Post by flammingcorn on Jun 7, 2011 22:08:51 GMT -5
Here's a brief summary of Bartholomew, the country in which this will all take place! You can also find other information that has to do with the location here too. ^^
A Brief Summary of Bartholomew
Bartholomew within itself is a lone country that is actually quite small. It's actually smaller than France. It's surrounded by a wall greater than the Great Wall of China, impossible to get past; no one gets in, no one gets out. Not only that, but is ruled under a totalitarianism dictatorship, basically meaning ruled by a dictator with an iron fist. Quite possibly the most oppressing part of Bartholomew is, however, is the fact that everyone except the dictator have numbers.
A Brief Summary of the Number System
One receives this number when he or she is born. That number stays with that person all through life. Once that person dies, the person born closest to the first person's death gets his or her number, and the cycle starts over again. Not only that, but from age 0-12, one is required to wear said number on a locked-on, but slightly adjustable, bracelet and eventually a collar. Once that person reaches the age of thirteen, however, he or she must trade in the collar for an official tattoo of that number on the right side of his or her lower back. Females can get it on their upper left arm, so as they can wear a dress, but there is no other option besides the previous. Anyone who does not abide by this is severely punished using techniques of the Middle Ages.
See The Number System for details.
In The Beginning
While this may take place in the year 3026, Bartholomew got it's humble start literally a thousand years ago in 2026. It began in a preexisting country obviously. Which country that was is unknown anymore, but it was said to have most likely been The United States or the United Kingdom. Considering a slurry of accents (or more likely the lack of them) can be found in Bartholomew, it's no wonder no one can make up their mind.
In all actuality, Bartholomew started with its founder, Lord Bartholomew, as the leader of a very exclusive cult. As one can imagine, though, Bartholomew was not all there, and even this began going down hill. It soon became a thing of power, and he began to prefer quantity over quality. Any numbskull, halfwit, and moron he could convince to join his cult was welcomed, and before too long, his following became massive. He was from there able to take control of landspace and create the tiny, underdeveloped country.
See for Bartholian time line for breakdown details.
Government
Bartholomew's government is ran as a totalitarian dictatorship. Of course, if one where to see Bartholomew, one would believe it was ran as anarchy. Where did one end and the other begin? I imagine it happened somewhere as the dictators began to change. Lord Bartholomew loved his country, and ran it with an iron fist. After he died, however, it was somewhat thrust into confusion, and the running of the country became more chaotic. As it was handed down from wilder generation to wilder generation, it became more about the Number System and less about the upkeep of the country itself. Now, as long as the Number System is enforced and the dictator is kept safe and happy, the rest can go to Hell...and believe me, it has.
Military and Law Enforcement
Bartholomew's strange laws are all enforced by soldiers known as The Prodigies, named so because they were to be chosen special at birth. Prodigies are a force to be reckoned with, as they are bred like dogs to be as powerful as humanly possible. Only the best males and females can apply to the need, and they are actually paid to SPAWN these horrible beasts. Of the many born, only a few selective offspring are chosen, and swiftly taken away to be brain-washed, trained, and even genetically enhanced through drugs to be built into the human tanks that patrol the streets of Bartholomew. Every-so-often, one who was not born a Prodigy, a common Bartholian, can become a Prodigy. Of course, this is only after they have proven their worth, often through a series of agonizing, torturous trails...
In the case that Bartholomew be attacked by an outer force (if there is even an outer force out there to attack them), the Prodigies double as their military.
Culture
Back years and years ago when Bartholomew was first established by Lord Bartholomew, it was only a colony of a few people. These people believed strongly in punk culture, and based a lot of their ways off of it. As Bartholomew twisted into the sheltered thing that it is today, and that’s the only culture that remained of the outside world. Thus, it’s all anyone ever knows. Chances are, they’d be as diverse as we are if they knew any better. That is to say, a mohawk on a forty-year-old man is normal here. Bartholians have a culture all their own though. Let's break it down into smaller categories though...
Hair
Hair is VERY important here. Your hairstyle defines who you are, using representative colors and styles. Most people have their ideal hair picked out by their mother when old enough to have "designable" hair, and usually keep that the rest of their lives. Hair is so important, in fact, that a commonly practiced punishment is shaving a person's head. This practice is referred to as "plucking" and is only one step below the death sentence. You may as well have no identity at all after that.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
Religion
As Bartholomew was founded on a cult, most people have since become atheists. After the downfall of Lord Bartholomew himself, which many looked upon as a god, or at least the servant of one, a lot of them lost faith. That being said, it just kept carrying on until, even if a Bartholian were inclined to be religious, they wouldn't know enough about religion anyway.
