From Dynasts End

Revision as of 22:33, 14 January 2009

Politics

Since Dalmasca was restored to a kingdom after Archadian rule, the Queen has served as the sole monarch, her husband referred to as a prince. Though the queen may choose to keep aides on hand, it is her word and her word only which ultimately becomes law. The people of Dalmacsa seem satisfied with this form of government, as Queen Ashelia was always a firm but caring leader. They assume that her daughter will be no different.

The Dalmascan army is small, as becoming a soldier outside of times of war is not considered a noble occupation. Still, troops are stationed along Dalmasca's boreders and cities to keep the Archadian, or any would-be, imperial forces from trying to take the kingdom once more.

Economy

Strategically positioned on the trade routes between two superpowers, Archadia and Rozarria, which refuse to do business with one another, the small kingdom of Dalmasca plays host to a booming economy. A happy middle man, Dalmasca sells Archadian exports to Rozarria at a healthy profit, and vice-versa. Many skilled artists flock to Dalmascan cities, bringing their talents and patrons with them, and as such the country is known as a cultural center as well as an economic one.

With few exports of its own making, such as Dalmascan steel prized by Rozarrian smiths, it is in the kingdom's best interests that Archdia and Rozarria remain on one another's bad sides. Were they to reconcile, Dalmasca's wealth would be cleaved neatly in half, or worse.

Education

Native Dalmascans fall into one of two categories: the elderly, classically educated generation and the young Dalmascans whom they are educating. Most Dalmascans of the new generation cannot afford to go to school and instead must be educated by anyone in Lowtown willing to tutor them. A single elderly teacher huddled before a group of twenty or more children in the Dalmascan slums has become an increasingly common sight.

The well-to-do Archadian citizens of Dalmasca are usually sent to academies in the empire, only to return to flood Dalmasca with even more Archadian ideas.

Hierarchy & Values

Dalmasca is divided into Archadians, most of whom choose to live in the capital city of Rabanastre, and native Dalmascans, who have been forced by the Archadian's standing and wealth to live in slums and scattered villages. A certain number of above-ground homes have been reserved for Dalmascans in Rabanastre by order of Emperor Larsa, but those that choose to live among the Archadians are reviled by both their neighbors and kin. Aside from this social split, Dalmascan society is extremely accepting of all types of people and all walks of life. It is diversity, they believe, that makes them great. This is one of the primary reasons that the assimilating force of the Archadian Empire is so strongly resented by them.

Virtues prized by Dalmascans include altruism, acceptance, temperance, hope, love, patience, mercy, and creativity.

Some traits which are looked down upon are cruelty, venality, frugality, hate.

Gender & Sexuality

Naive and generally accepting, the sexes and all manner of relationships which pass between them, while sometimes incomprehensible, are seen as natural by Dalmascans. Love is considered the most important asset of their society and should not be denied on the basis of the form in which it appears.

Stereotypes

Dalmascans are widely thought of as naive, empathetic, charitable, willful, overly idealistic, and foolish. In short, a society doomed by its own childish optimism.

Official Language(s)

Dalmascan, Archadian