Prasinos

"A land of marble and ruin, where the past is more real than the present. They fight not for conquest, not for glory, but because they have always fought."

— Xioran of the Silver Coast, merchant and spy

 

The Forgotten Kingdom

Once a mighty dominion stretching across the mainland, Prasinos now clings to existence as an isolated island, a relic of a lost empire. The Turmoil—the great cataclysm that fractured the world—brought ruin to their lands, rending mountains asunder, swallowing cities whole, and birthing horrors beyond comprehension. Now, Prasinos endures within the hollowed bones of an ancient, long-dead caldera, a fertile valley shielded by jagged peaks and the abyssal depths of the encircling sea. What remains is a nation of warriors and priestesses, bound by tradition and faith, wary of the abyss that devoured their past.  

Land and Settlements

The valley cradles Theoi Mati, a glacial lake of haunting depth, its mirror-like surface betraying nothing of what lies beneath. From the surrounding cliffs, waterfalls pour into the basin, their origin lost in the labyrinthine caverns that bore into the mountain’s heart. The entrance to these depths is framed by a gaping stone maw, the petrified visage of a long-forgotten beast—its stalactite fangs an unspoken warning to those who would dare trespass. None who descend return unchanged, if they return at all.   The valley is accessible only by The Titan’s Gate, a narrow and treacherous pass fortified by the remnants of elder civilizations. Towering statues flank the entrance, their once-polished bronze armor corroded and green with age, yet their presence remains foreboding. Some claim they stir at night, whispering in the lost tongue of Prasinos’ fallen ancestors.   Within the valley, three settlements endure:   Iero – The capital, a once-grand city reduced to a maze of ruins and tiered gardens, its white marble and black obsidian towers half-consumed by ivy and time. The Temple of Polema, a sprawling complex of columned courtyards and sacred halls, stands defiant against the march of oblivion. At its heart, in a chamber shrouded in incense and shadow, dwells the Gorgoneion, an ancient gorgon who serves as the living voice of the goddess.   Skia – A mining village nestled in the looming shadow of Marki Danti, a serrated peak that cleaves the sky. Here, blacksmiths and glassworkers toil ceaselessly, forging arms and porcelain from the valley’s abundant resources. The forges glow red into the night, their fires a silent homage to the war-goddess who once walked among them.   Akri tou Nerou – A tranquil hamlet resting upon the shores of Theoi Mati. Fishermen ply its depths for silver-scaled perch, their lives dictated by the lake’s unfathomable moods. The dye houses of Akri tou Nerou produce vibrant wools, their bright hues a striking contrast to the dark mythos that shrouds the land.  

The Faith of Polema

Prasinos is ruled not by kings, but by the Council of Polema, a conclave of warrior-priestesses who uphold the doctrines of their long-absent goddess. Every daughter of Prasinos is raised within the temple until the age of fifteen, after which she may choose to remain in sacred service, take up arms in the militia, or forge her own path beyond the valley. Every son is trained for war, expected to serve seven years in defense of their dwindling homeland. The people of Prasinos live by the sword, not for conquest, but for survival.   Polema, the Mother of War and Wisdom, is both revered and mourned. Legends tell of how she defied her fellow gods, raising humanity from ignorance and gifting them steel, stone, and sorcery. For this, she was cast down, her fate unknown. Yet, her presence lingers—in the whisper of blades unsheathed, in the flickering flames of the forge, in the unbroken will of her people.   The temple itself is an enigma of timeworn opulence and solemn decay. The outer courtyard, where commoners offer their prayers, is dominated by a central fountain—a gorgon carved from jade, water spilling eternally from the amphora in her grasp. Beyond lies the sanctuary of nobles, and beyond that, the forbidden sanctum, guarded by twin Caryatids of black basalt. It is said that should the temple ever fall, these silent sentinels will awaken, their wrath terrible beyond reckoning.  

Culture and Traditions

Despite their hardships, the Prasinosians are a people of celebration and revelry. Festivals are frequent, honoring the harvest, the forge, and the changing of seasons. Great feasts spill into the streets, music and dance filling the air with defiant joy. However, they are also deeply superstitious—whispers of curses, omens, and ancestral spirits dictate much of daily life. To be an outsider in Prasinos is to be met with wary gazes and guarded words, for those beyond the valley are often bringers of ruin.   The old world may be lost, its cities drowned, empires buried beneath ash and sea, but the people of Prasinos endure. They sharpen their blades, raise their prayers, and wait for the day their goddess calls them to war once more.  

Festivals & Cultural Celebrations

 

The Festival of the Blood Moon (Eorti tou Aimatos)

Held once a year under a crimson moon, this festival honors Polema’s sacrifice and the ancestors who fell in battle. Warriors undergo ritual duels in the temple courtyard, testing their strength and devotion. The night culminates in a grand feast, where lamb and game are roasted over open flames, and wine is poured in offering at ancient shrines. Priestesses don crimson-dyed robes, and performers reenact mythic battles in shadow-play against temple walls.  