Some have found faith in the bibles that could be found from earlier generations who turned back to it when Bartholomew began going insane, but it's rare. Even then, their views on Christianity may be taken a lot different than ours, as they may interpret The Bible far different than we do.
Meanwhile, a few still believe in Bartholomew and his ways and still worship as they see fit. Most of these people are insane with it, though, as religion is the last bit of anything they have to turn to. They will often do strange rituals depending on how they believe and are often feared by the general population, even on Bartholian standards.
Holidays and celebrations
Most universal holidays such as Christmas (even if the meaning has far since been lost) still exist in Bartholomew, and the celebration of said holidays are still very similar. Of course, there's a whole slew of holidays made for Bartholomew itself. For example, Lord Bartholomew's birthday is celebrated every year known as "Bartholomew Day", as well as his death day in which the Bartholomew term for is "Black Day". These are usually celebrated by parades in which the dictator actually socializes with his underlings for once, and certain dress codes are called for. Many Bartholomew parades look similar to rallies, and would probably be mistaken as such by the likes of us.
Courtship
For a point in time, Bartholians are like us. They date each other just like anyone else, be it a strict two person relationship, an open two person relationship, or an all out free love fest. Also like us, this all depends on how the individual in question believes or feels. However, there often comes a point when a Bartholian couple will want to make their relationship more official. While we would normally get married, there is really no such thing as an official wedding in Bartholomew. That is to say, it's only as official as a couple set out to make it. They may have wedding-like celebrations where the two will join under whatever vows they see fit and have a get together, or the two may just exchange tokens much like a bride and groom will exchange rings. It all just really depends. That being said, there is also no reason for polygamy to be illegal in Bartholomew, and a Bartholian may have several wives or husbands. I suppose it all goes back to their beliefs and feelings once again.
See How tribes/territories works for details.
Language
As being founded by English speakers, English in the primary language of Bartholomew. Some commonly heard languages such as Spanish and French have snuck in, but these are normally spoken amongst specific tribes in certain areas only. The same could be said for accents. Bartholians tend to remain without any distinguishable accent, but some can be picked up by tribes depending on their origins. As with the language spoken, accents usually depend on the tribe and what area it's in.
Economy
As mentioned earlier, when Bartholomew started, it had its own currency much like an other country would. In fact, while little use it anymore, there is still Bartholian currency in use. As most people in Bartholomew do not have said currency or a real job though, it's nigh impossible to find. Anymore, Bartholians rely solely on the barter system, and are often even paid with objects of interest rather than said currency. About the only individuals who own and use said currency are elected officials, Prodigies, and the like. How much this currency is worth is unknown to most Bartholians because of this. It is said that it is very similar to currency once found in the United States of America. Not that any Bartholians would probably know what America is anymore...
One ponk, an example of Bartholian currency.
Education
As with the economy, Bartholomew once had formal education where people actually went to schools and such. At some point, though, as the country began deteriorating, people just began teaching their offspring themselves, and it soon became common practice. Because of this, schools no longer exist in Bartholomew and the buildings now only stand for tribes to shack up in. This is probably why Bartholomew stands today broken and stupid.
It is up to the brain in the tribe to teach the younger members born into it nowadays. Sometimes the mother of said child will participate in the education, but it is usually in her best interest not to intervene. The only other form of education is if another tribe will agree to let their brain teach the child, but this is rare as most tribes are too territorial to do such. If your tribe is not smart enough, then the child will not be either. This is just a sad truth of Bartholomew.
Technology
Technology in Bartholomew is, quite frankly, a magnificent clusterfuck. This is because the country seems to be culturally divided between those who run it and those who inhabit it. Those who run it are given access to vehicles, for example, while vehicles are not available to the public. The closest they get are public transportation such as buses, and those are always driven by Prodigies. Unless one is fortunate enough to get his hands on a bike, roller skates, or something to that extent, most Bartholians just walk.
As for technology like radios, televisions, and telephones, these are usually dumbed down to their 50's - 80's versions. For example, while we have iPods with earbuds, Bartholians are still using Walkmans with gigantic headphones. Their telephones still have rotating dials and will never leave the wall connection. In fact, most Bartholians don't have access to phones anyway. As is with most stuff, not only is is dumbed down, but usually unavailable. It all just depends. If in doubt of what technology your Bartholian might have access to, please ask flammingcorn.
