MATUZAN DEMOGRAPHICS

Matuzu Kingdom has the most diverse population of all the Great Kingdoms. Its gaian population has fallen significantly since the 3rd age due to the Gaian Exodus, however. Fae hold a slight majority over commoners.

This kingdom has the highest concentration of roshava in the world. Roshava are plentiful all over Matuzan territory, but most of them are in the hold of Koeshan, which is where their species is believed to have originated.

Its many large bodies of water and Aquarian-friendly infrastructure allows Terrians and Aquarians to live in harmony throughout the kingdom, mainly along the coastlines and in the Midland Jungle region. The Emerald Wetland region is dominated by Aquarians.

The Dryad’s Wood region has a high concentration of Umorian immigrants, including faerys. Though faerys cannot legally own land in Matuzu Kingdom, the fae of Dryad’s Wood have generated much wealth by renting property to them.

The Midland Savannah is home to many humans, elves, and centaurs. Matuzu’s western coastline has the largest population of gorgons outside of Lamai Nation, and its eastern islands are home to many native elves and sirenes.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN LAW

Laws can differ greatly between different Matuzan holds, but the following laws apply to all of them.

Nobility:

• -Matuzu Kingdom is a monarchy. The High Ruler must be an heir of the last High King and Queen.
• -Monsters are not eligible to rule any Matuzan hold or the kingdom itself.

Education:

• -Basic schooling is free and mandatory for all Matuzan citizens. Basic arcane schooling is free to all citizens up to a certain age. College is not free, but scholarships are available from the government.

Social Welfare: 

• -All species and sexes may own property and bank accounts.
• -All Matuzan citizens are entitled to a minimum wage, though this amount differs by hold.
• -Marriage is permitted between all peoples, no matter their sex or species. Marrying more than one spouse is illegal, but dating more than one person is legal and not uncommon in this kingdom.
• -Any species, same-sex couples, and single parents may adopt children of any type. However, parents must meet strict income requirements and their home must meet certain conditions.
• -Disabled and elderly citizens are entitled to welfare in the form of quarterly cash stipends.
• -Immigrants must be processed through a Matuzan embassy before they can earn citizenship. Prospective immigrants must either pay a large fine, or else spend three years living and working in a government work camp. They must also pass an extensive citizenship test.

Religion: 

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

Censorship: 

• -Media which depicts graphic animal cruelty, child pornography, or directly encourages terrorist acts is prohibited.
• -Matuzans enjoy freedom of speech, and are free to criticize their leadership without legal consequence.

Military: 

• -Citizens of any species and sex may join the military, so long as they can pass a physical exam.

Slavery: 

• -Slavery is illegal in most Matuzan holds, but may still be legal in others. By Matuzan High Law, if a slave runs away and manages to set foot across the border of an anti-slavery hold, they instantly become free citizens. At least one witness is required.
• -Specific rules for enslaved peoples differ by hold.

Magic: 

• -Magic use is broadly legal, but certain types of magic (such as necromancy) are outlawed.
• -Magic must not be used to do harm to people, land, or property except in cases of self-defense.
• -Using magic to break laws results in an extra charge.

Nymphs: 

• -Nymphs may register with their local Nymph Pact Committee, which oversees Matuzu’s compliance with the Nymph Pact.
• -Nymphs may become Matuzan citizens if they choose, though this will forfeit their status with the Nymph Pact Committee.
• -Nymphs who are not a member of the Nymph Pact Committee nor Matuzan citizens are considered “Aspects of Gaia”. They exist under the same category as wild beasts and land.

Monsters: 

• -Only category 0 and category 1 monsters are permitted in Matuzu Kingdom. Categories 2 and up are to be killed or imprisoned on sight by the Matuzan Guard.
• -Monsters may not marry or own property in any Matuzan hold. Renting property is permitted.

Environment: 

• -Matuzan Nymph Pact: All automated industries are prohibited within Matuzan borders. All industrial operations must be performed manually. All industrial operations must be environmentally sustainable. Plastics, toxic chemicals, and all non-biodegradable materials are prohibited within Matuzan borders. (Caveat: Cameras and film projectors may be operated with a special permit. If broken, these devices must be turned in to the proper facility or else the operator shall be fined.)
• -Livestock must be provided adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.
• -Hunting and fishing are permitted in designated zones with a permit. Poaching is prohibited.
• -Sewage must be disposed of in an environmentally-neutral way, such as composting or processed for utility (fuel, building material, etc.)

