KILL WITCH KILL

“While today one cannot be considered properly dressed in civil context without a equally properly sized hat, this was not always so. To understand why, we trace the origin of that modern hat fashion to a foiled assassination plot in Fobos, then the wealthy capitol city of the Routa Empire at the height of its power.

At the time, what would become the classic Turbannic style of hats, were equal in popularity as the then ubiquitous Pillantic purses. Around these two accessories two fierce rival factions aligned themselves; the Hats (the Grand Houses) and the Purses (the Siol Faithful). The noble houses that at the time controlled much of the lands of Sheol (much like in current day Jennat under the Fulcrum), vying for influence with the Supreme Siol itself (tragically weakened from the then recent third crusade), flocked to either faction in their contest for power.

It is outside the scope of this article, but the escalating tensions led to many far reaching conflicts and the eventual fall from power of most noble houses in Sheol. It was in this state of rampant tempers that an (allegedly) Purse-supported assassination plot involving a particularly clever concealment of a pocket particle cannon within the purse of an assassin, misfired; slaying half the royal family in the court, but not the then sitting Emperor Padashim IV. As a result, and despite the Siol attempt to calm the situation by proclaiming a taboo, the Purses were brutally suppressed in a violent crackdown and while not broadly banned in law, in effect purses became entirely taboo for centuries (although in some regions they’ve made minor comebacks since).

As an aside, while the royal house of Routa was considered firm supporters of the Siol, the mad Emperors brutal crackdown and subsequent turn against the Purses, while successful at suppressing and isolating the Purse supporters at first, soon ran out of control in a series of escalating purges that would earn Padashim IV the title of “Mad Tyrant”, leading to the overthrow of the royal house and the collapse of Routa itself. Fobos never recovered, but the fashion the plot inspired would survive and flourish to this day. An inspiring tale of hope in these dark times! Praise be the Siol!

Today one can find hat fashion widespread and diverse, with colors, fabric and shapes according to social standing, city state and sept. In higher circles, houses must carefully consider the great expense of keeping up with the latest fashion, as well as the significant storage facilities required to house all the necessary hats. Meanwhile commoners and poorer families take pride in carefully maintaining and seeing to the inheritance of family heirloom hats, and serve as important dowry in the foundation of a new home.

Aside for the important social issues, a hat today have many practical applications, such as storage through carefully balanced interior pouches.  Capable of housing personal defense weapons and are almost always armored with mesh web, reinforced linings and morian fibres according to expense offered. Luxury and combat models incorporate rotating carousels for dispensing required items efficiently and quickly, with hats used by dames often incorporating or fully made out of imbued Shimcloth for further combat utility.

As the saying goes, A proper Dame would never be caught alive without her hat!”

-A history of Hats, Envoiant magazine issue #32.