling to eat.

Frutinut contains no actual fruit, only synthetic fruit flavors.

DAMI DUST

The Sweedy Corporation found success by appealing to as many different demographics as possible. At one point its target was the large but oppressed population of Dami elves living in Zareen Empire. The Dami famously enjoyed extremely spicy cuisine, so Sweedy concocted Dami Dust, a spicy powdered candy that would appeal to the elves’ unique taste.

The product pleased their tongues, but the Dami were not thrilled about the name or its implication. Pyre dust was a highly addictive drug that devastated their communities, both in Zareen Empire and in their homeland of Damijana. Dami Dust happened to resemble the drug both in name and appearance, which caused a huge uproar.

Was it a simple mistake on Sweedy’s part, or yet another racial jab at the oppressed Dami elves? No one knows for sure, but Sweedy was quick to pull the product from shelves…which caused another uproar from other peoples who enjoyed the product and wanted it back. Sweedy went back and forth with Dami Dust, changing its appearance, its name, and even its entire recipe several times in an attempt to please everyone.

Today, the product is sold under many different names and formulations in different regions, but all versions are owned by Sweedy Corp. This candy was simply too profitable to axe, so instead, the company decided to manage its PR by selling different versions to different demographics. This strategy has proven mostly effective, with only the occasional complaint arising.

Since this candy’s debut, pyre dust is often referred to as “Dami Dust” by Zareenites in a disparaging and racially-insensitive way.

CYCLOPS HORNS

Cyclopes were once deeply feared monsters in Zareen Empire, but as their numbers have dwindled, so too have their attacks and the memories of the havoc they once caused. Today they are an almost mythical creature, popular antagonists in Zareenite media. Their immense strength and intimidating appearance is especially popular with children.

That’s why Sweedy decided to use them as inspiration for their new pastry product: Cyclops Horns. These pastries are quite large, intended for heavyweight species. As the name suggests, they have a horn-like shape and are colored white with powdered sugar. They have a red jelly filling that gives the illusion of blood, so that customers can feel like they have slain a mighty cyclopes every time they eat one.

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[loominggaia]

ETIOS DEMOGRAPHICS

Etios Nation is almost entirely populated by gaians, with just a small number of commoners and no fae (except for nymphs, though Etios law does not classify them as fae). Minotaurs and centaurs are most plentiful, followed by satyrs, fauns, and gorgons.

Many of the kingdom’s satyrs and nymphs live in the nature preserves scattered around the land. The Olive Plains region is dominated by centaurs and minotaurs, while fauns tend to cluster around Alpine Ridge and the forests.

Etios Nation has a modest population of gorgons too, but the vast majority of them are technically not Etiosi citizens, despite living in Etiosi territory. They are citizens of Lamai Nation, laborers who were sent to gather resources and send them back to the motherland. Etios designated plots of land for these Lamaish colonists to build their settlements on, and in exchange, the kingdom receives occasional military aid from Lamai.

These colonies were supposed to be temporary, but have become something of a permanent fixture over time as the war with Matuzu Kingdom drags on. The colonists don't pay taxes to Etios and they take resources from the kingdom’s land. However, they do a good job defending its western coast from the Aquarian Alliance, and also exchange goods with the natives, stimulating the local economy. These colonies act as a steady trade route to get goods to and from Lamai Nation. This includes a number of powerful and sometimes illicit drugs, many of which find their way through Etios Nation all the way up into Matuzu Kingdom. Many Etiosi natives resent the Lamaish colonists, while others rely on them for doing business.

---> Main Etios Nation page <---

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[loominggaia]

LOKJAK

Name: Lokjak [LOCK-jack]

Class: Monster

Subclass: Terrian, Midweight

PPL Category: 4 - Very dangerous and hostile to peoples

Forger: Mankind’s Disgrace, Divine of Hate

OVERVIEW

The lokjak is a flying monster that resembles a cross between a bat and a blackjack hound. It has a natural lifespan of about 10 years. It can survive to see 15 in captivity, but most wild lokjaks rarely live to see 3 years, as they are frequently hunted by monster hunters and animals. Most of the lokjaks on Gaia today are property of the Cult of the Crescent, though a significant number can also be found in the Unseelie Court, both as pets and tools of the Unseelie military.

This is a sexless monster that cannot reproduce on its own. Every lokjak in existence must be personally forged by the Divine of Hate himself. He tends to forge them in batches of several hundred at a time, by combining the wings of a bat, the corpse of a blackjack hound, and a lock of his own hair in his wretched forge. It is said that each strand of hair transforms into a new lokjak. They emerge from the forge at full maturity, roughly the size of a tiger.

It has a top-heavy body with front legs that are significantly longer than its back legs, and four clawed feet. It has a flat, bat-like face and jaws full of sharp teeth. Its wings are tipped with claws, which the lokjak uses like a pair of hands to grasp objects and swipe at its enemies. This creature is more delicate than it looks, with its hollow bones. However, the black wool on its torso is so thick that it can absorb sword strikes and sometimes even arrows without injury to the flesh beneath.

