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Message: <blockquote data-quote="WayneLigon" data-source="post: 2036800" data-attributes="member: 3649">OK, back at home now with the book.Jarzon: Jarzoni dislike magic in the extreme, because they remember how sorcery (which is a type of inherently corrupting and evil magic) destroyed one of the old nations. Only priests can use magic of any type because only they can be trusted with it. They kill anything of Shadow. Night People (goblins and the like) are killed out of hand. They arrest Vata'sha (dark elves), and accept Vata'an (normal elves). They can take or leave the talking animals but are suspicious of those who form psychic bonds with them. They use mind-magic to reform criminals, heretics and dissidents. They spread rumors of Aldisian psychics toying with the minds of non-criminals. They do not tolerate reilgious diversity; inqusitors are quick to root out and burn out beliefs that are not the hard-line set by the Church of Pure Light. Women are second-class citizens, though are strongly protected. They discriminate against the cepia (those who are attracted to their same sex) because Jarzoni society is strongly geared towards family and procreation - they were very hard hit during the great rebellion against the sorcerer kings, and much of their land is harsh and unforgiving. They lost a great many people and have no use for someone who won't produce babies.Aldis: They like magic. The queen even accepts that there should be study - but not practice - of sorcery (though they are still strongly suspicious of even the study of sorcery). Aldisians try their best to tolerate any living thing unless it proves itself hurtful or tainted with Shadow. They try to rehabilitate any criminal, even sorcerers. Those they can not rehabilitate are exiled. They beleive in the sanctity of the mind and no principled psychic will invade someone elses mind against his wishes. They couldn't care less about caria/cepia differences. Women and men are interchangable in almost any trade. Both countries revere the gods of Light. Both hate the Shadowkind and destroy Shadowgates whenever possible. Two quotes to show that neither society is totally black or white: On the Jerzoni religion: The religion is deeply divided in many ways: militaristic but valuing peace, preaching love but often practicing hate. Its priests and the faithful run the gamut, from Light- to Shadow-aligned. The upper levels of the church are riddled with hypocrisy and corruption, but also have some truly good men trying to do what they fervently believe is right, although often based on ignorant views of the world beyond Jarzon’s borders. pp 48Aldisian views on diversity in the central valley:While everyone understands ignoring the differences between people is foolish, anyone who judges someone based upon his or her appearance, customs, gender, or similar factors is considered boorish and uncouth, at best. The people of the central valleys know they live in one of the most diverse kingdoms in the world and take pride in the fact that people can live together without the constant feuding and petty hatreds marking interactions of different groups elsewhere. Most residents consider anyone displaying open bigotry a threat to their diversity and their unique way of life. Wiser and kinder residents explain to newcomers and bigots the value of diversity, while others who are less patient either pointedly ignore such people or openly mock their ignorance. Ironically, this gives Aldins a reputation as haughty and arrogant in lands like Jarzon. pp 42</blockquote>

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