Written 12.06.2005 - Uploaded 15.09.2008
This document is a short introduction to the nations. It gives some insight into the climate, culture and architecture of each nation, as well as their military potential and technology. A short introduction is all it is for the moment. Even the capitals of most nations haven't been named yet because I'm totally bad with names.
---
JESOD
Capital:
Seraph: Gabriel (order)
Tech level: below average
The average temperature in Jesod is generally cold and the northern half of the land is covered in snow most of the time. The temperature in the capital averages around -5 celsius in summer and -50 celsius in winter. Southern parts of the nation still retain quite warm temperatures with an average of +25 celsius in summertime and -20 in winter. The snow-covered parts of the land are mountainous and rough and it is separated from the southern parts by a wide mountain range. Going from north to south the landscape slowly shifts from snowfields to tundras (which is the general landscape on both sides of the mountain range) and then on towards more temperate landscapes. The southern parts are green with both grass and forests. However come winter and the whole nation is covered with snow except for the very southmost coast areas where it only rains a lot during winter (similar to mediterranean areas of Earth).
The culture in Jesod has not braced technology that much and cities are constructed in a sturdy manner, not fancy. Buildings aren't generally too high and worked stone is the most common construction material used. The people are proud and firm but also warm towards visitors but at the same time very vigilant. Common fashion sense in the northern parts consists mostly of winter clothing for practical reasons. When the people are not out in the cold they usually wear rather simple clothing and avoid any bright colors.
Jesod is a significant military power on a global scale and its military technology is somewhat higher than the general technology level in the nation.
---
NETSAH
Capital:
Seraph: Azazel (technology)
Tech level: highest
The average temperature in the technological superpower of Netsah ranges from cold to very warm. Most of the land is under temperate climate which means quite cold winters and quite warm summers. However the northmost parts are very arctic and the southern and coastal parts have mediterranean climate and the southmost islands are under sub-tropic climate. Most of the landscape is quite level - plains, grassfields etc. Northern and eastern parts have some mountain ranges and towards south occasional hills appear along with forests. Still, level ground covers most of the landscape as stated before.
As the followers of the technology aspect of DEUS, the people of Netsah have braced technology in a major fashion. Their cities are full of tall buildings and lit throughout the day with neonlights. EtherTech is very common in the streets and over half of the transportation is by hovercrafts. The people are in general lighthearted and optimistic, always open to new ideas. Some might say they are also corrupt and immoral. In addition, Netsah is the only nation possessing a nationwide railroad-network connecting all of its cities excluding those built on the islands. The combination of technology and magic makes living in Netsah quite pleasant. For citizens of other nations their way of living might appear rather hollow but as long as they are content with such life no one is going to raise the topic.
Out of all the nations, Netsah has the most advanced and powerful military forces. Their fleets of battleships are respected by many and it is indeed the nation of Netsah that originally took the position of power away from the Malachi. Regardless of their supreme military might, the nation goes along with others working peacefully on global construction and research projects.
---
BINAH
Capital:
Seraph: Raphael (life)
Tech level: low
Climate in the nation of Binah ranges from subtropic to tropic and temperatures rarely drop below +10 celsius at any parts of the country at any time of the year. The capital is located at the least tropical parts of the country. The landscape is mostly savannah, desert and jungle in all parts of the nation with an occasional high spot here and there. All in all the wilderness is very rich in terms of life and the variety of flora and fauna is among the highest on the entire planet. Several large rivers run through the country from the western coast into the beyond.
The people value life above all and their attitudes are generally against technology. The cities are quite primitive and the people depend on magic in most of their activities. The capital along with few neighbouring cities has somewhat oriental culture while the middle parts where temperature is higest have almost tribal culture. Cities are thus concentrated on the edges of the nation while the central parts are left for the small tribes to live in as they choose. The people are friendly, open-minded and very warm towards visitors. They are trusting and perhaps a little naive but quick to defend their lives and those of others' should they be threatened. Fashion favors quite light clothing due to temperature but the little clothing they wear is very lively with bright colors and ornaments.
Binah maintains only a very small fleet of warships and overall its military power is weak. Still, they are far from defenseless and their magi legions are far more fearsome than they look. All in all Binah is quite safe anyway as it maintains very warm relations with other nations.
---
KETHER
Capital:
Seraph: Marduk (creation)
Tech level: above average
The climate in the northern parts of Kether shifts slowly from tropic to subtropic and the southern parts enjoy somewhat warm and comfortable weathers. The temperature in the southern parts ranges from +35 celsius at summer to around 0 celsius at winter time. Snow is very rare and usually not seen at all. The jungles and deserts of north are partly separated from the southern plains with a mountain range and the eastern parts of the country have several mountain ranges. The capital itself is located on an elevated position standing well over two kilometers above sea level. Overall the land is quite dry and high vegetation is rare in the southern parts.
