Eluvina
Nation | Eluvina |
---|---|
Planet | Earth |
Government | Representative Republic |
Motto | "Defend the Defenseless" |
National color(s) | |
Population | 13,600 |
Demographics | 20.1% Taltzvani; 22.7% Ertz'Yamiv; 22.7% Orltzaniva; 21.8% Vtz'Varik; 10% Tz'khamesh; 2.53% Cha’tz; 0.003% Melkhim |
Location | Mid-western Tellus Nova, south of Alfheim |
Primary Languages | Fae, Elven |
Founded | Unknown |
Capital | Y'Amviv |
Owner | Kristen |
Overview
Eluvina is extremely secluded and historically has no interaction with anyone else on Earth or Disparatus save the Elves. The population consists solely of Faeries since there has been no immigration for quite some time. Prior to the Faerie-Thuwadian war, the last time they left their country was to send a few faerie children to learn from the elves, and that had been a very long time ago.
There are two prevalent languages spoken, Fae and Elven, and the country has a Representative Republic. The country is in a dense forest, just next to a mountain range to the west that has a river running from it and straight through the country. Consequently there are a lot of streams that flood every so often.
Regions
There are six regions that make up the country. The two largest regions are often referred to as cities, but there are no cities in the traditional sense. There is usually a region center where the representatives work, and from there housing spreads out. Faeries usually build houses in trees and enter via flying up to them.
Y'Amviv
This is the very center of the country, the capital, and is the most densely populated. It is estimated that about 25% of the total population of Eluvina lives in this region. It is one of the two regions that have a large enough Tz'Khamesh group that they have representation in government. All other regions connect to this one in a circular pattern. A mixture of Fae and Elven is spoken.
Elorva
This is closer to the mountainside of Eluvina and is between Ulysltz and Ochinva. It is estimated that 21% of the population lives there. As such, it is the 2nd most populous region. It the only other region large enough for a Tz'Khamesh representative. A mixture of Fae and Elven is spoken.
Ochinva
Located between Y'Ornva and Elorva. An estimated 16% of the population lives in this region. Mostly Elven is spoken, but there are pockets of Fae.
Iktotva
This is located between Ulsyltva and Y’Ornva, and this is where most of the streams run through. It is estimated that 19% of the population lives here. Mostly Fae is spoken in this region, though there are pockets of Elven.
Ulsyltva
Is between Iktotva and Elorva. Only 12% of the population lives in this region. Only Fae is spoken here, and they look down on anyone that speaks Elven as being second-class citizens.
Government
The common folklore around faerie government incorrectly claims that they have a faerie queen which governs all things.
Old Government
Before the Faerie-Thuwadian war, the faeries had a High Councilor who made all of the final decisions. Since the war, however, there has been a massive overhaul of the government and that position was abolished, and a checks and balance system was put in to stop anyone from fully controlling the government again.
New Government
In reality, Faeries have a Representative Republic. The lowest members of government are the regional representatives. There are six regions all together (Ya'Amviv, Elorva, Iktotzva, Ochinva, Ulsyltva). There are at least four representatives per region (one for each element) and five in the larger cites where there is a significant population of Fifth Elements faeries.(The Capital Y'Amviv, and the second largest city being Elorva). These representatives are voted in by their highest-class constituents (Ertz'Yamiv faeries will vote for an Ertz'Yamiv representative, Taltzvani a Taltzvani, etc.). Once appointed, they are appointed for life unless they: Retire, are Promoted, or Die.
From these, a head council is set up. This is voted for internally by the representatives. The Head Council is in charge of making decisions for the country at large and will vote on every issue presented to them. (The position of head councilor was abolished after the Human-Thuwadian war).
Above them are the Law Keepers. They are appointed by the head council from choosing from the highest-class families, or those who have studied law in depth. There is one Law Keeper per constituent. Their jobs are to make sure everything the Council does is legal, as well as make new laws. Any new laws created (by either the Law Keepers or the Council) need to be ratified by the other body. Meaning that when the Law Keepers present a new law the Council must vote 60% in favor of the change, and when a new law created by the Council is presented to the Law Keepers 60% majority is needed.
