Being a Benyan

[Old Gobbo]

I have noted a couple posts where cards have noticed that Amherst is not acting like the typical Benyan. While this makes sense as Amherst was raised in the Mid-Range, I have no idea what a typical Benyan is, as I can find no information on the Benyan Riverlands.

Is that a plot point to discover, or does everyone know and it was just never put up on the site? Any help?

[Lucca]

Benyans are one of the three Realms that were user-created and won the Realm Contest that was held a few months ago. So far, Nat hasn't had time to update the Realm information with any info on the three new Realms, plus the fourth one that she recently introduced.

I can find Xenon's info on the Realm for you...one sec.

OKAY, here is the history of the Benyans, as told by Xenon, the Realm's creator.

"History: The Riverlands are a place of tradition before all else. This spirituality is linked to the fickle nature of the rivers, and Benyans have ceremonies attached to nearly all aspects of day-to-day life. Theirs is a middle path, of living exactly at one's means and no more or, surprisingly, no less. It is believed that if they anger their rather tetchy weather gods by living to extremes, a year of drought could follow. There is also a prevalent fear that living a bare-bones lifestyle will also anger the rivers, and they could potentially suffer a year of intense flooding as a result. As a people, the Benyans are heavily reliant on the rivers and often build their homes close to the water, so drought or flood could both be considered equally catastrophic.

The ceremonies are, for the most part, rather primitive. For the most part, people simply make an effort to show their thanks to the river, and this has led over the years to a group of people who are, all in all, very environmentally-minded. When hunting for crayfish, a common and popular source of food, Benyans tend to take only half of all that they find, again leaving a stable population behind. This is not done out of a recognition that overfishing could potentially ruin their lifestyle, however. It is a practice born out of fear of angering their gods. One day a month, family groups gather together and celebrate as a whole, inviting their gods to join them. Generally, these celebrations are seen as an opportunity to strengthen familial ties.

Benyans tend to live in small groups they call family. Not all the members of these groups are necessarily related, though it is more typical for them to be.

For the most part, there is very little trade out of the Riverlands, as people tend to produce and catch exactly what they need. The one export out of the lands is a thick and malleable river clay, which is most often exported to the Villa en Miir for production of pottery and sculpture. Visitors are welcome to come and see the rivers, but are not expected to stay - indeed, if they were to try without marrying or otherwise working their way into a group, they would likely be edged out of fishing land until they had no choice but to leave."

And if you want to see the other info on the Realm, here is the link to the contest thread where it was posted: decadentsuits.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=generalarchives&action=display&thread=7624&page=2

[Old Gobbo]

Thanks muchly!

[The Jenn]

I dunno why people would be getting on you for Amherst not acting like a typical Benyan, since his notes very specifically state that he isn't and why. xD But eh. Silly peeps.

Thanks muchly for posting the realm info, Lucca-luff! We'll update the list someday, I swears. <3

[Old Gobbo]

Jan 6, 2011 14:08:44 GMT -5 The Jenn said:

I dunno why people would be getting on you for Amherst not acting like a typical Benyan, since his notes very specifically state that he isn't and why. xD But eh. Silly peeps.

Thanks muchly for posting the realm info, Lucca-luff! We'll update the list someday, I swears. <3

Not getting on me...just noticing. Big difference. :-)

[Lucca]

Nah, it's fine Jenn, I understand things have been busy with the Ticket Contest and such.