Deviation Actions
Literature Text
Lady Merreth lives in the matriarchy of Wechta, a female dominated monarchy bounded by the sea to the north, the Kettleback Mountains to the east, and the Saskanna River to the west. The western steppe lies beyond the Saskanna and is home to several large, Mongol-like clans. To the south is another mountain range on the other side of which are several small principalities and then the Southern Ocean.
Wechta is relatively small -- perhaps the size of the Benelux nations in Europe -- and has been isolated from the surrounding patriarchies through a combination of geography (noted above) and disinterest on the part of its neighbours.
The country is dominated by a number of Noble Houses, one of which is the Matriarchy (think of Europe’s aristocratic families). The Houses jockey for political power and influence within Wechta. Lady Merreth is Heir Primary to Sable House, a smaller House that is closely aligned with the Matriarchy. Sable House’s primary rival (enemy, might be a better term) is the Red Hand, a larger, more powerful, and deeply traditional house.
In an attempt to heal the rift between the Red Hand and Sable House, a political marriage was arranged between Lady Merreth and a REd Hand "prince". After a night of eating and drinking with her betrothed, Merreth awoke to find her hands covered in blood and her intended brutally murdered. She has no memory of what transpired. Banished to her House lands until a gathering of nobles can arrange to try her for this unprecedented crime Merreth opts, at the urging of her sister, to flee to the far west of Wechta and lose herself across the Saskanna River.
As Wechta is female dominated, inheritance is through the daughters of families and noble men occupy much the same position as a princess in medieval europe. The country has no standing army, though each House does maintain a relatively small house guard. The various House guards and city constabularies are the only instances where men can bear arms, and even in these situations such a right is tightly restricted. Horses are a symbol of power and only women (and noble men) are permitted to ride, though there are exceptions such as the Royal Postal Service and House couriers.
Wechta has pursued a policy of isolationism, though there is a growing trade with surrounding countries. Men, denied political power, have gone into commercial activities, as have some of the weaker Hoble houses whose political fortunes have waned. The Red Hand views contact with the outside world as anathema and is deeply hostile to any rise in the fortunes of men within the Matriarchy.
There is no magic in this world, nor strange beasts.
Copyright (c) 2012 Brant Forseng