Dragons of Tirenia

Gatto and Barzilai discussed their next move over an anchovy salad and a flask of white wine at a local taverna. Barzilai scraped his anchovies on to Gatto’s plate. They now believed that during the last month before his murder, Michele di Lodovico had been engaged with a new art project, which was being unveiled tonight. That could not be a coincidence. And they both had a feeling that there was something happening at the cathedral that Fra Gottifredo and Fabrizio were keeping secret. In the stifling midafternoon heat, the two sbirri headed to Michele’s workshop. It was a large two-storey house in the nicer part of town, with the workshop downstairs and the living quarters upstairs. The door was answered by an extremely handsome man with red-rimmed eyes: Tommaso di Cecchino, Michele’s model, business manager and partner. He had just heard the news of his lover’s death. Gatto and Barzilai asked him about the last month of Michele’s life, and Tommaso told them everything he knew. A mont...

Gatto and Barzilai had just finished breakfast when the body fell out of the sky. It was early in the morning in the Plaza del Duomo, but already the square was full of bustling people heading to their works, surrounded the calls of street vendors hawking their wares. The slanted morning sunlight promised that this would be another in a succession of sweltering hot days, and the stink of the river was already noticeable. Come sweltering midday, it would be almost unbearable. Gatto, a young catfolk, newly arrived in Fiumenze, and this was his first day as commander of the sbirri, the city’s poorly-funded, poorly-resourced and poorly-paid civic watch. Not that he had known this when he had enlisted. He had been partnered with Barzilai, who was now showing his new commander the ropes. Barzilai was a cynical, worn-down veteran who had served under a number of commanders, each one incompetent, corrupt or (more likely) both. He had been passed over for promotion to commander himself for the ...

Even a poor Tirenian is affluent enough to be able to afford multiple different outfits, and to have their 'church best'. However, those of great wealth would wear elaborate clothes made of expensive materials as a visual sign of their success. At the most extreme, some cities have had to enact laws restricting fashion to restrict opulent displays of wealth. Male fashion is designed to enlarge the upper body and emphasize the lower body. Men wear belted tunics or overcoats over fitted waistcoats. Detachable, often slashed sleeves are common. The hemline is above the knee, although some men wear it up to the thigh; as a result, the codpiece is a recent development. On their legs, men wear close-fitting tights or hose. Some men will wear bright colours to stand out; others prefer darker tones to give an impression of seriousness. Servants and courtiers of the dragons will often wear coloured hose to match their dragon, as a symbol of loyalty. There is also an increased intere...

In the cities of Tirenia, Salvationism is the most common religion, but in the countryside, folk religions are still widespread. For thousands of years, the commoners have had rituals to propitiate the elemental spirits that dwell in the land around them. They have perceived the effect of the three moons upon the invisible aether, and the ley lines of energy that flow across the land. They have come up with charms to protect themselves against fairies and demons, and encourage the fertility of the land. All rural communities have a church, and many have a patron saint as well, but this may just be the local dryad, naiad or other genius loci by a different name. Art: Detail from 'Primavera.' Sandro Botticelli, c. 1482./

As early man encountered elementals and fairies in the world around them, they often thought them to be gods. Before long, Tirenia had a wide range of different regional deities. These gods would often be associated with each other - two regional war gods would be considered different names or aspects of a single, greater god. This syncretism was completed when Auromia conquered the rest of the subcontinent; their gods were then accepted as the 'standard' pantheon. The leader of the classical gods was Sole Pater, Father Sun. His wives were the Three Sisters, who represented time and fate. Their children were the other goddesses: Fortuna, the goddess of luck; Bellona, the goddess of war; Tellaia, the goddess of the wilderness; Genia, the goddess of the hearth; Musa, the goddess of the arts; Urbina, the goddess of law; and Morta, the goddess of death. The Gold Dragons of Auromia encouraged the worship of these gods, but used it as a state religion to maintain their rule over ...

The dwarves of Tirenia are the only community that refuses to follow salvationism. They have their own ways, which are older than those of the humans. In fact, according to the Storia , the beliefs of the Auromian Church are based on the dwarven mores. Unlike humans, dwarves see no difference between the religious and the secular. Their faith is with them always, tied up fundamentally with what it means to be a dwarf. Dwarves believe in following the way of their ancestors. They do not believe in a god, or in reincarnation, but they do believe that their illustrious forefathers are with them always, watching over them. In fact, the dwarven ancestors are very similar to the human saints. Dwarves wish to live virtuous lives so that they may join the ancestors and watch over future generations. They also believe in virtuous actions and sinful actions. For dwarves, right actions are those which are for the good of the community; sin is promoting the self at the expense of the community....

Salvationism is the belief in the teachings of La Salvatrice , as expressed in the holy book, the Storia. It is the most common religion in Tirenia, with almost everyone paying at least lip service to it. Salvationism teaches that there is one God, who is nameless. Il Divino created the impermanent material world and the immortal spiritual world. Every human's soul is immortal, and will be reborn after the death of the body. Certain behaviours, the seven virtues, can refine and purify the soul; on the other hand, the seven sins will corrupt it. Over multiple lifetimes, the virtuous soul will eventually be reborn as an angel in heaven. Those with pure souls are often able to manifest miraculous powers, such as healing magic. On the other hand, a soul that is burdened with too much sin will go to the Inferno, to be tortured by demons for eternity. Devotees of the Auromian Church go to church on Sunday for a mass prayer session and sermon, which everyone attends. The faithful ...