Their wool only grows thicker and longer with age, and will quickly become matted if not groomed regularly by a master. Feral lokjaks can be identified by their huge, matted masses of hair, which collect debris and become stone-like. This weighs the lokjak down and inhibits its ability to fly, but as a tradeoff, provides a very tough natural armor.

Though the Peoples Protection League has classified the lokjak as a category 4 monster, they are just as intelligent and trainable as any domesticated canine. What makes the lokjak truly dangerous is its reaction to fear. So long as its master shows boldness in its presence, the lokjak will be loyal and obedient, even eager to please. But if it senses that a person or animal is afraid of it, the monster is overcome by bloodthirst and compelled to attack.

Lokjaks feed exclusively on blood, as they cannot digest solid matter. They use their sharp fangs to puncture flesh and lap up the blood with their tongues, leaving a dry corpse behind. In the wild, they will hunt any creature that flees from them. Creatures–including peoples–that stand up to them by yelling or fighting back will cause the lokjak to retreat. It is a creature which relies on intimidation to survive, but if it fails to scare its enemies, it reveals its true cowardly nature.

CULTURE AND UTILITY

Lokjaks are not welcome throughout most of Gaia. They are considered dangerous and killed on sight in every Great Kingdom except the Unseelie Court, where brave civilians sometimes keep them as pets, and the military uses them as flying battle-mounts.

Otherwise, the only other place they are found is in Crescent Cult territory. The cult uses them for similar purposes as the Unseelie. They are cheap, effective mounts for soldiers. However, because their nature can be unpredictable, they are most often assigned to riders that are incapable of showing fear at all–such as bonewalkers and thralls.

Lokjaks aren’t as tough as they look, and they tend to die quite easily on the battlefield. Fortunately for the Crescent Cult, Mankind’s Disgrace can crank out a whole troop of replacements in no time. For this reason, this monster has become a mainstay for thousands of years, despite how loathed they are by just about everyone. Disgrace himself seems fond of them, keeping several in his company as part of his personal security team.

Queen Morgause of the Unseelie, too, is known to keep lokjaks as guards and companions. She receives them through direct trades with the Crescent Cult, usually in exchange for slaves or undead soldiers. However, she often accepts more pets than they can handle, leading to lokjaks getting loose in the Unseelie Court. The Unseelie people are not skittish around these creatures like the rest of the world, so many loose lokjaks have found loving homes here.

TRIVIA

-Long ago, the Divine of Hate included gnolls in the lokjak’s forging recipe. These ancient lokjaks were larger, significantly smarter, and more humanoid than the modern variants. They had opposable thumbs and could carry out complex tasks. Gnolls would later go extinct, forcing the Divine of Hate to replace them with blackjack hounds, and this recipe resulted in an inferior, more beast-like monster.

-The lokjak’s wool is the exact same color and texture as the Divine of Hate’s own hair. It mats easily if unattended, but can be styled in protective braids, twists, and dreadlocks to prevent this. All of Disgrace and Morgause’s pet lokjaks have styled wool, differentiating them from the scraggly battle-mounts their soldiers ride.

-Lokjaks prefer to sleep hanging upside-down from perches, just like bats. They can cling to nearly anything with their sharp claws, and they fold their wings around themselves to block out light. They are naturally nocturnal.

-Despite their heavy wool, these monsters don’t fare well in cold or wet regions. The sheer thickness of their wool tends to trap moisture and grow fungus if it gets too saturated with water. They are also cold-blooded and can’t generate their own body heat, making them sluggish in cold temperatures. This doesn’t usually matter to their masters, since they are treated like disposable mounts anyway, but responsible lokjak owners must provide these creatures with a warm, dry environment to ensure a long lifespan. The desert is where they truly thrive, able to withstand excruciating ambient temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Because of their attraction to heat, monster hunters build campfires to lure feral lokjaks into traps.

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[loominggaia]

ETIOS MILITARY

Etios Nation has the highest concentration of heavyweight species in the world (centaurs, minotaurs, ogres, etc). Likewise, its military is composed of big, beefy brutes. Though their weaponry is as low-tech as it gets, their sheer muscle makes up for it. It is said that just one centaur on the battlefield is worth several humans.

Etiosi soldiers may be armed with stone clubs and spears for close-range combat, or bows and slings for range. Slings are particularly dangerous when wielded by a heavyweight, because they can launch melon-sized boulders long distances, crushing smaller enemies with ease. More rarely, soldiers will use primitive siege equipment made of timber and stone, like battering rams and catapults. Magic use is fairly common, but the vast majority of Etiosi battlemages are fauns, the smallest and squishiest of gaians. Satyrs usually act as frontline infantry, and gorgons as long-range archers.

There aren't many commoners living in Etios Nation, but many of those that do are working as soldiers. Since they don't have property rights, joining the military gives commoners a guaranteed roof and meals in a barracks. 

Both males and females may join the Etiosi military, so long as they are reasonably fit adults. However, females are discouraged from direct combat positions, and usually work as medics, tacticians, janitors, and other less dangerous roles. The military restricts females this way to avoid population collapse, as some battles claim the lives of thousands of men at a time.

