Requiem
Walking the Path of the Faithful
"I can assure you my friend; you will not find a more beautiful place to be burned alive for Heresy."
~ Inquisitor Leon deCalice
The smallest and eldest of the four(4) great nations, Requiem holds an iron grip on the production of Æthercite, a rare crystalline mineral that, when appropriately treated, can unlock latent psychic energies within capable individuals.
Requiem is the Holy City of those that Walk the Path.
The world's dominant religion, known only as the Path, is a sectarian philosophy-driven belief system. Its followers, called Travelers, embrace their true purpose as they navigate the complexities of life and existence. Requiem is ruled by the Pontiff and appointed Saint selected by the Prelates Council, comprised of the most influential member from the most potent Sects in Requiem. The Holy City is divided amongst the Sects, autonomous from each other and left to their own devices.
Attribute Changes
The Requiem Birthrite grants a +2 Will Attribute Bonus.
The Requis are, if anything, a stalwart in their devotions. The people of Requiem hold on to their beliefs with their whole hearts and without a shade of doubt in their minds. With keen perceptions and intuition, the Requis are not ones to doubt the true nature of their reality.
The Requiem Birthrite grants a -1 Skill Attribute Penalty.
The Sects of the Holy City demand outward displays of faith from their Travelers. Requis showcase their confidence in their clothing, accessories, and attitudes. An air of pomp and regality causes the people of Requiem to stick out in a crowd, with their dangling jewelry and accessories impeding their more dexterous abilities.
The Requiem Birthrite grants a choice:
+1 Power Attribute Bonus
-or-
+1 Charm Attribute Bonus
Their faith empowers the Requis. Their devotion shines through their actions to others. Requis fight more fiercely because they fight for their Truth, a universal constant that grounds their spirit. They speak with conviction because they know that the Path they Travel will lead them unscathed through perdition.
The Requiem Birthrite grants a choice:
-1 Focus Attribute Penalty
-or-
-1 Grit Attribute Penalty
Requiem is no stranger to sacrifice. Patrons of the Holy City will often imbibe on hallucination-inducing sacraments to enhance their experience during rituals and visions. In addition, Requis will at times engage in long vows of fasting during periods of repentance or meditation.
Class Abilities
The Requiem Birthrite grants a choice:
Culture
-or-
Engineering
Your choice applies as an additional selection to your Studious Tenderfoot Class Feature.
Access to Resources
Within the Holy City, access to resources is not always guaranteed. The extravagance of Wealth concentrates within higher temples of each Sect, leaving the fringes of society to fend for themselves. If a Requis is impoverished, it is because their Path has taken them to that point. It is up to their Path to deliver them from the filth if it is to be so. Thanks to the efforts of the Verdant, Requiem is blessed with consistently bountiful harvests. Aside from artificial barriers to access, Requis people live in abundance and rarely face a collective lack of resources.
Beliefs
The populace of Requiem holds a universal reverence for prophecy. The continued emergence of genuine prophets due to their practices with Æthercite and the astounding accuracy of their predictions lead Requis to treat premonitions with utmost seriousness and exercise particular caution when interpreting their possible meaning. The Requis hold a strict disdain for those among the populace that experience doubt. Acting with doubt in your heart is considered a crime against the Faith across all Sects. Patrons hold similar sentiments towards feelings of guilt, regret, or shame.
A common saying in the Holy City is that a clean conscience will bear no weight.
Requiem maintains the highest standards of beauty anywhere in Salt. Intricate garments of divine craftsmanship adorn even the poorest members of the Faithful. Patrons wear masks or keep perfectly painted faces and apply liberal doses of aromatic fragrances that waft in a cacophony that assaults the senses as one walks through the streets of the Holy City. The Holy City is a popular pilgrimage destination for artisans from the farthest reaches of the world. Requis tailoring, masonry, and metallurgy have earned their craftsmen a position as the most sought-after producers in the labor force.
The patrons of Requis put their soul into their work, creating expressions of their Truth that otherwise would be left unsaid.