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN MILITARY

Matuzu Kingdom has a fearsome military that excels at land control. The local geography is diverse, and the military has developed specialized units to tackle every type of terrain. These units include war elephants, which can barge their way through thick jungles with ease. Matuzan dragoneers speed around the savannah on velociraptors to quickly cover large swathes of land. Soldiers overwhelm enemies from the backs of okapi or even from chariots in flatter regions.

Ever since the Gaian Exodus, Matuzu Kingdom has put great effort into patrolling even its most remote territories, fearing another power like Etios Nation from rising on its own soil. Still, the kingdom is constantly tangling with inner conflicts, most notably the Kaconenan tribe which threatens to take over its savannah region.

Matuzu Kingdom has a decent navy that utilizes both traditional wooden ships and biovessels (such as globeholders). However, due to its compliance with the Nymph Pact, it is prohibited from using iron ships. Its navy relies heavily on magic to defend the kingdom’s waters.

Matuzu’s sky control is also decent, but easily bested by both Evangeline Kingdom and Yerim-Mor Kingdom. On the ground, however, Matuzan armies are nearly unstoppable.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN CULTURE

In ancient times, Matuzu Kingdom’s territory was occupied by several different kingdoms, each with their own unique cultures. One of these kingdoms became dominant over the others and encouraged all the small kingdoms to unite under one government, the first Great Kingdom. But the smaller kingdoms feared losing their cultures and way of life, so compromises were made, such as letting each one have its own set of laws.

Today, those kingdoms are called “cities” or “holds” of Matuzu Kingdom. Although they are all Matuzan, one hold may have a very different culture from another. The hold of Koeshan, for example, is dominated by roshava who believe in the “split-soul doctrine”. Dryad’s Wood is made up primarily of nymphs, faerys, and Umorian immigrants. Rodanga is a rural ranching territory dominated by humans, while Matuzu Capital City is an urban megalopolis with a healthy mix of all peoples within it.

There are many stereotypes about Matuzans, both positive and negative. They are said to be creative minds and sensitive souls, but also degenerate sex-pests. They are said to be highly educated and wealthy, but also snobbish. It is true that the Matuzan government prioritizes its arts and entertainment sector above other things, and so this kingdom is home to many of the world’s best writers, musicians, and actors.

Matuzu Kingdom’s gaian population took a big dive after the Gaian Exodus of the 3rd Age, with most gaians seeking refuge in Etios Nation. This has had a great impact on its culture, as gaian species have been minorities ever since.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN POLITICS

Matuzu Kingdom is often called the “melting pot” of Looming Gaia because of its diverse population. It is home to many different species, religions, and cultures, so its politics have been highly unstable since ancient times.

Matuzu Kingdom is currently a monarchy, but this has not always been the case. It has been a democracy and even a dictatorship several times in the past, and it will likely cycle through these systems again in the future, as its political landscape changes dramatically with its ever-shifting populations.

Matuzu is currently ruled by the elven King Yazid, though he has fallen very ill and appointed his teenage son, Prince Marghan, to rule in his place until he’s well again. Most Matuzans are not happy about this arrangement, feeling that Marghan is too young and irresponsible, and they believe Yazid will not recover from his illness.

Marghan has already proven to be a menace to his people with all his wild antics, frivolous spending, and diplomatic blunders. His mother, Queen Uzoma, is left to frantically clean up all the messes he leaves in his wake. She is constantly fending off assassins who make attempts on his life. Marghan has no siblings, and currently his only heirs are politically-illegitimate bastard children.

Increasingly dissatisfied with the royal family, there are rumblings that another political upheaval is on the horizon. Modern Matuzans are tired of the monarchy and wish to return to a democracy, but such a move cannot be done without forcefully removing the current royal family.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN ECONOMY

The World Athenaeum brings a lot of travelers and business to the kingdom, but this is just a small piece of its large tourism industry. Matuzu has invested heavily in art, education, and culture, creating many beautiful and interesting places to visit.

Though it has lost many acres of farmland to Etios, Matuzu still has large swathes of fertile jungle where many profitable crops are grown, such as coconuts, chocolate, oranges, and ekumelas. This kingdom is also the largest exporter of rubber and sugar on Gaia.

Its abundant natural resources means it has to import very little, creating a secure domestic economy. Almost all of the other Great Kingdoms rely heavily on Matuzu’s many exports, buying everything from lumber to spices and more.

The average Matuzan enjoys a high standard of living, especially by Nymph Pact standards, though this is more true of its urban territories. Some of its rural holds are quite neglected and poor. The High leadership purposefully snatched resources away from these holds to create an “underclass” population. These poor, uneducated citizens are more likely to join the military or work for lower pay. The kingdom has been operating this way since its failure to enslave gaians in the 3rd Age.

