m (Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines)
 
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[[The League]] is urban. The influences come from the Italian city states, the Hanseatic league, and Prague, as well as classic fantasy cities. This is a nation ruled by powerful guilds, and while there are poor people the cities are well maintained and are very different to the shambolic chaos of a Port Blacksand or even a Lankhmar.  
[[The League]] is urban. The influences come from the Italian city states, the Hanseatic league, and Prague, as well as classic fantasy cities. This is a nation ruled by powerful guilds, and while there are poor people the cities are well maintained and are very different to the shambolic chaos of a Port Blacksand or even a Lankhmar.  


The League is rich. Fine fabrics showing the wealth and style of merchant-princes. Rich silks in the south and fur trim for the northern cities of Temeswar and Holberg. It is opulent not ostentatious, a purposeful show of wealth and power.
The League is rich. Fine fabrics showing the wealth and style of merchant-princes. Rich silks in the south and fur trim for the northern cities of Temeschwar and Holberg. It is opulent not ostentatious, a purposeful show of wealth and power.


''Also see [[League costumes]] and [[League icons and artistry]].''
''Also see [[League costumes]] and [[League culture and customs#Icons and Artistry|icons and artistry]].''


==Feel==
==Feel==
Line 18: Line 18:
===Colours===
===Colours===
The palette is rich and autumnal. Wine reds, golden yellows, supported by rich oranges and deep blues and blacks.
The palette is rich and autumnal. Wine reds, golden yellows, supported by rich oranges and deep blues and blacks.
 
{{CaptionedImage|file=MaesterNiccolo.jpg|width=250|align=right}}
===Clothing===
===Clothing===
In the south, short doublets of richly patterned silks are cut to flatter. Sleeves are either tight with the undershirt puffing from beneath or occasionally full, and the effect is somewhat top-heavy, with trousers cut to a slender leg. Slashing is the height of fashion, particularly amongst the military whose taste verges on the gaudy.
In the south, short doublets of richly patterned silks are cut to flatter. Sleeves are either tight with the undershirt puffing from beneath or occasionally full, and the effect is somewhat top-heavy, with trousers cut to a slender leg. Slashing is the height of fashion, particularly amongst the military whose taste verges on the gaudy.
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In the north the climate is colder, and clothing reflects that. More fur trim, more layers. Perhaps a long sleeveless gown of velvet over the fashionable doublet, which might be made of leather not silk.
In the north the climate is colder, and clothing reflects that. More fur trim, more layers. Perhaps a long sleeveless gown of velvet over the fashionable doublet, which might be made of leather not silk.


Ladies who do not favour doublet-and-trousers wear elaborate high-waisted gowns. The neckline may be lower than in other nations, cut almost to the waistband. An undergown, chemise or kirtle, often of a contrasting colour, is usually visible at the front. A fashionable lady of the northern cities will wear a long, full, gown, sleeved and high-waisted. To the south, the gown might be sleeveless, or with sleeves slashed like a doublet’s. Ribbons are often used as decoration.
Ladies who do not favour doublet-and-trousers wear elaborate high-waisted gowns. The neckline may be lower than in other nations, cut almost to the waistband. An undergown, chemise or kirtle, often of a contrasting colour, is usually visible at the front. A fashionable gown from the northern cities would be long and full, sleeved and high-waisted. To the south, the gown might be sleeveless, or with sleeves slashed like a doublet’s. Ribbons are often used as decoration.
{{CaptionedImage|file=MG0782.jpg|width=450|align=right}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=MG0782.jpg|width=450|align=right}}
===Armour===
===Armour===
Armour is usually worn to allow the brightly covered clothing beneath to show through. A full harness is rarely worn, and heavy armour is usually concentrated over the vital areas, particularly the chest and head.
Armour is usually worn to allow the brightly covered clothing beneath to show through. A full harness is rarely worn, and heavy armour is usually concentrated over the vital areas, particularly the chest and head.
Line 37: Line 38:


==Costume==
==Costume==
League costume is beautifully tailored with layers of complex cutting and decoration. The ladies’ gowns are high waisted with low necklines and complicated detailing such as puffed or slashed sleeves.
League costume is beautifully tailored with layers of complex cutting and decoration. Gowns are high waisted and may have low necklines, with complicated detailing such as puffed or slashed sleeves.


