Arunkadia is a strange shadow that has some Earth like qualities. It's physics are very akin to Amber except in the realms of Electricity and conductance. The atmosphere is highly charged and lightening discharges are common place. These common discharges are akin to the intensity achieved on Earth during a major storm, what happens during a storm makes these discharges look nothing more than a simple static discharge on Earth. What is interesting is that virtually all large plant forms have evolved silicate conducting skins that handle the majority of conditions without major damage to the plant structure. Generally the better the conductor on Earth the poorer the conductor on Arunkadia, with one or two exceptions.
Culturally, Arunkadia is a mix of 11th Century North European and and 15th Century Far Eastern cultures sat on top of a Roman Style Senate. There is no King, Emperor, or President. Each town elects a number of senators to the regional Senate, and each Regional Senate two Senators to the State Senate. The State Senate then selects three Presiders from amongst the regional Senators. A senate term is 5 years and no Senator may server for more than 3 terms in the regional senate or 1 term in the state senate. A Presider may serve 3 terms in the state senate.
Science and Technology are a mix bag. Medicine and Healing are well in advance of the equivalent Earth cultures, with the causes of disease and sickness well understood, a sophisticated level of anesthesia and surgery, and a sufficient understanding of genetics to be able to breed animals and plants to enhance certain traits and qualities. Metal working technology is equivalent to that of the best of 11th Century North European and and 15th Century Far Eastern technology with the addition of the capability to smelt Aluminum - the technology to harness the power of lightening is surprisingly advanced. Transport and agricultural technology are equivalent to 17th Century Europe - horse drawn ploughs, mechanical seed drills, wooden leaf spring horse drawn carts, whilst military technology relies heavily on swords and bows. Siege Engines, ballistae, crossbows, and gunpowder have never been developed. Armour technology is advanced and mixes the best of Mongol silk and leather techniques, with European mail, and Japanese Bamboo Lamella.
Arunkadia has but a single continent, shaped like a 'y' laid on its side and place equatorially. 50% of Arunkadia's surface is water, 20% land, and 30% Ice - Arunkadia whilst not cold has massive Ice caps. It has a time ratio of 2.5:1 to Amber. There are 3 known languages, the commonest bearing a striking similarity to ancient Sumerian. 40% of the population have notable shape shifting abilities and 12% practice magic (70% use sorcery).
Much of my true history was hidden from me until after my arrival in Amber but some things I knew already.
The Jesby Household of which my mother's family, the Jintaros are the 5th largest faction has a long association with Arunkadia. On this Shadow, prior to my determination of my true heritage we were the 3rd most powerful but largest Mercantile family, behind the Jankovs and Jerentru, whilst the Jesby's themselves ranked 4th. The entire Jesby Household had and still has major estates and holdings in all 17 of Arunkadia's regions, whilst Jintaro itself has major Estates and Holdings in 11 regions. It also boasts the greatest representation in Government with 7 regional senators, 2 state senators, and one Presider.
My arrival in the world sparked a major scandal as naturally Auburn hair is unknown natively, family members having predominately black, aquamarine, midnight blue, gun metal, or silver hair, with the occasional recessive white or burgundy. The usual outcome of such an obviously illegitimate birth is the death of mother and child, but my father staunchly stood by my mother and acknowledged me as heir. When my Isla's younger sister and brother arrived everyone assumed that they were my father's children and would inherit in my stead, but this was not to be the case.
Apart from the repercussions of the scandal my childhood was normal and I grew up safe in the knowledge that one day I would take as Landsradt from my Father. My schooling was therefore tailored to this task with emphasis on the principles and economics of Trade, Negotiation, Diplomacy, Social Etiquette and Entertaining, Politics, and Estate Management. When time allowed I pursued my own interests in medicine, herbs, archery, and elektronology.
When my Father died shortly after my 19th Birthday I became the youngest Landsradt for 70 years and the youngest Magista that the Jintaro Mercanti had ever known. I also learnt something of the truth about the parentage of all of my mothers children, none of us are actually my mother's husband's sire as he was rendered sterile by a demon as a young man.
The Jintaro Karafenta Estate, which occupies 12% of the central Karacorinda region and because of its size is classed as a district, has prospered greatly under my leadership. As Magista I directed that the Jintaro Mercanti make its first ventures into elekro trade and production, although it would be nearly 8 years before the investment showed significant returns. At the age of 23 I was elected to the regional Senate and selected as a Presider to the State Senate. I was subsequently re-elected again 5 years later, but my discovery of my true heritage has since forced me to resign as Senator and Presider. Despite my true birth I still, because the law does not allow it to be any other way, retain my titles as Landsradt and Magista. However, since I am away for long periods of time, most of these duties now fall to my sister, although I and may other wish that it were my brother who had the reins of power. Perhaps if his training continues well, and his assay of the Logrus is successful thing will change.
The discovery of my true heritage came during a debate on changes to the elekro thentisis statute, proposed by the Jintaro Senator from Fesperinda. Whilst in principal agreement had been reached on the changes which would allow the Jintaro Mercanti to exploit a number of scientific advances, the matter of tithe and levy were currently in deadlock, and the other Presiders and I were trying to negotiate a compromise, although both sides in the disagreement has accused me of 'Interesta Vestiga'.
During a particularly heated exchange, a rainbow doorway formed in the center of the Senate floor silencing debate. A striking woman, a little over 5' in height, with flame red hair and green eyes dressed in a strangely styled flowing gown had appeared through it before it winked out. The elderly Jankov senator from Hutigrinda had challenged the woman but she had ignored him and moved towards us. Exactly what happened next is a matter of conjecture, but several Senators swear that Jankov had spoken three apparently random words, when the intruder had turned spoken but a single word in a strange tounge, and the Senator had collapsed unconscious. She had then turned and spoken to me directly "Isla Bariman. Your presence is required in Amber. Your Father, like his brothers, seems to care little whether he sires children on not, but having you running amok has become decidedly risky of late. The King has therefore decided that you are to be rounded up and brought home. Now we have a Ball to get to and you're not suitably attired. Should you attempt to resist then I will be force to use force for I will not be made late. Shall we go?"
| Back | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supporting Cast - Isla | The Keep of the Thirteenth Hour |