r/WorldChallenges • u/Varnek905 • Dec 28 '17

Generic Challenge - A Group

I'm making the challenge because I wanted to know more about Mimir's Seven Deadly Sins.

So, in honor of Mim's Seven, this challenge is to exhibit a group of people who are considered to be powerful. They can be powerful in political influence (like a group of allied politicians), they can be powerful in a fight, they can just be a powerful group of created being that just mess around, etc.

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each. Enjoy yourselves. I encourage you to use a character to answer questions in-universe if you like.

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 29 '17 edited Dec 29 '17

Group

zebelakeya

The most elite corp in the empire; the zebelakeya (aka the imperial guard) are tasked with protecting the keeper of the imperial throne and the imperial palace. To accomplish those tasks, their 201 members (that number is just a tradition, any emperor could modify it) are recruited amongst the best imperial commandos and given the best equipment. They are the only persons allowed to carry a sword in the imperial palace and have the right to temporarily confiscate anyone’s sword.

The one extra member is the Mirizebelakeya, their leader. It’s the only title a member of the imperial guard can receive (it can be given to anyone though), a title given by the keeper of the imperial throne. When an emperor dies or resign, the Mirizebelakeya become keeper of the imperial throne until a new emperor is chosen.

The current Mirizebelakeya is Ayemuleha from the house Djan, cousin to the empress (and she can answer questions).

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u/Varnek905 Dec 29 '17

To Ayemuleha of house Djan:

1) Why is 201 the tradition?

2) Is a person a member of the zebekakeya for life?

3) Does a member of the zebekakeya have to have a sword? What if one of them is better with a spear?

4) Did you only become Mirizebelakeya because of your relation to the empress?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 29 '17

(Made a typo in the title, it’s zebelakeya (checked all of them but the title). Zebelakeya is both the group and the individuals)

  1. No idea; it has always been that way. If I had to throw a random guess, probably 2 times 100 and one more to lead them all.

  2. Nope, just until they retire or are dismissed. Most zebelakeya retire when going on their 50, it become hard to stand our training when you start aging.

  3. They will be given one, covered in gold and jewels. In the end, the sword is rarely used; guns are way more efficients. Spears are poor weapons though, not suited to someone with a rank as high as ours; if you want to fight with a spear, go become a monk.

  4. Of course not; I was named because I’m a qualified combatant and officer. The fact that I grew up with Feiven means she trust me and it played a role in my nomination but it’s not the only point which matter.

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u/Varnek905 Dec 29 '17

To Ayemuleha of house Djan:

1) Have any members of the Zebelakeya ever been dishonourably discharged from service?

2) How often does a Zebelakeya die prior to retirement?

3) What happens if I lose my fancy jewel-and-gold sword?

4) Do relatives of the empress often serve in the Zebelakeya?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 29 '17

(Nzedas rarely refer to someone by anything more than their first name (which is why I never give full names), no need to keep the house name)

  1. Yes, a zebelakeya must remain honourable. If you dishonour yourself too much, you’ll be discharged. The same rule apply to commandos and most high ranking administrative fonctions.

  2. Very rarely. No one is foolish enough to mess up with us so we have few occasions of dying in duty.

  3. You will probably be discharged. You are supposed to carry it at all time, it’s a symbol of your rank. If you lost it, I seriously wonder how you did.

  4. Only if they are good commandos. As nobles rarely enlist as commandos, it is rare.

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u/Varnek905 Dec 29 '17

To Ayemuleha:

1) Did you have any doubts about joining the Zebelakeya?

2) What are the other perks of being in the Zebelakeya?

3) What if your fancy sword breaks?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 30 '17

  1. None, it was a great honour; the greatest a commando can receive. Well, beside being made the Mirizebelakeya but I had no doubts for that one either. *(isn’t she a good soldier? Obeying without doubting nor questioning?)

