Elaeus

There is a long history of heroes, mythic deeds, and epic exploits in Elaeus that cast the nation in a semi-divine gilded mist which excites the minds of all Etherians, filling their heads with notions of warrior-heroes, divine conflicts, epic odysseys, and monstrous mayhem. The source of this mythic quality could stem from the fact that Elaeusians recall with almost perfect clarity the struggle for freedom that caused and was followed by The Draconic Exodus for their ancestors. Having to fight not once but twice for one's liberty, rights, and life—first against Draconic invaders in the ancient Etherians' original homeland and second against the native Nefel overlords who inhabited the diverse lands that would eventually become modern Elaeus—has made the Elauesians proud, resilient, and largely democratic-minded. Though the peoples of old that would become the first Elaeusians had their differences and were as independent as Elaeusians today, they were able to band together to overthrow the nefel tyrants and establish the poleis, or city-states, of Elaeus: militant and proud Perikratos, forward-thinking and learned Meleta, and vigilant and nature-loving Dasikos (and Lantia, the god-smote former city-state lost to time and memory itself).

Structure

Unlike many of the other nations of Etheria, the nation of Elaeus is far more a nation in name than it is in practice. In fact, it would be best to describe the holdings that comprise what is considered to be the territory of Elaeus to be a loose confederation of which three distinct poleis, or rather city-states, include. Regardless, on the national level, Elaeus itself functions and acts as a nation like any other: it manages its own economy, it secures its own trade partnerships, and it defends its own borders with a military force drawn from all reaches of the nation. As a confederation, though, there is no one single face that represents Elaeus as a nation to the larger world; instead, the Synhedrion, a four-person council, manages the day-to-day international affairs of the nation. Seated on the Synhedrion is a single representative from each of the three poleis who has been chosen by the governing bodies of their respective polis as well as a fourth representative who presides over the council. This fourth representative can hail from any of the three poleis and is considered to be not only the champion of their home polis but also the champion of Elaeus for having claimed victory in the Elympiad, a lively and demanding inter-polis athletic competition occurring every four years that includes such events as wrestling matches, footraces, javelin throwing competitions, sparring contests, and chariot races. At the polis level, though, there exists a great variety in the organizational structure of Elaeus. Such structural distinctions can be found below by heading:

Perikratos

The legendary warrior-heroes and athlete-warriors of Perikratos and the other martial elite who make up the citizenry of the polis are only able to have the means to devote their lives to studying and training in the ways of war, though, because they rest atop a rigid social structure dependent upon non-citizen serfs and servants who live nearest the walls of the polis in slums. What follows is a brief outline of the social hierarchy of Perikratos:

1. Monarch - Traditionally, Perikratos is ruled by a monarch whose lineage is drawn from among the lektoi. The monarchy passes from parent to eldest child, but any sibling or first cousin of the heir can challenge this succession and claim the throne for themselves by besting the heir in single combat. The reigning monarch of Perikratos, as expected of a monarch, oversees every aspect of life in the polis, commanding its military, maintaining its economy, and ensuring the wellbeing of its citizens among other responsibilities.
2. Lektoi - At the apex of Perikratoan society are the lektoi, the large warrior class of the polis who claim descent from the seven warriors who originally founded the polis. Though the families now number more than seven, each one uses an animal associated with one of the seven warriors as its symbol, either the ram, boar, bear, lion, hart, bull, or horse. Though there is some nuance between each of these symbolic beasts, they all collectively represent for the lektoi and for Perikratos as a whole Perikratoan strength, determination, and resilience. Although the lektoi claim descent from heroes, membership in this noble class isn't strictly hereditary. Anyone can earn a place among the lektoi by claiming a victory in the Elympiad games, even those from the lower classes of Perikratos and individuals from other poleis. More commonly, though, members of lektoi families lose their place of privilege by failing to fulfill their obligation to serve in the Perikratoan military.
3. Stratians - The Perikratoan military is formed of wandering bands of warriors drawn from the lektoi families known as stratians, though some stratians do ultimately serve their military obligations within the walls of the polis. Those stratians who do not, though, camp in the forests and fields, hunting for food and training younger warriors as they travel the lands beyond the walls of Perikratos. Their tasks are to defend the polis, protect travelers, and search for monsters that have strayed into Perikratoan territory. The stratians are divided into three types of duty and are armed appropriately for the task before them:
   
