Teaphala
teˈɐɸɑlɑ
Teaphala is a remote nation in the western extreme of Erania. It is separated by the rest of the continent by the Arrowmere, a wide and dark expanse of swampland where hidden dangers abound. By sea, it is surrounded by rocks and reefs that make navigation and anchorage nearly impossible. However, for the traveler who is able to make the journey, Teaphala is a land of beautiful inland forests and lush coastal jungles, all under the stewardship of a society where Windcraft is commonplace, and few people want for anything.
Structure
Charter Assembly
The Charter Assembly is Teaphala's equivalent of a legislative branch. It is responsible for codifying how the needs of Teaphala's citizens are fulfilled. It is divided into an upper house (the Council of Divisions) and a lower house (the Council of Citizens).Council of Divisions
The Council of Divisions is responsible for representing the interests of the individual administrative divisions of Teaphala. They propose the various administrative processes that affect how divisions are run. Once a proposal is approved by a majority vote in the Council of Divisions, it is then sent to the Council of Citizens for their approval (also by a simple majority vote). The term length for members of the Council of Divisions is four years. Every four years, a new Council of Divisions is chosen by lot. Members are chosen based on the administrative division in which they reside. For example, a council member for the division of Naemmatara will always be chosen from a selection pool of only the citizens of Naemmatara.Council of Citizens
The Council of Citizens is responsible for representing the interests of the citizenry of Teaphala as a whole, regardless of the division in which they reside. They too have the power to initiate proposals, which mainly focus on the needs presented by the citizens of Teaphala. If a proposal is approved by a majority vote in the Council of Citizens, it is sent to the Council of Divisions for their approval, also by a majority vote. The term for a member of the Council of Citizens lasts for two years. As with the Council of Divisions, a new Council of Citizens is chosen at the end of each term by means of a lottery. Unlike the Council of Divisions, however, the entire Council of Citizens is chosen from a single, nationwide pool of citizens, which changes every term.Presiding Council
The Presiding Council, led by the Premier, is responsible for ensuring that the code set forth by the Charter Assembly is carried out, and the citizens' needs are met. The Presiding Council consists of head ministers of the various fields of focus required for citizens' wellbeing (education, citizen health, housing, roads, &c.). The members of the Presiding Council are chosen by the Premier at the beginning of each term.Premier
The Premier is Teaphala's head of state who appoints and leads the Presiding Council. One of the Premier's main functions is to provide final approval to proposals initiated by the Charter Assembly. The Premier can also deny proposals (this is known as power of interdiction). However, an interdiction can be overturned by a 2/3 majority vote in the Assembly council where the proposal was first initiated. In addition to approving Assembly proposals, the Premier can also issue edicts for the purpose of carrying out the Charter. In order for an edict to be enacted, it must cite the specific section and clause of the Charter to which it pertains. An edict cannot be issued with the scope of the entire Charter without unanimous approval from the Ministry of Resolution. The Premier serves for a term of seven years, after which point a new Premier is selected by lot from a national pool of citizens that changes with each term.Ministry of Resolution
If there is some conflict between the Charter Assembly and the Presiding Council, or if enough Teaphali citizens bring forth a grievance against a government rule or process, and it cannot be resolved through existing legal channels, it is brought before the Ministry of Resolution to be mediated. The Ministry of Resolution, led by the Chief of Justice, is responsible for using Charter precedent and public opinion to ensure that the government continues to function properly and in the interest of all Teaphali citizens. Ministers serve for a term of four years, after which time a new Ministry of Resolution is selected by lot, drawing from a national pool of candidates that changes with each term.No-confidence
One of the most important mechanisms by which the Ministry of Resolution ensures citizens are being fairly represented is by facilitating a referendum of no-confidence. The Chief of Justice is responsible for maintaining a record of all petitions of no-confidence brought before the Ministry of Resolution. If enough of the same petitions are made to the Ministry, it is then their responsibility to call for a referendum of no-confidence and bring it before the Teaphali public. A charge of no-confidence can be made against any government official, or against the government as a whole. If enough petitions are received, a referendum is triggered. If the referendum passes, the person or government responsible is replaced by lot. For replacing an individual, the referendum must receive a 2/3 majority vote. For replacing the government as a whole, the referendum must receive a 3/4 majority vote. A no-confidence referendum is considered an extreme course of action, as the government is generally chosen by lot and the pool changes at the end of each term. Nevertheless, it is regarded by Teaphali citizens as an important safeguard against incompetence or corruption, and an assurance that the people are fairly represented.Demography and Population
Although humans are not uncommon in Teaphala, the wide majority of Teaphali citizens are beastfolk, mainly Chekala and Kanchen. Most of the population is found in the important cities, particularly Teaphala's capital city of Efeodell and the western coastal city of Naemmatara, though little villages and towns can be found all throughout the country, even in the thickest areas of Teaphala's numerous forests and rainforests.