Living in Matuzu Kingdom is not cheap, and even its poorest holds balk at the ludicrous taxes they must pay despite getting so little in return. Matuzu Capital City has the highest taxes of any territory on Gaia, though to its credit, it is also considered one of the world’s most beautiful and impressive cities.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN HISTORY

Primal Age

The land that Matuzu Kingdom now claims was once home to many different peoples and their civilizations. This area encompasses several biomes in the middle of Serkel, but mostly the Midland Jungle and Midland Savannah.

These areas were naturally abundant in resources, so there wasn’t much reason for conflict between the many different peoples who dwelled there. These civilizations enjoyed long periods of peace and productive trade, which helped them all to grow quite quickly.

1st Age

By the beginning of the 1st Age, many of the civilizations around Serkel had assimilated with each other and formed large, impressive kingdoms. It wasn’t long before the surrounding smaller civilizations joined willingly or were forcefully conquered. These large kingdoms then merged with one another, forming the largest power on Gaia at the time. It was the world’s first “Great Kingdom”, known as Matuzu Kingdom.

Sometime around the year 1450, a series of devastating wildfires known as The Scorching Death ripped over nearly the entire continent of Serkel. What exactly caused this event is unknown, but it displaced and destroyed many of Matuzu’s territories. The fires did not cross the Serkel Desert, however, and the civilizations there were able to thrive without Matuzan interference for many centuries.

During this time, those desert civilizations formed the world’s second Great Kingdom, Yerim-Mor Kingdom, and it surpassed Matuzu in its glory.

2nd Age

Matuzu spent a few centuries recovering from The Scorching Death. But its rebound was strong, for the ash left behind from the fires nourished the soils and cleared forests, priming the land for large, successful farming and ranching endeavors. It’s said that during this time, every Matuzan could feed themselves from their own backyards. The kingdom began exporting food to foreign powers on a large scale.

By the middle of the 2nd age, Matuzu Kingdom sprang back even bigger and better than before, quickly catching up with Yerim-Mor economically. Its population also boomed during this period as droves of fae and faery refugees were pouring in from Umory-Ond, trying to escape Queen Titania’s violent conquest. These refugees built strong communities in the region of Dryad’s Wood, which has been home to many Umorian immigrants and their descendants ever since.

3rd Age

The 3rd Age saw an explosion of new Great Kingdoms, which many credit to Matuzu Kingdom’s aggressive trading efforts. Many civilizations worldwide saw a large economic boom, as new sources of goods and revenue became available to them. Matuzu Kingdom, with its massive population and central location, became the biggest trading hub on Gaia.

Things took a dramatic turn for the worse around 3700, however, when Matuzu’s High King made a controversial decision to declare gaians a “lesser class” than fae and commoners. Under this new rule, Matuzan employers only had to pay gaian species ⅓ of their territory’s minimum wage. In addition, all gaian home owners had to start paying rent to the kingdom in addition to taxes, for the kingdom now legally owned their land.

This was done because the average Matuzan’s quality of life had become so high and their rights so many, that there was a shortage of cheap labor. The High King’s new laws backfired massively, however, and caused the kingdom’s gaians to migrate south in masses. Matuzu’s southern territories were mostly rural farmland, which made it easy for these huge swaths of gaians to move in and settle wherever they pleased without resistance.

These gaians settled here in protest and refused to give up their new land. Matuzu was locked in conflicts with other powers at the time and could not gain control over this civil war, and after dragging on for a few centuries, the entire southern half of the kingdom was officially claimed by the gaian rebels.

4th Age

At the start of the 4th Age, the World Athenaeum was founded, which is the world’s largest repository of knowledge. It is a library, museum, college, convention center, and research laboratory all in one. Matuzu Kingdom was chosen for its location due to the kingdom’s relative stability, economic wealth, and central location. The World Athenaeum has been Matuzu’s biggest point of pride ever since, and the World Athenaeum itself has benefitted the kingdom massively in regards to education, culture, and commercial opportunities.

Around the middle of the 4th Age, Matuzu completely lost control over its southern half to gaian rebels. The rebels formed a new Great Kingdom all their own, called Etios Nation. Matuzu has been trying to reclaim this land ever since, but Etios has managed to fend them off with help from its allies, mainly Folkvar Kingdom.

Matuzu found itself in a precarious position, as it was now sandwiched between two hostile powers: Yerim-Mor to the north and Etios to the south, with yet another enemy overseas (Folkvar). Luckily it was able to hold its own during these hostile times with the power of sheer wealth, hiring foreign mercenary armies to defend its most sensitive territories.

