Prince Vector and The Unnamed Kingdom
Mar. 29th, 2016 09:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wayofpeaceThe History
First shown in episode 108, Vector's kingdom is one that provides many questions. Some of these were answered in episode 137 with the revelation of Vector's true memories, but not many.
The kingdom was a great and powerful one, unmatched in battle capabilities. For many years, the kingdom was involved in wars with their neighbours, as Vector's father was a notorious madman who revelled only in violence and conquest. The warlord king - again unnamed - despised peace and calm and only found pleasure in cruelty. When Vector was born, the inhabitants of the country viewed him as the embodiment of their god and a symbol of peace, an idea that the king loathed greatly. It was likely due to this reason that the peace-loving prince was trained in the use of a sword. However, any efforts he might have taken failed to make a dent in the prince's gentle nature.
Over and over, the king fought violent battles, but was eventually confined to his bed by sickness, close to death. Vector took control in his place, and encouraged by his mother, sought to bring the kingdom to peace, signing treaties with the enemies they had fought and declaring his peaceful intentions to the people, who were delighted. His father was shocked and outraged, calling him a curse that he couldn't have brought into the world, and attempted to kill him. His mother, however, rushed to shield him and was cut down, while his father proceeded to collapse lifeless in front of him, leaving Vector alone.
In that moment, Don Thousand appeared to him, inflicting his 'curse' upon him - that the insane blood of his father that ran through him would dominate him, and he would not be a tragic prince, but a mad one. From that moment on, the kingdom was plunged into chaos and endless war. Vector became known as the Mad King and led his people in violent assault of the other kingdoms. Making a contract with the God of the Sea, among others, and calling upon dark powers, Vector ravaged and destroyed all in his path, until his final attempt - the destruction of the Allied Nations of Poseidon - resulted in a terrible fate. Vector, in his madness, not only wiped out all of the king's loyal followers, but executed his own entire kingdom out of irritation at their desire to end his war. He met his own end at the hands of the enemy king... but due to Don Thousand's curse, he was reborn as a Barian Emperor.
The Legend of the Ruined Castle
The ruins where Numbers 65: Djinn Buster is found are guarded by an unnamed Battle Ox. It's situated in an underground labyrinth filled with traps, later revealed to be the lower parts of the castle where Mad King Vector murdered everyone. Despite Vector's corruption, it affects him with great fear and discomfort. It's a site filled with malice - 96 claims to be able to hear the screams of the ghosts of Vector's victims, and the same ghosts later attempt to kill him there. The story is painted on the stairway walls leading from the entrance.
Rio's telling of the legend goes as follows.
So, what does all of this tell us?
Mythology
First of all, we can look at the mythology of the kingdom. Vector is viewed as a reincarnation of their God by the people. It's not necessarily true - but it's never stated either way. In earlier episodes it's shown that Gods do exist in this world - while Don Thousand is the god of the Barians, there is also a God of the Sea, Abyss. In fact, many mythological creatures exist, such as the tanuki Ponta, the ghosts of Vector's people, and the pegasus Mach. So was Vector a god? Who knows, really. One of the 'Legendary Numbers' did make itself at home inside of him as a baby, but all seven of them picked people practically at random. If he was, it would explain his later strength as the Mad King, but he clearly isn't strong enough to resist Don Thousand's mind alterations even a little, and a mere human manages to kill him in the stone tablet equivalent of a card duel.
Don Thousand's curse, however, is incredibly powerful, corrupting the pure minds of countless beings. Only the defeat of the Legendary Numbers specific to the victim is enough to free them from it. Prior to that event, Vector seems strong and kind enough that his people and his mother have unshakeable faith in him, despite his father's blood. It's possible that said 'godliness' applies specifically to his purity. Don Thousand even states at one point that Vector was so pure that once he'd twisted his memories to make him think he'd murdered his parents, the darkness born within him was insanely powerful as a result - as the more pure someone is, the stronger any darkness born within them is. His own purity was so great that the darkness destroyed his nature utterly and sent him into madness. At any rate... his peoples' beliefs may have been false, or they may have been true, but they were almost certainly a factor in their reluctant loyalty following his change.
At any rate, we can assume that the kingdom was at least somewhat superstitious. The general public were also apparently oblivious to their king's violent natures - they knew there were wars going on, but they seemed to have no idea that the kingdom was doing this out of the king's frivolous warmongering. They openly declare their desire for peace right in front of him, which implies that he doesn't enforce his cruelties on his own people.
Wealth and Style
The kingdom likely had no money troubles. Not only was it supporting constant wars, but nobody shown in the public scenes seem to be poorly dressed or even mildly inconvenienced. Many of them wear jewellery, even the men wearing earrings. On top of that, Vector, the King and the Queen are all shown to wear a lot of gold and jewellery, and the palace is shown to be huge and fairly fancy. The army supports a huge fleet of ships and an immense number of soldiers easily. Most likely, it's due to income from the conquered kingdoms.
In terms of style, however, this is where it gets interesting. Clothing-wise, there's a mix of different styles. There's the roman-esque togas worn by several people of importance, firstly. The general public wear clothing that's surprisingly modern in some regards; it looks like many of them are wearing t-shirts and sleeveless jackets with no fastenings (similar to Aladdin, in the Disney movie). The king and the prince both go shirtless, with baggy, slim trousers.
The island is situated a short distance above what is now Papua New Guinea according to the maps shown in the Airship, which is known for its' high temperatures and humidity. This could account for the style, as the heat would have to be constant to support such light clothing.
Location
As mentioned above, the kingdom was based on an island above what is now Papua New Guinea, and right of the Philippines. This is shown by the map Astral used to point it out.
First shown in episode 108, Vector's kingdom is one that provides many questions. Some of these were answered in episode 137 with the revelation of Vector's true memories, but not many.