Climate
Requiem is blessed with an incredibly temperate, rainy climate throughout most of the year, punctuated by heavy annual snowfall. During periods of heavy rain, a thick layer of silt forms over the ground, quickly becoming overgrown by an endless weave of roots and vines. The bulk of Requis Territory resides within the surrounding Veiled Forests, an expansive treescape that wraps around the Oversalt, westward to Axis. The Veiled Forest maintains light winds, consistent rains, and dense fog.
Education
Within Requiem, Education is a joint effort among the Sects for the communal benefit of the Holy City. Most Requis remain within the Sect they were born into worshiping, though converts between Sects are not uncommon. Children are cared for by their families and learn from their local chaplains and priests before enrolling in a seminary at age seven(7). A constantly rotating roster of teachers within the seminary volunteered from every Sect within the Holy City to oversee the children's education. Requis children are subject to draconian codes of conduct, facing swift, harsh reprisals if they fail to meet the impossible standards. Graduation from the seminary occurs at the age of thirteen(13). As postgraduates, the Requis youth are expected to declare a vow of service to a Sect of their choice.
They are to pledge their lives in service of the Sect for five(5) years under the title of Anchorite. For the duration of an Anchorite’s vow, contact with families or friends outside of the Sect is strictly forbidden. Instead, they must live their lives cloistered within their host Sect, performing hard, degrading labor, spending hours fasting in meditative prayer. Anchorites must study ancient texts scribed by the faithful that have already Traveled their Path so that they may face the world with a sense of purpose. After their five(5) year vow of service, at the age of eighteen(18), the Requis are free to make a Covenant with a Sect of their choice. Most people choose to stay in the Sect of their birth.
Fashion
The Holy City is a place of splendid, radiant beauty. Crystalline obelisks, gilded statues, and monolithic temples tower over the glittering streets below. The average Requis is adorned in well-crafted jewelry and stitched clothing of deep violet hues with golden accouterments. A Sigil visually represents each Sect, adorning its temples, idols, and garments. A knowledgeable observer can use a Sigil to identify Sects of more significant influence quickly.
The Divine Eyes wear a Falling Star to display their reverence for the Path of Knowledge. Their outfits often glitter like the night sky, with additional dark blue and white fabrics complementing the more traditional royal purple. The Verdant usually decorate their garments and temples with the Sprouting Seed in a show of Faith to the Path of Balance. In addition to the traditional colors, they also wear dark, earth tones with vibrant emerald accessories. The Gilded Cup enthralls the Galvanique. In addition to serving as their Sigil, they also show faith by carrying an ostentatious goblet in their personal effects. Their garments are intimately suggestive and feature Goldenrod hues in addition to traditional colors. The Fourneau wear the Searing Anvil in adherence to the Path of Creation, paired with outfits that are tightly fitted to allow freedom of movement while colored in greyscale in addition to traditional violets. A Balanced Iron Cross is the chosen Sigil of The Croix Noire, a Sigil that strikes fear into the hearts of the wicked. Travelers of the Path of Fervor often have metalwork woven into their clothing, with additional crimson and black coloring the traditional purples. The Broken Shackles represent the Unchained. Those that Travel the Path of Service often dress down in more simple garb compared to other Sects. Most notably, they continue to wear armbands and bracelets while otherwise avoiding jewelry.
Geographical Origin
Requiem lies to the far to the northeast of the Dust, deep within the twisting comforts of the Veiled Forest. Requiem sits upon a north-facing peninsula that separates the Imiri and Nairi Oceans. The Holy City is adjacent to a small chain of mountains, called the Seraphs, with jagged, snow-capped peaks. At the base of the Seraphs are two(2) Great Lakes, the Saint’s Basin and the Lac Dedivin. Sourced from the Great Lakes, intense flows sweep through the Veiled Forest to create the Requis Riverlands. Requiem shares a border with the Empire of Armistice defined by the south-flowing River Omri. While no strict boundary between the two exists, The Axian borough of Axead is constantly creeping further into the Veiled Forest. Requis Townships can spring up anywhere in the world where Travelers of the Path and the temples or chapels they operate become the governing body of a settlement.
