Yt-Þarizen
The Yt-Þarizen has a long history among the Útels of Ela'k Forest in western Dragonía, being a place where elders representing every settlement in the country gather each year to report on what's happened since the last assembly and, if need be, ask for solutions to problems which the communities have been unable to solve on their own. All decisions made in the Yt-Þarizen are final, and while going against the senate's wishes is not unheard of, doing so is considered taboo and means that the representatives from the offending settlement are merely allowed to watch for the next year or two.
For most of Útel history, there was only one Yt-Þarizen, located in the city of Úlmora, housing representatives from all over Ela'k Forest and, for a time, the colonies on the Plain of Spirits, but since Útel civilization broke up into the countries of Kaiqonon, Kanot and Malónat, the former two have their own buildings modelled on the one in Úlmora, now capital of Malónat.
Each assembly lasts for several days, and people are generally allowed to watch so long as they stay quiet.
For most of Útel history, there was only one Yt-Þarizen, located in the city of Úlmora, housing representatives from all over Ela'k Forest and, for a time, the colonies on the Plain of Spirits, but since Útel civilization broke up into the countries of Kaiqonon, Kanot and Malónat, the former two have their own buildings modelled on the one in Úlmora, now capital of Malónat.
Each assembly lasts for several days, and people are generally allowed to watch so long as they stay quiet.
Architecture
The three Yt-Þarizens are built much the same way, being a large, circular pit with tiered seats surrounding a stage decorated with mosaic floor, with a small altar for offering libations to the spirit of Zynai to start off each assembly. The stage is reached via stairs, and a colonnade surrounds the pit to provide some shade.
The Yt-Þarizen in Malónat is by far the largest and most ornate, and the one in Kanot is partially made of stone just as intricately carved, while the one in Kaiqonon is notably spartan in its design, lacking even pillows for the seats.
The Yt-Þarizen in Malónat is by far the largest and most ornate, and the one in Kanot is partially made of stone just as intricately carved, while the one in Kaiqonon is notably spartan in its design, lacking even pillows for the seats.
History
The origin of the Yt-Þarizen extends back millennia, to the time of Zynai, one of the last tribal chiefs of the Útels. She invited the other chiefs to her home at her deathbed, where Zynai asked them to fulfill her final wish: to find a way to end the millennium of bloodshed amongst the Útels and unite them. Such wishes are considered sacred in Útel culture, and so the chiefs spent a whole day discussing this matter and eventually told Zynai of their idea for a council of elders replacing the rule of chiefs, which she was satisfied with.
Many traditions observed during the assemblies are meant to imitate this pivotal event in Útel history; the elders may only eat nuts and diluted wine served to them during breaks, the colonnade symbolizes the clearing where the chiefs conversed, and the staff adorned with golden vine-leaves -showing whose turn it is to speak- is modelled after the scepter of Zynai.
Many traditions observed during the assemblies are meant to imitate this pivotal event in Útel history; the elders may only eat nuts and diluted wine served to them during breaks, the colonnade symbolizes the clearing where the chiefs conversed, and the staff adorned with golden vine-leaves -showing whose turn it is to speak- is modelled after the scepter of Zynai.
Type
Parliament
Parent Location
Comments