User:Tarsas/Sandbox

Prostration in Aureumterra Prostration in Aureumterra involved the prostrator first getting on both of their knees. They then tilt their head downward, looking at the subject's feet, before fully looking down and showing the back of their neck to the subject, they then lean down towards the subject's feet exposing their back, before following the same steps in reverse when told to come back to ease. Today, this is largely only done in the presence of the Senior Imperial Family and the Hæstirétt.

Prostration has a long history in pre-Aureumterran Norðurland. During this era, weapons would be carried on on the back, usually strapped and resting atop a man's shield. This served a dual purpose of giving an easy method of carrying often very heavy weaponry using one's back and shoulders over possibly long distances or on horseback, and concealing it when viewed from the front. The origin of the practice can be traced to meetings between clan patriarchs, which where held in neutral grounds between the territories of two clans or in the territory of a third party. The two patriarchs would lower themselves and expose themselves to one another in a vulnerable state to show they were not carrying concealed weapons and to establish a basis of trust between one another at the start of their meeting. This practice eventually became regarded as a general gesture of respect and exposing oneself to someone else, signifying their obedience and loyalty by exposing the most vulnerable part of their body to the subject.

Prostration today is based on rank, where commoners will prostrate to those of Imperial blood, and everyone prostrates to the Hæstirétt. In other Enme societies like Katuffiat, subjects will also prostrate to their kings. Prostration is not expected from foreigners and non-Enme, and foreign diplomats will not be expected in any way to follow this practice even in the presence of the Hæstirétt.