Maybe I should try making a constructive effort in becoming a better human being. Not that it's gonna work anyway. Until then, I give you Ciri. Also, I need to promote gender equality. Hence, this video below.
Note: Above vid actually gave me quite a bit to think about in terms of tweaking the control interface of the video game/JRPG version of A Requiem From Winter Past.
Add note: The contents of this post excludes the non-human races for a reason. It's called being practical. After all, being an anti-typical S'porean doesn't mean I'm some mindless rebel against the Singaporean way.
Add note: The contents of this post excludes the non-human races for a reason. It's called being practical. After all, being an anti-typical S'porean doesn't mean I'm some mindless rebel against the Singaporean way.
Lore focus: The role of women
Origin:
Since the days of yore, the distinctive difference between man and woman has been an integral aspect of every civilisation and society. From the barbaric practice of treating women as property to respect being paid to equality, the role of women varies from one people to another. After the War of the Three Thrones, the role of women differs from one nation to another among the Causaceans. At the same time, different cultures do beget different standards and ways.
How women are treated in the Kalaran Empire:
Under the ethos of meritocracy known as the Kalaran Dream, women are faced with a contradictory situation. On one hand, they are encouraged to further themselves either academically or in their respective expertise. Upon marriage, however, their role would be that of a mother educating her children. For those who are better off financially, they can afford to hire maidservants known as maidwives to look after their children as these married women tend to assume important roles in their husbands' careers, be it an advisory or a supporting position. Those who are not so fortunate are resigned to a fate of the common smallborn woman: That of a mother looking after her family while the husband is off to work.
Within the nobility, women can never assume any position of power bar a political crisis allowing one to capitalise. Causaceans view the role of women to be either the submissive half or the supporting half. As such, having a female ruler is bound to invite mockery. Women within the nobility may be enviable to some, but the reality is quite the reverse. At least the baggage of being a smallborne means having the freedom to chase the Kalaran Dream. Those within the four walls of royalty and nobility are not so fortunate.
Then there are those who are looked down upon due to their professions. Not every woman is fortunate enough not to end up in a brothel. Even tavern wenches who would never sell their bodies tend to be sniggered upon. While prostitution is legal, the large bulk of brothels are found in areas known as nether regions. Nether regions tend to be unmanageable, for every manner of vice both imaginable and otherwise can be discovered there. Therefore, bribery is always the second best way to avoid any trouble with the law with not getting caught as the most optimal approach. Originally intended as a plan to house the poorest and homeless, certain events conspired to make sure things turned out this way.
In the Empire, prostitution and adultery, while deemed morally wrong, are considered not illegal. For adultery, however, the husband is expected to divorce his wife without any payment bar the clothes on her back. Failure to do so would result in social contempt for the husband and his parents more than the woman herself. In the event of any divorce resulting from any reason apart from infidelity, the husband is required to give his divorced wife a sum of money in accordance to the number of years together under the imperial law. Also, polygamy is illegal before the imperial law.
In the Empire, prostitution and adultery, while deemed morally wrong, are considered not illegal. For adultery, however, the husband is expected to divorce his wife without any payment bar the clothes on her back. Failure to do so would result in social contempt for the husband and his parents more than the woman herself. In the event of any divorce resulting from any reason apart from infidelity, the husband is required to give his divorced wife a sum of money in accordance to the number of years together under the imperial law. Also, polygamy is illegal before the imperial law.
How women are treated in the High Realm of Teutonia:
Women in Teutonia are always expected to be submissive. By that, it means submitting to her husband (if she is married) or to her father (if she is still single). The role of the father is to educate his children and sustain the family's livelihood. Therefore, an idle man is always a worthless man. Married women are in charge of the daily chores. Even for the rich ones and those of a lofty status, they are nothing more than matrons overseeing the servants. Yet, it must also be stated that if the man (or men for that matter) of the family requires help, the womenfolk are dutybound to help out together with the children.
Education wise, Teutonians allow their women to decide whether or not to pursue it. To men and women alike, education is a right, not a privilege. Therefore, women who can afford it would always enjoy the same right as their male counterparts while the poorer ones are encouraged to learn a craft or two, no matter how menial or artistic.