Goals
A patron of the Holy City will be driven by the goals of their faith, a mission, or a prophecy. Requis seek to remain true to themselves, renew their faith, or follow a perceived destiny.
Grooming
While Requis are hypnotically stylish, their hygienic needs often go unsatisfied.
At times, Patrons will forgo bathing as a form of sacrifice, so that they may remove the accumulated filth in a cleansing ritual. The impoverished population goes unwashed without access to water.
To compensate for the smell, Requis regularly wear masks with scented filters or douse their clothing in strong aromatic fragrances. Temples burn incense and anoint their grounds in blessed oils primarily out of ritual habit, but also to mask the odors.
Habits
Life within the Holy City of Requiem will instill habits of stoicism, attentiveness, and devotion within its Patrons. Requis are well-mannered and polite in their social affairs. They enjoy the exchange of compliments and gossip. Travelers love sharing whispers about their social rivals and speculate on who amongst their peers has been unfaithful. Requis are respectful and thoughtful towards their environment. They hold a great appreciation for nature and are known to leave facilities and infrastructure in pristine condition. Rather than level the forest, the Requis build their homes to integrate with the environment not disturb the current natural order of their surroundings.
Requis are judgmental and hold deep, longstanding grudges. They brood and lament their failures in private while keeping a stoic calmness in public. Requis never forget, for better or for worse. Requis are careful and studied in their handiwork and craftsmanship. They take strict measures to ensure their work quality, perform advanced calculations, and implement experimental theories to develop never-before-seen inventions and creations. As a result, the Holy City has attained never-before-seen innovations in clockwerk, steam, electricity, and most notably, Æthercite that reflect its architecture and craftsmanship.
History
A small hamlet tucked away among the mountains and forests would later lay the foundation for the seat of power of the world’s dominant religion, known only as of the ‘Path.’ The people of this hamlet were of strong moral fiber, with values that showcase an appreciation for beauty, quality, and craftsmanship. Volcanic Ash from the nearby Inkar Islands and a reliable freshwater supply from the Great Lakes blessed the Requis people with fertile lands. But, at the same time, the River Omri and Veiled Forests made sieging the township a complex challenge. With ample resources and safety from outsiders, these keystone values were allowed to blossom and flourish in Requiem for ages to come.
Tucked away and hidden within the Seraphs that watch over Requiem is the awe-inspiring Ghaliya, a unique spiral-helix crystalline formation. Ghaliya juts out into the surface, just barely grazing the treetops of the Veiled Forest. Still, the majority of the body of the shape lies deeper within the base of the mountains, further underground. A primary resource for basic crafting and construction materials during the early ages of the Holy City, the Ghaliya proved to be a bountiful wellspring of dazzling gemstones and rare metals. Never before seen crystalline shards began to circulate among the Requis people. Clear as glass and harder than corundum, this gemstone, this Æthercite, when appropriately utilized, could manifest remarkable properties.
The first Æthercite discovery was that, when plied with energy, Æthercite becomes a lossless battery. It is such an effective medium for transferring energy that a person can siphon energy directly to and from their bodies through Æthercite, solely through touch and intense concentration. While storing energy, Æthercite will begin to resonate in dulcet oscillations while emitting a soft glow that is hardly visible in the light, commonly believed to be its bearer’s soul, spirit, or lifeforce.
Æthercite quickly dominated the creative cultural space in Requiem. Clothing, jewelry, architecture, idolatry, statues, monoliths, and equipment became ubiquitously inundated with the reactive crystalline material. Æthercite became the prominent feature of any Requis township and dominated the nation’s design and construction. When charged with a great deal of energy, say from a lightning strike, a gifted innovator could reliably use a sizable Æthercite shard to power fantastic constructs and devices that revolutionized the architectural planning of the nation.