5th Age

Matuzu Kingdom spent most of the 5th age trying to start colonies on foreign continents–and failing for various reasons. The main reason being that its resources were simply stretched too thin from all its wars, and it had no allies to back it up. One of its biggest trade partners, the Bormek Commonwealth, also collapsed right at the start of this age, which set Matuzu up for difficulties.

With hardship looming on the horizon, Matuzu pushed to expand its tourism industry to generate revenue. Many private lands were seized from its own peoples, especially along its coasts, and turned into resort destinations. Through aggressive marketing and sacrifice, Matuzu Kingdom became known as the world’s best vacation destination.

Around 5900, its neighboring kingdom Yerim-Mor suffered a devastating earthquake at its capital city. This earthquake split the land and revealed abundant gold mines near the kingdom’s biggest river, the Sunglow River. Matuzu saw an opportunity to get richer and seized it, invading Yerim-Mor in its time of weakness to take the gold for itself. Matuzan mining and manufacturing companies set up shop on Morite lands, polluting the environment and enslaving the locals.

This move quickly brought Yerim-Mor to its knees, and now it is known as the poorest Great Kingdom on Gaia. To this day, Matuzu Kingdom still occupies some of Yerim-Mor’s territories and uses them as a dumping ground for its most pollutive industries, so that it can skirt around the rules of the Nymph Pact. Matuzu reaps all the economic benefits of its industries while Yerim-Mor takes the heat from angry nymphs.

6th Age

Matuzu has found itself facing many major conflicts in the 6th Age. The most pressing is its teenage ruler, Prince Marghan, who stepped in to “temporarily” take his sick father’s throne until his health improved. Marghan is notoriously foolish and inexperienced, and his people fear that the king will soon die, giving Marghan full control over the kingdom.

Matuzu Kingdom is also at war with three kingdoms at once: Etios Nation, Yerim-Mor Kingdom, and Folkvar Kingdom, with no allies to back it up. In addition, the kingdom is being increasingly terrorized by the Kaconenan tribe, nomadic fae that raid and pillage its territories in the Savannah region. The threat of Crescent Cult activity is increasing at the Morite border, as the cult tries to expand into Matuzan territory.

Matuzu’s sheer wealth has kept it afloat during these challenging times. However, this much conflict is simply not sustainable long-term, and Prince Marghan will be forced to make some very delicate decisions going forward.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

World Events Timeline

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZAN DIPLOMACY

Nymph Pact: Signed

Allies: None

Enemies: Yerim-Mor Kingdom, Folkvar Kingdom, Etios Nation

Matuzu Kingdom has an infamous reputation as a “bully” nation, as it has historically started many conflicts over land and resources. Yerim-Mor Kingdom is its oldest enemy, but in recent times it has also drawn the ire of Folkvar Kingdom and Etios Nation.

While Matuzu can be a powerful ally, it has betrayed its allies many times in the past, which makes modern powers reluctant to get involved with it. Matuzu is forced to fight its conflicts alone most of the time, but fortunately, it has the abundant resources to do so.

SEE ALSO

Matuzu Kingdom Main Page

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

MATUZU KINGDOM

(this page is under construction)

OVERVIEW

Current Leader: High Prince Marghan Matuzu

Color: Orange

Symbol: Elephant

Also known as the “First Kingdom”. Matuzu Kingdom is best known for its great wealth, cultural diversity, and high regard for art and education. It was the first civilization on Gaia to be known as a Great Kingdom.

It is known as an abundant land of opportunity by some, and a war-mongering bully by others. Matuzu has a very long history behind it, enduring many different leaders, catastrophes, and political revolutions throughout the ages. It began as a collection of many small kingdoms, which later formed an alliance under one power.

Matuzu’s territory once encompassed ⅔ of Serkel. In the late 3rd Age, however, it suffered a civil war which caused a significant loss of land to Etios Nation. It is now sandwiched between two enemy powers: Yerim-Mor to the north and Etios to the south. While this kingdom has no current allies, its wealth and abundant geography allows it to have a great deal of independence.

Because of its wealth, stability, and central location, Matuzu Kingdom was chosen as the location of the World Athenaeum. Many world conferences are also held in its territory.

DIPLOMACY

HISTORY

ECONOMY

POLITICS

CULTURE

MILITARY

LAW

DEMOGRAPHICS

TRIVIA:

-Matuzu’s banner depicts an elephant, a symbol of intelligence, creativity, and family in Matuzan culture.

-Its official color, orange, represents the flames of the Scorching Death that nearly destroyed the kingdom, but ended up invigorating it by fertilizing its soil.