The Teutonians view rape as the greatest blasphemy (together with the act of intentional killing during any trial of arms) with indecent sexual conduct seen as a heinous offence. Even when it comes to the womenfolk of the enemy, they can only be enslaved for menial purposes. Once such blasphemies are committed, the culprits must be executed on the spot if caught in the act with an eye-witness carrying out the execution. Because every Teutonian man is dutybound to carry his weapon of choice once he reaches adulthood, such deeds tend to happen every now and then. However, the victim must present her own testimony in the court the next day. For the code of honour and duty binds both man and woman alike to be accountable for any human life intentionally lost. Should such cases be brought before the judge for whatever reason, the judge must deliver the final verdict if enough evidence is present. Otherwise, a trial of arms must be declared with the combat commencing on the third day after the declaration. In this case, intentional killing of the combatants is viewed as the highest level of sacrilege. As such, whoever is represented by the killer must be executed on the spot with no mercy given. No matter the outcome, every rapist is treated like one. Simply put, even a member of the royalty is never to be spared if found guilty.
Unlike the Kalaran Empire, Teutonia exercises a total ban on brothels as the Teutonians view any outward act of objectifying women as an act of abomination. Women accused and convicted of adultery (or just about any capital offence) are to be hanged in the same way men sentenced to death are to be decapitated. Like the Kalarans, the Teutonians practice monogamy.
How women are treated in the Free Land of Slarvea:
The Slarvs view meritocracy in the most direct manner. Leadership qualities such as wit and valour are the fundamentals of positive values. Unlike the Teutonians, the Slarvs never placed any emphasis on education (i.e. frivolous pursuit of frivolous things in their own words). Unlike the Kalarans, they have no regard for traditional morals and value (i.e. a frivolous worldview according to their own standard). So long the individual is brave enough, so long the individual is intelligent enough, so long the individual is capable of leading men and women alike in times of peace and conflict... such a person would be given the respect due. It doesn't matter (and neither should it be as well) to the Slarvs on whether the merit goes to a man or woman.
To the Slarvs, the only difference between a man and woman lies in the physical, mental, and emotional. How to make the most out of one's strengths while masking the weaknesses is what every Slarv would call the right of merit. Despite what others may think of them, the Slarvs are an intelligent people. Not so much in terms of cultivating civilisation, for they are a nomadic people. Rather, it is a strong sense of pragmatism in terms of using whatever at their disposal that makes them either a formidable ally or a fearsome foe.
Unlike the Kalarans and Teutonians, the Slarvs view sexual partners as a show of status. At the same time, marriage is an alien concept to them. Due to their absolute standard in terms of gender equality, this means men and women alike are entitled to this form of sexual freedom.
How women are treated in the Furthest East:
The Cinha view women as role models for the children while men are to be role models for male youths. As a result, Cinha women are always expected to behave in a manner becoming of themselves. This means being submissive towards their husbands (if married) and fathers (if single). No questions are asked in terms of decisions being made in the family, for the husband is the head of his family and the father the head of his household. In the event of death where the family head is concerned, the wife is to assume her husband's duty. For the worth of every household lies in the property owned and remarrying would mean a change of ownership. Something which goes against the values of the East. If there is no property owned, the widow is expected to remarry, those qualified being the male relatives.
While any form of premarital sex is considered adultery (a capital offence punishable by drowning), polygamy is an accepted practice so long formal marriage ceremonies are involved. Like the Slarvs, the number of concubines (i.e. wives taken apart from the first) is seen as a show of status. Unlike the Slarvs, this show of status is only applicable to men.
When it comes to justice for women, the Cinha judiciary system is considered strictly patriarchal, unfair even. While a convicted rapist would be sentenced to life in jail, failure to do convict the accused would result in dire consequences for the victim. Namely, the death sentence reserved for adultery automatically meted out without trial. At the same time, rape is considered a petty crime compared to a severe case of felony viewed by the Teutonians. Hence, a victim tends to remain silent with her father attempting to marry her off before the worst-case scenario happens. Namely, unwanted pregnancy. Needless to say, such pregnancy is considered the result of an act of adultery.
Ironically, for all the Cinha profess to be in terms of traditional family values, brothels are legal where prostitutes are considered no different from dogs and swine.
How women are treated in the Southland:
Every Sudhlit community is defined by a common caste system. The standard measured for the men is the same for the women. However, it must be stated that such a standard is drawn within the gender boundary rather than something universal. For example, a man of a higher status is always seen as more prestigious than a woman of the same caste rank.