Territories
Teaphala is on a peninsula in the northwestern part of Erania, and its only point of connection to the rest of the land is covered by the Arrowmere, a dark and mysterious expanse of swampland that can be very hazardous to cross. On its south is the Sunken Sanctuary, a dangerous bay full of rocks and reefs inhabited by sea monsters. A narrower channel separates Teaphala from uncharted lands to the west, but this channel has a dangerously fast current and is prone to sudden and unpredictable storms. The channel opens into the Sea of Serenity, which tends to be relatively calm and free of storms. However, Teaphala's northern cape extends into the much harsher northern sea. Many ships have been lost trying to round the cape, and few try anymore. The only reasonably safe passage by water into the land is made by crossing the Bay of Teaphala, but the Teaphali coastline there is mostly uninhabited.
Technological Level
Teaphala would not be considered a particularly technologically advanced nation. Most of their buildings are constructed of the natural materials that are easily sourced from their lands, particularly wood, stone, and paper. Teaphali do not actively reject technology, but they tend to take a much closer look at risks and downsides before embracing it.
Much of Teaphali architecture and design incorporates Windcraft, as Teaphali society has a great respect for Essence and its benefit to their world.
Foreign Relations
Due to its remoteness, Teaphala does not have much contact with the outside world. However, it is a peaceful nation, and does not engage in hostility with outsiders, instead welcoming any they find within their borders, and they do not have any problem engaging with trade agreements with other nations if they consider them to be mutually beneficial.
Agriculture & Industry
Teaphala is mainly an agricultural nation, though it does rely on some other basic forms of industry to provide for its citizens. In the smaller villages scattered throughout Teaphala, farms tend to be shared and maintained by the community. The larger cities have farms on the outskirts but also rely on the scattered rural farms for food. They, in turn, provide much of the labor and material needed for building and maintaining the outer villages.
Trade & Transport
Teaphala relies a great deal on internal trade between cities and with the small villages scattered across its landscape. The Minister of Roads is on the Presiding Council is responsible for overseeing the logistics of internal goods and making sure food and supplies are efficiently delivered where they are needed. Roads in Teaphala tend to be quite well maintained, and they are equally useful for trade vehicles and foot traffic.
Education
All Teaphali children, whether in large cities or remote villages, receive an education that lasts from just out of toddlerhood up until early adulthood. Education begins with the basics of reading and writing, elementary history, simple principles of Essence, and basic arithmetic. Additionally, the educational system (particularly for younger children) aims to use children's natural curiosity about the world and direct it in ways of critical thinking.
As children grow older, the basic concepts taught in early childhood are expanded upon with more advanced knowledge of the subjects. In particular, children around 9-12 years of age are taught more advanced principles of Essence, and also how to safely conduct it.
Once children reach their teenage years, they have the ability to choose what courses and fields of study they want to pursue, though classes in core subjects like language, math, and Windcraft are still required alongside the electives.
The timeline of a Teaphali child's education is fairly standardized, though it allows for some variance. For example, if a child is determined to be struggling to understand a particular subject and wants or needs extra help or specialized tutoring on it, that can be requested and conducted on mutual agreement between the child, their guardians, and the school.
In Teaphali society, a person is considered an adult when they reach the age of 18 years. This is also typically the age at which Teaphali attend their final year of basic schooling (though that can vary, depending on whether they needed additional years of courses or tutoring to complete their education). When a Teaphali graduates from basic schooling, their name is placed into the selection pool for serving in a government position.
Teaphala does have public centers for higher learning, where Teaphali can choose to continue their education in more specialized areas if they choose. Teaphali enrolled in higher education centers are exempt from serving in the government until they complete their courses.
Infrastructure
In addition to roads and schools, Teaphala maintains a top-notch infrastructural system, focused on ensuring that people are not wanting for any basic necessity. Teaphali do not use currency, and work on a system of exchange and barter in the event that one party has something the other needs.
A Minister of Housing sits on the Presiding Council. They oversee the development of the residential areas cities, and even of the remote villages, and is responsible for ensuring that Teaphali citizens do not find themselves without shelter to live in. Houses in Teaphala tend to be large, partitioned buildings designed to comfortably accommodate several families.
Because Teaphali society depends so much on the resources provided by the forests they live in, they have a very organized system for keeping the forests healthy and ensuring they are are not being depleted faster than they can regenerate. Only specific areas of Teaphala's forests are permitted to be used for lumber. Trees must be replanted after being cut down, and a regular "census" is taken of replanted trees' ages to ensure they are not being harvested faster than they can be planted.
Demonym
Teaphali
Government System
Sortition
Economic System
Post-scarcity economy
Legislative Body
Charter Assembly
Council of Divisions (Upper House)
Council of Citizens (Lower House)
Council of Divisions (Upper House)
Council of Citizens (Lower House)
Judicial Body
Chief of Justice
Ministry of Resolution
Ministry of Resolution
Executive Body
Premier
Presiding Council
Presiding Council
Neighboring Nations