Gentlemen wear doublets with similarly complex decoration; sleeves are often laced on to the body of the doublet. The look is generally rather top heavy with slim fitting trousers or breeches and high legged boots.
Doublets are constructed with similarly complex decoration; sleeves are often laced on to the body of the doublet. The look is generally rather top heavy with slim fitting trousers or breeches and high legged boots.
<row-fluid>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=PledgeBall.jpg|title=The Pledge Ball 378YE|width=250}}</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=Prideful Sarvos.jpeg|width=250}}</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=TiagoBarossa.jpg|width=250}}</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=Quique.jpg|width=250}}</span3>
</row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueCouple.jpg|title=TV Series: The Borgias|width=250|align=right}}</span3><span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueWoman.jpg|align=left}}</span3><span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueMan1.jpg|title=TV Series: The Borgias|width=250|align=right}}</span3>
{{CaptionedImage|file=BrokenMirror.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Relaxed Cesare.jpg |width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Emilio di Sarvos.jpg |width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Uncle Pavi.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Masked Cambion.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>
</row-fluid>


==Bravos==
==Bravos==
A [[bravo]] is usually light armoured if at all. They usally wield a rapier, sometimes paired with a short parrying dagger like a main gauche. Many bravos are part of a [[free company]].
A [[bravo]] is usually light armoured if at all. They usually wield a rapier, sometimes paired with a short parrying dagger like a main gauche. Many bravos are part of a [[free company]].


<row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<span12>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueBravos.jpg|title=TV Series: The Borgias|width=425|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=HeavyBravo.jpg|title=Heavy armour with small shield, straight sword, mask, hat and excellent cape.|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueBravos2.jpg|title=TV Series: The Borgias|width=425|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CarabellaBarossa.jpg|title=Brigandine chest, spaulders on the shoulders, mask and hat.|width=300}}
</span12>
</row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Twilight bravo.jpg|title=Unarmoured, straight sword, duelling cape, and an excellent hat.|width=600}}
</span12>
</span12>
</row-fluid>
==Bishops==
Bishops are priests who involve themselves in the complex politics of the League. They are often wealthy, and dress to demonstrate their wealth and spiritual authority to others. Bold colours and rich fabrics are common, but the clothing is usually cut to leave an onlooker in no doubt that the person they are looking at is a priest of the Way. Exotic appearing hats and other headgear are extremely common.
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=TemeschwarBishop.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=BishopYnez.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oberon.jpg |width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Bishop Severin.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>
</row-fluid>


==Free companies==
==Free companies==
The riotously bright uniforms of the free companies mostly comprise two colours, with sleeves and trousers in the main colour, slashed to let the contrasting colour show through. A steel breastplate and helm provides the basic armour.
The riotously bright uniforms of the free companies mostly comprise two colours, with sleeves and trousers in the main colour, slashed to let the contrasting colour show through. A steel breastplate and helm provides the basic armour.
<row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<span12>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeaguePurple.jpg|width=298|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Grizzled Free Company.jpg|width=650}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueCrossbows.jpg|width=318|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ForwardFreeCompany.jpg|width=650}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeaguePikes.jpg|width=298|align=left}}
</span12>
</span12>
</row-fluid>
</row-fluid>
==Spiral and the Orcs==
{{CaptionedImage|file=It's called fashion.jpg|width=350|align=right|caption=There are many ways to hide the neck join}}
The Apulian Orcs who have joined the League have adoped the fashion of the League with an assured confidence, so all the regular League costume guidance is still relevant. To make a more distinctly Apulian costume, remember that many residents of the territory retain a fondness for bright colours, especially rich purples and wine reds adorned heavily with gold trims, with vibrant oranges often being used as an accessory. Silk is popular; the sumptuous fabric makes for a clear demonstration of the wealth of the wearer and harkens back to the traditional dress of the Broken Shore. The majority of Apulians have embraced the wealth of fabrics readily available in their new nation; wool, velvet, and brocade are all proving popular and serving as excellent compliments to the traditional silk of the Grendel. As always, the goal is that clothing should demonstrate the wealth of the wearer.
If you are playing a League Orc, then gloves are practical, the easiest way to avoid having to constantly repaint your hands. That approach makes [[Rings in the League|rings]] on your fingers less practical, so Apulian orcs are experimenting with different approaches. If you have fine gloves you might be able to wear a bigger ring over them, but you can also wear a ring on a ribbon around the neck or hanging off the belt. When wearing a [[The_League_hearth_magic#Masks|Mask]] most Apulians are adopting something made using soft cloth and loosely tied or else using something rigid which can be held in front of the face with a stick.
An important thing to think about is how to hide the joins where your mask and gloves meet your skin. Plenty of gold jewellery, the gaudier the better, is the ideal. Pieces like chokers or bracelets can be used to demonstrate wealth at the same time as keeping the joins hidden. An alternative accessory is an [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infinity_scarf infinity scarf], worn up or down, and that can be adorned with garish jewellery to again make an audacious demonstration of wealth. A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruff_(clothing) ruff] is [[Costume#Less_Appropriate_Costume|less appropriate]], as they are highly evocative of a later period than the ideal for League costume.