Women are always seen as either one of the two: Wives and mothers or objects of sexual lust and abuse. Contrary to the popular belief, there is a difference between the two when it comes to treatment. Wives and mothers are to be respected even though the husband or father is always the head of his family. But for maidservants and female slaves, they do not have such a right. Instead, they are viewed as nothing more than commodities.
When it comes to cases of violence against female family members, however, the men would always have the last say. This is due to the Sudhlit belief that a woman's greatest virtue is submitting herself under the authority of her father or husband. In fact, positions of authority, no matter whether it is within or outside the family, are always given to the men.
How women are treated in Histalonia:
Histalonia is a place where the strong reign and the weak perish. Stopping short of actual anarchy, the Histalonian society is nothing more than a state of chaos brought under control. As a result, it is very easy for a woman to be preyed upon. When it comes to slavery, there is a special relationship between Histalonia and the Southland. The latter plays the role of the supplier while the former is to be the exporter. This is due to slavery being outlawed by the Kalarans and Teutonians while the Slarvs hold such a practice in contempt. Once the slaves (plus whatever goods involved as well) are sold to Histalonia, the resellers would always have their pick of female slaves before selling the rest at a profit. As the result, many are the women sold into slavery where this island nation of mercantile activities is concerned.
Yet, this is not to say exceptional women do not exist there. Like how male and female weaklings do exist, being a capable player does not have any gender requirements. In fact, the very few women who managed to carve out their own niche are commonly seen as more dangerous to deal with compared to their male counterparts. After all, the experience would always triumph over knowledge in a society where decisions must be made in a single moment.
How women are treated in Tamuria:
In the highland region of Tamuria, livelihood requires a hardy constitution and a resolve of steel. Instead of agriculture, the Tamurians sustain themselves via gathering and herding a species of mountain sheep known as argots. While the men task themselves with the hunting and foraging, the womenfolk busy themselves with looking after herds of argots. Every clan (i.e. a family according to the Tamurian standard) has at least one flock of argots depending on the clan size.
Because being a shepherdess involves fights against wild beasts and the occasional rapist, Tamurian women are traditionally garbed in leather and linen to facilitate mobility and just enough protection. At the same time, each of them is armed with a staff, dirk, and sling together with a pouch containing stones as ammunition.
Like the menfolk, every Tamurian woman is trained as a fighter since birth. The younger and unmarried ones tend to look after the livestock while older women (who are married or widowed) are tasked with training children in the ways of combat.
Honour is the most important virtue to any clan. For a woman, this is even more so. In the event of rape, the victim is entitled to the right to fight back. At the same time, she is also dutybound to kill the attacker. Regardless of the outcome, the victim would choose suicide via cutting the throat after the struggle. Not because of whatever rule enforced, but rather this is a fate every Tamurian woman chooses willingly. If the assailant managed to escape, the victim's course of action stays unchanged. However, she is to recount what happened to her family before committing suicide. In this case, the rapist would face a more gruesome fate upon being apprehended. No trial is to be conducted, for the offender would be sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. While other so-called more civilised people would recoil at such a sight, any Tamurian worth his or her own honour would argue this is a death sentence worthy of the worst of cowards.
When it comes to weapon usage, the Tamurian womenfolk favour lighter weapons like dirks, one-handed axes, and hunting bows while the men favour arms of heavier weight like the bardiche, longsword, and even the two-handed greatsword. This is to emphasise the Tamurian ethos of fire and wind. Fire refers to the male role of any Tamurian clan while wind refers to the female role. Like how fire is driven by the wind from behind, every daughter is to be the pride of her father while every wife is to be the pillar of her husband. Hence, the men will always fight at the forefront with the women acting as the foil. If the men are to be the shield, then the women are to be the spear. Such is how the roles of the respective gender work.
How women are treated in the Free Land of Slarvea:
The Slarvs view meritocracy in the most direct manner. Leadership qualities such as wit and valour are the fundamentals of positive values. Unlike the Teutonians, the Slarvs never placed any emphasis on education (i.e. frivolous pursuit of frivolous things in their own words). Unlike the Kalarans, they have no regard for traditional morals and value (i.e. a frivolous worldview according to their own standard). So long the individual is brave enough, so long the individual is intelligent enough, so long the individual is capable of leading men and women alike in times of peace and conflict... such a person would be given the respect due. It doesn't matter (and neither should it be as well) to the Slarvs on whether the merit goes to a man or woman.
