Weird Penguin Science Lab

Penguin science and religion is based on superstition and paranoia. They are believers in reincarnation, which was for only the male nobility until Empress Serena took over. Now only females (of any rank) have an afterlife. All others lapse into oblivion after death. Every estate is passed on to the oldest female and even lesser nobility not owning lands exist in this law of matriarchy. The dynasty of Krem'eņa passed on this way until the coming of Emperor Komishi. Serena, a descendent of the Krem'eņa, plans to continue the line.

The social structure is much like feudalism. Knights (those in the army) answer to their lords. Barons answer to Counts, and Counts to Dukes. Everyone answers to the Empress. Everyone else is either a doctor, a merchant, a Mage, a warrior, or a peasant. Peasants now live in acceptable conditions, unlike how things were with Komishi. Still, most try to prove themselves valuable in one of the former. It is possible to move up in society by servicing the Empress by military prowess or other special talents, but this is rarely the case. A male who does this must be extraordinary.

Oddly enough, in their home system, the planets revolve around Penguin Prime, which they call Krema. This only adds to their narcisism. They have some very bizarre, but nevertheless useful customs that equate to their sciences.

Physiognomy: this means that physical characteristics can determine the nature of a person. Serena has forbidden the teaching of this science, but most still practice it.
• Blonds, in general, were considered very effeminate. Therefore, since females were so poorly looked upon anyway, Penguins who had this hair colour would not have been likely to be allowed to hold any special jobs. Males were degraded to lowly jobs, and females were not be allow to hold a job at all. Females with black, brown, or red hair were concidered more masculan and were permitted to hold some jobs, depending on their level of education.
• Gap teeth are a definate sign of a jealous nature. Very white teeth are a sign of a open mind.
• High, tiny voices are believed to be giveaway of a deceptive person. Accordingly, deeper voices are taken as that of a very honest person. Consequently, since the Penguins believe this, it has proven to be true in some cases, if only for the subliminal belief.

Medicinal Practices: many old customs still remain as medical applications. These are more useful in learning of Penguin culture, due to the fact that some seem valid for the Penguin physiology.
• Herbs and oils are used frequently by actual Penguin doctors. Many will ease a fever or relieve poisons. In particular are the herbs and oils used throughout the female's life. Penguins are capable of reproduction almost from birth, however preparation for this begins around age ten. Shar'toël is the herb which females take from that time until it has been deemed impossible for them to reproduce any longer. This herb, taken in small doses when the girl is young, is almost doubled in intake when she plans on laying a clutch. The herb itself would be useless, save for a chemical within it that causes the shell of the eggs to be harder. Taken, this ensures a lower infant mortality rate, and makes the entire process safer for the female. An oil, drakma, which comes from a weed of the same name, is rubbed on a female's back for the purpose of preventing it from breaking during her time as a breeder. Drakma has also been know to be used for the elderly or for warriors that have skeletal injuries. Despite its conotation as a female product, doctors have always used it because of its ostioperofic value.
• It is customary for young Penguins to go through rituals to achieve adulthood. For females, all the must do is sexually capture a mate. After this she may keep that mate or release him in search of a more suitable, less compliant one. Before this (and any other feminine conquest), the females gather to preen, gossip, and shine each others bills. Males, on the other hand, do not have it so easy. They must go through rites of passage to become a man, and they are not guarantied anything. If they want a place in society, they must complete a tournament against their peers or brothers to determine what their fate will be. If they wish it, females will be allowed to become wariors, but are encouraged to become Mages.


Penguin children enjoy the snows of Krema. Before beginning training, they often play together regardless of status. When a child reaches the age of ten (or younger), she or he will undergo training. They can become Knights, Mages, Alchemists, or Clergypenguins. Some Knights supplement their skills with Mage training. Others who would rather not finish the training, because Empress Serena demands that each child at least begin and pays for it with taxes, will be Tradespenguins or farmers after their parents. Politians (or landowners) are require to have their children complete training before choosing an heir. If the prefered heir cannot pass the final tests, she will not be allowed to hold land.

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