==Banners==
==Banners==
Line 81: Line 112:
==Churches==
==Churches==
The heavily decorated robes of The League priests are in sharp contrast to some of the ascetics of other nations. Lavish embroidery, metallic threads and elaborate headdresses are all used to communicate their importance.
The heavily decorated robes of The League priests are in sharp contrast to some of the ascetics of other nations. Lavish embroidery, metallic threads and elaborate headdresses are all used to communicate their importance.
<row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
<span12>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueChurches1.jpg|title=TV Series: The Borgias|width=430|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=TemeschwarBishop.jpg|align=left|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueChurches2.jpg|title=TV Series: The Borgias|width=410|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=BishopYnez.jpg|align=left|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oberon.jpg|align=left|width=300|title=Rich decorated fabric, and a particularly League hat with attached Cambion horns}}
</span12>
</span12>
</row-fluid>
</row-fluid>


==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]


[[Category:The League]]
{{The League Links}}
[[Category:Nations]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 15 April 2024

Overview

LeagueRooftop.jpg

The League is urban. The influences come from the Italian city states, the Hanseatic league, and Prague, as well as classic fantasy cities. This is a nation ruled by powerful guilds, and while there are poor people the cities are well maintained and are very different to the shambolic chaos of a Port Blacksand or even a Lankhmar.

The League is rich. Fine fabrics showing the wealth and style of merchant-princes. Rich silks in the south and fur trim for the northern cities of Temeschwar and Holberg. It is opulent not ostentatious, a purposeful show of wealth and power.

Also see League costumes and icons and artistry.

Feel

Flamboyant, rich, urbane, ambitious, loyal, resplendent, flourish.

Breakdown

Influences

High medieval and renaissance luxury.

Materials

Velvet, Cotton, Silk, Fur Trim, Brocade, Damask, Jacquard

Colours

The palette is rich and autumnal. Wine reds, golden yellows, supported by rich oranges and deep blues and blacks.

MaesterNiccolo.jpg

Clothing

In the south, short doublets of richly patterned silks are cut to flatter. Sleeves are either tight with the undershirt puffing from beneath or occasionally full, and the effect is somewhat top-heavy, with trousers cut to a slender leg. Slashing is the height of fashion, particularly amongst the military whose taste verges on the gaudy.

In the north the climate is colder, and clothing reflects that. More fur trim, more layers. Perhaps a long sleeveless gown of velvet over the fashionable doublet, which might be made of leather not silk.

Ladies who do not favour doublet-and-trousers wear elaborate high-waisted gowns. The neckline may be lower than in other nations, cut almost to the waistband. An undergown, chemise or kirtle, often of a contrasting colour, is usually visible at the front. A fashionable gown from the northern cities would be long and full, sleeved and high-waisted. To the south, the gown might be sleeveless, or with sleeves slashed like a doublet’s. Ribbons are often used as decoration.

MG0782.jpg

Armour

Armour is usually worn to allow the brightly covered clothing beneath to show through. A full harness is rarely worn, and heavy armour is usually concentrated over the vital areas, particularly the chest and head.

Those Free Companies that can afford it purchase matching armour. Those that must make use of what they can salvage combine it with matching costume to ensure that their group is identifiable as a single unit.

A starting Free Company may equip its members with a bright uniform in two contrasting colours and a quilted jack. Wealthier companies may have matching arming doublets, armour and helmets.

Weapons

Professional soldiers tend to prefer crossbows, long spears or halberds. Street fighters usually favour a light sword with a main gauche or stiletto for the off-hand. Shields are not common in either case.

