Argenon

is the greatest medical academy in all Terra. It is located in Ki, on Cynsely and takes up most of a city block.

Men and women from all over Terra travel there to learn everything from prenatal care to post mortem. It is the only academy of its kind in all of Terra. Those who attend are constantly seeking new and better ways to improve the quality of living, of all in the world.

The academy has put in place a policy where those who are dying may choose to donate their body to the academy for further study. Those people can write into their will their desires. This allows students to learn more about how different systems work. It is an unprecidented thing in Terra. However, smaller academies, branches of Argenon, have begun appearing throughout the world as it is difficult to transport bodies in a manner that still allows them to be examined.

As Cynsyle is a democracy instead of a monarchy, the free exchange of knowledge is unparalleled. Not only has that country benefitted, but all of Terra. The men and women who become doctors, nurses, midwives, and coroners take their knowledge all over. Some even join the clergy and the Order of Silence. Recently, a group has even begun studying the bodies after death with the sole purpose of learning how the individual died. It isn’t widely accepted, as yet.

There are still those resistent to such knowledge. They believe the studies to be bordering on necromancy. They treat those who practive such things as evil beings and outcasts.

Thankfully, those from the great magic academies understand the difference between the study of biology and the study of necromancy. They are more than happy to protect and prop up those who practice and study the medical arts.

The classes are rigorous. A large percentage of the students don’t complete the full course. A hospital, the first of its kind, was established near the outskirts of Ki. It allows the students to complete their residencies and become medical professionals.

Gilldermaire

is the college for bards. It is located in Teshkar, in the capital city of Kras. It was originally created to bring together those who love music so they could colaborate and exchange ideas and tips.

Over time, the great wandering musicians settled down and began teaching the younger generation. Not only did they teach music, but they also taught other skills. A bard’s life is extremely diverse. They teach them how to fight, seduce, and use the magic their music creates.

For those unfamiliar with bards, they are nefarious for filandering and causing no end of trouble. The great ones write epic ballads, travel the world, and seduce rich and beautiful men and women. The great ones play not only taverns and inn, but also nobles houses, royal palaces, and collisums.

Every year, the leaders of the school make the journey to Corellon, during the Zepheroth, to host the opening ceremonies and the bard competition. There are great prizes and prestige for the bard whose ballad is chosen. As a result, bards the world over, playing every instrument known, and even a few of their own creation, flock to Corellon in the days and weeks leading to the great tournament.

Not all bards attend the college. Not all those in the college leave and travel the world. Some of the best students at the college, however, are recruited for other things. Commonly, they are spies, though not always. The skills they learn are effective in many other trades, as well.

Order of Silence

is a group of priests and priestesses from all the temples. They are spread throughout Terra and have no temple of their own. Most, they find residence in temples to Lucian or Lilith. Members of the Order can be found wherever there is a major conflict, the ill or dying, or the elderly. They provide care for the dead, preparing their bodies for whatever ceremony the person or their loved ones chose.

Those of the Order will clean the body, dress or stitch any wounds, and coordinate with whomever handles the funeral arrangements. All this, they do without speaking. Each member takes a vow when they join. No matter the season or country, these men and women wear a midlength gray robe. They keep their hair short, so as not to interfere with their work. Embroidered on their robes is a sun on the horizon.

All the denizens of Terra respect the members of the Order. It’s commonly accepted that they are given food, lodging, and protection wherever they go. To turn one away is to invite terrible misfortune on oneself and family.

The Guild of Shadows

was created by Keegan, Duke of Cahn, at the same time as the Shadow Stalkers and Black Ghosts of Iskendurun. Unlike the men and women serving the crown, The Guild answers to no one but their own tribunal. They have chapters all over Terra and their true allegiances lie in maintaining peace and the flow of information. Some members tether themselves to certain nobles or families in certain countries.

Build members are often selected from other guilds. Occasionally, they are selected from a country’s informants. They are put through rigorous testing and intense scrutiny to ensure their guild loyalty.

The Guild has had a hand in every major event in Terran history, since their inception. They are true to their name and known only by a few.

The Criminal Justice System

varies by country. However, throughout Terra, The Guild of Shadows carefully regulates and maintains thievery. Every thieves’ guild answers to them. Violators are dealt with swiftly and severely.

Rape, murder, and mistreatment of “the forgotten” are the worst. Offenders are given no quarter.

