Maistîa
Also referred to as Masita, Maistîa is now referred to as the Maistîan Democracy. It is a small southern nation-island located between the Tawk and Meyr Seas, with the Wewwich Ocean to the south. The island is most visible from Utukchayw and south-eastern Ûkêni shores.
The capital of Yazke is located on the north coast, while major cities include Altasum on the western coast, Kashahrdava at the desert border, Istagab to the east and Dulaya Yur. Despite a large part of their territory being covered by an inhospitable desert, Maistîan people show a great tenacity and excel in maritime and physical tasks.
For a long time, they were ruled by a monarch, but the recent revolution and subsequent abolition of royal power in favor of democracy has cast a veil of doubt and instability over the hearts of the people, who now more than ever, rely on their maritime knowledge and physical prowess to ensure the consolidation of government.
Government
The people decide on policies without any intermediary or representative. Citizens participate individually and directly in political decisions and policies that affect their lives, rather than through elected representatives. They vote laws, granting of citizenship, elections of magistres, tried crimes and the carrying out of punishment, the declaration of war and peace, as well as the creation or dissolution of alliances.
A magistres is a citizen who is chosen by others to represent their decisions outside of their cities and internationally. They are chosen during an assembly, but also by lottery. They can be destitued at any time. Any adult citizen can be chosen, at the only condition that they must have attended at least one assembly before. Given that any citizen of any age is strongly encouraged to participate in assemblies, most of the population is involved in political life.
The Clockwork organization makes sure the assembly is able to decide policies, that the laws voted respect the democracy in place and, along with the chosen magistres, they oversee international relations. They are akin to a silent and mostly inactive ruling force, although they make it a point not to intervene in the political life of the country.
Aside from the two assemblies required at the beginning and ending of ech season, assemblies can be held at any date but notice has to be given beforehand if the assembly is to be considered formal. Informal assemblies have no governmental power. Elections have to be announced fifteen days before the election takes place. Likewise, fifteen days have to pass between the proposal of legislation and its enactment by the assembly.
The standard format was that of speakers making speeches for and against a position, followed by a general vote of yes or no. Though there might be blocs of opinion - sometimes enduring - on important matters, there are no political parties. Voting is done by simple majority, by show of hands or by the use of black or white rocks put into a pouch.
Fashion and society
Although not belliquent people, Maistîan are to be feared when armed with whips, curved swords or thin straight ones. Bucklers are a must-have to defend oneself, and can even be used outside of combat for the most creative minds.
Clothes are made of linen, allowing wearers protection from the harsh rays of sunlight, as well as offering breathability and resistance to tear. Tops are designed loose and versatile, made to quickly free arms and shoulders. It's considered inappropriate and almost sexual to reveal one's belly, but not one's back. As for bottom clothing, all genders without distinction wear long skirts, which can be shortened by being folded and held by a belt, an irreplacable item worn everyday.
Underwear is non-existent, children are taught to control their bodily urges very early, while menstruating women are able to control their menstrual flow. Therefore, no greater shame exists among young people than to lose control of oneself, to the point of dirtying yourself with bodily fluids.
Curiosities
- Goblins are said to originate from the Maistîan desert, although no one has yet discovered how they reproduce.
- Harming a dog is considered akin to ruining your future, especially in the center region of the country.
- Many dungeons can be found scattered throughout the desert, many theories are debated as to how and why they appeared.
Maistîan Democracy
"Wealth of the sea"
Capital: Yazke
Religion: Qubar Spirits, Old Dabarud Deities, Erdi Spirit
Demonym: Maistîan, Masitan
Government: Direct democracy
LINGUISTICS
IPA transcription
/maistɪa/ or /masita/
Pronounciation
[ MAI.stia ] or [ MASI.ta ]
Meaning
"Seven Beneficial Waves Together"
"Seven New Laws"
Etymology
From Chîkise, ma ("seven") + is ("wave") + tî ("together") + a ("good")
From Chîkise, ma ("seven") + si ("law") + ta ("new")