The Weaving of Fate (Iftia tis Moiras)

Each spring, the women of Prasinos gather in the temple courtyards to weave ceremonial banners symbolizing their families' lineage and future aspirations. Young girls are taught the sacred art of war-banner embroidery, and priestesses whisper oracles into the threads. At dusk, the banners are hung across the city, fluttering from terraces and archways like colorful prophecies.  

The Day of the Forgotten (Imera ton Lismonimenon)

A solemn day of mourning when the people walk the ruins of their lost cities, laying offerings of clay figurines and blackened candles at the feet of crumbling statues. It is believed the dead whisper in the wind that rushes through the shattered colonnades, and on this day, the spirits of the ancestors are closest to the living.  

The Reaping of Spears (Therismos ton Doryon)

A mid-autumn festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of military conscription for young men. The rite begins with a ceremonial hunt, where boys chase down a stag or wild goat, mirroring the old ways of proving one's skill. Afterward, the youths are anointed with sacred oils, dressed in bronze-scaled cloaks, and given their first weapons. A night of revelry follows, with bonfires, chanting, and feasts of spiced meat and honeyed wine.  

Funeral Rites

The Prasinosians believe in the cyclical nature of war and rebirth, seeing death as a passage into the battlefield of the beyond, where the faithful may one day fight alongside Polema.  

• The Rite of the Iron Veil: The deceased are laid upon stone biers in the temple catacombs, their faces covered with intricately hammered bronze masks. Their weapons and armor are placed beside them, and their hands are painted with runes of strength. The mask serves as both protection and a guide, ensuring the soul does not wander lost into the depths of the void.

 

• The Black Procession: Mourners don dark hooded cloaks embroidered with silver thread and walk in silence through the city. At the final resting site, either a burial mound or a funerary pyre, a priestess of Polema recites the warrior’s deeds, casting a shard of obsidian into the flames or onto the grave as a final blessing.

 

• The Feast of the Departed: On the third night after burial, the deceased’s family hosts a meal in their honor, setting a place for them at the table. No one speaks the name of the dead during the meal, for it is said that to do so too soon might call them back before they are ready.

 

Birth & Childhood Traditions

 

• The Naming Rite: Newborns are presented at the temple at seven days old, where a priestess invokes Polema’s blessing upon them. A shallow cut is made on the infant’s palm, and a drop of their blood is mixed with sacred ash and smeared upon their forehead in the shape of a rune, marking them as a child of Prasinos.

 

• The First Blade Ceremony: When a child turns five, they receive their first small wooden sword, which they must keep by their bedside at all times. It is believed that a child without a blade is vulnerable to the shadows that lurk at the edges of the world.

 

• Coming of Age: At fifteen, girls choose whether to join the temple, the military, or civilian life, while boys undergo a year-long martial trial in the wilds beyond the city walls, proving their survival skills before officially becoming warriors.

 

Cuisine of Prasinos

Prasinosian food is bold and hearty, featuring spices, preserved meats, and rich sauces. Meals are communal, emphasizing roasted meats, grains, and fresh herbs.  

Grilled Lamb with Honey and Thyme – Slow-roasted over open flames and basted with a mixture of honey, vinegar, and mountain herbs.

Black Bread – A dense, dark loaf made from barley and spiced with anise and fennel, traditionally served with hard cheese and olive oil.

Warrior’s Broth – A thick, spiced stew of lentils, blood sausage, and bitter greens, said to fortify the body and sharpen the mind.

Salted Fish & Citrus – Preserved lake fish cured with sea salt and served with a sauce of lemon and garlic.

Obsidian Wine – A dark, almost black wine aged in volcanic stone casks, carrying deep smoky notes.

Ember-Fried Almonds – Almonds roasted in hot ashes, then dusted with salt and crushed saffron.

Honeyed Goat Cheese with Figs – A favorite festival treat, served on small clay plates and eaten with fingers.

Fashion & Armor

Prasinosian clothing is practical yet elegant, heavily influenced by ancient Greek and Mycenaean aesthetics with elements of dark fantasy grandeur.  

• Everyday Attire: Men and women wear chitons (tunic-like garments) in shades of deep green, rust red, and ochre, fastened with bronze or bone brooches. Their garments are often embroidered with protective runes or depictions of mythical beasts. Sandals are common, but warriors and hunters favor boots reinforced with iron studs.

 

• Ceremonial Dress: High-ranking priestesses wear long, pleated gowns dyed in indigo and embroidered with gold thread. They adorn themselves with jewelry carved from volcanic glass and bone, and their faces are often painted with sigils during rituals.

 

• Armor: The warriors of Prasinos wear bronze-scaled cuirasses with skirts of hardened leather, reinforced with iron rings. Their helms feature high crests of dyed horsehair, the color signifying rank—black for novices, crimson for seasoned warriors, and gold for commanders. Cloaks of green wool, fastened with intricate clasps, mark them as defenders of the valley.

 

• Sacred Jewelry: Women often wear snake-shaped bracelets and rings, symbolizing wisdom and protection. Necklaces of carved obsidian and amethyst are favored among the priestesses, as the stones are believed to enhance visions.