worldbuilding; a work in progress (always)

the stage: the world (earth-adjacent) is dominated by a sprawling, colossal empire constantly focused on conquest, currently known as the Gaul Empire. unified in name, not so much in culture, religion, or even society. Gaul is made up of many territories, all of which remain unique and mostly themselves, except for their names. Once conquered, Gaul strips the territory of its original name, erasing it in the minds of the citizens and in the literature. Abritus is the capital of the empire, and where Felix was raised. It boasts advancements in medicine, agriculture, science, all except in societal. The elite have a very regimented social setting, with rules put in place to dictate everything from marriage to day-to-day behaviors. The nobility are heavily scrutinized by the emperor and by each other, whereas the common people exist in a far more relaxed social setting.

ember: once known as Jinxiu, but their name was one of the many concessions to their surrender. there is power in names, and no one of the nation remembers what they were once called. its monarchy has been replaced by a head Gaul representative along with a council of Ember elites sympathetic to the Empire's interests. The Ember elites would like to affirm that their nation is entirely the same since the annexation.

the ton: Abritus's social scene.