As followers of the creation aspect, the people of Kether are bent towards construction and efficiency. Overall the nation is economically very effective and its productivity rates are high. Their cities are monuments of workmanship, with a lot of resemblance toward post-modern cities on Earth. In many cities the nobility takes residence on huge floating platforms above the city overshadowing parts of the ground level. The people in Kether vary greatly but they all take pride in being good at what they do. General fashion is quite close to modern Europe or US at least when it comes to ordinary clothing. Fancy clothes on the other hand are pieces of true workmanship taking influences from all over the globe.
Due to their strong position in global productivity and therefore trade, the nation of Kether has been able to maintain impressive military forces with technology almost equal to that of Netsah. Ironically, their huge fleets are merely a display of power since should any nation wage war to Kether they would soon find themselves short on about everything - Kether provides massive amounts of goods to all other nations which is more than enough to keep their diplomatic relationships favorable.
---
HOD
Capital:
Seraph: Uriel (light)
Tech level: high
Most of the nation of Hod enjoys a warm climate. The northern coast is where the temperature is overall highest while the southmost areas are already a bit cold. Temperatures in the north range from 30 celsius at summer to -15 at winter and snow is occasional. In the south the temperatures are between 25 and -30. The landscape is mountaenous in the west and south parts but more level along the coastline. Most of the land is rather dry and vegetation is overall quite rare, especially trees. Bushes and such are a more common sight. The national border between Hod and Malchuth goes through a wide mountain range.
The cities in Hod are very interesting and beautiful. Houses are made of magically enchanched crystal which lets light through from outside and allows inhabitants to see through but not the other way around. The cities are often built to high places like mountaintops and most of them are made of dozens of floating platforms - all made of crystal. These platforms also represent social standing - the higher the platform, the higher the standing. The cities bathe in sunlight from the very first rays all the way until the fall of darkness. During the night, the magi of the city light countless, small artificial suns everywhere to keep their cities alight. The people are warm and bright, spending a lot of time adoring the play of sunlight through the countles prismatic crystal structures. With the different positions of the sun and all the different structures it takes several lifetimes to see enough of this beauty. Via the combined use of advanced technology and magic the people have managed to arrange themselves a good deal of free time.
While the nation generally is peaceful it still maintains very advanced military forces to ensure its safety should diplomatic relations fail. Their military technology is very close to that of Netsah and actually exceeds it on certain small areas.
---
MALCHUTH
Capital:
Seraph: Ahriman (rebellion)
Tech level: average
Malchuth enjoys a great variety of climates ranging from its warm and peaceful north coast to the raging everwinter of south. The landscapes on the southern parts are quite rough with a variety mountains and hills. The capital area is especially rough and some might even think it's inhabitable. The terrain shifts slowly from warm flats to temperate hills and forests and finally as the temperature drops the rough and cold areas reveal themselves. Of all the nations, Malchuth has the most territory but its cities are widely spread due to some entirely inhabitable areas here and there.
The culture in Malchuth is very interesting. As the followers of rebellion aspect, the people of Malchuth keep the nation in a state of constant change and revolution. Cities are rebuilt on the remainings of their former shapes leaving marks of each generation to the foundation and making the cities look overall quite decadent. The people themselves are revolutionary and constantly seeking better ways either philosophically or with open violence. Due to this interesting fact, the enforcers in Malchuth have not been given authority to prevent fighting in the streets which makes Malchuth the only nation in the world where cities are certainly not safe. Malchuth is also one of the two nations with no social standing system whatsoever and this also means they do not arrange marriages - sometimes marriage itself is quite out of fashion too. The general fashion is a decadent aproach to that of modern Earth.
In terms of military power Malchuth is quite strong. Due to its violent nature, many of its people are more or less prepared to take on any enemy with minimal or no training at all. Nations waging war would have to face an entire nation full of nothing but armed forces.
---
CHOCHMAH
Capital: Sophia
Seraph: Raziel (knowledge)
Tech level: above average
The northmost parts of Chochmah are mostly desert but when going towards south the climate starts to become quite a bit more habitable and most of the nation is influenced by temperate climate. The nation is separated from its western neighbour Tiphereth by a wide mountain range and the country itself has more than a few elevated positions as well. It also has a great amount of lakes and forests.
