The culture of the Kingdom has regressed from chivalrous, courtly manners (which are still perpetuated along the Castle Coast). The people of the Kingdom are, above all, Realists. Flamboyant displays, elaborate manners, intricate customs and so forth do not naturally endear themselves to the austere, purifying spirit of the Kingdom. They creep in at the top, of course - such things always do - but the "Realistic" way is blunt, crude, rude: eminently human.

Life is nasty, brutish and short (unless you're noble), and there's no point pretending otherwise. Royal policy is at the level of grasping mediaeval monarchs everywhere: look at the way the King treats his Barons: "At least you know where you stand with our King. When he kicks in your door, destroys your home, carries off your wife and murders your son, he's just doing what Kings always do. Does dressing it up make it any easier for you to bear?"

The Holy Church sees poverty as a virtue, and hoards wealth and privilege for itself so that others must do without (and be better for it).

Chivalry in the Kingdom

Most "knights" are thugs in armour, and don't bother to disguise the fact. Of course, you can find some knights who behave chivalrously: these are perpetuating the old traditions of Chivalric behaviour, which are frowned upon by the contemporary establishment. King Ulianus III briefly revived the spirit of Chivalry, but the decline in power which the reign of his son initiated did not endear this concept to the Powers That Be.

While not "heretical", chivalrous behaviour is not expected, desired or encouraged. This lack of official sanction, of course, makes the few "good apples in a rotten barrel" feel even more virtuous about keeping it up. (And, of course, it gives player character 'chivalrous' knights a chance to feel good about themselves).

The Holy Church

The Church of the Kingdom was born out of a Reformation of the corrupted church of the last century -- a deliberate "Back to Basics" movement. They are the most consciously old-fashioned of any sect of Malkion in any nearby kingdom.

The Church is similar to the "Bad Papacy" of mediaeval Europe, but the most strident complaints against the excesses of the senior priests come not from "heretics" but from the purest believers, such as the almost-but-not-quite-heretical Flagellant Movement, who is taking one aspect of Rokari belief - redemption in Solace through suffering in this life - to extremes.