Penniger

Pytor Tauricheski was a wealthy voivode, whose Barjan title and arms were revoked when he converted to Perendism, likely the most powerful noble to have converted under the Barjans

A Penniger (Dlin: Պերնատի, Pernatyy) was a member of the gentry who lacked titles and arms in the Barjan Orient. This appellation was adopted by members of the low nobility who embraced Perendism and, as a result, had their titles and other aristocratic trappings removed. The term comes from the Sabarian for "feathered" because many Pennigers wore dyed feathers in the colors of their former arms because the Barjans had no traditional rules about the wearing of feathers. The status of penniger was very vague and many people took advantage of the lack of rules to claim this status. During some of the purges of the early Bolshtine Republic, many Dlin fled the country and spread the wearing of feathers as a sign of their old social standing. Some of these refugees established themselves as merchants or craftsmen, eventually assimilating into local cultures, but those that did not find success were less willing to forgo their feathers; these individuals became known as "Penny Pennigers" and were the subject of ridicule and abuse.

After the destruction of the Barjan kingdom, some of the newly elevated nobility continued to use feathers on their crests and arms rather than adopting their old symbols. For members of the merchant class, who had newfound social standing and no old arms to return to, adopted the feather for a blazon. To demonstrate wealth, elaborate colors and expensive foreign feathers were imported. Birdwatching was considered a refined and gentile activity along with the creation of avian bestiaries. Many fake birds made their way into scientific discourse through Oriental Auressia.

Legacy

Tarring and Feathering

Tarring and feathering, occasionally also called pennigration, was a form of torture or ridicule in which the subject was covered in a sticky substance (sometimes naked) and then rolled in feathers. Originally this form of mob violence targeted Dlin in nations where they formed a minority, but because of the cheapness of the instruments, it grew in popularity. Typically this technique was used against people who the community saw as acting above their station or fraudsters.

Feather boa

A feathered scarf, typically made of dyed feathers, has become popular at various times as early as the 18th century. Originally this was used as a stage prop to represent either the Dlin as a whole or just pennigers, but became popular outside of theatre as a symbol of ostentatiousness and self-confidence. Recently it has almost always been used satirically or in performance art.