Statis, the Floating City

Overview

A city comprised of many boats and barges, floating upon a vast swamp lake named Lake Berkumpul. Many of the central boats are completely immobile, having had structures built around them connecting them to each other, while ones on the outer ring tend to come and go freely. It is the only city in Phillinos, and one of the countries few large stationary settlements.

History

Statis became the capital of Phillinos quite by accident. The Musas and the Ramans, two families of sea elves, were said to be the first to settle there, at the base of a large dying tree within the middle of a vast lake. Both large families, they settled and tied their barges together in order to celebrate a holiday together (Holdfast Day). The gathering drew attention and more came to join them, for the sake of socializing and trading. The Musas and Ramans were also sought for wisdom, as thanks to their elven heritage, the elders of their families had accumulated a wealth of knowledge over their long lifespans.

The area came to be a popular one, and the collecting of many families there was enabled by the unusual size off the lake. The Musas and Ramans found no need to leave, and built structures to solidify the connection of their ships with each other. It gradually came to be that others followed them in this decision, and there developed a stable core to what would soon become known as Statis.

While the central boats and those surrounding may no longer move, unable to either due to structures of their paths being blocked by other ships, the ones on the outside still come and go freely. It is said by some Phillinosians who look down on the stationary lifestyle that there is a danger to staying in Statis for too long, for before you know it, others will have parked their ships on each side of yours and built gangways between you, and you will find yourselves a settled family.

Government

Phillinos, despite its size, has a relatively low population of 'intelligent' races. Its people have a tendency to wish to manage their own affairs, usually within families, conducting their own laws and justice as suits themselves. When it comes to handling issues of national importance however, all decisions are made in Statis.

The closest figuers to leadership are the Musaraman; descendants of the original families to initially form Statis. They are presented moreso as organizers rather than deciscion makers, for all important decisions regarding the intelligent peoples of Phillinos are made through a voting system. The head of each family unit is permitted a single vote, and a family unit is defined by the ownership of a barge (what qualifies sufficiently as a barge was one of the first things voted upon). When an important vote is approaching is generally when Statis becomes its most populated.

Names: Statis, the Floating City, The City

Population Composition: Sea Elves, Halflings, Humans

Spoken Languages: Philonosian Elvish, Common