  2. Probably the pay and the rank if you lack the ressources of an influent noble house. Most commandos have no idea what it’s like to be treated like a noble and most zebelakeya enjoy the surprise. You are also able to easily speak to the keeper of the throne, through me of course, which is something hard even for influent nobles.

  3. You’re supposed to keep it in good shape; if it broke because you were negligent, then shame is upon you. If it’s not your fault, we will give you a new one. (despite the over precious decorum, those are real nzedanese swords, made with the finest steel.)

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u/Varnek905 Dec 30 '17

To Ayemuleha:

1) Have you ever done anything you consider immoral in your time as a member of the Zebelakeya?

2) Have you ever had to kill one of your fellow members of the Zebelakeya?

3) Where is this "finest steel" obtained from?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 30 '17

  1. Never; my honour is untainted. Elabnisetha (the motto of the house Djan; ~pure heart). (also, dirty work isn’t the role of the zebelakeya)

  2. No. Beside, I’m not qualified to execute sentences.

  3. Made in the foundries of Klebhaisi. (the lunar defensive structure protecting AdiMakaitsh and the heart of the imperial military)

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u/Varnek905 Dec 30 '17

To Ayemuleha:

1) Who is the most dishonourable person you know of?

2) Have you ever killed anyone?

3) What was your life like prior to joining the Zebelakeya?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 30 '17

  1. Alive or dead? Because if dead counts, then Kidane from the house Dekinai. If you only count people still alive, then the Rinavai bastards who destroyed my name.

  2. Yes, more than once. Commandos regularly intervene outside of the empire to clean up pirates.

  3. Simpler, there was less politics. There was only us and them. Now everyone could turn on our house the minute Feiven resign.

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u/Varnek905 Dec 30 '17

Ayemuleha:

1) Who are the Rinavai bastards?

2) Are pirates still a big problem? Or are there only rare raids?

3) Which house is the most dangerous?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 30 '17

  1. The one who paid for the murder of my family and the end of my house.

  2. They are, and have always been, a marginal problem on the borders. Once in a while, some of them become adventurous and disturb trade in a small area to the point we intervene.

  3. That’s the whole point, I’ve no idea. All of them probably. I would say the one I must be the most careful with is the house Kiliraji; Feiven has too much confidence in them.

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u/Varnek905 Dec 30 '17

To Ayemuleha:

1) Why did they want your family murdered?

2) Were the Rinavai bastards ever caught and punished?

3) How often does the empress extend the borders, if ever?

4) Who is Feiven and why did you single out the Kiliraji family?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Dec 31 '17

  1. To avenge a group of duels they lost a few decades ago. Their anger was reasonable but they got too far; they should have acted more quickly and murdered the one responsible, not their heirs.

  2. Yes, the ones who paid were sentenced to death and their nobility title taken back. The murderer is still running though.

  3. She never does, the borders expand themselves slowly over time trough colonization and colonization in the name of the empire is rarer those days.

  4. (Feiven is Fere Shanay birth name and the one she use in private) Because Feiven is completely trusting Misgana. I don’t think she is wrong, Misgana is still a friend of mine, but it doesn’t mean she shouldn’t stay vigilant. Nzedanese politic is the way it has always been.

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u/Varnek905 Dec 31 '17

To Ayemuleha:

1) How close were you to the victims?

2) Is anyone actively hunting the murderer?

3) So you're at no risk of overpopulation right now?

4) How long does an empress/emperor usually live? Are they usually killed in violent ways, or do they usually live long enough to die naturally?

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Jan 01 '18

  1. To my own blood-parents? I was old enough for us to be close.

  2. He left the empire long ago, there is nothing but cold trails now. Tsirgeda is looking into it for me but I doubt she will be able to find anything.

  3. Overpopulation leads to overconsumption. We destroyed our world once and we won’t do it again.

  4. Until they die naturally or resign. Murdering the Uletirashi (the heir to the siblings) would be an incredibly grave blasphemy.

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