Melkhim
These are the seasonal faeries. They are held in the highest respect. As soon as parents give birth to a son or daughter with these abilities the entire family finds itself the top of the social ladder. The children are taught by other Melkhim to learn the delicate balance of seasons and how they work in different areas. It is the role of these faeries to fully understand the world's climate and how it affects each of the other elements. As such, the council will not make any major decision without first consulting them. If there is a danger of an action throwing off the harmony of the climate or environment it is stopped immediately. As such, all new laws, after having passed the Head Council and the law keepers, the Melkhim faeries keep veto power. It will then get bounced back to the Law Keepers, and if passed again it will go to a vote to all of the representatives in the country. If it passes that with a 60% majority it becomes law.
Council Members
- Nalus lar Taltzvani
- Khena lat Taltzvani
- Zonak lar Ertz’Yamiv
- Doalna lat Ertz'yamiv
- Brinus Kh'restel lar Vtz'Varik
- Tulne lat Vtz'Varik
- La'arus lar Orltzaniva
- Quila lat Orltzaniva
- Tovil lar Tz'Khamesh
- Rynee lat Tz'Khamesh
Law Keepers
- Prynu Emorine lat Ertz'Yamiv
- Nopris lar Taltzvani
- Ish'vo lat Orltzaniva
- Tylus lar Vtz'Varik
- Glorin lar Tz'Khamesh
Military
All Taltzvani faeries are required to go into the military straight after they finish their basic education. This is a very recent law, put into place in the year 2322. Prior to that there was an option of either joining the military or doing service projects. The latter is still required for all non-Taltzvani faeries. The other four elements are permitted to join the military, but it is not required.
Service projects vary. It can be a societal project, or it can be something meant for the wider world. Faeries have always traveled outside of Eluvina to care for the plants and animals in the forests and oceans, the only rule is that there is absolutely no contact what-so-ever with the races other than elves.
Past Uses
The military has historically been used as a force dedicated to the fighting of environmental emergencies. If a large fire starts, the military is called in to handle it.
It was only recently (Year 2322) that the military was called in to go to war for military conquest. At the time, corruption had seeped into the head of government, which caused the Faerie and Thuwadian war on Disparatus.
Current Uses
The military is kept in full working order in case of attacks. They are not fearful of Earth as much as they are afraid of the countries of Disparatus taking revenge. Mostly, however, the army has been in charge of the rebuilding process and continuing with their more historic duties of dealing with natural disasters.
Religion
Faeries do not believe in a Deity, instead they believe the world is run by four Spirits. Talvani (Spirit of fire), Orlaniva (Spirit of air), Varik (Spirit of water), and Er'Tamiv (Spirit of earth, or living things). When a faerie dies it is believed that the soul wanders for a time period no less than two weeks and no greater than a year, and then is absorbed by the spirit of the element. Because ancestry is not narrowed to one Spirit, but all four, it is believed that there is a connection with all four elements and sometimes a soul may connect with a spirit that is not its own original element. Tz'Khamesh faeries are believed to have the longest free floating time, because they have no original attachment so it takes longer to find a home.
Inside homes there is always an alter with all four Spirits represented. When praying, families will pray to a particular ancestor they think can persuade the greater Spirit to act in their favor. There is always some offering provided. Usually a cup of water that has sat under a full moon is offered to the Varik Spirit to gain access to the deceased relative. A flower for Er'Tamiv, a burning candle for Talvani, and air usually some reflective object is presented.
There is a belief in a connected family energy. Negative energy causes negative things to happen, and positive causes positive. There is often a sense of deep shame when a family member goes wrong, because they are not only affecting themselves but all relatives and future generations.
Temples
The way to cleanse a family's energy is by becoming a priest or priestess at a temple for your given element. This is the only part of society that Vzt'Khamesh faeries are excluded from. Each element corresponds with a cardinal direction. It is believed that Er'Tamiv lives in the North; Orlavina the East; Talvani the South; Varik the West. Because of this, the main temples are arranged in the same way. Once in his or her life, a faerie is expected to visit his or her respective temple and pay tribute. Tz'Khamesh faeries will go to one of the elements they feel most connected to.
