The royal family upholds a strict social standard. Members of the royal family are expected to be above reproach and further the claim of divinity. Children are not included in formal events until their tenth birthday. When greeting a royal family member, the commoner or lower ranking member will bow at the waist; the royal member will turn their head. It is taboo to rise before the royal family member has risen their head. Looking directly into the eyes of anyone from the royal family is frowned upon and considered an insult. Those who work alongside the royal family will be given the same respect as whoever they serve, except when greeting their master/mistress.
The royal family abstains from sailing in general, and with the death of the first crown prince a few years ago, the King has outright forbidden it for the royal family. Legends say that the Goddess of Storm and Serpents can sense God's bloodline and seek out to destroy it, putting them at risk while out to sea.
Historical kimono-type clothing worn by women, with men wearing items similar to large pants and loose shirts crafted from breathable linen, identical to ancient Arab menswear. Formal dress is often heavily decorated with both artistic design and further accented with jewels. In non-formal settings, the attire remains the same style but with minor flare to the pattern and design. Royal women and some in the nobility will take great pride in their hair and allow it to grow long. Women will have their hair put into elaborate updos with decorated hairpieces during parties and events; this process often takes an hour or more to construct. Men's hair decorations are far more relaxed and subject to the preference of the individual. In addition to decorated hair, unmarried women of the royal family will be asked to wear a veil, a thin fabric that covers their faces. Although for parties, it is often worked into the hair decoration, when outside or traveling into public, it is usually a heavier veil worn as a single piece, much like a hat. It is aid that the modesty of an unmarried woman is essential. Makeup is not permitted for royal women.
The most notable item of clothing is the royal family's coat; the coat resembles a hoari. The coat is worn as outwear, but as per tradition within the True Navi, it has significant importance to the family it represents. The Royal Family's coat pattern is a giant wave crashing, the sky and clouds visible, the sleeve hems display ships and various birds.
The royal family is the least likely to marry for love compared to the True Navi, who maintain a common courting practice. That is amended by the addition of a second spouse that holds no political power. Males within the royal family are permitted to have two partners, always a woman regardless of preference. Females are not allowed to have second partners unless it is the same gender, in which case the person is added to the female's company of maids and their relationship discreet. Females born to the Queen of Sea and thus considered divine can expect to be courted by high-ranking ambitious men. Females born to the Queen of the People are considered less divine and have more options to courter non-ambitious men. Male family members are likewise encouraged to further the power of the royal family, the exception being the Crown Princes. The latter must find a partner that The Order of Sentinels also accepts. Beyond the limitations of who they can marry, courting practices are similar to that of the typical True Navi person.
Once a female is married, she may remove her veil; is it taboo even for her courter to see her bare face before the vows. Marriage Vows are unique to each couple but require a blessing from the Sentinel in the form of their presence to officiate the union. The couple will then kiss and be escorted to a private room where they will take turns tattooing each other with the marriage pact. The King, who typically has two partners, often gets a miniature version of the marriage pact with his Queen of the Sea and a more significant pact with his preferred partner.
Marriage Pact - a unique sigil made from the letters in a couple's first name. The sigil is then tattooed to the left side of each partner's neck. This marriage pact can provide a connection to the couple that allows them to sense each other's emotions: fear, anger, sadness, happiness, love, passion, and pain. The size of the tattoo can influence the strength of emotions felt. The removal of the tattoo is a terrible process and often results in scar tissue making the area unusable for another tattoo. Couples who have been divorced by remarrying will have the markings on the right. However, there have been occasions where the first marriage pact was not entirely removed, and ex-spouses can feel faint emotions.
Princes' Crown - When named Crown Prince, he will be subject to the tattooing process, overseen by his father. The ink, once healed, will be near invisible and only activated when near the royal throne. The pattern is unique to each crown prince and added on to when he becomes King. The design is focused on the forehead and near the hairline. Power/Enhancement TBA
King's Crown - Like the Crown Prince, this pattern builds on the previous mark and retains the same ability. The primary function of this tattoo is to boost the power of other tattoos. *
Typical of the True Navi views on bending, it is more common that royal children will be taught through private tutors to use their bend to be more effective if they choose. Due to the royal family's safe life, they do not need to know how to use their bending to the same extent as the common folk, and it is considered extracurricular activities.
