Ravakia

Government
Ravakia's government is monarchist in nature with some elements of a meritocracy. It is a generally widespread belief within Ravakia that anyone can ascend to a position of nobility through efforts taken on behalf of the nations. Many noble houses were started by Ravakian settlers discovering new lands and building towns in them.

The King/Queen and Other Nobles
At the top of the Ravakian government is the king or queen. There must always be a single monarch in charge of ruling Ravakia. The king/queen as well as the other nobles have plenty of responsibilities, but they're primarily in charge of running the towns and cities throughout the nation, as well as the lands around them.

The High Council
The High Council is composed of lords, ladies, and the king/queen's most trusted advisor.

Positions
The governmental positions in Ravakia can be split into several different groups. Each of these groups obtain their positions from different powers and have varying responsibilities.

The Nobility
The Nobility primarily deal with land management and diplomacy. Noble positions are often rewarded for accomplishments that benefit the realm or inherited from deceased house members.

The King/Queen
The king or queen of Ravakia is the single most powerful person within the nation. While many lords, ladies, barons, and baronesses oversee local affairs, the king or queen is charged with conversing with other nations, enacting national laws, and representing the nation as a whole. In edition to their national responsibilities, the king or queen typically also controls a province that they are the lord or lady of.

Lords/Ladies
Lords and ladies are nobles that control and lead provinces within the nation. Lords and ladies are appointed to watch over their provinces carefully and to communicate provincial concerns to the king. Lords and ladies are vital to the operation and upkeep of the realm despite their numbers being limited. Each lord and lady has a seat on the high council.

Barons/Baronesses
Barons and baronesses are the lowest ranks tied to land that a noble can hold in Ravakia. A baron or baroness is typically in charge of an important structure such as a fortress or a small and detached piece of land such as what might be found in an exclave. Some barons or baronesses simply control land that is within a lord or lady's province and is too small to separate into it's own. Each baron and baroness has a seat on the low council.

Knights
Knights, while technically considered nobles in Ravakia, do not own land beyond their residence. Knights in particular are given their rank for service to the realm. Many knights earn their title in combat while many others earn their title peacefully as councilors or architects. Unlike other noble roles, knights do not inherit any responsibilities and their titles cannot be passed on after their death.

The Councilors
The councilors are bureaucrats appointed to their position by the king or queen. They typically serve more niche roles that don't overlap much with each other. Some of these councilors serve on the low council while others serve on the high council. Ultimately, which council these bureaucrats serve on is up to the ruling monarch.

The Vicar of the Throne
The Vicar of the Throne is appointed to stand in place of the king or queen whenever they deem it necessary and to advise them on matters of diplomacy and law. The Vicar of the Throne typically serves on the high council.

The Royal Scribe
The Royal Scribe is appointed to keep a written record of the history of Ravakia and any events it might participate in. The Royal Scribe keeps copies of their records in their care and is an important diplomat within the nation. The Royal Scribe typically serves on the high council.

Generals
Generals are appointed by the king or queen to lead military operations and to oversee the training and equipping of Ravakia's military. Generals typically tend to be knights, and they almost always serve on the high council.

The Allotted
The allotted share a similar role to councilors. Unlike councilors however, allotted do not have any niche roles to fill outside of sitting on the lower council. Allotted are unique because they are the only elected position in Ravakia. Allotted are elected once a year, and allotted positions are created or destroyed at the will of the king or queen.

The Clergy
The clergy are responsible for leading worshipping events for The Witchflame. Additionally, clergy are also expected to maintain good standing with Ravakia's neighbors and to spread the gospel of The Witchflame wherever they go.

The High Priest/Priestess
The High Priest or Priestess is the leader of the church within Ravakia. They are responsible for appointing new priests, overseeing and permitting marriages, and advising the nobility in spiritual matters. While they are not necessarily responsible for it, the high priest or priestess plays an important role in the construction and upkeep of churches and temples within the nation as well as tasking priests to visit neighboring peoples in an effort to convert them.

The Witchblades
In the absence of a Hand of The Witchflame, the high priest or priestess is permitted to keep a small force of holy knights known as Witchblades. The Witchblades are permitted to root out fringe religious movements in Ravakia that violate the religious laws set in place by the king or queen.

Heraldic Cloth
One of the most important aspects of Ravakian culture is the heraldic cloth. Originally, each noble family had a specific color of cloth they wore as either cloaks, scarfs, or shawls. It became customary for the child of a noble to receive a cloth that was a combination of both their father and mother's cloths. Over time, these cloths became patchwork and quilt-like in nature. Using a heraldic cloth, anyone could trace the family's in which they descended from. Heraldic cloths eventually were adopted by lower born people as well. Wealthy merchants and bureaucrats began to wear cloths of vibrant colors, while most peasants and farmers opted for a simply bluish grey cloth. In order to keep track of their family's lineage, many peasants took to stitching unique patterns into their cloths with thread rather than stitching two different cloths together as nobles did.

