Introduction

Thelidor is a kingdom in crisis, ruled by King Liam, a seven year old whose crown weighs heavier than his years. Liam's father, King Bertram, was powerful, but his waning years were a mixed bag. After Bertram's recent death, his only son Liam ascended. The regency council fractured almost at the same time it was formed, and three powerful noble houses, Caelthorn, Halebrant, and Durnmere, jockey for influence, each with their own vision of salvation. Thelidor’s culture is steeped in chivalry and tradition, but its court is a battlefield of whispered alliances, arranged marriages, and veiled threats. The countryside remains loyal, but the capital is a nest of intrigue.

Customs of Thelidor

• Knightly Orders: Thelidor’s knightly orders are more than military institutions—they are spiritual brotherhoods. The Order of the Black Lion, for instance, swears oaths not only to defend the realm but to uphold truth and mercy. Initiation involves a week-long vigil in the Hall of Echoes, where aspirants confront visions of their past and future.

• Mourning Rituals: Death is marked by the Tolling of the Five Bells, each representing a virtue the deceased is hoped to have embodied. Nobles are laid to rest in crypts beneath their ancestral seats, while commoners are cremated and their ashes scattered in the rivers. Black feathers are worn for mourning, symbolizing the flight of the soul.

• Language and Dialect: Thelidorian dialect is formal and poetic, and very similar to that of Arinn, often using metaphors drawn from nature and warfare. Compared to Veloria’s brisk and pragmatic tongue, Thelidorian speech is considered archaic but elegant. Courtly greetings often include references to the moon’s phase or the season’s harvest.

• Festivals and Artistry: The Festival of the Little Birds marks the start of spring and is celebrated with dances, masked performances, pranks, teenage courting, and song. Thelidorian art favors tapestries and stained glass, often depicting legendary battles or mythical beasts.

Cultural influences on Thelidor from neighboring kingdoms

• Fashion and Etiquette: Arinn's trends like bold and bright livery, silver-thread embroidery, and the heart-hand bow are gaining popularity.

• Art & Philosophy: Like most human civilizations in western Skybride, Thelidor's view of the heavens and the origins of the universe is rooted in ancient @Alendria: A world held up by harmonic spheres made of sound and basic elements. Nobles prefer Arinn style theatre culture and love poetry, while most troubadours will memorize a wide range of poetry from across Skybride. Alendrian poems aren't too culturaly distant for the streets of Delia.

• Bureaucracy: Some nobles now favor Hesan servants and clerks for their efficiency.

• Political Tension: Caelthorn sees these trends as cultural erosion, while Durnmere champions them as signs of progress.