Page 4: The Hierarchy of Ancient Corvunia
Millennia before the Imperium's occupation of Corvunia, the Corvuns lived in a patchwork of primitive city-states ruled by leaders known as Chiefs. These Chiefs served as both political rulers and military commanders, often at the forefront of battle against rival tribes. The position of Chief was earned through displays of strength and brutality, frequently solidified by defeating the incumbent Chief in a duel to the death. Victory not only claimed the title but also secured the defeated Chief's land and wives.
Corvun society in these early days was deeply hierarchical, with roles and privileges clearly delineated. Below is a summary of the ancient Corvun hierarchy, from the most powerful to the least:
1. Chiefs: Chiefs wielded absolute power, governing both war and law. They were distinguished by their elaborate Corbae capes, which symbolized strength and authority. Territorial wars were a hallmark of their reigns, as dominance over land and people was the measure of a Chief's legacy.
2. Concubines: Concubines, though not rulers, held significant sway in Corvun society. Through their influence over Chiefs, they shaped critical decisions. Revered for their ability to bear and raise future leaders, their importance was encapsulated in the ancient saying, "A Chief can win a war, but a Concubine can win a Chief's submission." They wore luxurious robes crafted by Tradesmen, often designed to emphasize their status and beauty via showing off their curves to win more favors for a Chief.
3. Knyaz: The Knyaz were the Chief's nobles, serving as trusted advisors, military captains, or members of the Chief's family. While their power rivaled that of Concubines, their influence was limited to administrative and martial duties. They were granted land and distinguished by Heraldry, vivid patterns painted onto their wings as a mark of their station.
4. Tradesmen: The middle class, Tradesmen included skilled laborers such as clothiers, hunters, and fishmongers. Organized into groups called "Packs" akin to European guilds, they played a vital role in the economic life of the city-states.
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5. Peasants: The backbone of the city-states, Peasants worked the land and served as levies in the Chief’s army. Though considered free, they had limited rights and were beholden to their Knyaz overlords. Their labor supported the economy, but their lives were often harsh and unremarkable.
6. Slaves: At the bottom of the hierarchy, slaves were treated as property. They were laborers, servants, and even a source of sustenance for the domestic Grox. Slavery was a fate reserved for prisoners of war, debtors, or the defeated in Chiefly duels. Slaves bore the brand of their owner’s name and the word “SLAVE,” marking their complete subjugation.
Page 5: Warfare in Ancient Corvunia
Brutality and relentless conflict defined Ancient Corvunian warfare. Warring city-states vied for dominance, spilling untold gallons of blood across the mountains and plains. The legacy of this violence survives in both ancient writings and archaeological discoveries.
A key historical source is the writings of a Tradesman known only as “ο φωτισμένος” (translated as The Enlightened One). His memoirs, preserved in fragments and compiled as The Corvish Chronicles by Professor Kaelwyn of the University of Ravo, provide a vivid account of the era's horrors.
One passage recounts the aftermath of a village raid:
"The levies would storm into defeated villages, their torches setting nests aflame. I, a healer among them, witnessed atrocities that scarred my soul. Some consumed the unhatched eggs of our kin; others slaughtered men before their families, defiling the women in their grief. These acts, committed in the name of our gods, made me question if we were truly above the beasts we claim to dominate. Are we not, in such moments, their equal in savagery?"
This grim reflection highlights the moral quandaries of the time. Yet, for all its barbarity, Corvunian warfare played a pivotal role in shaping the civilization that would emerge from the ashes.
Archaeological evidence corroborates these accounts. Recent excavations of a mountainous battlefield revealed the remains of levies and Knyaz, their skeletons bearing the scars of combat. Notably, the wings of fallen Knyaz were found laden with lead—evidence of their attempts to protect themselves against the era’s primitive yet deadly weaponry.
The ancient era of Corvunia is remembered as one of the darkest and bloodiest periods in Corvun history. It was a time when survival demanded strength, and morality was often overshadowed by the unrelenting drive for dominance.