Mar 18, 2019 13:21:14 GMT
Post by Æther on Mar 18, 2019 13:21:14 GMT
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The architecture of Eos is ever-changing. The original vision of the city, conceived and designed by the earth mage Efri Kaplan, still forms the basic framework of most the additions that have happened since the expansion of the kingdom. Layers of verticality stabilized through precise shaping of the earth is still the most notable feature that Eos has to offer. Straight, thin bridges connect tightly packed spires and tall buildings that poke through multiple levels of the perforated structure of the city. While Era is the best example of this idea, the other districts that were created almost from the ground up also reflect this identity. The city seems ever expanding into the skies and through the ground as more and more layers of verticality are added above and below to make room for the ever-increasing population.[break][break][break]
Transportation through Eos can be incredibly tricky due to its labyrinthian structure. Due to the tightly packed structure and efficient use of space for footpaths, ground-based vehicles were never an idea worth following through with in Eos, and as such nothing aside from wagons uses wheels to get around the city. Rickshaws and carriages function as taxis and have designated runways to move anyone who can afford to spend a few coins through the city. More popular than that, however, are the airships. Powered by Lacrima instilled with air magic, these vehicles make use of the gaps in architecture to move through the city. Larger airships move further distances and even larger ones move from district to district in very little time. They are expensive to maintain, however, and too large for personal use, leading to them becoming public property. Since the creation of the first Council, affordable and efficient public transportation has been a huge priority for the elected officials, and it was a massive success. Airships require extensive training to pilot, however, and have become a popular craft to study for people who don't wish to get a degree in an advanced field in a university.[break][break][break]
Magic makes the world go 'round. That is a basic principle of how Eos works. To become successful you must be able to make a profit off magic. This doesn't necessarily require a gifted mage, but more often than not people making a lot of money or those in high positions are gifted and powerful mages in their own right. However, the universal applications of the Lacrima have eliminated the need to learn magic to make a decent or even good life for yourself in Eos. The average citizen of Eos, whether poor or wealthy, often has little to no magical talents, and could barely summon a gust of wind strong enough to put out a candle. However, magic is most certainly a talent fostered in the academic infrastructure of Eos, and glorified by the national sport of the Magic Games, and even required to become part of the Council and make a political career for yourself. Apart from that, many people create businesses and offer services and trades they learn during their youth. Whether they be prestigious bankers or simple tailors, the large majority of Eos manages to make a living for themselves. Those that fail to do so usually live off of Council assistance and are forced to moved to Fersen, where housing is cheap and the quality of life generally takes a nosedive when compared to the rest of Eos.[break][break][break]
Music and liberal arts are naturally a part of society, and there are countless great composers, lyricists, writers and painters that have managed to gain notoriety and celebrity status within the city. Many of the most successful ones even manage to break into high society and become some of the wealthiest people in Eos. The current range of arts is similar to what the romantic period of our world had to offer back then. Violins, pianos, big ensembles and operas mark the musical landscape of Eos. Rock n' Roll or even Blues and Jazz are nowhere to be found. The guitar hasn't been invented yet, and the piano is the main instrument of choice for those seeking to write popular music. Popular works of literature usually focus on the human rather than the fantastical, and seek to dramatize the world we live in. Most if not all of it has political undertones, and painters depict grandiose images of nature and the sublime.[break][break][break]
Religion has been of little relevance to the people of Eos. There are no temples or pantheons to speak of, as magic is the god of humans. It is a force with which most anything can be done, and as such, anything fantastical has been able to be explained away by magic since time immemorial. However, it is common belief that there are forces greater than what is tangible. The existence of magic almost necessitates the belief in a higher entity, or even entities that have gifted this force to people. But while people don't rally together to pray to whatever god might be above, even the most rational thinkers subscribe to some degree of superstition and believe in supernatural occurrences, circumstances and the very real possibility of flying unicorns. Eos is spiritual, and the study of magic also necessitates some degree of meditation over this mysterious force. This leads many of the most gifted mages to lead clerical lives, subjecting themselves to the existence of whatever greater things might be out there. But overall, there are no unifying beliefs for the people of Eos; there is no equivalent of the Bible, and there is no one god to pray to.