The Royal family claims divinity and thus is deeply spiritual, with private shrines within the royal family estate. The spiritual belief of each member is personal, but the family does attend holidays and other rituals as a family to show a unified front.
Males often have Arabic-sounding names, where females often have Japanese-sounding names.
Titles and their honorifics, highest to lowest rank
[*] Terms of note: 'my lady/my lord/your grace' is reserved for the nobility of True Navi and not used with the royal family.
King of Sea and People Title held by the ruler. He is absolute in power and divinity in the eyes of his people. He meets with counsel men chosen by popular vote to discuss issues within Navi.
His Royal Majesty Queen of Sea - Title held by the King's first wife, she is typically a wife chosen per arrangement to unite the royal family to a different wealthy family or another political union. She has limited power but has the King’s ear and can influence him. Her children are the first to inherit.
Her Royal Majesty Queen of People/ Prince Consort of People - Title held by the second partner of the King, they are the preferred partner of the King and chosen typically out of love. This person can be of either gender and can come from ordinary life. They hold no extraordinary power over the lives of Navi and have the title out of respect and signify their importance to the King.
Her Highness Crowned Prince - As male children are the only ones allowed to inherit the throne, the first child born of the Queen of Sea is named de facto crown prince but is formally crowned on their 10th birthday. Their ceremony is a grand formal affair with the child being sailed out to sea to claim their divinity before the ocean waves.
His Royal Highness Prince/Princess - Any male children born after the crown prince and female children hold this title. Children born from the Queen of People are given the same title, but ‘royal’ is not permitted. The only royal children are from the Queen of Sea. His Royal Highness, Her Royal Highness, His Highness, Her Highness
Each member of the royal family starts from birth with a servant. This person is known as their Shuryo Sabo/a, meaning the first servent. This person is in charge of all their daily needs from 0-10 years of age. They are both caretakers, teachers, and companions to their young charge. This person is usually in their early twenties and has learned how to tend to royalty needs through training in another family member's court. They maintain this title and standing even as their royal court grows and the job is held until their retirement or death.
Shuryo Sabo/a - meaning 'Chief Servant' the Sabo, for males, Saba for females. They are the primary sabo/a to a specific member of the royal family. Sabo/as may change through their service, but the Shuryo Sabo/a will never change unless they commit treason or other heinous acts. Since there is often an age difference between them and their royal, they choose a successor around their 40th' birthday. That person will be trained to take over the royal when the time came. They are always the same gender as the royal they serve. They are highly regarded among the servent class, and upon their retirement, they are paid handsomely, and some are even invited back to be honored guests of the royals they served. In death, they are continuously honored by their names and image added to the royal shrine.
Sabo/a - meaning servant, they are often guided by the Shuryo and maintain the royal's livelihood. Sabo/a are a specific class of people, often second-born children from ordinary folk, and must pass a trial period before being enlisted to that royal's court. Most of their day is spent in the care of the royal; they are expected to be knowledgeable and a good companion for the royal they serve. Paid well, Sabo/a often enjoy a relaxed life after their daily chores are finished. However, they do work in shifts, planed by the Shuryo so they can have their own lives and families. Sabo/a are also required to be the same gender as their royal.
Court - A term used to describe the number of servants under the command of one royal member. Depending on the royal, their jobs may range in difficulty. The King currently maintains a court of 15, with varying degrees of responsibility. Both Queens are permitted to have ten sabo/a at a time. The Crown Prince approved ten as well. The other royal children are allowed up to 5 sabo/a at a time. Courts often wear matching colors that correlate to the favorite color of the royal they serve.
Greetings & Ranking - All sabo/a greet each other using 'Sir/Madam ' with Shuryo being greeted as 'Sir Shuryo/Madam Shuryo _' Last names are used when speaking formally. When members of different courts cross, the rank is determined by the royal status they serve. The lower class will step out of the way of the higher course and bow in the process.
