Set in a Silver Sea PBeM GameSociety in Roman BritianCeltic society in Britain is similar to that which some of the characters will be familiar with among Gaulish Celts. Britain comprises of many small kingdoms, each occupied by the _tuath_ (tribe or people) and rules by a _ri_ (king). The kings were often choses from the descendants of a common great-grandfather. Many of the smaller kingdoms owed allegiance to a _ri ruirech_ (over king). The duties to such overlord are mostly military.
Society is divided into four groups:
_Fines_ (kindred) are the four generations descened fro a common ancestor. All members of the kindred are responsible for each others behaviour and liable to any fines imposed This meant that legal protection was generally only afforded within the same tuath, unless an agreement had been made between kings. _Briathem_ (professional jurists) could be called upon to adjudicate in disputes. Redress of wrongs was by _log n-enech_ (honour price) - a system of fines fixed by the crime commited and the status of the victim. Warfare among the Celts is of two kinds. Firstly, campaigns for new territory, Secondly, warfare between bands of young nobility, whose violence is tolerated, as it is mostly aimed at each other. In Britain, settlements are usually scattered farmsteads. The _oppida_, hill-forts, are generally occupied only in emergencies although some are religious centers. However, in the south, some tribal capitals have been built as a result of progressive Romanisation before the invasion. There are also villages and towns around Britain, although none are very large. The DruidsThe Ventrue policy in conquered lands is to accord highest respect to the local religions, until it can be ascertained which of the 'gods' are in fact Cainites. The Celtic religion is complex. There are many gods (most local, a few widespread such as Epona). The unifying force is the Druids. They move freely between the tribes, under divine protection. Their greatest power is that of excommunication. Those who are denied access to the Druids rites will not be reborn after death. Some have speculated that the uniquely universal nature of the Druids, among the general chaos and quarrelling of the Celts speak of a powerful Kindred in the background. Others see in as a natural result of the relatively recent spread of the Celts accross Europe.Be that as it may, the Ventrue, and hence the Romans, take great care not to anger local 'deities'. This neccessitates careful handling of the Druids, as outrages against the priests of one God will turn the priests of other Celtic Gods against the Romans. This will be especially true in Britain, which is the cradle of the Druidic faith. Claudius and many Ventrue hope that if an understanding can be reached with the British Arch-Druids, then it may benefit all Celtic regions of the Empire. |