Duchy of Palas
| Capital | Armaniyye (“White City”) |
| Homeworld | Palas VIII |
| Official language(s) | Khanid, Amarr |
| Government
Duchess King |
Theocratic Monarchy |
| Legislature | Ducal Council |
| Formation | 21309.12.21 |
| Population | ~150.000 (estimated)
~2.500.000 slaves (estimated) |
| Currency | Interstellar Kredit (ISK) |
The Duchy of Palas is a holding in the Khanid Kingdom. It is located on Palas VIII in the Amdimmah Constellation. Its current Duchess is Odelya of House d’Hanguest, who is the 18th holder of the House d'Hanguest since 21309.
History
In 21309 Emperor Armani I invested Dorji d’Hanguest as holder of Palas VIII. Dorji d’Hanguest was a Khanid admiral serving in the 12th Exploration Corps. His house traces its roots to the original Reclaiming on Athra where the d’Hanguests were among the first converts. Subsequently the lineage produced a plethora of warriors and knights which fought at the front lines of the Reclaiming. After the conquest of the Minmatar Empire and surrounding solar systems, Dorji IV d’Hanguest (22399-22613) became a contender for the Duchy of Lustrevik, even though it is not entirely accesible upon what he and the other contenders based their claims upon. Before Damius III died in 22626 AD it seemed the claims of the d’Hanguest were gaining the upper hand, then again after Velenus IV became Emperor the situation was further obscured. After Khanid II split from the Empire the House of d’Hanguest was among his followers, and later occupied various positions in the Royal Khanid Navy. As an immediate result of the schism the House of d'Hanguest lost all tangible claims to Lustrevik. Notwithstanding the family continues to bear the according titles. [...]
The “White City”
The “White City” (official name: Armaniyye) is the capital of the Duchy of Palas. It was founded in 21309 and named in honour of Emperor Armani I. It is located on an small island, vernacularly called the “White Island”, in the northern hemisphere of Palas VIII and is 91.5-square-kilometres in size. The “White City” fills the entire island. Its old town with its characteristic houses paved with white freestone became eponymous with the whole city.
Its most prominent landmark is the shrine of Dorji d’Hanguest, the Dorjiyye. Its golden dome dominates the entire city, its the walls being decorated with coloured tiles. It serves as a mausoleum and also functions as central cathedral of the Duchy. The shrine complex covers an area of more than four square kilometres and contains numerous other shrines, among which the Nergüliyye and Altantsetsegiyye are considered to be the most beautiful. The entire complex is enclosed with white walls. The mausoleum of the late Duke Isin d’Hanguest (YC 8-113) is currently under construction and scheduled to be finished in YC 130.
The passing of the Dorji d’Hanguest and the sixteen following holders are celebrated as public days of mourning. Along with other religious and secular holidays, such as King’s Birthday, Foundation of the Kingdom, Duchess’ Birthday, Ascension of Amash-Akura and the semi-official carnival celebrated annually on the anniversary of death of Heideran VII, the Duchy has more than four dozens public holidays per year.
Located within the shrine complex are also the Ducal Seminary for the Propagation of Faith 'Armani I' and the building of the Ducal Chapter of the Clergy of Palas. [...]
Social Groups in the “White City”
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The majority of the Palasian slaves are Ealur. Their main occupation is found on the large industrial fishing vessels and factory ships that are constantly used in the vast and species rich ocean of Palas VII. While there are many private fishing companies that employ a variety of commoners, the ducal fishing fleet is entirely managed and run by Ealur slaves. Although the ducal slaves are considered property, and as such are not allowed to choose a profession, to marry without permission or to leave the planet surface, they enjoy some freedoms and comfort as a body and on a personal level. The ducal fishermen are headed by so called “fishermen’s patriarchs”, a position mostly held by the slave dynasties of the Jahels and the Ulas for centuries. The patriarchs are the spokespersons for the slaves, discipline the community with regards to internal affairs, propose breeding plans to the Ducal Council and organise religious and commercial activities. They are held responsible by transgressions of “their” slaves, which are usually punishable by drowning of the transgressor and mutilation of the patriarch.
The Ealur fishermen and artisans are organised in large slave guilds that are strictly regulated by religious protocols and overseen by clerical officials of the Ducal Council and the slave partriarchs. During religious holidays the guilds organise monumental processions that centre around the adoration of saints. There is a fierce competition to create the most beautiful effigies and banners around the days of the so called “Fishermen’s Procession” which takes place on the feast of Amash-Akura. Until around sixty years ago, when this practice was outlawed by ducal decree, the slaves acclaimed a “king” from their midst during the Palasian carnival, who “ruled” the Duchy for a day and a night before being brought to a tribunal and drowned in the ocean.
The slaves’ esprit de corps and their devotion to the saints has drawn the attention of foreign visitors. It is also noteworthy that no physical, medical or technological modes of control are applied to the ducal fishermen, while most of the Palasian household slaves have transcranial microcontrollers transplanted.