King Numair Kaung, King of Sea and People - 58-year-old, a man of wisdom and age. Blue eyes and grey-black hair. His wolf form is equally grey and slender due to age. His shifter form is shiny due to the heavy diet of fish and the like. He is known to be a strict parent, a traditional man, and dedicated to his family's success. Numair, in his age, has progressed to pushing for his son to be ready to take the throne. He spends a lot of time preparing for the day, speaking with his counsel, and visiting old advisors. Numair, deeply troubled by the loss of his firstborn son, spends little time with his children if not related to their education or behavior. Numair is an absent father to most of his children.
Queen Katsue Kaung, Queen of Sea - 55-year-old, a woman of regal grace with silver hair. Her eyes are blue but dark near black when looked at closely. Her wolf form was once black, but like her husband, it mimicks a greying wolf. Her form is well kept despite her age, and she walks with elegance in both forms. Katsue was once a loving and devoted wife in her early years of marriage to Numair, but when he added his Queen of People to the Royal Estate, Katsue turned cold and distant. She had hoped he would not love another woman. Years have gone by, and Katsue retains her calm, cool, and collected personality. Her expression has been limited to a raise brow or noise of annoyance. Katsue is not for polite conversations and spends most of her days enjoying music and art in her private chambers.
Queen Raita Kaung, Queen of People - 45 years old, has essential features with brown hair and pretty hazel eyes. She grew up in a small fishing village and met the King on one of his many travels around the country. Queen Raita's wolf form is youthful and more agile than her husband and retains her subtle beauty. Raita is sweet and docile compared to her husband and fellow Queen Katsue. She grew up in a large family and welcomed the lifestyle of being Queen of People with ease. She was the daughter of a farmer and captured the King's eye one visit to the district. There isn't much to say for Raita's upbringing aside from being familiar and filled with hard work, but to the King, she was charming and beautiful. It can be said Raita has a personality and exudes acceptance and joy, a striking contrast to Queen Katsue. As a parent, Raita is present in her children's lives and those of her fellow queen. Raita wants nothing more than to see her children and Sea Children be happy and prosperous.
Princess Sabira, daughter of Sea - 32 years old. A woman with blue eyes and basic features. She is married to a foreigner after pleading with her father to allow the match. She does not currently live in the castle. Sabira, is both adventurous and kind but perhaps the least motherly of all her siblings compared. Sabira, being the firstborn, was a bit spoiled in the beginning despite her gender and never had wanted in her life. This led to a headstrong personality and an attitude of not taking 'no' for an answer. So when Sabira found herself entranced by a traveling foreigner, she pleaded not out of wanting permission but so that her father didn't send the royal guard after them. He agreed to avoid the scandal and permitted his firstborn to leave the family estate to live a life traveling back and forth between the two countries. Sabira and her husband spent part of their time in Navi Nation and the other part in his home country. They are expecting their 2nd child, the first being a young boy by the name of Kabeer.
Prince Zeshin. Son of Sea - RIP (would be 30) - the firstborn son after Sabria, Zeshin died during a sailing accident when a sea serpent capsized his boat. His body was never recovered; he died around the age of 23. Zeshin was perhaps the perfect example of princely. He walked the walk and talked to be well respected within the Navi Nation and uphold the family traditions with conviction. Zeshin was both respected and loved by his family and the people of Navi. Nearly all of Navi attended his funeral service, the loss of their great Crown Prince almost too much to handle. Zeshin left behind an arranged marriage and a legacy of divinity.
Prince Ismad, Prince of People - 28 years old. A young man with mix-matched eyes, one blue the other brown. He keeps his hair long and prefers to busy himself with writing stories and poetry. His wolf is dark brown and healthy. Ismad is content to be in the shadows and does not view his half-siblings as better than him. Just different. He appreciates the lifestyle that has let him read and write and be a creative person. He longs for nothing more than to be credited as a creative artist one day. Despite her dislike of the Queen of People, Katsue does have a relationship with Ismad and often invites him to view art with her routine. Ismad values these moments but does not consider Katsue an ally but a snake in the grass.
The Royal Family is enormous; there are many more children that are not noted. The youngest being eight years of age.
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