The Empire, formerly Republic, of Nilfgaard consists of various cultures and nations. The native Nilfgaardian culture of Lower Alba, being a blend of customs itself, enriched itself even further over the course of the expansion of Nilfgaardian civilization.[1]
The demonym Nilfgaardian, when used properly, refers only to the people of Lower Alba,[3] descending from so-called Black Seidhe.[4] While the Nilfgaardian culture has been planted in the provinces and palatinates of the Empire, the inhabitants of those regions tend to name themselves as they were named before the conquest. Persons who embrace the Nilfgaardian way of life, but do not have Lower Alban ancestry, are sometimes called Nilfgaardized, e.g. Nilfgaardized Gemmerans. The Vicovarians, Rowani, and Ymlats have been Nilfgaardized for a long time.[1]
History[]
Nilfgaardians believe their history dates back to the 2nd century. The first settlers mixed with Black Seidhe, creating a nation keeping most of elven language, beliefs, customs and culture.[5] Meanwhile, the valiant shepherds inhabiting scattered settlements on the Alba slowly incorporated the surrounding nations, appropriating their best traits like the culture, technology and military strategies, offering them safety and order in return. The virulent ones mock that there is no such thing as the "original Nilfgaardian civilization", claiming that their heritage is in fact only a conglomerate of the achievements of elves, Vicovarians, Etolians and several Alban tribes. The "native" Nilfgaardians must had been very vital though: in spite of being conquered a few times, they not only managed to fight liberty, but to conquer their former conquerors themselves.[1]
Originally a kingdom,[5][2][6] at some point the governance of the realm became heavily influenced by the Senate.[7][N 1] This state of affairs ended some time before the 1150s, due to the actions of Imperator Torres, who reduced the Senate's power and proclaimed himself Emperor, thus founding the Nilfgaardian Empire.[8]
During the Usurper's rule, the Nilfgaardians managed to reach Nordling realms south of Amell without causing much tremor in the further north,[1] aside Cintra,[6] which had close ties with Nazair.[9] Bloody wars were known among the southern Nordlings, so they were hardly news – and because the Empire kept most of the local administration aside its own, northern merchants did not see many signs of new rule.[1]
By the time Encyclopaedia Maxima Mundi was written, the Nilfgaardian culture apparently became dominant, and while some of the Northern Kingdoms remained independent, Common Speech was considered as endangered language.[7]
Appearance[]
The Nilfgaardian Empire is inhabited by most of the known sentient races, with humans as the majority. Elves, particularly asimilated ones[1] and the so called "Wood Elves",[10] are the largest minority, there are also some enclaves of dwarves, gnomes and halflings.
The native (Lower Alban) Nilfgaardians tend to have long faces, large foreheads and dark hair and eyes - the legacy of their elven ancestors. Many of them have aquiline noses and strong chins, resulting in a characteristic Nilfgaardian profile. They are of medium height, usually with slim bodies and slender - yet muscled - arms and legs. Their skin is darker than Nordlings' but usually not much swarthy. However, due to mixing with conguered nations and immigrants in the capital region, these characteristics can often vary.[1] Aristocrats, knights and courtiers alike generally dress in ceremonial courtly black berets and robes, enlivened by only by white ruffs and cuffs. Customs for women permit them to brighten the black of their outfits with a little modest jewellery.[10]
Society[]
Within the Nilfgaardian society lies a distain for all commotions, emotions, or excitement, being not at all customary for the Nilfgaardian nobility, who believed that demonstrating anxiety or excitement was a sign of immaturity. Behaviour of that kind was treated by the Nilfgaardian noblemen as highly reprehensible and contemptible, to such an extent that even youths, from whom few would have demanded greater maturity, were expected to refrain from any displays of animation.[10]
Culture[]
Language and writing systems[]
The Empire could be described as a genuine linguistic microcosm. Each of the conquered people used their ancestral languages at home, especially in the south. There was an exception in the case of Nordling countries conquered in the 13th century - where the Common Speech was used on equal terms with the Nilfgaardian language in schools and offices, even though it was slowly dying under the invaders' pressure.
The Nilfgaardian language is based on Elder Speech and the languages of various human colonizers, but mostly on the Elder Speech. It is considered quite complicated, but surprisingly logical and more focused on details than the elven language. It is official throughout the state and necessary to achieve a career.
The Nilfgaardian alphabet is based on Elder Runes, but the Nordling's modern alphabet is also in unofficial use.[1]
Education[]
TBA
Religion[]
For more information, see Great Sun.
During the republican period, there was no official religion, but dozens of smaller cults scattered throughout the state.[1] The situation changed during Emperor Torres's reign,[8] who was looking for a symbol which would unite the realm better and more permanently than only the ruling dynasty. He found such a symbol in the Great Sun, a minor cult popular within the core regions of the empire. Through the March 8th Edict, he declared the Church of the Great Sun the official state religion in the Empire. Other religions have been tolerated - as long as they stay away from positions of power.[1]
Gallery[]
Footnotes[]
- ↑ While the Senate's existence might suggest that Nilfgaard, much like its real-world analogue, was a Republic for some time, it's worth noting that word "republic" has not appeared in the official franchise.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Wiedźmin: Gra Wyobraźni
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Netflix's The Witcher TV series
- ↑ Baptism of Fire
- ↑ Blood of Elves
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The World of the Witcher
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Hexer TV series
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Tower of the Swallow
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Witcher Role-Playing Game
- ↑ Stanislav Komárek
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Time of Contempt