Agriculture
What Bartholomew cannot produce within its walls, they don’t have. This goes for any plants, animals, etc. That being said, Bartholomew handles its agriculture the way it handles anything. It industrializes it. Animals such as cows and chickens are bred in a factory where they live long enough to become food. This may be considered extremely cruel by us, but to a Bartholian things are seen quite different. Their humans are barely treated humanely, why would their animals be treated any better? Plants are a little better off, as they need sunlight to grow and such. Even they, however, are packed into fields and given just enough to sustain them. It must also be noted that these fields and factories are government sites, and to steal from them is a serious offense.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
Medicine
Medical practices in Bartholomew are a lot like Bartholomew's currency. Formal medical training, does, in fact, still exist in Bartholomew. Of course, also like Bartholomew's currency, it is only readily available to those who run the country. They are only ever readily available to the average Bartholian in only two stages in said Bartholian's life though. The birth and the death. Otherwise, seeing a doctor for any other ailments is usually up to the medic of the tribe, who will either be a hit or a miss.
There is also a time of the year when a Bartholian must get a vaccination to prevent a highly deadly Bartholian disease. These can be administered by public officials or the tribe's medic. It all depends on if the medic has access to the vaccine or not. Because it is so important, like birth, it will be readily available for all Bartholians. This vaccine is often dreaded by Bartholians, though, because not only is it very painful, it must be injected into the individual's buttock, causing much humiliation.
Birth
To keep up with the Number system, when a female Bartholian is pregnant, a doctor is readily available for her throughout the pregnancy. Of course, it is mostly during the actual delivery. If a Bartholian mother should so decide to rely on her tribe's medic to see her through her pregnancy, however, it is still required that she turn the child in.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
Death
Bartholoians do not bury their dead anymore. Graveyards can still be found around from Bartholomew from its beginnings, but these are considered ancient and would probably seem sacred if Bartholians had any sense of respect for the dead. In The Wasteland timeline graveyards are more or less seen as open territory, though they still retain their spooky feel and normally discourage the majority.
Bartholians, considering their limited amount of space behind the wall and their ever growing population, traditionally burn their dead nowadays. It's almost a requirement anymore. That being said, it is a law that all dead be turned into the government to be handled.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
A Brief Summary of Bartholomew
Bartholomew within itself is a lone country that is actually quite small. It's actually smaller than France. It's surrounded by a wall greater than the Great Wall of China, impossible to get past; no one gets in, no one gets out. Not only that, but is ruled under a totalitarianism dictatorship, basically meaning ruled by a dictator with an iron fist. Quite possibly the most oppressing part of Bartholomew is, however, is the fact that everyone except the dictator have numbers.
A Brief Summary of the Number System
One receives this number when he or she is born. That number stays with that person all through life. Once that person dies, the person born closest to the first person's death gets his or her number, and the cycle starts over again. Not only that, but from age 0-12, one is required to wear said number on a locked-on, but slightly adjustable, bracelet and eventually a collar. Once that person reaches the age of thirteen, however, he or she must trade in the collar for an official tattoo of that number on the right side of his or her lower back. Females can get it on their upper left arm, so as they can wear a dress, but there is no other option besides the previous. Anyone who does not abide by this is severely punished using techniques of the Middle Ages.
See The Number System for details.
In The Beginning
While this may take place in the year 3026, Bartholomew got it's humble start literally a thousand years ago in 2026. It began in a preexisting country obviously. Which country that was is unknown anymore, but it was said to have most likely been The United States or the United Kingdom. Considering a slurry of accents (or more likely the lack of them) can be found in Bartholomew, it's no wonder no one can make up their mind.
In all actuality, Bartholomew started with its founder, Lord Bartholomew, as the leader of a very exclusive cult. As one can imagine, though, Bartholomew was not all there, and even this began going down hill. It soon became a thing of power, and he began to prefer quantity over quality. Any numbskull, halfwit, and moron he could convince to join his cult was welcomed, and before too long, his following became massive. He was from there able to take control of landspace and create the tiny, underdeveloped country.
See for Bartholian time line for breakdown details.
