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MERIDIAN

Location: Inspired by France and the Italian states. 

Culture: Pleasure and happiness is the most important factor to a Meridian citizen, not least the upper classes. Women are considered to be lesser citizens, particularly in terms of their status. Women are seen as commodities for marriage or pleasure and are born to be ruled, which causes some friction with Meridian’s neighbouring kingdoms, who consider women to be of a higher standing in society. There is much gender discrimination in Meridian, particularly for anybody who does not conform to either male or female status. Children are seen as infants until they are seven years old, and treated as such, then are seen to be little adults. From the age of twelve children are allowed to be married, and to consummate it. This often proves difficult when marrying children to neighbouring Kingdoms, who both refuse to consummate marriages until the age of fifteen. 

Government: Meridian is ruled by the King, but his Queen Consort has no legal obligation to involve herself in politics, and very rarely does so. For the most part, the King sets his sons into the Duchies of Meridian, of which there are four. Most of the time, these are legitimate sons, but may also be legitimate daughters or illegitimate children. Lords and nobles may fill in if the King does not have enough children; these nobles are usually close friends or family of the King himself. In each of the four Duchies, Lords carry out the institutive tasks of government and justice, and also raise armies for war.