The most powerful kingdom is Aquilonia, but others vie with it in strength and mixed race; the nearest to the ancient root-stock are the Gundermen of Gunderland, a northern province of Aquilonia. But this mixing has not weakened the race. They are supreme in the western world, though the barbarians of the wastelands are growing in strength.
"The Hyborian Age" by Robert E. Howard
Mighty Aquilonia, the Flower of the West, and the greatest power there.
There is no other force to match her among the Hyborian kingdoms nor, perhaps, among all kingdoms. Her spires reach to the stars and her rulers’ ambitions are no less grandiose. There is an inherent arrogance that comes with Aquilonian blood. They are at the height of the known world and they know it. It is with great practice and conscious effort that one must work to suppress this arrogance. Hyborians in general have this sense of entitlement, for they were the ones who recently threw off savagery and ascended to the status of empire, but the Aquilonians have it much worse. There is no need for modesty in the Aquilonian mind, while they are not overtly egocentric, it is within the nature of a powerful empire that their citizens see the rest of the world as less than them.
The original Hyborians were tawny-haired and grey-eyed, though intermarriage has diversified the appearance of an Aquilonian considerably. Overall Aquilonians have a long head and are a tall, rangy race. Variations of hair color from blonde to black are common, and even the rare red could be found in this race. Any eye color from blue, brown, hazel and green can be found here as well. Those closer to Gunderland tend to more closely resemble the original Hyborians, as the Gunderlanders have not mixed their hertiages much - while those close to the Bossonian Marches tend to have medium complexions with brown or grey eyes as Bossonians are descended from an aboriginal race that was conquered by the original Hyborians. Those in southern Aquilonia, tend to have black hair and brown eyes as they have mixed with Zingarans.
In game height guide: 172.8cm - 187.2cm
Women are often assigned tasks such as baking bread, cooking, sewing, weaving and spinning. They are also expected to use weapons to defend their homes and families, although very few choose to become masters. Despite the attempts at normal society to pigeon-hole women into certain roles, some women hold occupations typically reserved for men. Women outnumber the men in Aquilonia, so it is not unhead of to encounter well-respected female blacksmiths, merchants, apothecaries, midwives, field hands, writers, musicians, dancers and painters. Many learn a trade from a father or husband and simply carry on the male’s work when he dies. Rural women have an easier time than urban Aquilonian women, as those that live in cities tend to be more pigeonholed. Many guilds will not admit women save via their husbands.
Peasant girls work with their mothers when they were about eight years of age, doing such tasks as sewing, cleaning and tending livestock. During harvest time the peasant girls would join their brothers or husbands in the fields. Girls of the merchant or craftsmen classes are often apprenticed out when they are eight. Usually these girls are apprenticed to another woman but it was not uncommon to apprentice a girl to a man. These girls learn their master or mistress’s trade until they earn the right to perform on their own or find a husband. Girls of the noble classes are often fostered out to other wealthy homes and estates to learn sewing, embroidery, manners, music and other leisure skills. Regardless of class, all of these activities revolved around one single goal – marriage.
Women are under the control of their fathers until they marry. Although peasants have more free choice in marriages because their dowries are either small or non-existent, aristocratic women are subject to arranged marriages. Women are expected to maintain their virginity or exclusive monogamy. This is in line with most Mitran principles of purity. Virginity and chastity include married women who remain sexually loyal to their husbands. Unfortunately Aquilonia society holds the bulk of its wealth in private, aristocratic hands that pass from father to son. There is an ingrained cultural need for women to retain virginal honor just to prove paternity when she marries and bears children. Most Aquilonian scholars locate virginity in the will, not in the body, therefore most Aquilonians feel that a woman can train her chastity if her body is violated against her will so long as her demeanor and actions remain chaste.
Despite these things, aristocratic women of Aquilonia are more than just appendages, objects of exchange or necessary only for reproduction. Landholding women have a surprising number of rights and can exercise power rather liberally. Wealthy women can inherit property and become fully vested feudal lords; settling disputes over vassals, castles and other property. Women can even field armies, leading them into battle. Even though the woman could hold property, receive inheritances, engage in commerce and attend court, she is always under a man’s guardianship, be it her father, her husband or another male relative. Still, intelligent women realize that if they marry young, weak, ignorant, absent or uxorious men, they could take control of all the property, as well as the politics that accompany the property.
While rare, slaves have no status in Aquilonia, but are omnipresent in the markets, squares and even the farms of the Hyborians that live here. Slaves are entirely at the mercy of their masters, who have the power of life and death over them. The cult of Asura keeps slaves and one of them routinely polots their boats of the dead down the Khorotas river. There’s very few active slave markets in Aquilonia, especially compared to Zamora or Turan, no one in Aquilonia particularly cares if the existing slaves are freed or not. Aquilonia strictly forbids forcing slaves to fight each other or animals for entertainment or business.
