Citizens

The plague that ravaged society and ended the previous era killed over 99% of humanity. The world that was struggling with overpopulation suddenly lost the vast majority of its populace. The survivors across the Country of South Africa numbered 600 000. The chaos that followed lowered that amount further still, although at this point records were no longer being kept. The survivors were either of above average physique or of exceptional intelligence. Scholars debate whether this was caused by the disease, or whether the disease failed to kill these people because pf their skill, however this has helped support the Kingdom's theological proposition that this was divinely instituted in order to create a better society from the ashes. Over years, race boundaries ceased to be as the limited population melded together. The people of the world are now called simply 'citizens' by The Kingdom, the most dominant faction in the world that they are aware of.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Similar to the humans of the previous eras, however some seem to more easily gain muscle and others more easily learn and incorporate new knowledge.

Genetics and Reproduction

Citizens tend to have a slightly longer gestation period than the previous generations, with an average of about 9 and a half months, but the babies tend to arrive healthier and more likely to survive disease and illness. Some theorise a strong immune system was inherited from the survivors of the plague.

Growth Rate & Stages

The average citizen has a lifespan of roughly 55 years, due to the increased infant mortality rates and medicine supplied by the priests of The Kingdom. Those outside the kingdom, without easy access to medicine, have a much shorter lifespan. Kings tend to serve until 60, at which point they retire and pass the title to a child of the next generation, who tend to be in their late thirties. The logic behind this is that the Oracle provides the necessary wisdom for the ruler, but the King must be able to provide the energy and vigor in order to run the country.

Ecology and Habitats

Citizens are adaptable, but generally serve as hardy farmers, and it is considered a good life to have a subsistence farm in The Heartlands to pass down through generations.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Barley is the main grain of the Kingdom, and is used to create a variety of foods. Fruit - especially grapes - are grown in the Heartlands, and are used to add some flavour, and meats are produced from cattle and sheep. Wines are a luxury produced by the vineyards, drank only at festivals by most, although sometimes daily by some of the wealthy elite.

Biological Cycle

Stores are kept during the winter, however the temperate climate of The Heartlands allows work to carry on for most of the year. Further inland, scorching summers require careful efforts to conserve water.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The most well documented faction is obviously The Kingdom , which is a heavily religious and hierarchical society. The Kingdom formally acknowledges no other possibility - or at least no other feasible one that will not resolve into chaos - but the fact that they are preparing for war against a faction up North hints to the possibility that something else is possible. This line of thinking is considered heretical, however, and is punishable by execution.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

It is considered by some - heretically - that the populace is abused by the elites for their own gain, and that the religious structures are designed to enforce control. Some even suggest that the King himself is merely a puppet for some other entity, and question the unexplained nature and undisclosed identity of the Oracle. These claims are clearly ridiculous, however, and execution is a mercy for the deranged folk who make such statements.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Only the people of Southern Africa have been observed, but hypothetically people like this should exist across the planet.

Average Intelligence

Although not a certainty, people tend to learn new abilities faster than those in the world before. However, the majority of the populace cannot write or read the languages of the old world, or the official documents used by The Kingdom, but only an informal written language created years after the plague, designed for easy communication about daily matters of survival. The Kingdom uses this language on any writing meant for the average person, for instance when giving directions or on signs, or on propaganda and recruitment posters.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The ruling classes of The Kingdom claim to have powers given to them by the holy King Romulus V for their loyalty and obedience. These 'powers' vary, but generally coalesce in the form of devices - repaired - from the old world. These can be guns or automated farming devices or unnatural screens which serve as windows into other worlds, but all are kept largely hidden from the average person, and used as proof of the holy authority of the ruling class. The actual genetic abilities of people compared to the previous eras are effectively the same, though they may be more attentive and perceptive than the average person of the previous era.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

So far, all rulers of The Kingdom have been named after the founder, Romulus, although this is not a stated rule. The current leader is King Romulus V. Citizens can be named anything, although it is common to name them after desired traits, such as Loyal or Courageous. Last names exist but are rarely used outside of official documentation. The King has only a single name, as when they ascend to divinity they must embody a single, undivided aspect of the holy entity.

