#fantasy guide

Something that has always intrigued me is the recurrence of a similar trend of a winter festival across multiple cultures and lands. It is a commonality in most cultures and beliefs that winter holds a significant meaning in the year's cycle and is celebrated in certain ways in order to invoke certain outcomes such as luck or the return of favourable weather. This guide is intended for you to create a winter festival of your own.

Common Themes of a Winter Feast

Winter is mostly a cold, lean time where the world and its people wait for the turn of the time of plenty. Most winter festivals have common overlaps in their themes and goals:

The change of the Seasons

In our world, we have the winter solstice with is the turning point in the change of seasons, when the sun is at its lowest strength and in that, the world and people are in peril which means they must try to welcome the sun back to them in the future. Across most cultures, this is invoked through the bringing in of evergreens to symbolise the survival of the earth even in this dark time, then the lighting of bonfires to light the darkness and finally, feasting with can display community ties and abundance of the previous harvest.

Protection

As winter is a season of less and hardship, some cultures think of winter as a time when evil spirits need to be driven away. Some communities have traditions where one must protect and seal their home and people against malignant spirits. This is usually done by the hanging of certain charms, cleansing using smoke or salt, gift giving to deities and invoking promises for the new year. It is also a time to divine for the year ahead, a final plea for a plentiful year.

Endurance in the Winter

Winter is often viewed as a time for struggle, a point in time to overcome as winter is a time of hardship. Some communities frame it as that but also commit to overcoming it. Festivals such as the Winter Olympics or Hwacheon in Korea focus on mastery over the elements, a making the best of the worst for lack of a better phrase. There is also the ritual of consuming of large, hot meals and rich drinks. Certain foods can be consumed for good luck, perseverance and warmth.

Rest and Plenty

While some winter beliefs frame winter as a sombre time, some cultures prefer to shape the idea of winter as a time of rest after the harvest and celebration, whether than be parties or feasts or even running around nude. Ritualized mischief and or even role‑reversal were common. It is the theme of allowing certain rigid rules to bend, to allow for chaos to be worn out before the year can end and order restored again. Disguises, costumed festivals and the role of a trickster or master of misrule are common, along with games and competitions played with family and community.

Ancestors and Spiritual Meaning

Some cultures view winter as time where ancestors and spirits return to earth or at least keep close quarters or deserve to be remembered. This rests on the superstition that the veil between worlds is thinner as the year dies and a new one is reborn. Because of this, winter can be viewed as a time of remembrance and reverence for the dead, leading to the making and displaying of totems to ward off or welcome spirits. Food and drink may also be offered along with ritualised sacrifice of certain animals. The use of costumes and masks can also be used here, to confuse spirits.

Celestial Change

I often get asks about the logistics of a royal travelling somewhere, either abroad or just to the countryside. So this post is going to focus on how those journeys would be planned, how they would prepare, who would come with them and others nitty gritty details.

Destinations

Royals were actually commonly on the move around betwen various palaces and homes across their kingdom. Because of all of the homes available, it was not uncommon for a royal to get permission from the momarch to travel to a certain estate or palace, either owned by the Crown or a noble to stay or live for a while. Royals would sometimes undertake tours in foreign countries, living as the guest of neighbouring royal courts or visiting on behalf of their nation to improve relations. Royal families would go on holidays, usually into the countryside or to palaces by the sea but some would go off on foreign holidays to visit relatives in other countries, though this was usually a rare thing.

Packing

Royals didn’t pack light, not unless they wanted to make a swift getaway. Their ladies/maids in waiting/lady’s maids or valets would pack their things for them into trunks, suitcases and chests and it was up to the royal themselves to designate what would be worn or brought. Sometimes if the royal household was travelling in a large capacity, they would even take whole furniture sets with them or tapestries from certain palaces to furnish their rooms. If a royal was travelling for a social event or diplomatic event, they would bring along some bling and no royal would travel without a set of mourning clothes in case somebody. Now, if a royal is only heading somewhere overnight, they probably wouldn’t take a lot of stuff with them.

Staff

Royals would not travel alone. They can’t hop on a horse or train and motor down the road without a companion or a guard. Official tours and travels would see a royal accompanied by guards, personal body servants, companions, people to take care and unload lugguage, people to drive and take charge of horses or cars, their households etc which would total to about fifty or so people. But of a royal was just going privately, they can get away with taking a few guards, one personal servant. Royals travelling even in cognitio under a false name amongst the public would never venture out alone because to do so would risk their lives and reputations. There is no exact number of what is appropriate or what would be seen as too much. It is mainly a show of luxury and power to have as many servants as possible and to impose their care upon your guests.

