| B A C K G R O U N D I N F O |
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| T H E R A C E S O F A R E T H |
| OKIMAN |
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In the East... The people of the Eastern islands progressed in isolation from the mainland - separated by the ocean. Their land mass was limited and thus their hunting and gathering era was cut short. They began to settle and plant the land sooner than the other people of Areth. They became fishermen, farmers, and ship builders. Their isolation gave them peace and they became a numerous people who came to view family as the most important aspect of life. This was due, in part, to their limited resources. Also, each family member was expected to perform their appointed task. It was essential to the family’s survival that each contribute their share. In time the Okiman population overextended their resources and they were forced to expand their territory. Thus, with renewed interest, they built ships so that they could reach the mainland in mass. The military and government of the Eastern lands were based on the family unit. The ruler of a family was the eldest child. The larger the family power base - the more influence the family carried with other families. Another effect from the family based society is a profound respect for those who pass away. There are many ancient Tombs in the East, and it is customary to pay respect to the dead. Honor is a reflection of family. An Easterner would never back down in defense of family, even if life is threatened. Throughout the history of the East, government has been territorial - divided into provinces ruled by families. It is not changed today - the only exception being the existence of a Sovereign Emperor who is considered the father figure of the Eastern race. One other difference is that over the generations the Families have become large and numerous. Many divisions of the original families have taken place. They have had to reorganize the original system of government. The outcome is a Clan based system. Each Clan contains many families and the most ancient Family names became the modern Clan name. Today, the Eastern lands, called Okima after the ruling Emperor’s line, are a naval power with interests more in trade than in land acquisition. But it is commonly said of them that they still have an interest in conquest and are just biding their time. There are also reports that there is constant internal conflict among the families of the island nation, though this is seldom discussed with outsiders. The Five Clans of Okima
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| TECHNOLOGY |
| The land area is small and there are many people. The food resources are not sufficient to feed the entire populace. Therefore, they must depend on trade in order to get grain and other food staples. This has led to the development and construction of many trading vessels. Much of the wood for the shipyards must be imported. The populace is largely comprised of peasants, and their living standard is very low. Their food, clothing and shelter is provided by their overlord, and any part of it may be removed for various infractions of law and custom. |
| KINSHIP STRUCTURE |
| Family units. Oldest child inherits position of power at father or mother’s death (dependent on who governed). This is the law. The eldest inherits the wealth at the discretion of the parents. Wealth and property could be distributed to various children over the course of their lives - thereby limiting the inheritance of the eldest. Marriages are often arranged to strengthen a political position. The bond between family members and relatives is honored and respected. The mother-in-law holds a respected position in the household as advisor to the ruler. |
| WORLDVIEW, VALUES, MYTH |
| Family and Clan loyalty is valued above all things. Service to your superior is the essence of life. It is the meaning of life. All members of society consider themselves servants of their overlord. To serve with honor and dignity will earn you a higher station in your next life. Outsiders sometimes have a problem understanding the loyalties involved in various situations, but the natives consider their system simple. All members of the Family, their retainers, slaves and servants are subjects of the head of a household. The head of the Family has power over life and death. Above each Family head is a Clan leader. Each Family head owes loyalty to their Clan leader. The Clan leader is usually the head of a powerful family. A Family can never change Clans, although each Family has the option of withholding total support in certain matters if this infraction of the honor code is not obvious. To question the word of another person of importance is an insult and could lead to internal conflict between Families of the same Clan. The Clan leader does not have power of life and death over the Family head, but can order suicide if various laws of service are violated. |
| CLASSES AND SPECIALIZATION |
| There are basically two classes: the peasants and the ruling class. There is a sort of middle class including skilled workers: shipbuilders, weapon makers, builders, artisans, courtesans, etc. But this pseudo middle class is subject to the whim of their overlord, as are the peasants. Slaves are beneath all of these. |
| POLITICS AND WARFARE |
| There are no written laws. Decisions are left entirely to the Ruling Class regarding their own domains, but the social customs are well understood by each individual. The most important ethic is that of one’s word. If any citizen’s word is broken - even if it is an overlord - that person is expected to commit suicide. The outcome of larger scope affairs are determined by a meeting of all the Clans. No votes are taken during this meeting. All of the lobbying takes place outside the meeting place before the event. The outcome is determined by showing support for one lord or another in various ways during the meeting. All present take notice of who is talking to whom, and the result is clear to all. If a decision cannot be made, then the result is commonly armed conflict. Warfare is waged by use of military groups. Secretive activities are common in the effort to avoid a full scale conflict. Two large armies fighting head-to-head would drain the resources of both groups and this is not desired. Battle is engaged slowly, but the result, once engaged, becomes evident quickly. The tactics involved in the assault of a keep are not much different. There are only four keeps within the country and these are considered unassailable. The Okimans have gone to war with the Alhadim twice, and each was a head-to-head fight. None of these wars involved the full resources of Okima. |