Lumen Romani

The Lumen Romani

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Statistics & Foundation

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Contact: Gen
Status: REQUEST

Interested in adding / picking up a member of the family? PM Gen for more information!

  • Onboard Status: Inactive, small
  • 'Souls: Sapient, The Troupe
  • First Member:
  • Languages: English, Italian, Latin
  • Population: ~200

Introduction

After the demise of humanity, ancient Roman life was seemingly resurrected in the city of Rome. The Lumen Romani formed in the heart of Rome, as a group of Italian and Common Grey wolves. At the center was Maximilian of Brundisium (formerly of Brindisi). His model of rule began in the Italian town of Brindisi, the location of the once very popular city of Brundisium. He brought his imperial rule to Rome after conquering the heart of the city. Self appointed Emperor of Rome, he quickly reined in a large portion of the city. After a few skirmished, most small gangs and small packs fell under his control. The original thirty or so wolves earned positions in his new Patrician class, earning well maintain homes and free slaves from his conquests. Packs that did not submit and join the Plebeian were conquered and enslaved. Many groups remained on the outskirts of the city and many of the newly joined members of the Lumen Romani empire learned a mottled mix of Italian and Latin.
Maximilian is an elderly, aging Emperor. There are eyes on his throne, mostly Along with his mate, Livia, his royal house includes his four sons - Romano, Antonius, Fabius, and Domitian, and multiple daughters. The Lumen Romani have revived the ancient Roman style of naming, though many still cling to more Christian names. They have also brought back the Roman Pantheon, though many of the minor gods have vanished from worship. A modified version of Christianity is practiced in some non-Patrician households.

Culture

Slavery

Household slaves are expected to be fed and clothed and taught proper manners. In return, they are expected to obey the masters. If a slave murders a Patrician master, all kin of that slave will be thrown into the Colosseum without a chance for the rudis (a symbolic wooden sword that gives the receiver the status of a freedman).
Sexual relations with slaves is frowned upon, more so for women than men. Several prominent Lumen Romani households have several bastard children in the home, though they are often kept slaves or are freed and employed as servants. Women may have intercourse with slaves, though bastard children created by these couplings tend to be given to other families or killed if the male head of the family wishes. Sex between slaves is not monitored, and any children become slaves as well if the head allows it. Some masters may whore out their slaves for fees. It is expected of such owners to provide for pregnant female slaves in such a case.
Patrician families are expected to have at least one slave, thought most have many. Slaves are not as common as they seem, as few can afford the upkeep on them. Those wealthy in trade or of the higher classes tend to be able to afford many. However, most Plebians will not have a slave. Some will sell children into slavery to provide for themselves, often to the brothels or to the military.

Home-life and Marriages

Women are expected to run the home and men to provide, which includes hunting and protection. Wine has reentered Roman life in the luperci, and is served with most of the dishes. Sea-food is common as Rome is still a port town with a fleet of fishing boats. Meat can be dried and stored for the winter, as the Lumen keeps a communal herd of cow outside the city. There are also familial gardens for the little produce the luperci consume as well as herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Photo by Wolfgang Sauber

A family household will usually include the head of the family, his mate, his children, and his male offspring's mates. Women are expected to join their husband's family, and male children may claim their own homes and slaves when expecting their first offspring. Women do have rights to own their own businesses, though most are encouraged to have a male relative's support.
Marriages / Matehoods are arranged by the head of the families, though personal choice is more often allowed than in the original Roman society. Fathers are more likely to approve a choice, though hold the right to refuse a blessing. If two marry without the family heads' blessing, they may be removed from the higher caste, often into the Equestrian caste. Leaving Rome means permanent removal from a family, unless the departure is for business or vacation. Intermarriage with non Lumen Romani is strongly forbidden and is punishable by banishment or enslavement. This, however, is highly uncommon.
A marriage ceremony depends on the religion of the family being married into. For Roman Pantheon worshipers, a priest of the temple of Hera will marry the couple. This may or may not include a sacrifice of a farm animal, usually a bull or sheep. However, if the animals are too pricy to give up, this may be symbolic. The woman will wear red, and the ceremony is often in a public place, such as outside a temple or in a large square. Wealthy families may even provide a wedding feast. For the first night, and consummation, Patricians will often have the head of the family watch to make sure it is done. Heads of families, of course, will always have privacy, and most often their male heirs will also have privacy.
For plebian and poorer families, marriages in the Pantheon are often conducted by a priest in a simple quiet threshold ceremony - the bride is carried into her new home and a modest meal might be provided by the rest of the family. Consummation is rarely supervised as it might be in higher ranking families. Only in cases of suspected homosexuality and pre-marital promiscuity is consummation ever witnessed in plebian households.