Incomprehensibly complex structures that stretch the limits of what is possible became standard fare for the Requis. As Æthercite became more commonplace among the Requis, strange happenings began to occur in their communities. Awakenings, the intense visions of prophecy, would mark the manifestation of extraordinary psychic abilities in select individuals of the populace. Legitimized Prophets came forward with visions of a grand order to the universe, in which all of existence, from the tiniest grains of the Dust to the countless eons of stars above, is linked together, Traveling in tandem along the Path of time. Simultaneously alone but tethered as a whole to the predetermined fate of the universe.
Within these teachings, the Prophets instilled the belief that every being is on a spiritual journey and that one can only deliver enlightenment on the condition that one stays true to themselves and their place in the eyes of fate. Over time, a stark contrast became apparent. Those that have embraced the words of the prophets could no longer tolerate cohabitation with the outside world. The people declared that Requiem would be the one true city of those who live their lives in service to the Travelers of the Path.
The Holy City of Requiem was founded, and the Prelate Council was formed to appoint the first Pontiff. Those who hold the prophets' words in their hearts and minds find solace in the Path they Travel. Pilgrims that walk the Path always have a home in Requiem and missions, and settlements of Travelers continue to take root all over Salt.
The Path became the cornerstone of Requis Politics.
When enough Travelers walk the same Path to incite change, a new Sect is formed. The first Sects formed from the core values held by the Requis People and still exist today. The original Sect, the Divine Eyes, Travel the Path of Knowledge, interested in prophecy, astronomy, time, and space. The Verdant Travel the Path of Balance, with great reverence for nature, the environment, and death. The Fourneau is the Travelers of the Path of Creation, appreciating quality, craftsmanship, and discipline. The Galvanique Travel the Path of Passion, standing for beauty, art, and awe-inspiring performance.
The Sects fractured further and further as different ideas of what it meant to be virtuous became relevant among in-groups of Patrons. Eventually, acts of violence began to escalate between other Sects without a system to administer Justice. In response, the Council Elders granted great power to the Inquisition, a team of investigators assembled on a case-by-case basis that act as Judge, Jury, and Executioner to seek Justice. Whenever a Sect suffers an Injustice outside of their jurisdiction of control, they may submit a Grievance to the Prelate Council, who will then assemble an Inquisition.
The Supreme Authority of the Path lies within the Pontiff, who wields the full power of the Faithful with no oversight. Their word is the law and to go against a decree of the Pontiff is outright Heresy. When a Pontiff dies, their remains are interred within their most fantastic statue, where they retire as a Guardian Saint, the subject of prayers and meditation from Requis in search of guidance or clarity. It is said that a Guardian Saint may bless a Patron with vision, prosperity, or strength. The Pontiff also wields control of the Holy Templarate, the standing army of Requiem, and receives the full support and pool of talent of every Sect.
Centuries Later
The prophet Ozyrius was plagued with visions of incredible horror. In their vision, a great sword fell from the heavens to smite Requiem and its Patrons from the face of Salt. The Requis' only salvation rested in an undertaking never before attempted or thought possible in the Vision. Three(3) curved Great Spires of pure twinkling Æthercite that rivaled the Seraphs in height. His words stirred the Requis. For the first time in their history, they faced the unthinkable: Uncertainty. But doubt holds no quarter in Requiem. Many Patrons burned to Travel an uncharted Path. A Path in which the ends justify the means.
A Path of blood, fire, and determination. The Path of Fervor, known as the Croix Noire. The Croix Noire swept across Salt with extreme violence and prejudice against any they considered unfaithful. Raids and abductions on outsider settlements became commonplace. They carried out entire war campaigns focused on capturing civilians, intending to use them for forced labor to complete the Great Spires. The sitting Pontiff always turned to more drastic measures as the Skyfall Prophecy drew closer to its caustic prediction.