Transportation

I often get asked about how the dynamic works between royals of different nations and I thought I would make this guide to help you beteer understand and write how those interactions would go. Royalty tend to expect formality before they allow themselvesto embrace informality and this goes for evej with other royals. So lets’s get into it.

Who Bows First?

Royalty does bow and curtsy to one another but it is a tricky sort of dance with so many rules that anybody could get caught up with.

With monarchs, they would not bow or curtsy to one another, instead as they are equals they would go for a handshake or a kiss on the cheek or am embrace. They do not address each other by their titles but would refer to each other as “cousin” or “brother/sister” or “my friend”

Consorts, male or female, would bow to monarchs and sovereigns but not to one another as they are equals. They would greet each other with kisses or an embrace or a nod

Princes and princes is a littler tougher. They would not bow to each other if equally ranked, but if they aren’t, say the spouse of a second son meeting the heir’s spouse, they would cursty/bow especially if their spouse wasn’t present. They would address monarchs/consorts by “Your Majesty/Your Grace” until or if told otherwirse by the monarch or consort themselves.

During a State Visit

If one royal family is visting another, and they do from time to time, there are a myriad of concerns that might arise. For example, who enters a room first, who is served first, who gets the first bow/curtsy? It is all very mind-boggling especially if you are a noble or a servant. Generally, this is how the deal goes.

Nobles and servants would bow and address their monarch first, then the guest monarch, them their consort and then the guest consort and then the HRHs in order of precedence. It can be a little confusing.

At events, the host monarch would enter a room first, sometimes with their own spouse but sometimes with the spouse of the guest monarch if they attend the event. The guest monarch would follow closely behind, with the host heir and then the HRHs following after them.

At State banquets, seating is arranged by rank: monarchs at the center next to each other with their consorts beside them, with Princes and Princesses sat on other side according to rank. The first toast would be the honour of the host monarch and usually answered by a speech by the guest monarch and then if the heir wishes to speak, they would be permitted a short speech but usually the two monarchs talking is enough. Non-royal guests and those who are not the monarch/consort being addressed would rise during toasts.

Entente Cordiale

I often get asks about the relationship between servants and those they serve and how the relationship develops over time or what's appropriate between servant and employer at any given time. Many period dramas do get this right but a lot don't and send mixed signals to the audience about the true nature of the relationship between servant and employer.

There's a Strict Hierarchy

This is one inescapable concept that often gets forgotten in a lot of modern media. The relationship between servant and employer is a hierarchal one, the employer and servant are not on the same level socially.

Servants will always address their employer by their title or by sir/ma'am - at least in public and if there is any deviation of the rule, it's in private and only at the invitation of the employer themselves. Employers in turn would use the appropriate title for the servant in question (I outline these here). This done very well in Downton Abbey, especially when Tom marries into the family and they struggle with calling him 'Tom' rather than Branson.

A servant would never greet their employer informally or answer back. This is inaccurately portrayed in the exchange between Mrs Russell and Turner in The Gilded Age.

Servants would also not address their employer directly without being addressed first. This is very single meeting.

Servants would not walk in step with their employer or sit in their presence. They would walk two or three steps behind at all times and only sit when invited. They would not touch their employer without leave either. This is done well in Queen Charlotte, with Brimsley.

A servant would have to obey orders from another member of their employer's family or their guest but only within reason. This is shown in The Gilded Age the lady's maid Adelheid is borrowed by Mrs Russell from her daughter for a time when she fires her own maid.

Above and Beyond

Some employers might expect more from their servants that aren't exactly in the job description. It was understood in service that sometimes you would be asked to tackle things not in one's paygrade. In Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury's maid Coral helps her lady lie about the death of Lord Danbury to allow her time to gather herself and appear more upset. For example:

A lady's maid might act as messenger between a pair of lovers.

A footman might lie to the mistress about the whereabouts of his master (with the master's approval of course)

A butler might procure some less than legal party favours for a bash his lord and lady are throwing.

A guardsman might aid their charge in escaping the house/palace for a night of fun.

No matter what, a servant is expected to go above and beyond without complaint. The response to "jump" should nearly always be "how high". However, if there is a strange or harmful request, a servant had recourse to ask a higher ranking servant or employer whether or not they should agree to the request.

That being said, servants are people at the end of the day and might have scruples. Often, servants were far more conservative than their employers but more often that not, they would swallow their morals to do the job that is needed. This is accurately portrayed in Downton Abbey when Mrs Bird complains about Mrs Crawley asking her to wait on Ethel, a former prostitute, leading to Mrs Crawley to dismiss her.

Bonding

Because some servants work closely with an employer, relationships often evolve between employer and servant. There must be a certain level of trust between servant and employer or else the house would fall apart. Bonds do form but these bonds don't interrupt the hierarchy or the professional relationship - at least in public. For example:

A lady's maid or a valet might act as confidant to their mistress/master, keeping their secrets. This is seen in Downton Abbey where Anna and Bates act as confidants with Lady Mary and Lord Grantham respectively.