SEE ALSO

• High Prince Marghan
• Matuzan Hairstyles
• Matuzan Cuisine
• Kaconenans
• Religion: Arjukam
• Rainbow Trees
• City: Koeshan
• Ask - Matuzu

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

—> (uncensored artwork available on Deviantart) <—

Special thanks to the LG fandom for giving their input on this one!

DRAU

Name: Drau [DROW]

Class: Monster, Faery, Midweight

PPL Category: 1 - Generally passive, dangerous only when provoked

OVERVIEW

Drau were Queen Titania’s third attempt at monster-forging. Her skills had improved by that time, which is apparent by the drau’s impressive powers. Titania considers them “almost perfect”, though their sensitivity to light is their most notorious weakness.

Most of the world’s drau live in the Unseelie Court. They are not quite as intelligent as adhene, but are far more intelligent than the other faerys (kobolds and pixies). Drau are naturally nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night.

BIOLOGY

Drau look fairly similar to elves, as they were in fact forged using many parts of dead elves. Titania claims she also used spiders, amethysts, coal, and volcanic ash to create them, among other things. 

They have slender, skeletal builds and stand a couple heads taller than elves. All drau have jet-black complexions, soulless purple eyes, and white, straight hair. While the species can appear quite androgynous, males can be identified by their whisker-like facial and body hair. Both sexes can secrete a sticky substance from their palms that allows them to scale almost any surface.

They can also turn their heads around almost 360 degrees, similar to an owl. This, combined with their large ears and sensitive hearing, makes them difficult to sneak up on. Drau are excellent at sneaking up on others, however, as their black skin helps them blend in with the darkness and their long limbs allow them to move more quietly. While these long limbs give them an impressive reach in combat situations, they have very little muscle and rely mostly on raising undead thralls to defend themselves.

Like all faerys, drau are born with an innate magical power. Their power lies in necromancy, able to reanimate corpses of peoples, beasts, and even other monsters to do their bidding. When they are young, they can only reanimate small creatures. But as they grow older and develop their skills, they are able to control powerful battalions of undead.

Drau have poor vision in daylight, so they are most active during night time hours. If they must be out during the day, they protect their eyes with dark glasses or face veils. For some reason, all drau are repulsed by the smell and taste of citrus.

The average drau lifespan is around 50 years. Their life stages are infant (0-1), toddler (2-4), child (5-9), adolescent (10-19), adult (20-39), and elder (40+).

CULTURE

The draus’ affinity for necromancy gives them a bad reputation just about everywhere on Gaia. Other peoples are also put off by their “creepy” appearance, swiveling heads, and wall-climbing behaviors. They are feared and even prohibited from many territories, and even when they are allowed to exist, they are prohibited from using their necromancy powers.

Only the Unseelie Court welcomes them with open arms, as it was founded by a famous drau named Queen Morgause, specifically as a haven where her kind could practice necromancy freely. Because of this, the vast majority of the world’s drau are Unseelie.

This was not always the case, however. At one time, most drau called the Seelie Court their home. It was after the Seelie queen, Titania, outlawed necromancy that most of them migrated to the Unseelie Court, as they felt stifled by her restrictions. Small tribes of drau also live in Mogdir Kingdom, mostly in its rural eastern territories, where they practice their dark magic in secrecy. They are known to keep close company with vampires.

In the Seelie Court, drau have their own special district called Undercity. This is a dark subterranean city built by and for drau, and it is not very welcoming to other species. Undercity has its own exclusive police force, hospitals, and other services for drau only. Light is prohibited in Undercity and many buildings are only accessible to those who can climb walls, making it very hard for most non-drau to navigate.

While drau have some subterranean neighborhoods in the Unseelie Court, they are more well-integrated with other species there, and many drau can be living topside as well. However, they tend to only leave their houses at night.

Culturally, drau have a bit of a sibling rivalry with adhene, as they often compete for the same high-ranking positions in the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Drau are widely stereotyped as necromancers, cannibals, serial killers, and bullies. In reality, drau are not evil by nature, and are in fact quite reasonable and intelligent creatures. But peoples tend to react poorly to them at first sight, which pushes these faerys into dark and desperate corners of society. They often mingle with vampire clans and malicious cults in search of safety and community.

SEE ALSO

Adhene

Magic

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

Possibly spoilery art, so I will place it below a cut:

Keep reading

@razzek inspired me to draw the sexy minervae power-couple, Prudence and Austerity!

They don’t usually bare so much skin, but they’re on a tropical beach vacation ;) Ausie’s tryna get his tan on!

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series