The Black Monarchy

The Birth in Romm

As the Caribbean sun dips low, the sky transforms into a vibrant canvas of yellow, orange, red, and pink hues. The sultry summer evening is accompanied by a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of ancient oak trees.

At the highest point of the Kingdom of Romm rests Dakkarai Castle, crafted from resilient gneisses rocks, encircled by a volcanic wall and a grand drawbridge spanning a boundless canal. Travelers traverse the distance in sturdy oak canoes, a journey lasting two suns and a moon to reach the castle gate.

Amidst the birth cries, Queen Sharianna's labor echoes through the castle, welcoming the firstborn hair of Prince Ekoni of Olle. Midwives and handmaidens tend to the queen, soothing her with wet towels and small sips of water. Prayers fill the air for the safe arrival of Prince Ekoni II, a robust heir. During childbirth, the queen is secluded, attended only by her chosen birthing team, ensuring her well-being until the Ethnicity Luna Celebration.

To the South lies the Kingdom of Romm on the peninsula of the expansive Land of Olle Emperor, once known as the Land of Lands. This grand empire stretches across the vast Eastern Seas, harboring the largest ports in the three lands. The Land of Olle Emperor unites four kingdoms under a single rule.

To the North, The Kingdom of Marquee; to the East, The Kingdom of Zunne; and to the West, The Kingdom of Jabula. Each ruler, a direct descendant of The Noble Conquer Hamidia Olle, stands as a testament to a historic conqueror reclaiming his people's land from the Nons of Vastmill.

Hamidia Olle's legacy is defined by defeating the Nons of Vastmill, a group of castaways charged with treasonous acts. The Olle peninsula, once home to the ancestral Olle, was occupied by the Nons of Vastmill through deceitful trade, siege, and embezzlement. The Nons enslaved the Olle people, eroding their culture, forcing them to toil the land without reaping its rewards. Famine and sickness prevailed, leading to the demise of Olle's future during this dark period.

The Nons of Vastmill, an uncivilized group with no rules, ruled the Olle peninsula with brutality for almost two decades. They perpetrated heinous acts, raping women and beating men until the enslaved people, led by Hamidia Olle, initiated an uprising. Hamidia Olle, known as The Noble Conquer, liberated a massive army of loyal enslaved men, triumphing over the Nons and reclaiming the Olle homeland.

Hamidia Olle's victorious campaign continued north through the Land of Lands, leading to his decision to rule as emperor over the four kingdoms. The Land of Land transformed into The Land of Olle Emperor under his reign, a legacy carried forward by Emperor Hamidia V and Empress SadikiKanai.

Prince Ekoni, King Ekoni of Romm, and second-born son to Emperor Hamidia V and Empress SadikiKanai, celebrated the birth of his firstborn. The Great Hall buzzed with the presence of Regents, Knights, and Dukes, who joined the joyous occasion. They indulged in a state banquet, savoring fish, meat, pudding, dessert, and fruit, while singing ancestral songs.

The Ethnicity Luna Celebration marked the unveiling of the newborn's gender, a tradition shrouded in secrecy for thirty suns. King Ekoni, accompanied by family and dignitaries, rode to LeahMia Hy River, where The High Cleric awaited to bless and reveal the infant's gender.

The lighting of candles across the kingdom signaled the birth of a royal, an event celebrated for three suns. Dakkarai Castle's royal sleeping quarters were adorned with birthing trays, paintings, and fine fabrics. Queen Sharianna, holding her newborn for the first time, spoke blessings upon the child.

Queen Sharianna adhered to the Olle customs, abstaining from being alone with her newborn and refraining from disrobing the infant for thirty suns. The midwives safeguarded the baby's gender, a secret they vowed to protect. The Ethnicity Luna Celebration reinforced the importance of building a bond devoid of gender bias from birth.

The celebration extended to quotidians, once enslaved people, now recognized as a diverse group with mixed ancestry. Civil wars among quotidians were common due to their varied backgrounds. Quotidian families, living in communities, maintained inherited traditions, creating a rich tapestry of diverse cultures within the kingdom.

As news of the royal birth reached Earl Main Regent, preparations began for The Greeting Ceremony. Queen Sharianna, Emperor Hamidia V, and Empress SadikiKanai anticipated the arrival of the King for a joyous celebration in the ballroom at sunset. The kingdom brimmed with anticipation, embracing the traditions and customs that defined the Olle Emperor's legacy.

"Pulloon Mu, Pulloon Mu," the Earl Main Regent's voice echoed in the old language, seeking pardon. The men halted, their attention directed to him. "An heir has been birthed; blessings to the Queen and newborn!" he proclaimed.

"Blessings to the Queen and newborn," echoed the crowd, erupting in thunderous cheers. Earl Main Regent, Viscount Regent, and the King's guard guided King Ekoni I to his temporary royal sleeping quarters. Coherent yet inebriated, he walked with a slight stumble, intermittently stopping to regain his balance. Chanting, "Vos uneene mes, Vos uneene mes," meaning "My heir is here," he traversed the halls of Dakkarai Castle.

The royal sleeping quarters fell silent, echoing the tranquility that enveloped the castle and the kingdom. With the heir's arrival, it was time for prayer. Those invited to pray for the newborn adorned themselves in red garments daily, engaging in daily prayers leading up to the Ethnicity Luna Celebration, alongside the King, Queen, and Royal Delegates.

Wrapped in red cloths and fabrics, the newborn and Queen awaited the blessing of the Royal Artist. This marked the moment for the creation of the first portrait, capturing the essence of the Queen and heir. It served as a symbolic blessing to the royal family, a visual representation of their joy and gratitude. The kingdom embraced the solemnity of the occasion, acknowledging the significance of the heir's presence in the Land of Olle Emperor.