A. Alamon - Rugged forces of wandering stratians patrol the farthest edges of Perikratos, defending against invasion or attack by monsters that dwell in the mountains, foothills, badlands, forests, and plains around Perikratoan territory. They are armed and armored for speed and agility, allowing them to move stealthily and to strike unexpectedly.
B. Lukos - The most elite forces among the stratians, the so-called wolves of Perikratos contend with threats that the Alamon cannot handle alone. After the guerrilla tactics of the Alamon have softened up a target, the heavily armored Lukos march to finish the task with an often heavy hand.
C. Oromai - The observant last line of defense, the Oromai are stationed along the walls of the polis to guard it and maintain order within it.
4. Servants - Lektoi who complete their military service with honor often retire to the wealthy heart of the polis or to their family estates in the hills where they then go about the leisured life of aristocrats. Their households are run by a class of servants made up of lektoi who were unable or unwilling to undertake a military career like their socioeconomic peers. These servants lack the full privileges of citizenship as such is determined by membership in the Perikratoan military, but they do retain a position of some honor thanks to their class.
5. Serfs - At the bottom of Perikratos's social hierarchy are the serfs. Comprising the vast majority of the polis's population, the serfs largely reside nearest the walls of Perikratos in slums, laboring to grow the staple crops that support the polis's citizens and trade. A relatively small number of serfs are skilled artisans who are able to make a more prosperous life for themselves with their crafts. But even these wealthier serfs cannot own the land they live on, and they enjoy only a few rights or legal protections.

Meleta

Committed to social equity, devoted to the idea of democracy and its attendant freedoms, and enamored by philosophy and learning, the polis of Meleta structures its society around such tenets. As such, it is one of the few democratic governments in Etheria and is arguably the most democratic of the Etherian democracies. The social hierarchy of Meletan society is as follows:

1. Ecclesia, or the Council of Twenty - A council of philosopher-governors called the Ecclesia, sometimes referred to as the Council of Twenty, serves as the ruling body of Meleta. They are elected by popular vote among the citizens of the polis and serve for terms of four years at a time. They are supposed to govern by philosophical principles of justice and social order, and many of them do strive to uphold the highest ideals in their decisions. Others are more grimly realistic, and a few are deeply corrupt, serving only their own interests. The most senior member of the council is recognized as its leader, responsible for bringing the assembly to order and moderating its debate.
2. Philosophers - Though they aren’t necessarily heroic, philosophers are highly valued in Meleta, which is renowned as the center of philosophical thought. They form a privileged class, often coming from wealthy families but also supported by stipends from the polis’s academies and their own students. Different philosophical schools hold political as well as intellectual power in the polis, with five schools of philosophy dominating Meletan discourse:
   A. Formalists - Formalist philosophers believe in a realm populated by abstract entities such as numbers and theories. They focus their efforts on trying to improve the moral fabric of the polis, hoping to create the ideal society, where people live together in peace, and where war and crime disappear.
   B. Nykleans - Nyklean philosophers teach that reason or destiny underlies all of reality, so that everything that takes place must unfold just as it does. These philosophers train themselves to accept and endure whatever befalls them, enjoying good fortune but not grieving its loss.
   C. Uremideans - This school emphasizes logical reasoning, rhetorical excellence, and theories of ethics and virtue. Uremideans are eminently practical governors who seek to balance ethical ideals and realistic necessities.
   D. Elpidians - The optimistic Elpidian school currently predominates Meletan thought and politics, carrying on the works of the heroic oracle Elpidios. The Elpidian school strives to put manipulations of Anima and philosophy to use in improving the lives of all Meletans. Elpidian mages embrace magic in all its forms.
   E. Tribadians - Tribadian philosophy embraces the fine delights of a simply-lived life: the pleasures of love and friendship, good food and drink, art and music. Tribadians especially promote the equitable treatment of all peoples regardless of nation, race, gender, sexual orientation, or creed, and they have few strong opinions about governance, except that an ultimate good should be kept front of mind in all decision.
3. Thaumaturges - Meletans view shaping Anima as one of the greatest art forms, and they call the most accomplished mages thaumaturges (“wonder workers”). Many Meletan mages are trained at the elite academy of the Delatika, but countless smaller schools and private tutors teach the mystical arts. These lessons in bending Anima typically include a well-rounded education in the sciences and philosophy. Some thaumaturges find their mystical studies aligning with popular Meletan philosophies and choose the schools of Anima they focus on based on such teachings rather than through natural talents. The mark of a true thaumaturge, though, is a gift or positive omen from the gods; even the most accomplished student of bending Anima can’t earn the title without such a sign of divine approval.
4. The Faithful - The hoplites of Meleta practice battlefield tactics in an environment saturated with religious devotion. The military force of the polis is called the Faithful and aims as much to exalt the glory of the Etherian pantheon as to defend Meleta. The soldiers are clever and resourceful, believing their piety leads the gods to smile upon them. More likely, though, their extensive training in battlefield tactics and basic education gives them an edge over other soldiers, with most Meletan hoplites knowing at least the fundamentals of how Anima functions as well as how it is manipulated to produce an effect, or rather a spell.
5. Citizens - In Meleta, all citizens are on equal (approaching equitable) standing regardless of wealth, sex, race, gender, sexual orientation, or creed. Everyone holds political rights, is able to choose whether to enter the military, can receive a polis-funded education, can own property, and can rise to become a member of the Ecclesia.