The kingdom was a great and powerful one, unmatched in battle capabilities. For many years, the kingdom was involved in wars with their neighbours, as Vector's father was a notorious madman who revelled only in violence and conquest. The warlord king - again unnamed - despised peace and calm and only found pleasure in cruelty. When Vector was born, the inhabitants of the country viewed him as the embodiment of their god and a symbol of peace, an idea that the king loathed greatly. It was likely due to this reason that the peace-loving prince was trained in the use of a sword. However, any efforts he might have taken failed to make a dent in the prince's gentle nature.
Over and over, the king fought violent battles, but was eventually confined to his bed by sickness, close to death. Vector took control in his place, and encouraged by his mother, sought to bring the kingdom to peace, signing treaties with the enemies they had fought and declaring his peaceful intentions to the people, who were delighted. His father was shocked and outraged, calling him a curse that he couldn't have brought into the world, and attempted to kill him. His mother, however, rushed to shield him and was cut down, while his father proceeded to collapse lifeless in front of him, leaving Vector alone.
In that moment, Don Thousand appeared to him, inflicting his 'curse' upon him - that the insane blood of his father that ran through him would dominate him, and he would not be a tragic prince, but a mad one. From that moment on, the kingdom was plunged into chaos and endless war. Vector became known as the Mad King and led his people in violent assault of the other kingdoms. Making a contract with the God of the Sea, among others, and calling upon dark powers, Vector ravaged and destroyed all in his path, until his final attempt - the destruction of the Allied Nations of Poseidon - resulted in a terrible fate. Vector, in his madness, not only wiped out all of the king's loyal followers, but executed his own entire kingdom out of irritation at their desire to end his war. He met his own end at the hands of the enemy king... but due to Don Thousand's curse, he was reborn as a Barian Emperor.
The Legend of the Ruined Castle
The ruins where Numbers 65: Djinn Buster is found are guarded by an unnamed Battle Ox. It's situated in an underground labyrinth filled with traps, later revealed to be the lower parts of the castle where Mad King Vector murdered everyone. Despite Vector's corruption, it affects him with great fear and discomfort. It's a site filled with malice - 96 claims to be able to hear the screams of the ghosts of Vector's victims, and the same ghosts later attempt to kill him there. The story is painted on the stairway walls leading from the entrance.
Rio's telling of the legend goes as follows.
The legend of the cursed royal palace.
A prince who governed this island used to dwell inside this royal palace. He was childish and had no faith in humanity. He doubted everyone and anyone, casting judgement upon them. He lived as a person who stole the lives from everyone around him, and as the last standing, the prince severed his own life as well.
The cursed legend...
So, what does all of this tell us?
Mythology
First of all, we can look at the mythology of the kingdom. Vector is viewed as a reincarnation of their God by the people. It's not necessarily true - but it's never stated either way. In earlier episodes it's shown that Gods do exist in this world - while Don Thousand is the god of the Barians, there is also a God of the Sea, Abyss. In fact, many mythological creatures exist, such as the tanuki Ponta, the ghosts of Vector's people, and the pegasus Mach. So was Vector a god? Who knows, really. One of the 'Legendary Numbers' did make itself at home inside of him as a baby, but all seven of them picked people practically at random. If he was, it would explain his later strength as the Mad King, but he clearly isn't strong enough to resist Don Thousand's mind alterations even a little, and a mere human manages to kill him in the stone tablet equivalent of a card duel.
Don Thousand's curse, however, is incredibly powerful, corrupting the pure minds of countless beings. Only the defeat of the Legendary Numbers specific to the victim is enough to free them from it. Prior to that event, Vector seems strong and kind enough that his people and his mother have unshakeable faith in him, despite his father's blood. It's possible that said 'godliness' applies specifically to his purity. Don Thousand even states at one point that Vector was so pure that once he'd twisted his memories to make him think he'd murdered his parents, the darkness born within him was insanely powerful as a result - as the more pure someone is, the stronger any darkness born within them is. His own purity was so great that the darkness destroyed his nature utterly and sent him into madness. At any rate... his peoples' beliefs may have been false, or they may have been true, but they were almost certainly a factor in their reluctant loyalty following his change.
At any rate, we can assume that the kingdom was at least somewhat superstitious. The general public were also apparently oblivious to their king's violent natures - they knew there were wars going on, but they seemed to have no idea that the kingdom was doing this out of the king's frivolous warmongering. They openly declare their desire for peace right in front of him, which implies that he doesn't enforce his cruelties on his own people.
Wealth and Style
The kingdom likely had no money troubles. Not only was it supporting constant wars, but nobody shown in the public scenes seem to be poorly dressed or even mildly inconvenienced. Many of them wear jewellery, even the men wearing earrings. On top of that, Vector, the King and the Queen are all shown to wear a lot of gold and jewellery, and the palace is shown to be huge and fairly fancy. The army supports a huge fleet of ships and an immense number of soldiers easily. Most likely, it's due to income from the conquered kingdoms.
In terms of style, however, this is where it gets interesting. Clothing-wise, there's a mix of different styles. There's the roman-esque togas worn by several people of importance, firstly. The general public wear clothing that's surprisingly modern in some regards; it looks like many of them are wearing t-shirts and sleeveless jackets with no fastenings (similar to Aladdin, in the Disney movie). The king and the prince both go shirtless, with baggy, slim trousers.
The island is situated a short distance above what is now Papua New Guinea according to the maps shown in the Airship, which is known for its' high temperatures and humidity. This could account for the style, as the heat would have to be constant to support such light clothing.
Location
As mentioned above, the kingdom was based on an island above what is now Papua New Guinea, and right of the Philippines. This is shown by the map Astral used to point it out.