Most people in Aquilonia wear woolen outer clothing and undergarments made of linen. Most wear simple tunics with hose and soft leather boots. The wealthy dress well, preferring brighter colors, better materials and longer lengths than the styles typically worn by peasants. Elaborate silk, close-fitting jackets and braided skirts are all typical of the courts in Aquilonia. Hair in the courts is usually curled and scented, bound with cloth-of-silver or cloth-of-gold bands. Plumed caps adorn the head of most male aristocrats. Most nobles wear a sword, although many are merely ceremonial in nature. Aquilonian fashion for men often includes a moustache.
In the central baronies and counties, women wear woolen hose fastened to a belt to cover their legs. A long-sleeved, low-waisted and long-skirted dress is added over the hose. A short sleeved surcoat is worn over the dress and a cloak is fastened over one shoulder. Wealthy women wear a wimple or scarf over the head that also covers their neck. Men tend to wear hose and a pleated jacket. The wealthier the family, the more ornate and exotic the design.
Closer to Gunderland and Bossonia, women wear a long-sleeved, ankle-length chainse with a shorter-skirted kirtle with long, flaring sleeves is worn over that. A cloak or cape is often worn fastened at the throat. Hair is usually braided, although unmarried women and girls may wear their hair down. Men wear a tunic with a surcoat. In Westermark clothing is a bit of a unique problem. Due to all the hard labor the people there do, clothing doesn’t last long. Most clothing is home made and usually fashioned with soft animal hides. Buckskin boots laced halfway to the knee, leather breeks, deerskin shirts and jackets and fur or straw hats.
Prostitutes are required in cities to dress in distinctive fashion, although what they’re required to dress in varies from region to region. Many require them to simply dress in skimpy, minimal clothing modelled after eastern fashions. Other cities may require they wear gloves or a cloak of a certain color or a particular type of scarf worn in a specific manner.
Aquilonians are a proud race. They are the height of the civilized world in the west and they know it. As such, this gives them something of an ego when it comes to interacting with others, and this is all the more apparent in the noble class. The average citizen may be conscripted to serfdom, but they are still proud of being Aquilonian.
Rumors persist that a cult of Bori still exists in the hills of Aquilonia, but for the most part it is a Mitraen country. (See #mitra) All other religions are looked upon with suspicion and some are outright illegal.
Mitra worship is expected of all Aquilonians. Mitra binds the empire together, which is what sets it apart from other “foreign” lands and their own barbaric beginnings. It is perhaps this removal from the barbaric beginnings of Aquilonia that is more important in the country’s eyes. It is a central religion with strict organization, proper temples, a single god and focuses on rules for order. Compared with barbarian cults, Mitra is the perfect symbol for civilization. This is so important that the conversion of descendents of Bori to Mitraism is still seen as one of the key points in Aquilonian history. The Hybori had many gods, but when one of their great kings converted to Mitraism - presumably taken up from their Nemedian neighbors - that religion was soon decalred the official belief for all the land. It is said that this king, this great chieftain swore fealty to the god upon a golden staff or rod which is claimed to be kept in the great temple in Tarantia.
Asura: Mitra is not, in practice, the only god worshiped in Aquilonia. Despite what the church may think, influences from the east - particularly the god Asura - hold secret sway in many towns and cities. However, Asura worship is a cult, forced to hide from the persecution of Mitran priests and their followers. Aquilonia has little room for eastern influence. In practice, however, Asura is a mystery cult whose initiation rituals are closely held. He is a god of wisdom and farsight for the believers in Aquilonia and his priests are keepers of sacred knowledge both philosophical and practical. In their hands are maps and written accounts of Aquilonia that even the Great Library in Tarantia does not possess.
Bori: In the remote hills, some of the border territories, and secretly in some farm families Bori is still venerated as a god. For Bori believers, Mitra is a false god, something created by people to impose order on their barbaric past. No Aquilonian considers themselves a true pagain, so Bori continues to have influence - though the existence of such belief is so hardly acknowledged that it is not technically illegal. On its face, it is a relatively harmless cult that poses no threat to the crown or Mitra. This, however, is only partially true. Bori’s cult is largely irrelevant, but it is in some place a front for minor cults that which worship a being from the Outer Dark (#the-outer-dark). Such worship is decidedly not innocuous. In the dark of night, in fields of wheat or atop high hills, fires are sometimes seen. Around these fires sacrifices are supposedly made to gods with names that the human tongue struggles to pronounce. None of this information is considered more than stories to frighten children, but to Mitra’s priests and those who touch the gulfs of that wild dimension to practice sorcery know that these gods are real.