Dasikos

Despite being the most unconventional of the poleis of Elaeus, Dasikos is like any other society in that it possesses a social hierarchy of power. Though it is also a serious military force, Dasikos does not possess a rigidly stratified social pyramid centered upon the privilege of the citizen-soldier and the oppression of the serf and servant like Perikratos. Rather, Dasikos more closely follows the political sentiments of Meleta. Dasikos's social hierarchy is as follows:

1. Boule, or rather the Ruling Council - The responsibility of day-to-day governance of the polis rests in the hands of the Boule, or the Ruling Council, a five-person governing body consisting of the four military commanders elected by popular vote who each command one of the polis's four fortresses, watchtowers, and outposts that guard the city-state and an oracle tasked with interpreting the will of the gods. The council member chosen to act as the head of the Boule also then becomes the person who ultimately represents the polis on a national and international level.
2. Kopidion - The armed forces of Dasikos, experts in the guerrilla warfare and decisive blows that are needed to protect their paradisiacal home, are aptly called the Kopidion, "the slashing knife." The Kopidion are organized into four major regiments, each associated with a fortress, tower, or outpost defending the polis's holdings:
   A. Bassara Tower - The tower of the fox stands at the southwestern edge of Dasikos and watches for interlopers who enter the Ossion Wood without permission. Soldiers here specialize in archery and stealthily dispatching enemies with a thousand silent strikes.
   B. Lynceus Fortress - The fortress of the lynx stands near the southern border of Dasikos. Its regiment is dedicated to the defense of the polis and the training of its children. The Lynceus warriors favor double-edged axes as well as short swords and specialize in brutal guerrilla tactics.
   C. Asvos Outpost - The highly secretive outpost of the badger nestles at the eastern border of Dasikos. Its wandering warriors travel the world, working on behalf of the Boule to rescue orphaned children in the name of Thanatimetra the Merciful Mother and to further the goals of Dasikos's governing body.
   D. Aetos Tower - The tower of the eagle lies on the mountain ridge marking the northern border of Dasikos. Its regiment includes contingents of scouts and falconers.
3. Theiriodamasteis - Not technically members of the polis's armed forces, the adult male population of Dasikos exist as Theiriodamasteis, or rather "beast trainers," and reside at the Amabios, a large forested region at the southeastern edge of Dasikoan territory. This region provides a safe haven and training ground for the diverse range of animals that occupy an honored place as natural protectors in Dasikoan society. Theiriodamasteis train the renowned falcons of Dasikos here, along with horses for riding and for combat. More unusual animals are found here as well: trainers work with pegasi, wolves, bears, and lions to get them ready to accompany Dasikoans in battle.
4. Children and Citizens - A surprise to many outsiders is the fact that Dasikos treats children, even foreign-born and those of non-human races, as full citizens who enjoy the exact same legal rights as any adult in the polis. Moreover, children, like domesticated and trained animals, run freely around the polis. Such freedom granted to children is meant to cultivate a curious spirit and to help the children find the path they’re most interested in following later in life when they become adults. Upon reaching the age of 14, girl children begin receiving training from the warriors and tutors of the polis while boy children begin a rite of passage in which they are sent out into the wider world to find their true calling and home, thus the reason why the polis's population consists of so many more women than men. In becoming women, former girl children are embraced into Dasikos's tight-knit community of matriarchs and powerful and skilled women, and they are given the choice of whether to join the Dasikoan military or contribute to the polis in another equally as meaningful way, such as by becoming a farmer, artisan, or tutor. Boy children who are sent out into the world to find themselves and a new home become men outside the boundaries of Dasikos and are free to do as they please. Many join one of the other two poleis of Elaeus, but some find themselves drawn back to Dasikos and creating a life for themselves in the Amabios.