To the Slarvs, the only difference between a man and woman lies in the physical, mental, and emotional. How to make the most out of one's strengths while masking the weaknesses is what every Slarv would call the right of merit. Despite what others may think of them, the Slarvs are an intelligent people. Not so much in terms of cultivating civilisation, for they are a nomadic people. Rather, it is a strong sense of pragmatism in terms of using whatever at their disposal that makes them either a formidable ally or a fearsome foe.
Unlike the Kalarans and Teutonians, the Slarvs view sexual partners as a show of status. At the same time, marriage is an alien concept to them. Due to their absolute standard in terms of gender equality, this means men and women alike are entitled to this form of sexual freedom.
How women are treated in the Furthest East:
The Cinha view women as role models for the children while men are to be role models for male youths. As a result, Cinha women are always expected to behave in a manner becoming of themselves. This means being submissive towards their husbands (if married) and fathers (if single). No questions are asked in terms of decisions being made in the family, for the husband is the head of his family and the father the head of his household. In the event of death where the family head is concerned, the wife is to assume her husband's duty. For the worth of every household lies in the property owned and remarrying would mean a change of ownership. Something which goes against the values of the East. If there is no property owned, the widow is expected to remarry, those qualified being the male relatives.
While any form of premarital sex is considered adultery (a capital offence punishable by drowning), polygamy is an accepted practice so long formal marriage ceremonies are involved. Like the Slarvs, the number of concubines (i.e. wives taken apart from the first) is seen as a show of status. Unlike the Slarvs, this show of status is only applicable to men.
When it comes to justice for women, the Cinha judiciary system is considered strictly patriarchal, unfair even. While a convicted rapist would be sentenced to life in jail, failure to do convict the accused would result in dire consequences for the victim. Namely, the death sentence reserved for adultery automatically meted out without trial. At the same time, rape is considered a petty crime compared to a severe case of felony viewed by the Teutonians. Hence, a victim tends to remain silent with her father attempting to marry her off before the worst-case scenario happens. Namely, unwanted pregnancy. Needless to say, such pregnancy is considered the result of an act of adultery.
Ironically, for all the Cinha profess to be in terms of traditional family values, brothels are legal where prostitutes are considered no different from dogs and swine.
How women are treated in the Southland:
Every Sudhlit community is defined by a common caste system. The standard measured for the men is the same for the women. However, it must be stated that such a standard is drawn within the gender boundary rather than something universal. For example, a man of a higher status is always seen as more prestigious than a woman of the same caste rank.
Women are always seen as either one of the two: Wives and mothers or objects of sexual lust and abuse. Contrary to the popular belief, there is a difference between the two when it comes to treatment. Wives and mothers are to be respected even though the husband or father is always the head of his family. But for maidservants and female slaves, they do not have such a right. Instead, they are viewed as nothing more than commodities.
When it comes to cases of violence against female family members, however, the men would always have the last say. This is due to the Sudhlit belief that a woman's greatest virtue is submitting herself under the authority of her father or husband. In fact, positions of authority, no matter whether it is within or outside the family, are always given to the men.
How women are treated in Histalonia:
Histalonia is a place where the strong reign and the weak perish. Stopping short of actual anarchy, the Histalonian society is nothing more than a state of chaos brought under control. As a result, it is very easy for a woman to be preyed upon. When it comes to slavery, there is a special relationship between Histalonia and the Southland. The latter plays the role of the supplier while the former is to be the exporter. This is due to slavery being outlawed by the Kalarans and Teutonians while the Slarvs hold such a practice in contempt. Once the slaves (plus whatever goods involved as well) are sold to Histalonia, the resellers would always have their pick of female slaves before selling the rest at a profit. As the result, many are the women sold into slavery where this island nation of mercantile activities is concerned.
Yet, this is not to say exceptional women do not exist there. Like how male and female weaklings do exist, being a capable player does not have any gender requirements. In fact, the very few women who managed to carve out their own niche are commonly seen as more dangerous to deal with compared to their male counterparts. After all, the experience would always triumph over knowledge in a society where decisions must be made in a single moment.