Generations were spent on the construction of the Great Spires. Doubts swelled as the accuracy of the predictions of a dead prophet was brought into question. That is until Judgement Day was upon them. Then, slowly, the sun was blotted from the sky as a massive shard from the long derelict Fonterra entered the atmosphere on a collision course with Requiem. The Great Spires were merely pieces of an even more grand machination.
After much dedication and with great focus, the Great Spires erected a mighty barrier over the heart of Requiem, protecting its holiest of grounds. The impact was utter devastation. The barrier cracked and shattered on impact, saving Requiem from the initial blast but not the fallout as it cascaded to the city below. One of the Spires collapsed outright from the force of the explosion, with a second falling days later after its structural integrity faltered. The lands closest to the city that lay outside of the Barrier's protection were vaporized instantly as the air itself was lit ablaze, leaving nothing but shades of their former selves behind.
With the Day of Shattered Skies and the threat of the Skyfall Prophecy in the past, Requiem spent generations pushing to rebuild to its former glory at the expense and brutal exploitation of their enslaved population. Eventually, inspired by the words of the Prophets, unrest born from the oppression of the faithful broke into the Revolt of Chains. Slaves rose against their overseers, igniting a years-long rebellion that wrought a great deal of bloodshed. The Rebellion was ended after the successful assassination of the sitting Pontiff, Desmonda, and the following ruling by her Successor recognizing that the Chained too had been Traveling their Path and released them from servitude. Peace slowly returned to the lands as a mass Exodus of liberated slaves returned to their ancestral home; however, many former slaves had forgotten their old cultures entirely, only knowing life in Requiem, and so chose to stay in the Holy City.
Many who fought on the Rebels' side during the Revolt of Chains went on to form the Unchained, a Sect that walks the Path of Liberation, preaching the virtues of freedom while caring for the needy and sick not only in Requiem but all across Salt.
Language
Its flowery dialectal variants and the poetic cadence demanded of its speakers easily identify the Requis language. Requis language is the dominant medium for most written or oral, artistic endeavors, even influencing Axian celebrity culture. Requis typically do not express themselves through non-verbal communication, often leaving hands and faces obscured by ornate robes and delicate masks. Naming conventions in Requiem are rooted in ceremony and ritual, with the Requis people typically receiving two names during their lifetime.
New parents in Requiem seek out a chosen spiritual authority to perform a ritual called the Confirmation, in which the newborn child receives a name and future through divination. A second ritual, called the Anchoring, is performed once a young Requis Anchorite has become entirely accepted as a Sect member. A Requis’ Anchor Name is often tied to a place, concept, or idea of personal spiritual significance, with a prepository “de, du, d’, or di” marking the Requis to be “of their Anchor,” for instance: Cyrus de Lux, or Cyrus of the Light and Iain d’Arbor, or Iain of the Trees.
Politics
Within the Veratana, the Seat of the Pontiff, the Prelate Council presides over the daily demands of the Holy City with absolute authority. The figurehead of the Prelate Council, the Pontiff, is the final word in all matters, both Spiritual and State. The Pontiff is a living Saint appointed by the sitting Prelate Council, a council of sages, archbishops, and elders, each representing a dominant Sect of the Holy City. Countless smaller Sects exist within the Requiem, but only a few wield the true power of the Prelate Council.
The Pontiff is a lifetime appointment. Upon a Pontiff's death, the Prelate Council Elders each select a candidate from their Sects to undergo the Labors of the Faith. The Labors are a series of intense trials that test the faith of the candidates, one per Council Seat. The candidates are subject to many challenges ranging from trials by combat to singing or crafting contests to tests of penmanship to walking across coals. They are subjected to pain, torture, failure, humiliation, and even death until a single candidate remains. The survivor is declared the most devout Patron of the Holy City of Requiem, the living Saint. The Pontiff.
