"We stand together; this day and every day we stand the last bastion of freedom and decency. Our enemies surround us and traitors seek to erode us from the inside like a cancer. For a thousand years they have undermined us and yet we stand another day. Stand with me today and tomorrow, whatever might come and together, we shall be the storm that will sweep over Pa'man and reclaim it for our children."
- Queen Yssarax of DrachmaSituated in the mountains of the harsh Drachman Deserts, Drachma is the last "free" city of Ananke, resisting in all forms any meddling by the Occupation. The harsh, scarce nature of the lands, and the power and tenacity of the inhabitants have spared the city the full fury and attention of the occupation, which has opted to instead isolate and starve them from the rest of the world. This strategy has left the city largely in crippling, abject poverty.
The city is largely carved of Sandstone and while worn and ruinous, bears the remnants of the beauty and wonder that this once proud empire, the jewel of the city is the Royal Palace, which retains some of its wonder and grandeur through the perseverance and love of its citizenry.
23 Years Ago: The city suffered a particularly brutal incursion by the Occupation that resulted in the death of the King, Queen, and most of the Royal Family and the House of Storms. The attack was driven back with extreme losses on both sides, but the population was decimated.
13 Years Ago: The last remnants of the Storm Airship Fleet is disassembled for parts and food, the hulls remaining in the Cradle atop Mount Storm.
6 Years Ago: Reaching the age of 21, Princess Anastasia Yssarax became Queen, much to the joy of the citizenry.
Last Year: The city is no longer able to support House Storm's endeavors in the defense of the city, having no resources left to send their way. House Storm has been forced to scale back it's involvement. The various houses are scrambling to find new sources of food, with many being sent on convert missions into the wilderness.
The People of Drachma are drawn together through their shared suffering and as a culture turn together outwards to face a shared threat. They believe strongly in collective action, and in strong social nets to provide for the least among them. Individual rights and freedoms are paramount, and the people of Drachma bristle and fight against any attempt to tightly control them, especially if they feel it is unearned. As a rule, members of this society are raised with an incredibly strong sense of right and wrong, and a strong will to right wrongs as they discover them.
The city Leadership consists solely of Queen Yssarax, the rest of the main branch of the royal family have perished in border skirmishes in the past few decades. Yssarax herself is but only a young adult herself, and leads the nation with a gentle hand. She is considered soft-hearted and kind, and calls upon the families of the city regularly. She is sometimes referred to derogatorily by members of other nations as "The Beggar Queen", though using such terminaology in front of a Drachman is sure to result in an Honor Duel.
Society is divided up into a series of Houses; Houses are not strictly familial in terms of blood relations, and while many members marry or are born into them, they also represent the political structure of Metallic society and it is not uncommon for individuals to be transferred between them. There are many smaller houses, the largest or most important have been listed here.
Arbiter of the House: An official, government certified position that declares this individual is allowed to oversee Honor Duels, and also fight on behalf of their house. They are individuals of outstanding moral fiber and courage whose word is beyond doubt.
House Yssarax
House Yssarax is the center of political power in Drachma; led by Queen Bryssara Yssarax. The house is the home of all Drachman Nobility and those who possess high political power and respect. The house makes its home in the Royal Palace.
Yssarax has unique customs where it comes to admission into the house. Individuals who are not of royal or noble descent may be invited to the house for deeds done in service to the kingdom or other attributes, but they are expected to present themselves in person to the house, listen to the invitation, and graciously turn it down. They may not be given an invitation for the same deed twice; however, on the third invitation they are not able to turn down the invitation. This custom is intended to humble those who enter the house, and accepting the first or second invitation is a major faux pas that would set off a chain reaction of honor duels.
House of Storms
The House of Storms is made up of those who defend the city, stalking the windstorms that sweep down from the mountains and dispatching any enemies or spies that stray into their territory. Members of the House of Storms are highly respected, but rarely find themselves in the city unless they are recuperating or on leave. Members are often gruff, restrained, and difficult; but given great leniency by society as a whole for the role they fill. The House makes its home on the top of Storm Mountain in the remnants of an old airship dock.
House of Memory
The House of Memory deals primarily with Artifacts, Knowledge, Death, and the legacy of the deceased. Members are the only ones allowed to perform funerary rites within the city, and inter individuals beneath the House. They also hold within their ranks Archaeologists and Ruinstalkers of profound skill who return to them potent artifacts for study and dissemination to the proper locales. To Drachman society, Life, Death, and Lost Property is all inextricably intertwined. This house is said to have hidden and secret knowledge kept from the rest of the city. The house makes it's home in the Catacombs beneath the city.
House of the Pantheon
The House of the Pantheon deals with the Ananke Pantheon, and is the largest of the houses in terms of members. It is responsible for the upkeep of all temples, and the spiritual upkeep of the citizenry. The House of the Pantheon is the most accepting of the houses, and most families have at least one or two members within it, the house itself requiring only a strong drive to serve the Pantheon. The house makes its home in the Great Temple to Erebus.
House of Brands
The House of Brands is a special house in that it is where one is cast into should they commit crimes or be cast from their house in disgrace. Criminals, enemies of the state, or those the Kingdom wishes not to associate with often find themselves members of the House of Brands, which distinguish their members with the searing of their flesh with a simple brand. It is rare, if not unheard of for someone to escape the House of Brands once they become a member. The house has no physical location.
Metallics have a long and storied history, and a number of very ancient customs exist among their people. The most common are listed here:
Honor Duel
An Honor Duel may be declared between members of a single house, or by members of a house against those outside a house. Duels between houses may only be conducted via an “Arbiter of the House” an official position.
Taxes and Charity
The Metallics have a longstanding policy of Taxation. Tax Day comes every year, and before the Austerity, goods and coin would have been rendered unto the King or Queen who visited each household personally. In the modern era, in what is called “The Austerity”, the queen often comes to receive taxes, usually taking the form of a single coin, which she then presents back to the individual in question for some small hospitality. Tax Day is a day for celebration, and feeding of those in need. A modern tradition holds that the queen will choose one domicile at the end of the evening and spend it amongst those of that house.