#navaaria

[peonyb]

hello, peony! hope you're doing well! i was wondering, and i hope this isn't silly, but if our MC marries Anle, that would make them Consort in a way, right? or no? also, is there a specific title or duties that are expected of us to perform?

Hi, I am! I hope you are too and that your weekend has been fun or at the very least relaxing! Also, this isn’t silly at all. I had fun answering it so ♡ ty

The Sokaf position is more of an occupation than it is a title (it means something similar to protector or defender). So, any spouse of Anle’s wouldn’t necessarily have a title, but they would be recognized as untouchable. While they don’t have any obligations, there is a heavy societal expectation that they reflect the Sokaf’s ideals, engage with the community and participate in its protection on some level. Achians essentially grow up with these standards though and so it’s really seen as the bare minimum. It’s like saying: “the spouse of a monarch should know proper etiquette,” well, that was probably instilled in them since childhood so.. easy lol.

It could potentially be a lot for MC to navigate though. Some Achians would have less of an expectation as they’re Navaarian while others would have more of an expectation for that same reason.

[peonyb]

I've been thinking about this for a while but would Em receive backlash for dating someone younger? Because isn't em like year 3 or 4 and we're year 1 and 21 soo isn't em like 26-28.

(I hope im not mixing up the ages with another if. that would be embarrassing)

Em is year 3 and 23! Anle is older. I think I put them at 27. Achians live to be around 120ish so Anle’s 27 isn’t quite the same as a Navaarian’s.

(please don’t be embarrassed! It’s honestly so okay)

[peonyb]

I have been wondering, is sex seen differently in Navaaria compared to Achia ? Are there different values/morals in these countries ? If I remember correctly, with the asks about pregnancy, Navaaria is open enough for surrogacy to be a thing, but is everywhere the same ? There might not be any lore about that but I thought I would ask as it could be interesting.

Hi! Lore asks are super fun so ty for your interest.

I would say, between Navaaria and Achia, Achia is more open, sexually. While they don’t blatantly discuss it or anything, a comment here or there or the knowledge that people are engaging in intimacy is nothing to even bat an eyelash at. They’re fighting a perpetual war. People are living in the moment, trying to de-stress or making the most of their relationships.

As for surrogacy, it’s not really a common practice in Achia. Not because of sentiment or anything. It’s just not something they, as a society, have invested much weight into. Lysto utilizes it fairly casually, mostly as a means for couples who can’t conceive.

It became so prevalent in Navaaria because the heavy societal pressure to conceive Marked heirs in order to sustain family lines was often times clashing with the desire to marry for love (whether the couple couldn’t conceive together or a noble wanted to marry someone of a “lesser” bloodline but couldn’t risk “tainting” their family genetics) . It’s the nobles, wanting to have options, who really drove the demand for surrogacy. With it becoming a common, accessible (and well respected) service, more couples (including unmarked) began using it less from necessity and more often for convenience and ease.

[peonyb]

No pressure but have you thought about making a map for your world?

Oh, I do! I should probably put it in-game, but here it is.

[peonyb]

Since Anle is a foreigner, are there things/customs/concepts they do not understand, and are there things that they do in Achian culture that we do not that perplexes them ?

Man I hope that makes sense

It does make sense!

Until recent, Achia has practiced isolationism and so there are a number of traditions/customs amongst Navaarians that are new to them. Gift giving is one. Achians value items that have a functional purpose, so the concept of giving someone something solely for enjoyment is strange to them. They need the item to have a specific use or substantial benefit.

There’s also the exchanging of rings for engagements/marriage. Achians commemorate important events and accomplishments with tattoos. A newly married couple will mark their wrists with a symbol of their union, a hunter will celebrate a Scha’le kill with a tattooed ring around their arm, etc. They’re very deliberate. They appreciate reason and purpose in actions and disregard unnecessary fluff or padding. Though Anle is fairly open and has always been curious about the different aspects of Lystonian/Navaarian culture, they’re still easily perplexed by what they learn.

On the other hand, Achians are very private and take their community obligations quite seriously. The idea of putting individuality first, of oversharing or prying is seen as strange and mildly offensive to Anle. So when dealing with Lystonians and their individualistic nature and Navaarians with their openness, Anle really has to hold their tongue.

(This was a pretty fun ask so ty!)

[peonyb]

Sorry if you already talked about this and I missed it! I’ve been wondering, are kids who are half Navaaria and half Achia treated badly or seen as “less than”? Does it change depending on whether they grow up in Achia or Navaaria? And do they get both traits? Like, can they be marked and have Achia abilities?

I haven’t, don’t worry! There are of course some il feelings between Achia and Navaaria, but for the most part, each side views children that are “part” Navaarian/Achian as being “whole.” If they grow up and live within the culture, they are part of the culture. It does get a little more complicated when the child shows physical characteristics of the opposing nation. A child in Achia having vibrant eyes and a flush or warmth to their tones. A child in Navaaria having dull, pale eyes and lacking undertones. Then, while they may not be seen as “less than,” they may be viewed as “other.”

When it comes to marks, even if the Navaarian has a very strong bloodline, it is incredibly rare that they’ll have a marked child with a non-Navaarian. Cassemir, one of the orientation guides, is one of those rarities and likely the only one MC will meet. Brakkus’ intention was to mark Navaarians with his magic, not others. And so the divine magic that flows through every Navaarian is unresponsive to those without it.

[peonyb]

I don't know if it has been asked before if so I'm sorry for repeating

In the world of the marked I know we are locked in to playing cis or gender neutral how okay would the world be with a trans character?

(btw the story is so amazing though I will say I was shocked we got to leave the country so fast I love the sort of politics you've set up can't wait to see more)

Navaaria is open and understanding. When you’re guided by beings that are capable of extraordinary feats, love who they love and whose gender isn’t anywhere near as important as what they represent (whether a trait or nature), it’s hard not to inherit similar values.

Achia is a bit different. Their primary focus as a country is on the safety and security of the people. Before Anle, leadership always had a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” mentality which really represents the general mindset of Achians. They don’t give attention or importance to much else outside of development and military capabilities. In every other area they just maintain the status quo. So, while they don’t ostracize trans people, they don’t really tend to discuss them or really any other self-identity or self-expression. It’s all about the community as a whole. Less about individuals.

Then, you have Lystonians who are more focused on who around them may want to poison their drink lol.

(I’m glad you’re liking the politics! As for going to Lysto, it’s the benefit.. or downside, of Em being your guide haha)

[peonyb]

What kind of flora and fauna are in the Marked? Is a cloud serpent a floating snake or a living cloud that is a snake? Just imagine L trying to sneak in an cloud serpent into GA lol

Hey! It’s basically a temperate forest biome. Thick, stories high trees and lots of greenery. There are some luminescent flora like the minnrle flowers which bloom during the Nyst quarter. I love your imagination because I never considered a living snake shaped cloud lol that sounds so cool. The cloud serpent is a titanoboa sized creature with wings. They come in an assortment of pale colors and dwell primarily in the clouds above Navaaria. They’re huge and not the most friendly. Taming them is dangerous and maintaining them is expensive. Only the uber wealthy tend to have them. But, once a connection has been established, they’re very loyal and protective.

I could see Welling sweating nervously while someone asked them why a series of growls, hisses and the sound of snapping of furniture was coming from their quarters.