Architecture
The architecture of Eos is ever-changing. The original vision of the city, conceived and designed by the earth mage Efri Kaplan, still forms the basic framework of most the additions that have happened since the expansion of the kingdom. Layers of verticality stabilized through precise shaping of the earth is still the most notable feature that Eos has to offer. Straight, thin bridges connect tightly packed spires and tall buildings that poke through multiple levels of the perforated structure of the city. While Era is the best example of this idea, the other districts that were created almost from the ground up also reflect this identity. The city seems ever expanding into the skies and through the ground as more and more layers of verticality are added above and below to make room for the ever-increasing population.[break][break][break]
Transportation
Transportation through Eos can be incredibly tricky due to its labyrinthian structure. Due to the tightly packed structure and efficient use of space for footpaths, ground-based vehicles were never an idea worth following through with in Eos, and as such nothing aside from wagons uses wheels to get around the city. Rickshaws and carriages function as taxis and have designated runways to move anyone who can afford to spend a few coins through the city. More popular than that, however, are the airships. Powered by Lacrima instilled with air magic, these vehicles make use of the gaps in architecture to move through the city. Larger airships move further distances and even larger ones move from district to district in very little time. They are expensive to maintain, however, and too large for personal use, leading to them becoming public property. Since the creation of the first Council, affordable and efficient public transportation has been a huge priority for the elected officials, and it was a massive success. Airships require extensive training to pilot, however, and have become a popular craft to study for people who don't wish to get a degree in an advanced field in a university.[break][break][break]
Education & Labour
Magic makes the world go 'round. That is a basic principle of how Eos works. To become successful you must be able to make a profit off magic. This doesn't necessarily require a gifted mage, but more often than not people making a lot of money or those in high positions are gifted and powerful mages in their own right. However, the universal applications of the Lacrima have eliminated the need to learn magic to make a decent or even good life for yourself in Eos. The average citizen of Eos, whether poor or wealthy, often has little to no magical talents, and could barely summon a gust of wind strong enough to put out a candle. However, magic is most certainly a talent fostered in the academic infrastructure of Eos, and glorified by the national sport of the Magic Games, and even required to become part of the Council and make a political career for yourself. Apart from that, many people create businesses and offer services and trades they learn during their youth. Whether they be prestigious bankers or simple tailors, the large majority of Eos manages to make a living for themselves. Those that fail to do so usually live off of Council assistance and are forced to moved to Fersen, where housing is cheap and the quality of life generally takes a nosedive when compared to the rest of Eos.[break][break][break]
Music & Arts
Music and liberal arts are naturally a part of society, and there are countless great composers, lyricists, writers and painters that have managed to gain notoriety and celebrity status within the city. Many of the most successful ones even manage to break into high society and become some of the wealthiest people in Eos. The current range of arts is similar to what the romantic period of our world had to offer back then. Violins, pianos, big ensembles and operas mark the musical landscape of Eos. Rock n' Roll or even Blues and Jazz are nowhere to be found. The guitar hasn't been invented yet, and the piano is the main instrument of choice for those seeking to write popular music. Popular works of literature usually focus on the human rather than the fantastical, and seek to dramatize the world we live in. Most if not all of it has political undertones, and painters depict grandiose images of nature and the sublime.[break][break][break]
Religion
Religion has been of little relevance to the people of Eos. There are no temples or pantheons to speak of, as magic is the god of humans. It is a force with which most anything can be done, and as such, anything fantastical has been able to be explained away by magic since time immemorial. However, it is common belief that there are forces greater than what is tangible. The existence of magic almost necessitates the belief in a higher entity, or even entities that have gifted this force to people. But while people don't rally together to pray to whatever god might be above, even the most rational thinkers subscribe to some degree of superstition and believe in supernatural occurrences, circumstances and the very real possibility of flying unicorns. Eos is spiritual, and the study of magic also necessitates some degree of meditation over this mysterious force. This leads many of the most gifted mages to lead clerical lives, subjecting themselves to the existence of whatever greater things might be out there. But overall, there are no unifying beliefs for the people of Eos; there is no equivalent of the Bible, and there is no one god to pray to.