Government
Bartholomew's government is ran as a totalitarian dictatorship. Of course, if one where to see Bartholomew, one would believe it was ran as anarchy. Where did one end and the other begin? I imagine it happened somewhere as the dictators began to change. Lord Bartholomew loved his country, and ran it with an iron fist. After he died, however, it was somewhat thrust into confusion, and the running of the country became more chaotic. As it was handed down from wilder generation to wilder generation, it became more about the Number System and less about the upkeep of the country itself. Now, as long as the Number System is enforced and the dictator is kept safe and happy, the rest can go to Hell...and believe me, it has.
Military and Law Enforcement
Bartholomew's strange laws are all enforced by soldiers known as The Prodigies, named so because they were to be chosen special at birth. Prodigies are a force to be reckoned with, as they are bred like dogs to be as powerful as humanly possible. Only the best males and females can apply to the need, and they are actually paid to SPAWN these horrible beasts. Of the many born, only a few selective offspring are chosen, and swiftly taken away to be brain-washed, trained, and even genetically enhanced through drugs to be built into the human tanks that patrol the streets of Bartholomew. Every-so-often, one who was not born a Prodigy, a common Bartholian, can become a Prodigy. Of course, this is only after they have proven their worth, often through a series of agonizing, torturous trails...
In the case that Bartholomew be attacked by an outer force (if there is even an outer force out there to attack them), the Prodigies double as their military.
Culture
Back years and years ago when Bartholomew was first established by Lord Bartholomew, it was only a colony of a few people. These people believed strongly in punk culture, and based a lot of their ways off of it. As Bartholomew twisted into the sheltered thing that it is today, and that’s the only culture that remained of the outside world. Thus, it’s all anyone ever knows. Chances are, they’d be as diverse as we are if they knew any better. That is to say, a mohawk on a forty-year-old man is normal here. Bartholians have a culture all their own though. Let's break it down into smaller categories though...
Hair
Hair is VERY important here. Your hairstyle defines who you are, using representative colors and styles. Most people have their ideal hair picked out by their mother when old enough to have "designable" hair, and usually keep that the rest of their lives. Hair is so important, in fact, that a commonly practiced punishment is shaving a person's head. This practice is referred to as "plucking" and is only one step below the death sentence. You may as well have no identity at all after that.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
Religion
As Bartholomew was founded on a cult, most people have since become atheists. After the downfall of Lord Bartholomew himself, which many looked upon as a god, or at least the servant of one, a lot of them lost faith. That being said, it just kept carrying on until, even if a Bartholian were inclined to be religious, they wouldn't know enough about religion anyway.
Some have found faith in the bibles that could be found from earlier generations who turned back to it when Bartholomew began going insane, but it's rare. Even then, their views on Christianity may be taken a lot different than ours, as they may interpret The Bible far different than we do.
Meanwhile, a few still believe in Bartholomew and his ways and still worship as they see fit. Most of these people are insane with it, though, as religion is the last bit of anything they have to turn to. They will often do strange rituals depending on how they believe and are often feared by the general population, even on Bartholian standards.
Holidays and celebrations
Most universal holidays such as Christmas (even if the meaning has far since been lost) still exist in Bartholomew, and the celebration of said holidays are still very similar. Of course, there's a whole slew of holidays made for Bartholomew itself. For example, Lord Bartholomew's birthday is celebrated every year known as "Bartholomew Day", as well as his death day in which the Bartholomew term for is "Black Day". These are usually celebrated by parades in which the dictator actually socializes with his underlings for once, and certain dress codes are called for. Many Bartholomew parades look similar to rallies, and would probably be mistaken as such by the likes of us.
Courtship
For a point in time, Bartholians are like us. They date each other just like anyone else, be it a strict two person relationship, an open two person relationship, or an all out free love fest. Also like us, this all depends on how the individual in question believes or feels. However, there often comes a point when a Bartholian couple will want to make their relationship more official. While we would normally get married, there is really no such thing as an official wedding in Bartholomew. That is to say, it's only as official as a couple set out to make it. They may have wedding-like celebrations where the two will join under whatever vows they see fit and have a get together, or the two may just exchange tokens much like a bride and groom will exchange rings. It all just really depends. That being said, there is also no reason for polygamy to be illegal in Bartholomew, and a Bartholian may have several wives or husbands. I suppose it all goes back to their beliefs and feelings once again.
See How tribes/territories works for details.
Language
As being founded by English speakers, English in the primary language of Bartholomew. Some commonly heard languages such as Spanish and French have snuck in, but these are normally spoken amongst specific tribes in certain areas only. The same could be said for accents. Bartholians tend to remain without any distinguishable accent, but some can be picked up by tribes depending on their origins. As with the language spoken, accents usually depend on the tribe and what area it's in.