Marriage Customs
While marriage customs in Ravakia can vary widely based on social class, there are many aspects of Ravakian marriages that are universal.

Sewing of the Heraldic Cloth
Shortly before a marriage ceremony commences, a new heraldic cloth is made. This new heraldic cloth is a combination of each spouse's heraldic cloth, and it is wrapped around the hands of the couple while they take their marriage vows. Nobles typically cut two pieces of cloth, one for each family) and sew the two together. Those who can't afford to purchase two new elaborate cloths sew patterns of thread onto a a single dull blue cloth.

Marriage on Ravakian Soil
Additionally, it is customary for a marriage to be conducted on Ravakian soil. In the case that a marriage is conducted for a Ravakian outside of Ravakia, a jar of soil from Ravakia is spread on the ground for the bride and groom to stand on during the marriage. Some marriage ceremonies have the priest stand on Ravakian soil as well, but this practice isn't as widespread. After a ceremony has concluded, the soil is put back into the jar and given as a gift to the newlywed couple.

Marriage and Social Status
Ravakian marriages are neither entirely monogamous or polyamorous. Most lowborn citizens, only have a single wife and they are not required to gain approval through the church for their first marriage. If a lowborn wishes to marry an additional person, they may ask the high priest/priestess for permission, although typically only wealthy merchants or important bureaucrats are granted permission. Nobles are limited to two spouses by the church and their marriages have to be endorsed by the high priest/priestess. The ruling monarch, whether they be a king or queen, is allowed to take as many husbands or wives as they wish. As with other nobles, the high priest/priestess has to endorse their marriages. When a noble marries their title is extended to their spouses. For example, a ruling lord might be married to two ladies or a ruling lady might be married to a lord and a lady. The title is extended to the spouses in name alone, and carries no power with it. The exception lies with the spouses of the king/queen. The ruling monarch may extend their title to one of their spouses at a time, and can change which spouse that title is extended to at will. The other spouses are referred to as royal courtesans, and gain no political power in Ravakia.

Succession Practices
Due to an emphasis on merit when it comes to appointing new people to positions within Ravakia, succession does not simply fall to the eldest son or daughter. Any child of a noble may inherit their position when said noble dies. The child that succeeds their parent is chosen by the parent prior to their death. Typically, a child is chosen based on their merit rather than personal preference. A hard-working and intelligent younger son is more likely to be chosen than an drunk and lazy older daughter. If no child is chosen or no child is of age, the title is automatically given to the spouse of the deceased noble. Should the noble have multiple spouses, which spouse the title should fall to is specified prior to their death. When a title is handed down to a spouse instead of a child, they must choose which of their children will succeed them. In the case that both a noble and their spouse(s) die, the title remains empty for a short period of time, and the high council determines someone who is worthy of inheriting the position. If the person that is chosen is lowborn, their family officially becomes a noble house in the eyes of the state.

Craftsmanship
Ravakia is renowned for its unique weapons and drinks, some of which are only created and sold in Ravakia.

Blacksmithing
The Fanged Warblade and Zulian Club are weapons that are only forged in Ravakia. The Fanged Warblade is characterized by a long flat blade with a spike on one end. Warblades are particularly effective for hunting animals, and that is what they are most commonly used for. Zulian Clubs were originally discovered in the abandoned city of Zul. Several of these clubs were found by Habbarsnatch the Lesser during his expedition to restore the lost city and he has since discovered a way to forge new ones.

Brewing
A variety of unique drinks that are not found elsewhere are brewed in Ravakia. Dogwood Tobacco, Dogwood Vintage, and Dogwood Tea are each brewed in the brewery at Dogwood Castle. Another drink, Blue Crystal Vodka, is allegedly brewed in Ravakia by a mysterious figure calling themself Bandleglime, though no sources have been able to confirm it for sure. Blue Crystal Vodka is highly addictive and consumption can lead to a variety of health issues. The brew is outlawed within Ravakia and River Reach. Pure Alchemical Blood is also brewed in Ravakia. Alchemical Blood was originally created by Habbarsnatch the Lesser to provide himself with a food source that wasn't real blood. The drink is not particularly popular among either vampires, or non-vampires, but Habbarsnatch drinks it himself and is willing to provide the beverage to anyone who wants it.

Adoption of Foreign Culture
The nobles that make up the land of Ravakia all arrived in Ravakia in a variety of ways. Habbarsnatch, the king of Ravakia, for example, was originally born in Seregost, now known as Carpe Noctem. Each and every Ravakian can trace their lineage to a foreign nation or people. Therefore, the culture of Ravakia is constantly changing and adopting the practices of new immigrants. Ravakians are typically receptive of the cultures of nearby nations as well. Many Ravakians know how to speak Kolken, the native tongue of The Reach.