Sexuality

Virility of men and fecundity of women is strongly emphasised and bragged about. Men with many offspring, bastard or not, are toted and their lines are often biased towards. Barren men and women are often the subject of gossip and private ridicule. Some families - mostly higher ranking ones - will often either find ways to be rid of such family members (ie. by sending them away from social life) or sneak children into their families (ie. via adoption or encouraging extramarital affairs).
Brothels are commonplace in Rome, mostly along where tourists and travelers might pass through more frequently. They are usually along the main roads or near the docks. Those near the docks are often seedier and of more questionable quality while those along the main roads or near them tend to be higher quality and more discreet. Brothels are a common haunting ground for lesser sons of high families and more than a few women have ventured into them as patrons. Truly disgraced daughters might end up in a brothel if they bring great shame to their bloodlines.
Non-heterosexual inclination is often ignored and gossiped about, but it is not a topic that is often discussed. The model presented to the Lumen Romani is of a "typical" grouping involving a male and female parent and their genetic offspring. That's not to say that there are definite cases of marriages of convenience, but there are absolutely no public displays of homosexuality in Lumen Romani dominion. What one does behind closed doors is a subject of the rumor mill, but is deemed unproven until something is publicly declared.

Religion

The Roman Pantheon is commonly worshiped by the Lumen Romani. Most of the major gods and goddesses have retained their elements, as well as taking some of the lesser gods' aspects. For example, Hera is goddess of the hearth, women, marriage, children, as well as the house, home, food, and other smaller things. Aspects of major gods is on a worshiper to worshiper basis. Small shrines tend to appear in families, often to familial patrons such as Zeus or Hera or Mars. Brothels in the dirtier districts tend to have shrines to Venus.
Christianity is practiced as well. The dominant form is Catholicism, simple due to the fact the Vatican is in Rome and most of Italy remained Catholic. Many monasteries and nunneries remain in the city and outside of it, though few Patricians go to them, simply because it is discouraged for the Roman elite. Poorer or threatened Plebs may join the Church as an escape, though life may not be much better to do the strictness of some of these groups.

Military

The Emperor runs the military, though most of the higher ups come from prominent families. Usually in small groups they guard the borders of Rome and public caravans. They are also charged with guarding the Imperial family. During times of war with other packs, the military's numbers may swell to aid in the defense of Rome. However, after any conflict, the numbers fall. If soldiers find themselves without employment, most either leave or hire themselves out as private security for wealthy Patricians and Equestrians. There is no gender discrimination in guards, though it is uncommon to see patrician daughters in the guards.

A few notes

Some aspects are not included in this wiki, such as the naming system and the patron system. The naming system used here is a bastardization of the Roman naming conventions and modern naming conventions. Women take the feminine versions of their families, including the family they marry into. If it weren't so complicated, I would go into more detail. If really interested, feel free to check out the Roman naming conventions. Some families will use typical naming conventions.
There is also no Senate as the Emperor is the Alpha of this empire and his decisions are final. He may request guidance from more prominent family heads, but his word is the last. This empire also does not conquer others, tending to stick to Rome and some local provinces.
There is a branch of this Empire in Brundisium, run by Maximilian's brother-in-law. The government system in Brundisium is identical to Rome, and the two entities have emperors. However, the emperor in Rome ranks above the emperor in Brundisium, which is also a popular escape for Romans during the hotter summer months. The main attraction there is the seaside.

PATRICIAN FAMILIES

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Imperial Family

Status CLOSED

Family Tree

etc

  • Lydia Silevue x Visionary Solitaire
    • Harbinger Heiwa
    • Velveteen Silevue

Flavian

Status CLOSED

Family Tree

etc

  • Lydia Silevue x Visionary Solitaire
    • Harbinger Heiwa
    • Velveteen Silevue

Julian

Status CLOSED

Family Tree

etc

  • Lydia Silevue x Visionary Solitaire
    • Harbinger Heiwa
    • Velveteen Silevue

Scipio

Status CLOSED

Family Tree

etc

  • Lydia Silevue x Visionary Solitaire
    • Harbinger Heiwa
    • Velveteen Silevue

PREDOMINANT EQUESTRIAN FAMILIES

The two families listed here are the dominant ones that are known well in Rome. There are others though they have not reached the same level of renown or influence.

Marconi

Status CLOSED

Family Tree

etc

  • Lydia Silevue x Visionary Solitaire
    • Harbinger Heiwa
    • Velveteen Silevue

Pollio

Status CLOSED

Family Tree

etc

  • Lydia Silevue x Visionary Solitaire
    • Harbinger Heiwa
    • Velveteen Silevue
Categories: Gen | Hybrid | Lumen Romani