A kitchen maid may slip the children of the house an odd treat in defiance of their parents or governess.

The staff might chip in for a gift for a beloved employer on an anniversary or special occasion.

The same is said for employers, who would also show favour by gift giving or promotion.

A loyal servant might be left some money on the death of their master/mistress.

A retiring lady's maid might be granted a gift from her mistress.

Employers might listen to the advice of their servants or servants may approach employers in times of difficulty. An employer might see a servant's child educated well or might pay a doctors bill, but these are kindnesses. Because there is a certain level of proximity, certain familiarities can grow but it is unlikely that either will consider it 'friendship' exactly.

Boundaries

However, there are boundaries between servant and employer. Even in cases of familiarity and good will, a servant and employer would not meddle in each other's affairs. For example:

A servant might dislike an employer's guest but would not refuse to serve or wait on them. This is depicted inaccurately in Downton Abbey's Christmas special, where the butler Stowel refuses to serve former chauffeur Tom Branson.

An employer in some eras could not deny a servant the right to get married.

A servant may be expected to be available at any given time and come running at the sound of the bell. But if a servant is on a day off or ill, an employer can't punish them for not being available when knowing beforehand they wouldn't be.

A good servant knows when they are needed and when to disappear. They should not linger if it is clear they shouldn't be here.

A servant might see their employer engaging in harmful or immoral behaviours but would not have the right to criticise or inform anybody.

A servant might be tasked with dealing with their employer in a state of undress (but this never crossed gender, a valet or a butler would handle a naked male employer and only a female servant would deal with a lady's intimates) and while seeing them in this state, would not look or make a big deal over it.

The professional boundary should not be breached on either side of the divide. A servant wouldn't approach an employer with personal issues nor would an employer welcome the servant's unauthorised counsel.

The Downsides

You have a claim to the throne. Sort of. Well, at least you think you do. And that kingdom or empire or city next to you is looking pretty good, it would be nice to have your own setup or just to add to your collection. So how do you do that exactly?

Reasoning

Let's be honest, everybody wants to rule the world. If you have a chance to sit on a throne or take a position of power, you would. Behind the want for a crown that isn't yours, there must be a secondary reasoning, a way to back up any claims that you're an invader and you don't belong on the throne. Most new dynasties who invade and depose the previous monarchs do have a back up claim. Either they are:

Distantly Related -> They have a blood claim. This means they are somehow related to a previous monarch. This can be a weak claim, either distantly, either through the female line (most inherited blood right passes through the male line) or even through an illegitimate line. Example, The Tudors, The Hanoverians, the Bourbons.

Invited -> Perhaps some nobles and powerful figures are disgruntled by the current regime and they decide that a figure either within the Kingdom or abroad might do a better job. Sometimes that person is asked to help in a succession crisis and decides that they are the best choice. Example: Edward I in Scotland and Henry II in Ireland. Lesson, do not invite the English over.

Dibs -> The holy concept of dibs was actually a valid claim to a throne. By 'right of conquest' essentially means I've taken it and now it is mine. Conquest is usually backed up by the idea that if there is a deity, they wouldn't have allowed the rightful monarch to be overthrown and this must be the will of the god(s). One may need a good propagandist to make this work.

Toolkit

To invade and overthrow any monarchy and establish your own regime, you will need the following things.

Army -> Military might or at very least support is paramount. You need an army to protect you, to beat your enemies and later on, establish control. Armies can be acquired either through allies or by raising them yourself from your lands or you can hire one - store bought is fine if you can't do homemade.

Allies -> Everybody needs a friend. No incoming monarch or invader has done so without an ally. This could be nobles within the Kingdom itself who want a regime change. This could be foreign heads of state who want to fuck up that kingdom by triggering a civil war or want to control that kingdom in the future through their puppet. Allies essentially put money, vocal support and military support behind their guy but this is always in hopes of a return: money, land, titles or just a favour in the future. Allies are essential.

Money -> Most importantly, you need money. Money is essential in taking over a throne. You need to pay your soldiers, buy ships, feed your soldiers, house them, buy allies, buy equipment and of course, but appropriate drip. You want to be king, spend like one.

PR and Propaganda -> To invade, kill a bunch of people, likely steal a lot of food and burn and pillage probably wouldn't endear you to the people. People will endure a lot of awfulness if the PR machine is working. We burned that village? When this new guy landed on our shores, there was this fuck ass comet that like had to have been sent by the god(s)? We murdered your King? Yeah, well he was a bad guy and we saved you all actually.

When the Party is over...

