The World of Londinia

[Mertiya]

This thread is for general questions about the world, including geography, etiquette, table manners, basic things that haven't come up but should.  Anything world-related will be posted here.

[Mertiya]

Although in general Londinia is similar to a steampunk version of Britain, there are a few major differences.  One of the biggest is the religion which has grown up in this country.  Instead of monotheistic Christianity, the main religion is polytheistic; it is known as the Way of the Gods, or simply the Way.  The deities themselves consist of six Lords and Ladies, as follows:

The Lord Sacrifice

Alignment: NG/LG
Symbols:  a pack of hounds, a pipe, a pen
Portfolio: families, self-sacrifice, protection
Domains: Death, Healing, Protection, Strength, Community

The Lady Walker
Alignment: CG
Symbols:  white robes, an iron horse, a blue snake
Portfolio: knowledge, secrets, magic
Domains: Knowledge, Magic, Travel, Mind, Oracle

The Lord King
Alignment: LN
Symbols: an eagle, stars, blood
Portfolio: power, law, duty
Domains:  Law, War, Glory, Domination, Competition

The Lady Green
Alignment: CN
Symbols: Leaves, earth, a staff
Portfolio:  family, nature
Domains: Plant, Animal, Weather, Community, Liberation

The Lord Madness
Alignment: CE
Symbols:  Mirrors, vines, darkness
Portfolio: Destruction, madness, chaos
Domains:  Destruction, Chaos, Madness, Dream, Creation

The Lady Order
Alignment: LE
Symbols: Records, hourglass, a patterned cloak
Portfolio:  Law, Bureacracy
Domains: Evil, Celerity, Inquisition, Purification, Domination

[Falconsgyre]

What's the social stratification like, and the rulership? 19th century Britain with Parliament? Monarchy?

[Mertiya]

The nominal head of state is Ladyqueen Lizzabeth VI, but she's only got about as much power as a monarch does in current Britain.  Most of the true power resides in the Council of Lords and Ladies, which is a parliamentary body traditionally ruled over by three lords and three ladies.  Originally a religious institution referring to the Way, it is now almost wholly secular.

In past centuries, men and women were chosen for their posts based on their ability to assume the rules of the Gods.  There was some feeling that it was necessary in order to keep the balance of nature.  However, after a period similar to the Enlightenment, most of this superstition was dropped, and the three Lords and the three Ladies were chosen by vote in the parliamentary body itself.

One notable difference between Londinia and Britain is that there is very little sex-based discrimination.  There's a LOT of discrimination against different races and different skin colors, but primarily because of the equal-gendered Gods, you don't get a lot of "weaker sex" shtick.

There's a nobility structure approximately similar to that in nineteenth-century Britain:  upper class (lords and nobles and people with land), middle class (merchants and businessmen), lower class (working men).  It's pretty hard to move between them, but possible given enough money.  Still, the longer you've been "landed" the more of a "proper noble" you're seen to be.

It's also extremely prestigious to work as a part of the government.  There's a large number of bureaucrats associated with it--rather a preponderance--and there are agencies/committees for EVERYTHING.  Generally it's quite competent and largely stays out of foreign affairs except when necessary (VERY different from Imperialist Britain--that is of course to do with the fact that it's much harder to get to other countries due to the large bands of Wilderness that swathe through random places.  It IS true that you generally don't get Wilds at sea, though, mostly only on land.)