Costume

League costume is beautifully tailored with layers of complex cutting and decoration. Gowns are high waisted and may have low necklines, with complicated detailing such as puffed or slashed sleeves.

Doublets are constructed with similarly complex decoration; sleeves are often laced on to the body of the doublet. The look is generally rather top heavy with slim fitting trousers or breeches and high legged boots.

The Pledge Ball 378YE
Prideful Sarvos.jpeg
TiagoBarossa.jpg
Quique.jpg
BrokenMirror.jpg
Relaxed Cesare.jpg
Emilio di Sarvos.jpg
Uncle Pavi.jpg
Masked Cambion.jpg

Bravos

A bravo is usually light armoured if at all. They usually wield a rapier, sometimes paired with a short parrying dagger like a main gauche. Many bravos are part of a free company.

Heavy armour with small shield, straight sword, mask, hat and excellent cape.
Brigandine chest, spaulders on the shoulders, mask and hat.
Unarmoured, straight sword, duelling cape, and an excellent hat.

Bishops

Bishops are priests who involve themselves in the complex politics of the League. They are often wealthy, and dress to demonstrate their wealth and spiritual authority to others. Bold colours and rich fabrics are common, but the clothing is usually cut to leave an onlooker in no doubt that the person they are looking at is a priest of the Way. Exotic appearing hats and other headgear are extremely common.

TemeschwarBishop.jpg
BishopYnez.jpg
Oberon.jpg
Bishop Severin.jpg

Free companies

The riotously bright uniforms of the free companies mostly comprise two colours, with sleeves and trousers in the main colour, slashed to let the contrasting colour show through. A steel breastplate and helm provides the basic armour.

Grizzled Free Company.jpg
ForwardFreeCompany.jpg

Spiral and the Orcs

It's called fashion.jpg
There are many ways to hide the neck join

The Apulian Orcs who have joined the League have adoped the fashion of the League with an assured confidence, so all the regular League costume guidance is still relevant. To make a more distinctly Apulian costume, remember that many residents of the territory retain a fondness for bright colours, especially rich purples and wine reds adorned heavily with gold trims, with vibrant oranges often being used as an accessory. Silk is popular; the sumptuous fabric makes for a clear demonstration of the wealth of the wearer and harkens back to the traditional dress of the Broken Shore. The majority of Apulians have embraced the wealth of fabrics readily available in their new nation; wool, velvet, and brocade are all proving popular and serving as excellent compliments to the traditional silk of the Grendel. As always, the goal is that clothing should demonstrate the wealth of the wearer.

If you are playing a League Orc, then gloves are practical, the easiest way to avoid having to constantly repaint your hands. That approach makes rings on your fingers less practical, so Apulian orcs are experimenting with different approaches. If you have fine gloves you might be able to wear a bigger ring over them, but you can also wear a ring on a ribbon around the neck or hanging off the belt. When wearing a Mask most Apulians are adopting something made using soft cloth and loosely tied or else using something rigid which can be held in front of the face with a stick.

An important thing to think about is how to hide the joins where your mask and gloves meet your skin. Plenty of gold jewellery, the gaudier the better, is the ideal. Pieces like chokers or bracelets can be used to demonstrate wealth at the same time as keeping the joins hidden. An alternative accessory is an infinity scarf, worn up or down, and that can be adorned with garish jewellery to again make an audacious demonstration of wealth. A ruff is less appropriate, as they are highly evocative of a later period than the ideal for League costume.

Banners

An iconic impressive banner makes a bold statement for any free company.

CM-140419-6218.jpg

Theatre and masks

The tradition of masked theatre runs strong in League cities, where it is an important constituent of the magic of a performance. Facemasks are also a common element of fashionable attire for individuals from all walks of life.

This custom sprang partly from the popular Facio style of masked theatre, where actors and even audience members swap characters as they swap masks, and partly descends from the traditions of cowls and veils in Highguard society. Masks allow an individual to cultivate anonymity and the air of mystery. Some groups – military units and criminals especially – may go so far as to all wear matching masks even in dangerous situations.

Churches

The heavily decorated robes of The League priests are in sharp contrast to some of the ascetics of other nations. Lavish embroidery, metallic threads and elaborate headdresses are all used to communicate their importance.

TemeschwarBishop.jpg
BishopYnez.jpg
Rich decorated fabric, and a particularly League hat with attached Cambion horns

Inappropriate Costume

Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the general costume rules for further guidelines, including those for inappropriate costume

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information