Culture

The national culture of Elaeus, though rather difficult to identify as each polis possesses its own unique culture and attendant values, beliefs, and virtues, is one of distinct richness and spiritual depth. Elaeusians are profoundly loyal, pious, and independent—friends are family, gods are supreme, and reliance is weakness in the eyes of the citizen of Elaeus. Perhaps most important of all, Elaeusians place a high premium on heroism, or rather, the serendipitous combination of athleticism, magnanimity, valor, skill, and any number of other traits that can inspire others.

Territories

The territory that is Elaeus is more or less separated into three poleis: Perikratos, Meleta, and Dasikos.
The walled polis of Perikratos stands defiantly at the base of the final precipitous cliff of the Uthar Range before reaching the sea and scales partially up the side of the mountains which serve as a shield between the polis's holdings and the rest of Elaeus. Few have ever attempted to attack the famed walls of Perikratos and none have managed to pierce the city-state's impressive fortifications which have only been bolstered by the surrounding area's naturally advantageous environment and topography. To the residents of Elaeus and Etheria at large, the Perikratoans hold near-mythic status as feared yet venerated warriors produced by a culture singularly focused on perfecting the body, mind, and spirit for not only war but for victory. Perikatoan armies have rarely tasted defeat as they defend the holdings of their polis and their larger national homeland, patrolling the Phobeia Badlands, Alpenwode, and Mytea for danger while also standing as the preeminent military force of Elaeus trained to quash extra-national invasion or aggression.
The most populous of the poleis, Meleta, on the other hand, is the Elaeusian center of learning, progress, and comprehending Anima. It is a city-state of progressive thinkers, pious citizen-soldiers, learned mages, and wise god-touched oracles. Born from the fall of a nefel tyrant many centuries ago, Meleta is a beacon of democratic thought and politics, pursuing ideals of freedom, social betterment, equitable treatment of all peoples, and perpetual invention and reinvention. Founded by four original warrior-heroes, husbands Bellero and Kynilles and wives Anaïs and Callanthe, who rallied the local populace into a triumphant revolution against the ruling tyrant of ancient Meleta, their likenesses have been memorialized as guardian statues who watch over the northern river gate and the southern seagate of Meleta, forever vigilant of danger. As staunch advocates of democracy, though, the original four monarchs of Meleta knew that the polis needed not a set of rulers but a council of philosopher-governors elected by the general population. This council of philosopher-governors became and yet remains the ruling body of the polis, forever leading the city-state toward greatness, prosperity, and improvement.
Finally, the populace of Dasikos live in a beautiful paradise, and they’re prepared to fight to the death to protect it. The constant training in archery, falconry, riding, and close combat can seem out of place among the idyllic forests and beautiful gardens and orchards, but that is the way of life in this city-state. Resting in the woodlands and crags of the Ossions, Dasikos fuses nature and civilization into one single living organism so unified that it is almost impossible to determine where one ends and the other begins. This much is made evident by the fact that no walls bar out the outside world from entering Dasikos like those of Perikratos or Meleta; rather, nature is invited into the city-state. Domesticated animals freely roam the polis, natural elements contribute to the construction of buildings, and the topography serves as a natural defense against threat or invasion. In this polis, the populace lives in harmony with the thick forests, terraced farms, and famed Dasikoan-trained animals, celebrating the cycle of seasons with grand holidays. Dasikoans, though, are also fearsome warriors trained in guerrilla tactics and other combat forms that best suit life in the forested mountains of the Ossions. Dasikos is also unique among the poleis of Elaeus in that few of its adult residents are men. Women comprise the bulk of the population, holding almost all of the leadership roles and carrying out most of the polis's work. Men are few and far between, mostly performing roles at the polis’s edge. Children, like domesticated and trained animals, run freely around the polis. They’re so important, in fact, that Dasikos's people take in abandoned children from all over the nation in honor of the city-state's patron goddess Thanatimetra the Merciful Mother and rear them by the polis as a whole, treating them with just as much respect as Dasikos's own children. Such freedom granted to children is meant to cultivate a curious spirit and to help the children find the path they’re most interested in following later in life. Upon reaching the age of fourteen, girl children begin receiving training from the warriors and tutors of the polis while boy children begin a rite of passage in which they are sent out into the wider world to find their true calling, thus the reason why the polis's population consists of so many more women than men. In becoming women, former girl children are embraced into Dasikos's tight-knit community where property is held in common, there is no marriage, and heritage is drawn matrilineally, all of which receive befuddled looks by outsiders unused to the culture of the polis. Day-to-day governance of the polis is left in the hands of a five person council consisting of four military commanders elected by popular vote and an oracle tasked with interpreting the will of the gods. The council member chosen to act as the head of the council becomes the person who ultimately leads the polis on a national and international level.