How women are treated in Tamuria:
In the highland region of Tamuria, livelihood requires a hardy constitution and a resolve of steel. Instead of agriculture, the Tamurians sustain themselves via gathering and herding a species of mountain sheep known as argots. While the men task themselves with the hunting and foraging, the womenfolk busy themselves with looking after herds of argots. Every clan (i.e. a family according to the Tamurian standard) has at least one flock of argots depending on the clan size.
Because being a shepherdess involves fights against wild beasts and the occasional rapist, Tamurian women are traditionally garbed in leather and linen to facilitate mobility and just enough protection. At the same time, each of them is armed with a staff, dirk, and sling together with a pouch containing stones as ammunition.
Like the menfolk, every Tamurian woman is trained as a fighter since birth. The younger and unmarried ones tend to look after the livestock while older women (who are married or widowed) are tasked with training children in the ways of combat.
Honour is the most important virtue to any clan. For a woman, this is even more so. In the event of rape, the victim is entitled to the right to fight back. At the same time, she is also dutybound to kill the attacker. Regardless of the outcome, the victim would choose suicide via cutting the throat after the struggle. Not because of whatever rule enforced, but rather this is a fate every Tamurian woman chooses willingly. If the assailant managed to escape, the victim's course of action stays unchanged. However, she is to recount what happened to her family before committing suicide. In this case, the rapist would face a more gruesome fate upon being apprehended. No trial is to be conducted, for the offender would be sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. While other so-called more civilised people would recoil at such a sight, any Tamurian worth his or her own honour would argue this is a death sentence worthy of the worst of cowards.
When it comes to weapon usage, the Tamurian womenfolk favour lighter weapons like dirks, one-handed axes, and hunting bows while the men favour arms of heavier weight like the bardiche, longsword, and even the two-handed greatsword. This is to emphasise the Tamurian ethos of fire and wind. Fire refers to the male role of any Tamurian clan while wind refers to the female role. Like how fire is driven by the wind from behind, every daughter is to be the pride of her father while every wife is to be the pillar of her husband. Hence, the men will always fight at the forefront with the women acting as the foil. If the men are to be the shield, then the women are to be the spear. Such is how the roles of the respective gender work.
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Some things of note:
1. While the part on the Causaceans sounds like the typical #AMTK logic, it must be stated that the influence to create a more "gentlemanly" white society has more to do with female fantasy characters like Polgara, the most famous Daenerys Targaryen, and the less famous Lyanna Stark. If this is proof of a local S'porean thinking like an angmoh, I'm not going to apologise for being myself.
2. It's very easy for my fellow S'poreans to call me a racist since I'm also a Singaporean Chinese. After, there's always an American in every one of us, no? However, it must be stated that local Singaporean Indians (be they Tamil, Punjabis, or any other South Asian descent) should never bear the sins of a rape culture because this is Singapore, not India. I need to clarify this because I know I can never be the kind of accidental hero Shrey Bhargava was/is.
3. The part on Cinha is essentially my take on the contradiction/hypocrisy surround the much-touted East Asian moral values. I'm not blind, I'm not an idiot. You can never convince me that the deer is a horse (i.e. there's a Chinese saying: 衣冠沐猴). Simply put, I'm not going to apologise for being a politically incorrect Scottish son of a gun blessed/cursed with a wolf's blood unless the S'porean educational system is willing to apologise for having a hand in creating this monster of a local S'porean. Simply put, #IMPOSSIBRU! no matter whether it's me or my country's educational system.
4. The combat role of Tamurian women mirrors that of the hoplite strike-behind-cover approach and classic Persian artillery barrage tactic.
5. At the point of writing this, the current Mediacorp drama starring Qi Yuwu and Jesseca Liu is airing an episode where Jesseca's character was... erm, drug raped by her ex-husband. Funnily enough, that episode unleashed my inner Monster of Ván (not to be confused with an "accidental mirror image" of yours truly), hence the inclusion of a rapist's death sentence Tamurian style.
6. Which now comes to the fact that the leader of the Valkyries is inspired by Jesseca Liu. The leader's name? Jeska Lews Brynhilda.
8. The argot, as an animal species, is inspired by a Greek kambing.
Above is the complete boss fight.
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