Aquilonia is built on the ruins of Acheron and there are still some old influences of that once great empire in the echoes of its cities and roads. While it may be gone, the original barbarians that swept it off the Thurian continent inherited their stone masonry, their old roads, their shipbuilding, and in some rare cases their penchant for sorcery.
It is unknown if Acheron had a feudal culture or not, but the organized hierarchy of current Aquilonia was in part borrowed from the Acheronian model. The idea of having a single king is native to Archeron and the Aquilonians adopted this. Aquilonia is primarily a feudal nation, following the same laws and regulations common to one.
Most of Aquilonia are not professional soldiers, although Aquilonians themselves are renown for fighting. They rely on levies from the frontiers and knights from Poitain and mercenary groups.
Despite this, Aquilonia has a standing army. This is an age of near-constant war, even if the army of Aquilonia is not a vast one. Specific numbers are hard to come by, but it is presumed that the Aquilonian army is at least 45,000 strong. When the mighty army of Aquilonia moves, it is said that the world shakes.
Nemedia is Aquilonia’s historic enemy. They have been waging war, known as The Five Hundred Years’ War, off and on for generations. Nemedia considers itself the height of culture, and Aquilonia considers itself the height of power. Both are correct and it has fueled a rivalry between the two nations. Where this rivalry began is debatable. Nemedians claim that early Aquilonia was jealous of the art and culture it created and sought to destroy them like the barbarians they are. (Completely ignoring that Nemedia descended from the same stock of barbarians) Aquilonia claims that Nemedia assassinated one of their early kings in a bid for power. There is little proof of either of these claims. The two have warred for so long that it matters little what started the rivalry and it is likely that the high peaks that divide the two countries are the only thing that keep the pair from constant invasion. Border skirmishes are common and there is never real peace between the rival, rather an occasional dying down of hostility.
The Picts are also a historical foe for Aquilonia, thinking very little of the great empire and the rest of the civilized world. The two enemies eye and prod one another warily across the ever shifting border.
The Black Dragons: The name for the personal guard of the king, they are the finest soldiers in the land and are, indeed, some of the finest soldiers of any land. Black Dragons are easily recognized by the large, ornate - yet practical - helmets they wear. These are, unsurprisingly, shaped into the visage of a leering dragon and each is made individually for the bearer.
Unfortunately there is a common practice that wealthy aristocrats would buy their third or fourth sons easy positions within the Dragons. These Black Dragons are well known for abusing their privilege and constitute little more than a drinking club for the wealthy and indolent. While it is easy to find out which ones bought their way in versus which ones earned the title - it can’t usually be seen just at a glance.
Aquilonians are masters of agriculture, animal husbandry and blacksmithing. The average Aquilonian cannot read, but it is not unusual for a low-born peasant to possess the ability.
Most of Aquilonia is agricultural land, and farming makes up the bulk of what Aquilonians do. The day of an Aquilonian serf begins with dawn and ends with dusk. They work the field or, if lucky, supervise slaves doing so.
As a rule, the king of Aquilonia puts themself and the nobility first. Aquilonia has power, respect, and wealth - and this is all funneled straight to the nobility and the king. The commoners enjoy a better life than most of their equals in other kingdoms, as the kings are not fools, but the kings are not magnanimous either.
Central Aquilonia is a fertile land that bestows much of its bounty to its people. Vast plains sweep down from the mountains in the east until they crash against the rivers which are the veins of the empire. Hills are common, and the temperate climate creates regular seasons. There are no deserts in Aquilonia, not many places with little rainfall. Marshes are common near some rivers, but most of the land is sturdy and ready for planting or building. The country is also the source of the marble Aquilonians proudly clad their great cities within. Forests are very common, especially forests grown on arable land so nobles can hunt at their leisure.
Common Professions:
Tradesperson (Blacksmith, Fletcher, Carpenter, etc)
Farmer
Herder
Noble
Merchant
Soldier
Prostitute
Most of Aquilonia are not professional soldiers, although Aquilonians themselves are renown for fighting. They rely on levies from the frontiers and knights from Poitain and mercenary groups.
Despite this, Aquilonia has a standing army. This is an age of near-constant war, even if the army of Aquilonia is not a vast one. Specific numbers are hard to come by, but it is presumed that the Aquilonian army is at least 45,000 strong. When the mighty army of Aquilonia moves, it is said that the world shakes.
Nemedia is Aquilonia’s historic enemy. They have been waging war, known as The Five Hundred Years’ War, off and on for generations. Nemedia considers itself the height of culture, and Aquilonia considers itself the height of power. Both are correct and it has fueled a rivalry between the two nations. Where this rivalry began is debatable. Nemedians claim that early Aquilonia was jealous of the art and culture it created and sought to destroy them like the barbarians they are. (Completely ignoring that Nemedia descended from the same stock of barbarians) Aquilonia claims that Nemedia assassinated one of their early kings in a bid for power. There is little proof of either of these claims. The two have warred for so long that it matters little what started the rivalry and it is likely that the high peaks that divide the two countries are the only thing that keep the pair from constant invasion. Border skirmishes are common and there is never real peace between the rival, rather an occasional dying down of hostility.
