The Free Republic of Montaigne (mon-TAYN)
Government
Montaigne is a nation that has been divided between monarchy and republicanism since the turn of the century. Each county of the country sends two representatives to the Grand Council, which decides governmental policy. The monarch serves as the head of state and acts as arbitrator in cases of council gridlock; however, the monarch wields a large amount of unofficial power through the remaining nobility and has not always been friendly to the Council. Many aspects of society are funded by the government and available to all citizens.Culture
Heritage: Elven Cultural EpicenterMontaigne is known as a land of freedom with a thriving art scene, and is known for being one of the cultural epicenters of Europa. Art, music, and cooking festivals are common across the country, and there are several national prizes and grants given to promising artisans. Pirates, Thieves & Renegades, Oh My
Montaigne, while priding itself on its culture and sophistication, has a wild side. A haven for expatriates, pirates, renegades, and ne’er-do-wells of all stripes, the country is reputed to have many a dark alleyway ripe for nefarious deeds More Arcane than Tech
While the Elemental Revolution flows through Europa, Montaigne has been slow to adopt many new technologies, preferring instead to focus on the arcane arts and what can be done with them. The abundant elven and fey populations have tended to be magically inclined and thus have not found as many reasons to adopt the new technologies themselves. However, there is growing interest in some of the more glamorous eletech devices such as Radiant Lanterns and Lighten-Lantern films.
Cultural Norms
Hedonism is a ChoiceThe people of Montaigne are a leisurely folk, emphasizing comfort, beauty, and luxury. Even with this slightly hedonistic outlook, they are also generous to a fault, hospitable, egalitarian, and extremely protective of an individual’s freedom of choice. Fashion & Style
More than anywhere else in Europa, Montaigne is at the forefront of fashion. Not just in clothing styles, but in hair, food, music, theater, art -- the people of Montaigne are trendsetters, and consider themselves on the cutting edge of what is stylish. Honor & Swagger
Montaigne maintains a strange balance between courtly manners and wild swagger. Many Montaignians are the height of politeness in social situations, but get them going or insult them, and they will not hesitate to defend their honor.
Military
While Montaigne does not necessarily have the strongest military presence, they are renowned for two things -- their extensive navy, and their incredibly proficient cavalry.Economy
ArtistryPerforming Arts: Montaigne has a deep tradition of theater, opera, and music. The current craze across the country is burlesque, mixing performance with sensuality. Fine Arts: Montaigne is also home to many painters, sculptors, writers, and other artists; the governmental grants for artisans help support many would-be creators, and the art societies of Montaigne are famous across all of Europa.
Religion
Montaigne has no “official” state religion, but the following deities are all heavily worshiped and have national holidays in their honor. Peitho, Goddess of Love & Beauty Nicodemus, God of Death & Afterlife Sephira, Goddess of Adventure & Music Lucetius, God of Oceans & Commerce Steyfano, God of Trickery & Thieves Banned Religions:Worship of Akmon and Tanith are outlawed within the country. Tanith has been since its founding, but worship of Akmon was outlawed during the revolutionary period and despite some pressure from the former Queen and aristocracy, the Grand Council has stood its ground. The Elemental Wars against Ruskovich seemed to only solidify this stance further.
Holidays
Mischief Night - A fall festival dedicated to Steyfano, full of costumes, revelry, and drunken pranks The Festival of Souls - This two-day celebration at the end of winter honors Nicodemus and Peitho. Starting at sundown on the last day of winter, celebrants set out food and drink for their ancestors, visit family graves, and memorialize those lost during the year. At sunrise the next morning, celebrants bathe, and then spend the day in merriment, sharing flowers, food, and joy with friends and strangers alike. At sundown, many temples of Peitho hold masked, open orgies in honor of the goddess. Heroes’ Night - A celebration during the first full moon of summer to honor Sephira’s victories over Akmon, the triumph of freedom over tyranny. Contests of strength and agility are held, as well as bardic competitions and gatherings of chosen family, all under the moonlight. The Coin Festival - In honor of Lucetius, village-wide open markets are held, and people bring everything they no longer have need of, to trade and sell. In addition, any grievances accumulated during the year are addressed. The aggrieved party asks a sum of coins from the culprit, equal to the severity of the crime; after coins have changed hands, the issue is never spoken of again.
Maps
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Bellancourt
The capital city of The Free Republic of Montaigne -
Montaigne
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Government System
Monarchy, Crowned Republic
Major Exports
Wine of all varieties
Sumptuous fabrics
Magic items
Luxury goods
Sumptuous fabrics
Magic items
Luxury goods
Location
Related Traditions
Controlled Territories
Notable Members