Religion

As with the majority of the Etherian nations, the religion which is most prevalent in Elaeus is the worship of the Etherian Pantheon. Though most nations equally revere each of the major gods of The Etherian Pantheon or at least make an attempt to honor each god, denizens of Elaeus take their piety and commitment to representing the entire pantheon of their deities to another level. In each polis can be found a temple to each of the Etherian gods and in each town, village, or hamlet can be found at the very least a church devoted to the worship of all the gods at one location. Even in Mytea, the Phobeia Badlands, the Ossion Wood, and the Alpenwode, rudimentary altars and shrines are constructed so that wayfarers and wanderers may pause and pay tribute to the deities. For this reason, Elaeus has developed something of a reputation as being the Godlands where people pray hard and the gods make their pleasure (and displeasure) known all the more intensely. For practical and sometimes philosophical reasons, despite paying equal devotion to the many Etherian gods, each of the three poleis adopt a specific deity or deities as the patron(s) of the city-state. For instance, Dasikos venerates the divine siblings Thanatimetra the Merciful Mother and Theromedeon the Wild Guard, both of whom figure into the vibrant agricultural life of the polis as well as its distinct cultural practices and beliefs regarding women, children, and nature. Perikratos, as the chief military power of Elaeus, naturally has taken Polemiroas the Battle-Wise as its patron deity while Meleta, the Elaeusian hub of learning, progress, and civilization, reveres Amaphoron the Herald of Civilization and Kryphios the Hidden One.

"Aièn aristeúein."

("Ever to Excel.")

Maps

• 

  Elaeus

Type

Political, Confederation

Alternative Names

• The Godlands

Demonym

Elaeusian

Power Structure

Confederation

Economic System

Mixed economy

Currency

As part of The Etherian League, the official currency of Elaeus is that of the majority of the continent to facilitate trade and international transactions; therefore, Elaeus uses gold, silver, and copper coins commonly referred by their metallic type for shorthand. Elaeus also engages in the continentally-approved barter system per the rules of the Etherian League.

Major Exports

• Fabrics and textiles
• Advanced medicinal supplies
• Ore, metals, and minerals
• Jewelry
• Smithwork
• Herd animals, companion animals, and war beasts
• Fish
• Fruit
• Lumber, pulp, and paper products
• Cotton
• Art and culture

Major Imports

• Vegetables and fruits
• Advanced alchemical creations

Neighboring Nations

• Ameros
• Djeda
• Henebruck
• Napria