Economy
As mentioned earlier, when Bartholomew started, it had its own currency much like an other country would. In fact, while little use it anymore, there is still Bartholian currency in use. As most people in Bartholomew do not have said currency or a real job though, it's nigh impossible to find. Anymore, Bartholians rely solely on the barter system, and are often even paid with objects of interest rather than said currency. About the only individuals who own and use said currency are elected officials, Prodigies, and the like. How much this currency is worth is unknown to most Bartholians because of this. It is said that it is very similar to currency once found in the United States of America. Not that any Bartholians would probably know what America is anymore...
One ponk, an example of Bartholian currency.
Education
As with the economy, Bartholomew once had formal education where people actually went to schools and such. At some point, though, as the country began deteriorating, people just began teaching their offspring themselves, and it soon became common practice. Because of this, schools no longer exist in Bartholomew and the buildings now only stand for tribes to shack up in. This is probably why Bartholomew stands today broken and stupid.
It is up to the brain in the tribe to teach the younger members born into it nowadays. Sometimes the mother of said child will participate in the education, but it is usually in her best interest not to intervene. The only other form of education is if another tribe will agree to let their brain teach the child, but this is rare as most tribes are too territorial to do such. If your tribe is not smart enough, then the child will not be either. This is just a sad truth of Bartholomew.
Technology
Technology in Bartholomew is, quite frankly, a magnificent clusterfuck. This is because the country seems to be culturally divided between those who run it and those who inhabit it. Those who run it are given access to vehicles, for example, while vehicles are not available to the public. The closest they get are public transportation such as buses, and those are always driven by Prodigies. Unless one is fortunate enough to get his hands on a bike, roller skates, or something to that extent, most Bartholians just walk.
As for technology like radios, televisions, and telephones, these are usually dumbed down to their 50's - 80's versions. For example, while we have iPods with earbuds, Bartholians are still using Walkmans with gigantic headphones. Their telephones still have rotating dials and will never leave the wall connection. In fact, most Bartholians don't have access to phones anyway. As is with most stuff, not only is is dumbed down, but usually unavailable. It all just depends. If in doubt of what technology your Bartholian might have access to, please ask flammingcorn.
Agriculture
What Bartholomew cannot produce within its walls, they don’t have. This goes for any plants, animals, etc. That being said, Bartholomew handles its agriculture the way it handles anything. It industrializes it. Animals such as cows and chickens are bred in a factory where they live long enough to become food. This may be considered extremely cruel by us, but to a Bartholian things are seen quite different. Their humans are barely treated humanely, why would their animals be treated any better? Plants are a little better off, as they need sunlight to grow and such. Even they, however, are packed into fields and given just enough to sustain them. It must also be noted that these fields and factories are government sites, and to steal from them is a serious offense.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
Medicine
Medical practices in Bartholomew are a lot like Bartholomew's currency. Formal medical training, does, in fact, still exist in Bartholomew. Of course, also like Bartholomew's currency, it is only readily available to those who run the country. They are only ever readily available to the average Bartholian in only two stages in said Bartholian's life though. The birth and the death. Otherwise, seeing a doctor for any other ailments is usually up to the medic of the tribe, who will either be a hit or a miss.
There is also a time of the year when a Bartholian must get a vaccination to prevent a highly deadly Bartholian disease. These can be administered by public officials or the tribe's medic. It all depends on if the medic has access to the vaccine or not. Because it is so important, like birth, it will be readily available for all Bartholians. This vaccine is often dreaded by Bartholians, though, because not only is it very painful, it must be injected into the individual's buttock, causing much humiliation.
Birth
To keep up with the Number system, when a female Bartholian is pregnant, a doctor is readily available for her throughout the pregnancy. Of course, it is mostly during the actual delivery. If a Bartholian mother should so decide to rely on her tribe's medic to see her through her pregnancy, however, it is still required that she turn the child in.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
Death
Bartholoians do not bury their dead anymore. Graveyards can still be found around from Bartholomew from its beginnings, but these are considered ancient and would probably seem sacred if Bartholians had any sense of respect for the dead. In The Wasteland timeline graveyards are more or less seen as open territory, though they still retain their spooky feel and normally discourage the majority.
Bartholians, considering their limited amount of space behind the wall and their ever growing population, traditionally burn their dead nowadays. It's almost a requirement anymore. That being said, it is a law that all dead be turned into the government to be handled.
See Laws and Punishments for details.