You have just successfully invaded the country and overthrown the previous monarch. They are either:

(A) Dead

(B) Your prisoner

(C) On the Run

All options are good and are a success but in any take over of a regime like this, only one option is left to the new monarch if they want to make sure there are no reprisals.

Kill them all.

It sounds dark and villainy and it is but if you want to establish a new dynasty, the old monarch must die along with any heirs strong enough to oppose you. As a prisoner, they are a rallying point for your enemies and dissidents. In exile, they could just pull an Uno reverse and pull the same crap on you. Levelling the playing field is the better thing to do in the long run. That's everyone even young children unfortunately. Any smart monarch would do this and anybpdy left alive would be married into the new royal family for two reasons: it both negates the bloodline of the previous royals and bolsters the claim of the new royals.

Not only royalty need to die. Any nobles or dissidents will have to be seen to. Executions usually follow regime change. Nobles who supported the last monarch and won't change allegiance? Chopped. Commons who riot over your ascension? The hangman will be busy. Advisers who advised against you or won't change their tune? Thrown out a window.

Secondly, a new monarch should get crowned as quickly as possible. It sort of puts a solid seal on everything especially if there's a religious aspect.

I often get asks about illegitimate children and what their lives would be like in a typical fantasy setting. In many cultures, to be born or to have a child out of the bounds of marriage, it is extremely taboo and can result in some social ostracism while in others, it isn't seen as a very big deal and illegitimate children could rise to places of power.

Double-Standards

All illegitimate children are born outside marriage but not all illegitimate children are made equally. Most of the time, illegitimate children born to the poor can experience worse treatment by their community. If they are born to an unwed mother or a mother who gave birth to them outside of marriage, their mother may be denied services in the community such as housing and employment and be shunned publicly. A royal or noblewoman would also face the same scrutiny and be shunned from all high society and may even be imprisoned or executed. They faced more dangerous circumstances if they were married, mainly because they have put the succession of their children into question which could be grounds to disinherit their other children which could lead to larger issues. However, the father of an illegitimate children would likely not face too much scrutiny. While frowned upon, especially if he has quite a few illegitimate children and/or doesn't support them. A nobleman or royal father could father children without too much scrutiny, again in moderation.

Child Support

Illegitimate Children were not equal to legitimate children in a good many Western Cultures. In most cultures of the west, illegitimate children were not entitled to anything their parents owned or could lay claim to and if on the off-chance they were to inherit, it is only when all illegitimate claimants are out of the picture. Illegitimate children of royals or nobles were not in line for titles, crowns and lands - in fact, they were only provided for when their father wanted to. When the father did, he could see that they were educated, treated almost the same as his legitimate children - a good many illegitimate royals could count themselves in for a Dukedom or Earldom, with a fine marriage in the future and a lot of wealth and position (especially if the mother is also aristocratic). A poorer father might offer the mother up-keep for herself and the child but again, this is his own choice and he may not offer support. However, in other cultures, an illegitimate child could receive the same if not better treatment than their legitimate siblings. In the Ottoman Empire, a Sultan was expected to father children with women of the harem, who he was not married to in order to sire the next generation of royal heirs. The daughters born of these unions were often married to high ranking advisors and court and granted education and luxury like that of royal princesses while sons were often granted fine educations and later in life, provinces to reign over. Under Ancient Hindu Laws, children could inherit from their mothers and depending on circumstances their fathers. In China and Japan, while children born to concubines with all the same honours as legitimate children they weren't ostracised and were often raised with many of the same luxuries and amenities.

Prospects

An illegitimate child may not be on the same equal footing as their legitimate counterparts but that doesn't mean they are blocked from every good thing about life. They could be educated, they could marry well, they could rise high in society but their birth status may still be used against them. They may be believed to carry some stigma, be seen as dishonest or more inclined to act a certain way - which is all bullshit but the village is going to judge regardless. Illegitimate children born into higher ranking families might gain high positions of power, receiving high military positions or advisory positions at court to support their siblings. They may even marry to improve their family's status, with illegitimate royals even marrying other royals or nobles.

Relationships

Illegitimate children may have close relationships with their parents but that depends on the relationship between their parents and whether they have any contact with them. Illegitimate children may be raised alongside their legitimate siblings in order to foster good relationships between the siblings. Illegitimate children might have good relations with their step-parents but this is up to the step-parent. Some step-parents refuse to have the illegitimate child. An aristocratic father might set up his illegitimate child on an estate with a household of their own. Depending on the circumstances of their birth, their extended families may accept them as relatives or reject them.

Legitimization

A post Pandemic, post war world ruled by billionaires living it up with an economic depression looming - no, not the 2020s, the 1920s. The 1920s was an era known for its bold fashion, where men and women left pre-war fashion behind in order to party it up.