“	The mountain range was far in the distance beyond Kavaccet’s buildings but having set his direction and put his feet to the cobblestones eased his mind.	”
—of Civyl when leaving the city.

Culture

Kavaccet is a land where all men are considered equal no matter their bank accounts or job status or family heritage because all men have the opportunity to receive extra wealth or power, training or jobs and even family through the same venue. The Wisdom. Women do not always have the same opportunities as men, and are not always granted the same freedoms with their lives. The governmental leadership of Kavaccet influences the direction of its citizens lives as far as they can reach including who gets married and to whom. Those citizens who do not like the rules of their government move farther from the heart of Kavaccet where the government has less active influence.

Government

The city-state of Kavaccet is ruled primarily by The Wisdom - the chosen vessel of water - with authorities much like a King or Queen. Whoever is granted with this power, which can be any citizen whose element is water, also has the authority to appoint other leaders over the military and economy and education as they see fit. Often The Knowledge - the chosen vessel of air - will help The Wisdom rule, though the air does not always replace a deceased vessel right away.

Lady Darya has ruled Kavaccet as The Wisdom for the past thirty-four years. The previous Wisdom ruled for seventy-two years before transcending the world.

The Promise

All men are eligible to receive a gift from The Wisdom which they can claim after they are of age, 65 seasons or 16 years and 3 months old. The promise can take many forms including but not limited to: a scholarly education, intense weapons training, monetary wealth, material possession, or an unmarried woman of Kavaccet who could become a wife, companion, housekeeper, or a helper for the infirm. The man has the freedom to choose the woman's role as his promised.

Laws

Other than the normal morality rules; no stealing, killing, harming other people or their property, etc, the land of Kavaccet has a few more laws that the people are expected to abide by.

When The Wisdom calls for military aid, she may ask it of anyone and those she names are required to fight on her behalf.
People may not marry or start a family unless promised to each other by The Wisdom.
Romantic contact between those not promised to each other is forbidden. (Even though this law stands, brothels are still known to exist. The authorities can often be bribed -one way or another- to look the other way.)
Men may only have one wife, if granted one in promise by The Wisdom.
Merchants must pay taxes on the goods they sell at market.

Law Enforcement

Promise Keepers: The name of those who enforce the laws of Kavaccet in the name of The Wisdom.
Kracken's Whip: A way to punish criminals

Currency

Coppers are a small amount of money equivalent to pennies or nickles.

Known History

About 16 years ago, The Wisdom enlisted a group of Kavaccet citizens to help fight against the citizens in Brittner over 'power and land' according to Alex Birchwood. Many citizens on both sides lost their lives including all of the parents of the Birchwood Brothers.

Magic Practices

The magic of Kavaccet revolves around the elements of nature which the people believe are sentient. Each citizen has an element that 'chooses' them which decides what kind of magic they can potentially do. Not all citizens become proficient in their magic and some choose to ignore the magical heritage that Kavaccet promises. Some citizens find magical talents with their element that are uncommon in the populace and are able to make a living using their abilities. Proficiency with any element takes much dedication and practice.

The Elements

Water: Water is a very common element. Water Walkers comprise roughly 40% of the population. Those with the element of water can usually learn how to make it move against gravity and control the density of it among other things.
Fire: Fire is the second most common element. Fire Dancers comprise roughly 30% of the population. Those with the element of fire can usually learn how to hold it in their hands without being burned and control its intensity among other things.
Air or Wind: Air is not a very common element. Wind Listeners comprise roughly 20% of the population. Those with the element of air can usually learn how to see their surroundings through the whispers of the wind and make a breeze move among other things.
Earth and Stone: Earth is the least common element. Stone Growers comprise only about 10% of the population. Those with the element of earth can usually learn how to create crystals and are in tuned with the plants that grow from the dirt among other things.

The Vessels

The Wisdom: Chosen vessel of water. Known for predicting the future from the past experiences of the water.

The Sight: Chosen vessel of fire. Known for being called on to travel away from Kavaccet when need arises. The Sight has never come back from a mission leaving a gap in the history of Kavaccet concerning their ultimate purpose and abilities.

The Knowledge: Chosen vessel of air. Known for being able to see the present through the words of the wind at great distances. Some have called this ability Spirit Walking as the mind of the Knowledge seems to travel with the wind wherever it wants to go.

The Manifestation: Chosen vessel of earth. There has only been one recorded Manifestation in all of Kavaccet's known history. It was said that his stone growing abilities were so great that he created a pure crystal home to live in which was subsequently destroyed by those too greedy to allow it to stand without them profiting. The fate of that Manifestation was never discovered and any Manifestation after that has kept their abilities to themselves.