An Inquisition consists of three(3) highly qualified specialists chosen from three(3) separate Sects. The Witness is selected from the Sect that initially claimed a Grievance. They are chosen to ensure that Justice has been administered on behalf of their Sect. The Arbiter is a chosen neutral party to facilitate the logistics of an Inquisition. They are chosen to locate the Accused, set the stage for an Inquisition to take place, and prevent any potential interruptions. Finally, the Inquisitor is nominated from a third Sect to investigate the Grievance. Once the Arbiter has established the Inquisition, the Inquisitor will interrogate the Accused before the Witness's eyes before delivering Judgement. The Inquisitors are human missiles that operate on behalf of the Pontiff's authority anywhere in Salt and are not subject to the laws of other lands. Therefore, impeding the Inquisition's investigation is a death sentence as the Pontiff alone eclipses their spiritual authority.
The times of the most tumultuous political strife within the Holy City occur shortly before and after the death of a Pontiff. When the Prelate Council places Candidates on Trial, Periods are marked by rampant assassinations, bombings, and extreme violence as Sects plot for the Pontiff's seat. Once a new Pontiff is determined, the culturescape of Requiem shifts to match their perspectives until their death, in which the process starts over again.
Profession
The Holy City has many critical roles to fill in its daily maintenance and operation. Built of magnificent machines and powered by Æthercite, Requiem has a great need for innovative minds and masterful constructors. Adepts and Mechanics find no shortage of mind-bending projects to assist when looking to support themselves or their families. Many come to Requiem with dreams of being the most wondrous inventor, researcher, or craftsman of their generation.
The Holy Templarate is the primary line of community defense in Requis Territory. Enlisted in their youth, young Squires are tempered into hardened Knights of the Faith. Knights of the Templarate are responsible for placing guards within Requis Townships, the fielding of troops for military campaigns, and often task their members with Divine Missions in response to a Prophecy. Knights of the Templarate can be a Traveler of any Sect's Path.
The countless temples, chapels, and shrines in Requiem and throughout Salt are run by devout clerics, clergy, and priests. The facilities will often act as schools, libraries, or community centers while also giving Travelers a haven in the harsh Frontierland. Outside of the realm of the Holy City lies the endless sprawl of the Veiled Forest. The woodlands make for an easy life for Foresters, Hunters, and Arborists. Bountiful orchards and a robust Riverland biome make farming and fishing fruitful careers for Travelers of the Verdant Path.
Relationships
Relationships in Requiem are characterized by longevity and devotion. Requis hold relationship bonds as sacred, second only to remaining true to the Path. Requis are raised by their families and other members of their Sect, forming close bonds that impact what Path they will devote their life to Traveling. While Requis are free to intermarry and mingle with other Sects, most marry and stay within the Sect they were born. Those that move to a new Sect will often leave the trappings of their old life behind to be wholly embraced by their new relationships but will still maintain contact and old relationships for their entire life.
Requis believe in a Twin Soul, in which they seek a partner to devote themselves to for eternity. Not every Requis has a Twin Soul, but those that do share an inseparable bond that supersedes any other relationship in their life. The ending of a relationship between Twin Souls is treated with the gravity of a funeral. To Requis, Twin Souls Travel their Paths together.
Religion
Religion is the absolute priority of the average Requis life. Requiem is the Holy City for the Travelers of the Path, the dominant religion of the world. The Path has a far-reaching and subversive influence across the globe. A small chapter of the Faithful could quickly rise to power in a local municipality and begin enforcing the word of the Pontiff on its occupants.
Social Caste
The social hierarchy of the Holy City is complex and constantly shifting. At the very top is the Prelate Council, which wields the full influential power of the Path with absolute authority. They partake in lives of extravagant finery and luxury rivaled only by the Axian Elites, with the bulk of their Sect’s Patrons hanging on their every word. Beneath them are the high-ranking Elders of each Sect.
Archbishops, Bishops, and Cardinals that often wield authority over multiple Temples in a region have access to lives of relative abundance, enjoying wealth, influence, and renown. Beneath them is the Clergy. Priests, Chaplains, and Preachers that maintain an individual Temple, Chapel, or Shrine. They may be a pillar in the local community, with the resources to provide for the Travelers that seek sanctuary within their walls.