The culture is highly academic. While their technology level is fairly good they choose not to reflect this on the outward appearance of cities which look more like ancient rome or greece. The focal points of all cities are universities and libraries but also temples of the Malachi - afterall it was Raziel who planted the seed of Malachi into men. For the very same reason the Malachi have chosen the capital for the location of their highest temple where their highest ranking members lead the entire religious faction. Both the magi and Malachi of Chochmah spend their days seeking knowledge about all things. Unlike Netsah which is mainly interested in new technology, the citizens of Chochmah commit research on every field from literature to advanced physics.
The nation maintains enough military forces to defend itself against other nations but they themselves are of peaceful nature. Chochmah maintains excellent diplomatic relationship with all other nations and their knowledge is highly appreciated all around.
---
TIPHERETH
Capital:
Seraph: Azrael (death)
Tech level: below average
The landscape in the coastal nation of Tiphereth is barren as if life had been sucked out of it. It is a very fitting scenery for its guardian patron Azrael, the aspect of death. The entire nation is covered with deserts and rocky wastelands as well as rough mountain ranges. The dry climate is merciless towards most lifeforms including humans.
The cities are built mostly on the coastal line. The houses are low and sturdy in order to resist frequent sandstorms and they are far from advanced. The people maintain a worshipful relationship towards death. They do not only accept it - it is the focal point of their lives. They tend to spend time preparing for the moment of death and trying to find a fitting way to leave life. The people are often harsh yet not cruel - one of their principles is to mercifully take life away from those who only suffer because of it. While such behavior is seen as cruel and barbaric by the life-loving citizens of Binah, many philosophers actually believe that the way of Tiphereth is indeed more merciful than preserving life at all costs. All in all, the gloomy waiting of death makes the cities of Tiphereth silent. The people wear mostly black clothes and carry on with their duties without interfering too much with others. Still their lives are not without joy - the celebration of death is an interesting and surprisingly joyous festival which is committed every time a relative passes away - and there is a lot of death in Tiphereth.
While the military might of Tiphereth is not too strong, their soldiers are truly fearsome since they all carry a deathwish - to die with as many enemies as possible. On the other hand, the nation itself is very difficult to invade since most of the territory is barely inhabitable and rough.
---
GEBURAH
Capital:
Seraph: Azaziel (love)
Tech level: lowest
The enchanted realm of Geburah is the most beautiful of all the nations. It is covered entirely with green forests, hills and some towering mountains all in a peaceful harmony. The land is rich in life, almost as rich as the jungles of Binah. For reasons unknown the nation is evergreen and temperature is always around 25 degrees celsius. Among the forests and hills are countless ponds, lakes, springs and rivers all glittering with fresh water. In addition to normal flora and fauna, this enchanted realm also has a variety of rare magical beings - unicorns, pegasi etc. These mythic creatures are very rare and one has to be extremely lucky to ever see one.
Geburah refuses all technology. Cities are not built at all, they are raised by shaping vegetation via magic. Aside from clothes and a few necessary accessories, technical, mechanical and artificial objects are left untouched by the native population and visitors are also encouraged to leave most of their possessions into their ships but they are not forced to do so. The people are peaceful, friendly and warm embracing everything in their lives passionately - all in all living life to the fullest. The general fashion favors nature's colors and simple but beautiful clothes - robes, skirts etc. Many visitors find themselves being enchanted by the nation and its beautiful people - many a visit has turned into lifetime stay. Geburah does not maintain any social standing system and absolutely prohibits arranged marriage. When the people of Geburah marry, it is most definitely out of love.
Geburah does not wage war and it has no army whatsoever. According to myth and legend, the enchanted realm takes care of itself in other ways and no nation has dared to find out how.
---
CHESED
Capital:
Seraph: Abaddon (darkness)
Tech level: below average
Most of Chesed is influenced by temperate climate and it has grand forests, mountains, hills and valleys. Overall the landscape is almost poetic in a certain nocturnal sense. Unnatural dark clouds hover over the nation preventing the entry of light almost always allowing only single rays through occasionally. The northmost parts are relatively cold and the mountains up there are always snow-covered and the temperature is always below zero. The rest of the nation, the inhabited area, maintains nicer temperatures although the absence of sunlight makes Chesed somewhat colder than other nations of same latitudes.
The people of Chesed live in a nocturnal cycle spending the days asleep and nights wide awake. The culture is quite close to Victorian age England and the social standing system is strong. Nobles live in impressive mansions and employ dozens of servants. The people are generally aristocratic and somewhat shady or mysterious. Their general fashion favors dark and a little fancy clothing, all according to social standing. Cloaks, long coats etc are very common sights.
While they fancy their less advanced lifestyle greatly, the people of Chesed do maintain up to date military might as well as some of the world's finest melee units.