Jaddian Culture
Spoilers ahead, proceed with caution
Jaddians are a race that traces itself back to man's Golden Age, to Pasargadae and Perspepolis, Eccbatana, Susa and Ctesiphon, all back when the Earth was young. They were apparently Parsis before they were Jaddians and Persians before that. The founding father of Jaddian culture is Prince Katanes du Otranto.
Genetic EngineeringJadd is well known for it's genecraft, apparently originating from Prince Katanes du Otranto's victory over the Imperium. Later, their army of malmuk clones helped Jadd maintain a standstill with the Imperium and against the Holy Terran Chantry's laws.
Jadd has a Blood Office overseeing genetic activities. The gestational cycle is 15 months long. Several embryos are selected at first and destroyed by incineration after one is chosen. Individuals born via this process are sometimes referred to as "purple born" and scientists as porphyrogeneticists.
Despite the Blood Office's oversight, there exist a black market genetics trade.
Mamluk clones : clones created to serve in the army or as guards. They are seen as not fully humans, they cannot speak.
Government
Jadd is made of 81 principalities governed through the Domagavani; a congress-like institution, led by High Prince Aldia Ahmad Rodrigo-Phillipe Du Otranto. Its members may be constitutionally elected or despots, as each province rules itself as desired, however they are equal in the Domagavani.
Jadd has a Blood Office and a War Office.
Language and Idioms
See Jaddian (language)
Customs
Men wear masks in public, women don't, unless they are in the military or the police, but they paint their faces.
Religion
The Jaddians revere Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom and Truth, theFaravahar is one of his icons. Little is known of this religion, below are some elements :
- Ahura Mazda created Mashya and Mashyana on Old Earth
- Ahura Mazda forbids violence against children
- Atash was God's eternal fire
- The God ordains that man should take all shapes
- The priests are above the fire school and have uniforms of pure white
Food and Table Manners
During a Jaddian meal, dozens of courses are served and sweet and savory are mixed, there is no order. Each guest is expected to take only a little and there is very little speaking while eating.
The Ballad of Prince Katanes - Il Balantha du Dom Katanes
Three moons there were o’er Jadd of old …
… three moons there shine there still
And there Katanes, proud and bold
Ruled over sea and hill.
His sword, like crystal, caught the sun
His will, a bar of steel
Thus round his high seat, one-by-one
The princes came to kneel …
Games
Druaja is a mechanical labyrinth chess game favored in Jadd.
Time of the day
Havan : several hours until noon.
Symbolism
Simurgh : part lion, part bird, part dog, a symbol of the princes and of the Persian kings of old.