Beneath the Clergy, the largest caste would be the Layman, which consists of the working class of Requiem. This includes soldiers in the Templarate, artisans, and other laborers necessary for the day-to-day maintenance of Requis Territory. At the very bottom of the hierarchy are the Indignant, the poor, and the needy. Former Slaves, Patrons that have fallen from grace, and other fringe members of the community suffer complicated lives without access to essential resources.
Traditions
The spiritually-driven traditions of Requiem are wholly unique when compared to the other cultures of Salt in Quantum State. Requis engage in daily prayer, meditation, or self-reflection periods for the ongoing development of their spirituality and the perseverance of their inner peace. Requis are suckers for gossip and scandal. They keep their secrets close to their heart and revel in displays of shame, regret, or embarrassment. Patrons of Requiem that have betrayed their Sects can be excommunicated from the religion. Excommunicated Patrons, called the Forsaken, are often branded and exiled from their communities. They are offered no protection or support from the Path and can even be hunted as Heretics.
Requis have an excellent appreciation for artistic performance. They write, produce, and perform all manner of plays, operas, and other dramatic concerts. The Holy City is alive with the music of choirs, bards, and minstrels resonating through the towering temples and cathedrals. Requis can not help but admire art, beauty, or fine craftsmanship whenever they encounter it. Requis have incredibly secretive Funerary Rituals and provide outstanding care and comfort to their dead and terminally ill Patrons. Requis place great importance on retrieving soldiers that fall in battle. Without a proper ritual, a Traveler’s Path can not come to rest.
Values
Requis values are reflected in the words of their Prophets. Devotion, purity, and honesty are core values of the Patrons of Requiem. The Requis people hold willpower in the highest regard. Self-control, discipline, and confidence are all one needs to make friends in Requiem. Requis enjoy making temptations accessible to showcase their ability to reject them publicly, but those that falter are subject to intense social scrutiny and often ostracized. Requis have a vicious judgmental streak. They take great joy in the thought of just desserts, mob justice, and witnessing falls from grace. Requis hold no sympathies for the excommunicated Forsaken. Inquisitions are often performed in public to entertain an audience, making executions into just another social event.
Requis find merit in the practice of Stoicism. Mastery of one's emotions, remaining calm under pressure, and showcasing great willpower or self-control are highly valued traits in the Holy City. Alternatively, they find panicking, anxiety, or fear expressions of immaturity or a lack of faith. Requis show great admiration for creativity, innovation, and discovery. Requis Trailblazers have fostered countless breakthroughs in the worlds of Æthercite, Architecture, and Energy. The Holy City is the home of some of the most beautiful creative works globally and hosts a thriving Dark Market for stolen artifacts. Requis have an unmistakable appreciation for beauty in all of its forms. The buildings are pristine and polished, the clothing delicate and ornate, and the people symmetrical and refined. Despite their preached values of inner-determination, Requis can be unbearably vain and shallow in their social affairs and preferences. There is no pity on the Path of a homely Traveler.
Vices
The idea of what constitutes a vice is a complex one within the social complexities of the Holy City. Hallucinogenic substances are regularly consumed for rituals, to induce a vision, or as part of a performance art experience. Still, one too many glasses of Vino at dinner will start rumors about your faltering faith. Granted the cultural views towards willpower and self-control, often, Requis will go to great expense to indulge in secret while declaring their purity in public.
Wealth
While divides of wealth persist in the Holy City, most Patrons do not see a significant impact on their day-to-day lives. The average Requis enjoys a bountiful meal, a warm bed, and the serenity brought to them by the Path they Travel. All tiers of the hierarchy enjoy festivals, shows, and rituals. This quality of life does not extend to the Indignant of Requiem. Destitute Patrons with ruined reputations, the excommunicated Forsaken, former slaves, and other fringe members of society are cut off from the resources offered by the Path, forced to turn to whatever means necessary to survive.