---> Main Etios Nation page <---

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[loominggaia]

ETIOS CULTURE

The Etiosi value community above all else. Their culture places a strong emphasis on family togetherness and doing what's best for the herd. Etiosi who act selfishly or go against the herd mentality are shamed by their communities.

Slavery has never been legal in Etios Nation. This may not sound like a big achievement, but considering the prevalence of slavery in other Great Kingdoms, it is actually quite impressive and a point of great pride for the Etiosi. They value their freedom and unique cultural identity.

The Etiosi have a long-standing grudge against Matuzans because of their history. Hateful rhetoric against Matuzans, commoners, and especially fae is very common here. However, not all Etiosi feel this way. There is a growing number of them who wish to leave the past behind and start patching things up with their enemies, believing it will make their kingdom stronger in the long run.

Etios Nation was founded by gaians, for gaians. Commoners may visit and rent property from citizens, but they cannot own property themselves, nor can they legally marry. As for fae, they are not permitted in Etios territory at all, and will be deported or even killed on sight. Etiosi gaians treat commoners as second-class citizens and frequently exploit them for cheap labor. Commoners are rarely considered part of the herd. They usually end up in Etios Nation because they're fleeing the law in Matuzu Kingdom, or because they were born there and are too poor to leave.

Gaians are all considered part of one big herd in this kingdom, but even among them, not all are treated equally. Satyrs and gorgons sit at the bottom of the social ladder, while minotaurs and centaurs are at the top. Fauns exist somewhere in the middle, looked down upon for their physical weakness, yet respected for their magical prowess. Muscle and might carries the most weight in Etiosi culture, but they also value loyalty, reliability, and honor.

Etiosi people do not measure wealth in gold, but in influence. Those with the biggest families and the most friends hold the most power in their society. Being respectable (or at least very deceptive) is more important than being rich when it comes to climbing the social ladder.

However, that isn't to say that money has no value in this kingdom. It certainly does, but mostly for the High Chieftain and other leaders. Each Etiosi settlement has a communal hall called a Great Silo, which collects “taxes” in the form of resources each citizen produces. This may be lumber, grain, stone, or even hours of childcare or cleaning services in the form of redeemable tickets. The more one produces, the more they must give. When a local is in need, they draw resources from this pool. This communal practice keeps most Etiosi out of poverty, while also keeping anyone from getting too rich.

There are slightly different subcultures in Etios Nation, mostly dependent on species. Many satyrs, for example, choose to live independent lives in the forest preserves, while most minotaurs live in tight-knit family clans. As a general rule, most Etiosi practice polygamy and live on large plots of land with their spouses and immediate family. Multiple generations live together, and oftentimes extended family will move in as well. Families--called “clans”--only split when they have physically run out of room and resources on their land to support them all. Clans can grow quite large, and the largest among them carry the most influence over their communities. However, not all clans have good reputations.

Etios Nation respects the Nymph Pact, and there has never been a time in its history where it didn't. Since its territory was rural to begin with, it doesn't have a history of industrial contamination. This has left its wilderness clean and abundant with natural resources. Its population has a healthy respect for nature and largely practices permaculture principles.

As a tradeoff, however, they do not have access to advanced medical care, weaponry, or engineering technologies. Lifespans are short, battles are fought with muscle and magic, and buildings rarely exceed 3 stories in height.

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[loominggaia]

ETIOS ECONOMY

The first Etiosi were a mix of Matuzan gaians from all backgrounds, both rich and poor. They arrived in southern Serkel with only as much as they could carry, but they walked onto some of the most fertile soils on Gaia. This soil was what kicked off the kingdom's economy, as food and lumber were abundant. The mountains were also rich in salt and stone, and the rivers alive with fish.

A significant chunk of Etios’ citizens are minotaurs, who can survive by eating grass. This means that the Olive Plains region is a giant buffet of free food for much of its people, so the kingdom has never faced large-scale famine. Etiosi minotaurs did not spend much time procuring food for themselves, so they instead procured food to sell to others. Food has always been the kingdom’s biggest export, particularly crops, freshwater fish, and a controversial (but valuable) specialty: minotaur milk.

Within Etios Nation are nature preserves, intended as places for nymphs and satyrs to live their natural way of life. Those who choose to live in these preserves do not pay taxes to Etios Nation, but also forfeit their right to Etios’ civic services like hospitals and police protection. The satyrs in the preserves produce unique wines that can't be found anywhere else on Gaia. Etiosi citizens barter with the satyrs to get this wine, then mark it up and export it for big money.

Bartering is common not just among the satyrs, but among all Etiosi peoples. The Etiosi enjoy relative wealth equality compared to other Great Kingdoms, thanks to its highly communal culture. There aren't many rich people to be found here, but there aren't many poor either. In most jurisdictions, resources are pooled in a communal area and taken as-needed. Hoarding is quite rare, mostly because Etios’ low-tech society means that nothing lasts for very long, but also because greed is harshly punished, both by the law and society.

Etios is one of the poorest Great Kingdoms in regards to the amount of gold in its treasury, yet this poverty is not really reflected in its citizens’ quality of life. Most of them live directly off the land, as gaians are naturally well suited to this low-tech lifestyle.

---> Main Etios Nation article <---

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