Redonia
Structure
Redonia is one of the few nations on the entire Mother Tree to be under a democratic system of government, down to the most remote individual. Villages are run by a single Speaker, who is elected by the village's population, and they are responsible for relaying the estate's votes on issues to their supervising Voices. Large swaths of land and cities are governed by a group of 3 Voices, similarly elected by the population of the area they govern. These Voices also relay their estate's votes to the Artifex Council. There is no established group of nobility within Redonia, all those in power are formally in service to the people they oversee.
The country is ruled by the Artifex Council, comprised of individuals corresponding to each major Discipline in the country. All members of a single Discipline (such as Painting, Carpentry, Sculpture, etc.) vote for a single representative of that Discipline to be part of the Artifex Council. The Artifex holds that term until they pass away, step down from their position, or the members of that Discipline vote for a different Artifex during specific election days every 5 years. The Artifex council makes the foremost decisions of the realm. The sole exception to the Single Artifex representative rule is that of the Discipline of War. It is unique in that the position bears the weight of votes equivilant to the summation of all Disciplines of Combat (those of weapons, dueling, etc.). The Artifex of War is also the sole lead in managing the country's Military capability. They reserve the right to assume limited control over the country in order to adequately protect it from harm.
Culture
Individual expression and passion through one's chosen Discipline.
Redonia is a nation founded on the cooperation and passions of those that care for their crafts. Every aspect of the Redonian lifestyle is centered around the creativity of their individual trades and arts. From birth they are communally raised and taught a variety of artistic disciplines while their mind is unburdened from the creative biases of those before them, and is fresh with curiosity and wonder at the beauty of the world around them. At the age of 10, children select their most passionate discipline, and focus on it. Every 3 years Redonians are able to change their selected discipline if they find another that inspires them more.
Military
A populace of those seeking only to pursue their passions does not produce many soldier-born folk. Thus the nation’s military is kept in stock with national mandatory terms of service lasting 3 years, which must be completed before an individual turns 25. Individuals can continue their service as long as they’d like afterwards. The designations one receives in the Redonian army are relatively close to their Disciplines; Chefs cook in the Mess Halls, Smiths repair arms & armor, etc. It is rare but not uncommon for one to choose a Discipline of Combat, that of weapons or Dueling, and even that of War itself. The Discipline of War is unique in that it is the summation of all Disciplines of Combat, with the Artifex of War alone able to account for all votes within the subdisciplines.
What stands out the most of the Redonian Army is the lack of uniform standards. The base uniform is a plain solid color, the choice of the soldier’s, the Soldiers have the ability and freedom to decorate their uniform as they see fit so long as it does not impede their ability to function in their designation. On the occasions where a skirmish or battle has occurred, the odd view of the army in its innumerable clashing colors and sights has proven disorienting for their foes as the sensory input is overwhelming.
Trade & Transport
With a nation’s entire populace composed of people whose lives have been dedicated to their craft, it is only expected that the quality of their productions eclipses that of many others. Indeed, Redonia is a nation with the highest volume and price of exports in perhaps the entire Mother Tree. The wealth of the nation is solid, and they have enjoyed a great relationship with their Trunk-ward neighbor Parkhan as the primary buyer and distributor of Redonian crafts. In contrast of their incredible production, Redonia is also one of the largest importers of raw materials, for how can they make such fine works without the resources they are made of?
However, internally there is not much use of currency in Redonia, it is customary for purchases of products and services to be paid for with one’s own creations or a creations they have received in the past. This bartering trade serves as Redonia’s primary national circulation of currency.
Education
Most of the more scholarly educated Redonians belong to the Safali border and major cities. Across the entire population the focus on trades rather than academic expertise is evident. Anyone in a Discpline can recite great works or histories within that Discipline, but they may barely know the surface level knowledge of others. Basic literacy is fairly common, especially for those more adept at their Disciplines.
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