Etiquette and customs of the Velikograd Court

Etiquette and customs of the Velikograd Court comprise a group of traditions and customs that developed organically over a period of 1072 years from the rule of Dagan I to the present day under Alexis V. A list of all of these, current and historical, is maintained in the Saga of the Court in the Library of Velikograd. These customs govern such things as dress code, appropriate manners of address, and even setting tables and dealing with servants.

Customs

Dress Code

Court Dress

All Court Dress is expected to be of traditional Velikoslav fashion. Formally, a coat, waistcoat and long trousers or breeches were expected on men until Danil IV formally allowed military dress uniforms on any who were serving or had previously served.

Color coding

Color coding for garments is regulated based on rank. Initially, such colors were limited by the availability of dye in the early middle ages and are ranked by the expense they cost when Vitomir I introduced the Dress of Ranks in 1501. As dyes have become more varied and widely available, aristocrats have began to wear different shades of their ranked colors and ostentatious colors became common. Oftentimes, aristocrats will display gemstones or other wealth on their court uniforms. The type of stone that can be displayed on one's clothing is also determined by rank. Incorporating gemstones is considered optional despite the customs that govern their incorporation.

Tsar, Tsaritsa, and their direct descendants

An example of Velikoslav blue

The Tsar, Tsaritsa, and their direct descendants customarily wear garments of Velikoslav Blue for sessions of court. Usage of the color is banned for any other member of court. Velikoslav blue is made from Vitomite, a special mineral found in the northern regions of Velikoslavia originally discovered under Vitomir I. Due to its rarity, the amount of mineral required to dye a garment, and the difficulty to access it, garments dyed Velikoslav Blue are traditionally extremely expensive.

Members of the direct Imperial Family also are permitted to have any number of sapphire gems on their garments. Though no Velikoslav lords, ladies, or courtiers may wear sapphires, this particular custom does not apply to foreigners. The customary ban on Velikoslav Blue also does not technically apply, but it would still be considered rude. One large Alexandrite that is green in color is also worn to denote Telerian heritage. Only those families with Telerian heritage may traditionally wear an Alexandrite.

Grand Princes and Princesses

As descendants of a previous Tsar, Grand Princes and Princesses are also entitled to wear Velikoslav blue, though they traditionally wear aquamarine gems instead of sapphires unless they are tenth in line or higher to the Sapphire Throne, in which case they may also wear sapphire gemstones. Navy blue is also permissable for Grand Princes and Princesses provided a garment in Velikoslav Blue is unavailable for them.

Grand Dukes and Askemann

crimson, ruby, may wear Alexandrite to denote Telerian heritage