Tarantia: Capital of Aquilonia, the rolling plains of green lead to the gold and blue towers of the heart of the Aquilonian Empire - a circular city that shines with morning light that catches the gold and blue towers. Her outer walls are sheathed in marble, as are her great temples and the royal hall. There is nothing quite like the sight of the white, gleaming city on a clear spring day when the flowers are in bloom and the orchards are full. The air is scented pleasantly, which is unusual to anyone who usually visits cities in this time.
Some 300,000 or more people live in Tarantia, which is rivaled in size only by Aghrapur - though neither kingdom admits to having the smaller city. As such with cities this size, there is an underbelly and the poor do not live in marble dwellings, nor does their crowded borough smell of orchards and flowers. This is kept away from the eyes of the average citizen, and for the most part people view Tarantia as the cleanest, safest city they will ever see.
Around the great grounds of the palace stand the Aquilonian watchmen and if one if allowed into the royal gardens, they will see the Black Dragons on patrol. These formidable warrors also sometimes patrol around the city center, ensuring that larceny and robbery is short-lived. Unlike the dubious charms of famed cities in Zamora the Accursed, one must hunt hard for nefarious opportunities in Tarantia.
Aquilonia offers a wide range of characters based around a feudal system to be played. One can play a member of nobility, a simple peasant or even someone who has struck out to live on their own in the wilds of the countryside. Those wanting to play an Aquilonian are encouraged to research feudal socities and come up with their own spin.
Sorcery is ill regarded by the culture as a whole and as such the supernatural is considered a form of foul sorcery if it isn’t outright dismissed as nothing more than fairy tale.
Aquilonians are typically considered arrogant and egocentric by other cultures. They know they have the greatest Hyborian nation as this tends to come off when speaking with others.
Naming Conventions: Latin sounding names, more below!
Patricians and plebeians in Aquilonia:
Most Patricians and the knights have at least three names (the tria nomina): a "praenomen," a "nomen," and a "cognomen," which are typically written in that order. The praenomen alone is only used with intimate friends and family. Otherwise it is always followed either by the cognomen (with acquaintances) or by the nomen and cognomen (in formal situations). Plebeians can have, but do not necessarily have, tria nomina; but each have at least a nomen. Some also have a cognomen.
Why? Patricians are members of the clans (gentes) whose members originally comprised the major Hyborian clans from the early ages. The patricians are distinct from the plebeians with wider political influence, more privileges and rights. Among the patricians, certain families are known as the gentes maiores, the greatest or perhaps the most noble houses. The other patrician families are called the gentes minores.
The clan or gens name and adding suffixes such as: -ius, -eius, -aius, -aeus, -eus, or -us.
For example a patrician name will look like: Kalanthes Cornelius Valerius
And a plebeian name will look like: Murilo Cominius
"Number names":
So called “number names” can also be used in addition: Quintus, Sextus, Septimus, Octavius, Nonus, Decimus (fifth, sixth, seventh, eigth, nineth and tenth respectively).
Women's names
Women are typically given only one name - the female form of their father's nomen.
Slaves
A slave might be given a completely new one when enthralled. Often a single name by his master - or some other foreign one which often indicates the slave's nationality. It is also common to pick one based on the appearance (e.g., Rufus ("redhead"), Flavus ("blond, golden"), Glabrio ("bald"), or something loftier like Eutychus, Felix, Hermes, Onesimus, or Phoebus.
Aquilonian titles:
King / Queen
Prince / Princess
Nobilissimus / Nobilissima - ("most noble", one of the highest titles meant to honour some of king’s relatives without implying a claim to the throne)
Duke / Duchess - (a military rank, usually a vassal ruler of Dukedom)
Count Palatine - (assists the king in his judicial duties and can be employed on military and administrative work),
Count / Countess
Baron / Baroness
Knight
Other titles:
Magistrate - one of the highest ranking government officers, who possesses both judicial and executive powers
Legate - a high ranking military officer
Cubicularius - chamberlain of the royal palace, usually a eunuch
Praefectus urbi or urban prefect - prefect of the city
Primicerius - head of administrative department
Collegium, pl. collegia — guilds of any kind (from craftsmen and merchants to robbers and grave diggers)
Alderman — head of the guild (usually there are two aldermen).
Centurion - officer
Centurio primus pilus - The centurion of the highest centuria
Praefect - high ranking officials who governs territories
Proconsul - a provincial governor
Plebs - the general body of free Aquilonian citizens who are not patricians
Patrician - a member of the nobility
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Written by Bird, who is probably crying