Lawyers prosper, handling all other crimes. Priests of Lilith also serve as judges throughout Terra.

In Iskendurun, Glendar, and Dorath, capital offenders are given a choice: death or the Titans’ Guard. All other convicted criminals are given a similar choice: prison work camps or Titans’ Guard.

Those who opt for the prison work camps are tasked with public works maintenance and repair. They keep the major cities’ streets cleaned and in repair, ensure that water and sewage pipes are clear, repaired, and functioning, and maintain and repair all city walls and buildings.

On occasion, temples and private citizens can hire prisoners, for a modest fee, to work. Often, tradesmen with few or no children will hire them for building upkeep and repairs. Farmers in need of extra hands will hire them out too.

Marriage

In all Terra there is only one country that only acknowledges heterosexual, same-race unions as legal. Everywhere else, people are relatively open-minded.

There are a variety of different traditions surrounding engagements and marriages. Sometimes there are rings exchanged. Sometimes the man cloaks the woman. Sometimes there are other special gifts exchanged.

As for the ceremonies, the couple usually agrees upon the style in advance. Many still honor the ancient tradition of hand-fasting. Others honor the tradition of cloaking. Still others, honor the exchanging of wedding bands. Some blend several traditions together.

Dress styles and colors vary depending upon the country, and the bride. The attire and coloring of the groom’s clothing varies as well. This also changes with the orientation of the parties participating in the ceremony.

No matter the attire, the ceremony itself is almost always performed by a priest, or priestess, of Mekail–goddess of love. Occasionally, though, the parties may choose to have a priest of their deity perform the ceremony instead.

Feasting often follows the wedding ceremony. The duration of the feast depends on the race, wealth, family size, and nationality of the parties involved. Sometimes, the couple give gifts to their guests. Other times, guest give the couple wedding gifts.

It is frowned upon to hold “shotgun weddings” but not completely unheard of. All cultures believe marriage is sacred and should only be entered into willingly and with love in one’s heart.

“Christmas”

Midwinter Festival, Celebration of Lights, Longest Night. It goes by several names, depending on the country. However, it’s celebrated in a similar manner all around Terra. There is feasting. There is drinking. There is revelry and merriment. Occasionally, there is gift-giving.

There is almost always a reenactment, of some sort, of the changing of the season: the death of “Old Man Winter” at the hands of the Spring Maiden. Or the death of the Winter Crone and the hands of the Prince of Spring. No matter the celestial beings, it heralds the impending change of the season.

In many cultures, it is also seen as the start of the new year. As the longest night of the year, they see it as an end of the old.

However it is celebrated, it is always a joyous occasion. Young and old alike spend the time on a little frivolity.

Podcast

That’s right. I’ve decided to start a podcast. I know. I know. “If you can’t keep up with your blog about your books, how are you going to keep up with a podcast?” That’s the beauty of it, though. My blog took a backseat to the serious writing. With a podcast, I can record episodes in advance and release them as needed. Also, the podcast allows me to talk through any writing dilemmas or blocks I may come up against.

If you’re interested, check it out:

King’s Champion

It’s been far too long since I posted anything here. For that, I’m profoundly sorry. Writing took over. Things happened with my family. However, I successfully published the first book in the Way of the Fist series.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1043958

Festival of Tears

Every year, in a small village called Sarquith, not far outside the capitol city of Debash, is a day-long celebration honoring the cleric and warrior who became the wandering willow and Quillus. It is called the Festival of Tears. From sunup to sundown local artisans sell their wares in stalls lining the main street of the village.

At the center of the village grows the original wandering willow. The whole town square is filled with the Quillus flowers. For the festival the tree is carefully decorated with a myriad pastel ribbons.

On the outskirts of town the local farmers sell the other produce the area is renown for: strawberries. This magnificent fruit grows only in and around the village, year round. It is shipped all over Terra, as a rare and exotic fruit.

Not far from the town square is a vendor who sells a most unusual sweet only available during the festival. It is called a Frozen Tear of Aleera. Frozen water sweetened with honey and flavored with either strawberries, lemons, or Quillus flowers, they are shaped like a tear and hung on a string tied to a dowel.

The temple of Lilith, goddess of wisdom and healing, outside the village, sees many weddings during this celebration. Lovers the world over come to be blessed on the auspicious day.