The Forbidden

Someone who is not allowed to use their element. Those who use their element to kill other people are in danger of becoming forbidden by their element. If a killing is done in defense, there is usually no consequence, but those who are guilty of murder almost always lose their ability to wield their element and are in danger of losing their own life if they try. Elements have been known to maim and kill forbidden who try to wield them again.

Wording, Phrases, and Gestures

Keeping Time

Ticks

How the people of Kavaccet count time instead of minutes or hours

Tock: One second.
Tick: One minute.
Full Tick: One hour.
Halftick: Half hour.
Mass Tick: Said to mean an indistinct number of hours that seems like a long time. Originated to mean the amount of time a religious Mass of The Wisdom took which could be anywhere between two to six hours depending on who was officiating.
Sun Tick: From sunup to sundown.
Star Tick: The night time hours.

Seasons

Season of Birth: The quarter year when a person was born
Season of Death: The quarter year when a person dies. Also considered a season of mourning for loved ones.
Season of Rains: Spring, for the element water.
Season of Suns: Summer, for the element fire.
Season of Harvests: Fall, for the element earth.
Season of Icy Breaths: Winter, for the element air.
Of Age: When a person is 65 seasons old, 16 years and 3 months, they can marry or receive their promise.

The People

Sisters in Waiting/Daughters of Promise: Minor female children promised to men by the Wisdom and brought to live at the Sanctuary where they can be protected and taught.
Bloom: A female without children and unwed.
Flower: A married woman.
Bulb: A widow with children from previous marriage
Weed: A derogatory term for an unwed woman (not widow) with child.

Meaningful Gestures

Spitting on the ground after speaking: Intended as an insult or curse

Fire Dancer Phrases

White Flame of Tarous: The hottest place in the afterlife
Until death sweep my spirit to dance on the sun: Expression used by fire dancers to mean 'until I die'.
Dew-Soaked Tinder: Expression of exasperation.
Wake the Fire/Put the Fire to Sleep: Fire is treated as if it always exists in whatever can burn and just needs to be awoken or put to sleep again.

Wind Listener Phrases

Reading the Wind:

Water Walker Phrases

Stone Grower Phrases

Blasted Bedrock: Expression of exasperation.

Other Kavaccet Sayings

Tears of Wisdom: An expression to exclaim folly or bad judgement.
May the Wisdom Forgive: A phrase thought or uttered before doing something immoral to ease the offenders mind.
Thank the Fates: Expression of relief.
Wrath of the Void: Expression of exasperation or surprise.
Forsaken Promise: A curse.
What in all Kavaccet: Expression of confusion.

Geography

Native Species

Flora

Junt Bush: A wild growing bush with berries that are normally yellow and sweet when ripe. Greener and tart when picked too soon. Ripens in summer.

Crinip: A low growing plant, dark in color with edible leaves if the center shoot is taken out.

Frithnip Root: A salty root good for both flavoring other foods during cooking and chewing raw to keep teeth clean and gums healthy. It is used in many medicines.

Fawna

Hani Fish: Like a pan fish, native to the mountain streams of Enundale

Important Buildings

The Sanctuary

Home of Lady Darya and all promised blooms, made entirely of marble.

Courts of the Wisdom

A place at or near the sanctuary for entertainment.

Surrounding Town/Villages

Brittner

Town northeast of Kavaccet where Demil is from. It has winding streets and is difficult to navigate if you are not from around there.

Town Locations

The Buttermilk Inn & Tavern - Demil's 'home' and place of business where he lives with his four wives.
The Underground Market - Where those merchants and consumers who do not wish to pay Kavaccet taxes do their business. Entrances are guarded by iron gates. One entrance may be reached through The Buttermilk Inn & Tavern.
Gilver's Fashions and Finery - An upscale clothing store with exorbitant prices.
Nivia's House - A two story rustic cabin – was hidden away among the trees within a full tick’s walk of Brittner village. Wood floor next to a stone hearth.

Hailie

Village north of Brittner.

Fen Wharf

Town northwest of Hailie, along the northern coast.

Landmarks

Mount Enundale

Mountain with pass, northeast of Kavaccet.

Lucent Divide

Not really in Kavaccet but still an important place, it is a three man tall crystal wall inside a cave made by the Manifestation. The cave is somewhere in a canyon beyond the mountain range.

Navagation

For a full list of articles pertaining to FtA, see Category:FtA.

Kavaccet