Major Organizations

The Kingdom is the most noteworthy faction, as it is, according to its king, King Romulus V, the only beacon of order in the chaos of the new world. It is the dominant religion, most powerful military and largest empire in the explored world. The only faction even slightly comparable in scale exists North, and preparations are being made that will ensure it does not impede any further expansion.

Beauty Ideals

Beauty is really only a term used to describe the elite and those chosen by the holy Kingdom. For the average person, loyalty to the King and Kingdom is meant to be considered the most desirable trait. However, citizens are human, and instinctively have the same desires as those that came before, if less choosy due to the drastically lowered population.

Average Technological Level

For the average citizen, the technology they see day-to-day is largely medieval, with the exception being that priests serve as doctors, and have advanced medicine and efficient procedures. Technology is held by the Kingdom, and given to those who have proven their loyalty. It is considered divinely given magic by most citizens, and enforces their dependence and reliance on the Kingdom. Rumor has it that the mysterious faction up North has also been seen with advanced devices, and even flying machines, something which if the Kingdom has access to, they have not ever shown. These rumors are considered heretical.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Although all in the Kingdom speak the same language - a variation of the old language "English", although adapted over the years and adhered to more strictly by the elite - there are two major written languages. The first is the old written English, and is used only in official documents and can be read only by those trained by the Kingdom, such as priests or the elites. The second is an informal and wholly new written language that evolved from simple signs and symbols used to mark locations after the plague. It is known by all, and used for propaganda posters, notices, directions and all other forms of information that need to be understood by the average citizen.

Common Dress Code

Most dress practically, in jeans or other linen farmwear. The ruling elites and officials dress more fancily, with regal outfits donned whenever they are seen publicly. Soldiers wear woolen uniforms dyed in a muted purple.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Kingdom has worked towards homogenizing the cultural identity of all its members. It promotes an image of itself as the most important aspect of a citizen's culture, and as it does not legitimately acknowledge any other faction, any mention of a history with another faction is at best frowned upon, and at worst considered heresy.

Common Taboos

The metal and glass ruins of the previous era are considered cursed. No person should enter without official permission and aid from a Priest of the Kingdom. Those who do enter without it often leave cursed, being slowly crushed by the unholy Tetnus Demons that they have unearthed. The muscles contract and spasm as the spirits take hold of the body, and as they start to strangle the victim, they leave the victim with a grotesque smile. Although there is no cure, priests can help hold back the demonic possession with various medicines, and they can provide protection to those who need to delve into the ruins.

History

The Citizens are the descendants of the humans that survived the 'Holy Cleansing', a plague that decimated human society. The decades of chaos that occurred before the rise of The Kingdom are considered the primordial soup from which a new humanity arose. There were, and continue to be, other factions, however it is clear that The Kingdom represents the true future of mankind.

Historical Figures

The founder of the Kingdom renamed himself to King Romulus 1, and began the line of succession that is today occupied by King Romulus V . The Oracle is a religious figure said to guide the King and provide the wisdom of the All-knowing. As this figure is never seen, its exact nature is unknown.

Common Myths and Legends

The Kingdom is a theological system as well as a government. The King is said to ascend to Godhood upon death, and all are the embodiment of the different aspects of a single divine creator. The Oracle is said to be the embodiment of all knowledge. The plague that ended the previous era is said to be divinely created, in order to refresh the world from the sins of the past and bring forth the ash from which the true humanity can arise, lead by the god-given King to bring forth the perfect world. Demons were not created by God, but by men, and as such dwell in the remains of the past, where humanity ruined the Earth and began their path that would lead them toward their demise.

Scientific Name

Homo Reliquia Sapiens

Origin/Ancestry

A combination of African and European.

Lifespan

55 years

Conservation Status

The human species, once struggling with overpopulation, grew close to extinction following the outbreak of The Holy Cleansing (As referred to by the kingdom). Although their numbers have steadily increased since then, the population is still a minute fraction of what it once was.

Average Height

1.5 - 2.1 meters

Average Weight

50 - 110 kg

Average Physique

Although not a certainty, citizens tend to gain muscle and become more dexterous more easily than their old-world counterparts.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The skin colour for all citizens is a light brown.The skin colour settled across the populace, showing the mixing of ancestry as the drastic decrease of population brought about by the plague reinforced a unity among any survivors. Old racial divisions fell by the wayside, and now all people are of the same colour. Stereotyping only exists when discussions arise about any faction outside the kingdom.