When a faerie decides to devote his or herself to the Temple, they completely close themselves off from society for five years and live at the main Temple. By going through this process they clear a lot of their family's energies, leaving them with a cleaner slate. The more priests or priestess your family has, the cleaner the energies. If there is one in each temple, it is said that the family is of spiritual superiority and have completely clean energy.
Priests and Priestesses, after their time in the temple, are sent to villages around the country to act as religious leaders during holidays and ceremonies. They are prohibited from marrying and partaking in dancing. They are highly encouraged to participate in all art forms aside from dance, and all are highly knowledgeable.
If a Priest or Priestess falls from the path after ordination, the family is not only shamed, but is also saddled with a large amount of negative energies.
Culture
Common lore claims that faeries are only interested in stealing art created by humans and other cultures. This myth, however, could not be further from the truth. Faeries have a rich history of creating works of art.
Architecture
The capital city is the only city in which solid structures are built. The main government buildings are large made of red sandstone. They have large archeways and gold domes perched on top of the buildings. These have been seated there for longer than any can remember and there are few records of them being built. The outside of these buildings are ornately designed with symbols that have long since lost their meaing.
The homes around such buildings are built out of other materials that are indigenous to the area. In the country, a sign of wealth is the ability to afford a house on the ground built with solid materials. The further from a city center you travel, the less sturdy the houses become, and they tend to be built in trees.
Art
Faeries are very self involved. Historically they have very little interest in other societies. It is a common misconception that faeries only interest is in the environment. That is, of course, the main concern, but there is a large movement within the country devoted toward the arts. Sculpture is a popular medium, since it is considered to be one of the most natural forms of artistic expression. Pottery relics have been found buried all over the country, and mention of the art form has been found in songs and poetry.
Painting is also popular, normally natural paints are used. The most popular form of art tends to be a more impressionistic style of painting, rather than realism. The philosophy behind this is that the artist cannot possibly capture the true beauty that is nature, instead they are trying to capture essence within it, or the magic.
Music and Literature
Music has long been a part of tradition as part of story telling. Story telling is a common form of entertainment, groups of faeries will travel together to put on plays or simply tell a story or sing a ballad, asking those listening to pay what they can, or simply to give them a room and some food for the night.
This traditional way of telling stories, while still exists and is quite common, created a branch of story telling through literature. Books are incredibly popular in the country, and as such, litaracy levels in the country are quite high. Even if a faerie does not attend formal education there is always someone around willing to teach a young faerie how to read and willing to sit down with a good book.
Music never took off as a popular art form it its own right, though it does exist in pockets of the country.
Dance
Like most countries, there are several types of dance. Folk dances, that the average faeries knows, and the dances that only the wealthy know. Dances are gnerally only performed during the Winter and Summer Solstices, and at weddings. Unlike the other art forms, where priests and priestesses are highly encouraged to partake in, dancing is considered a lowly art and as such priests and priestesses are not allowed to dance at such functions.
Social Problems
The country is not without its many social problems. The biggest of which is social elitism. There are promenet two strands of faerie genes through the country. One has pure faerie blood, the other had a a bit of elven blood. It is impossible to tell by looking the difference, however it is possible to trace family heratage back and figure out who is who. Though there are two official languages of the country, there is an unspoken ideal that Fae is the supereor language and it is expected that everyone learn it. If a faerie grows up with Fae as their first langauge, it is socailly acceptable for the faerie to not learn Elven. If Elven is the first language, it is expected that they learn Fae.
As a trend, the poorer population tend to be those with elven blood, though this not a steadfast rule. There are wealthy families with an elven background, and fae families who are are not as well off. Another group that tends to be discriminated against for similar reasons are the half-faes, or Cha-tz faeries. The term is generic and applies to anyone who is half fae, not commenting on the other half of their origin. Someone living inside of Eluvina with such a background is not eligible for full citizenship, though they are allowed to live within the country permanently. As such they get no vote in the government and not representation. Many Cha-tz leave Eluvina altogether, though there is a small population that stay.