More Honor Bound Setting Details

Teran

Teran is a warm, resource- and technology-rich sprawling archipelago far to the west of Westerlin and Jezhan. A belt of independent islands sit between Teran and Zaledo, some of which have always been separate and some of which seceded over the centuries (the most recent was Dahaika, which seceded around 50 years ago).

While Teran used to be a monarchy, a military coup 300 years ago known as the Teranese Revolution resulted in transferral of leadership to a President and Parliament and dissolution of the aristocracy. Now, Teran is prosperous, with some technological advancements beyond those commonly seen in Westerlin, and sees itself as a meritocracy.

A mountain range bisects mainland Teran; on one side is bountiful rainforest and fertile plains, while on the other the rain shadow of the range makes the land more arid. The current Teranese President is President Faraci, who has been in office for eight years (a presidential term is five years long, and there’s no limit on the number of terms a President can serve).

Religion

The Church of Teran is polytheistic and worships a large number of deities (eg. Elene is the deity of the sun, Alvir is the deity of protection, etc). Private shrines with offerings are usually set up in people’s homes, as well as regular communal worship taking place in churches.

Though they worship the same gods, the Church of Teran is a different denomination and split from the Church of Jezhan as part of the Revolution. Tenets of the Church of Teran include valuing personal ambition and striving, wonder and curiosity, and harmonic unity.

The deities of the Church of Jezhan and Teran include:

• Elene, deity of the sun.
• Alvir, deity of protection.
• Veslua, deity of the ocean.
• Tecuzi, trickster deity of the night.
• Baresha, deity of the hunt.
• Hierat, deity of good fortune.
• Balan, deity of medicine and plague.
• Crinn, deity of water.
• Revek, shapeshifter deity.

The Teranese Military

Presidents and parliamentary ministers leave the military to take office, but because Teran holds military service with such respect, decorated officers are popular with voters. For centuries Teran has had mandatory two years’ military service known as Teranese Service for almost everyone aged between ages 18-20 which involves basic training and assignment across the Teranese islands or the mainland.

The Dahaikan Secession was the last time a major military operation occurred, but Teran maintains a large, highly-trained army assigned to emergencies, policing, and disaster relief. Most people leave the military on an ordinary discharge, which opens few doors; if someone is particularly impressive they will be discharged respectably, gaining a better pension. Being dishonorably discharged means being blacklisted from many jobs, vastly reduces opportunities, and generally results in social censure.

Modern Aristocracy

After the coup, the noble classes were officially dissolved. However, the President recognises individuals commonly known as Elites with the title Honored (which also bestows a yearly stipend high enough to live a very comfortable upper-middle-class lifestyle) or the higher level title Esteemed (whose yearly stipend enables a luxurious upper-class lifestyle).

These titles are awarded for exceptional military, scientific, artistic, academic, philosophical, philanthropic, or otherwise highly notable endeavours.

The main Elite characters encountered so far are Fiore, who was awarded the Honored title several years ago, and Kass Quintal, who was awarded the Esteemed title around a decade and a half ago. Many of the students at Ozera are from Elite families - though they will not inherit any title, and instead will need to earn it through their own achievements.

Elene’s Prospect and Ozera School

Deep in remote, vast grasslands, Elene’s Prospect is a small, sleepy town. For some time it was struggling with young people moving away, either to the military or to other ambitions, and was waning in fortune.

Around ten years ago, some time after you moved away, Esteemed Kass Quintal, a renowned sculptor, set up Ozera School, an exclusive combined boarding school and ranch for promising wealthy students with interests in art and science. It greatly rejuvenated Elene’s Prospect, which is a couple of hours’ drive (or about a day’s horseback ride) from the school.

With state-of-the-art science and art facilities, a community focus, and a dose of eccentricity - students pitch in on the farm and run local festivals for class credits - Ozera School is in-demand for children of the rich and famous. It’s now coming up to the school’s tenth anniversary, and you’re going to be living there for the coming year.