The City States of Helathen
The City States of Helathen are a collection of various mountainous settlements and states, united under the common desire to defend against outsiders.
Initially settled by travelers from the early ages of the world, Helathen united under it's current state in 950 CT during a war against two fronts: Rezhpol and Nyssai.
Led by the first (and temporary) Archon Stratigos, Solicles, they beat back the invaders before returning to their city state nature. The Motto of Helathen came from this time, after a message from the leader of Rezhpol; it stated "If I should invade Helathen, I shall burn your people, ravage your lands and topple your monuments."
Solicles responded with "If"
Due to Helathen's territorial state, it is split into four distinct regions, each with their own individual city states: Kamera, Lacyria, Pelaria and Selaki. Each region possesses its own dialect, cultural peculiarities and personal identity. A Pelarian will look different from a Lacyrian while both being very much united under one banner and still identifying as being of Helathen.
While never fully explained, the Planar Seal between the Mortal Realm and boundless planes is thin, causing the birth of what the Helath people call Moirali - The Destiny Scarred.
These are creatures either altered by living in close proximity to the planar energies, though such things can take generations to occur, or born entirely from the planar energy. Terrible creatures have occasionally been wrought by this, with grand stories often written about the day a hero finally vanquished a beast that plagued them.
Initially settled by travelers from the early ages of the world, Helathen united under it's current state in 950 CT during a war against two fronts: Rezhpol and Nyssai.
Led by the first (and temporary) Archon Stratigos, Solicles, they beat back the invaders before returning to their city state nature. The Motto of Helathen came from this time, after a message from the leader of Rezhpol; it stated "If I should invade Helathen, I shall burn your people, ravage your lands and topple your monuments."
Solicles responded with "If"
Due to Helathen's territorial state, it is split into four distinct regions, each with their own individual city states: Kamera, Lacyria, Pelaria and Selaki. Each region possesses its own dialect, cultural peculiarities and personal identity. A Pelarian will look different from a Lacyrian while both being very much united under one banner and still identifying as being of Helathen.
While never fully explained, the Planar Seal between the Mortal Realm and boundless planes is thin, causing the birth of what the Helath people call Moirali - The Destiny Scarred.
These are creatures either altered by living in close proximity to the planar energies, though such things can take generations to occur, or born entirely from the planar energy. Terrible creatures have occasionally been wrought by this, with grand stories often written about the day a hero finally vanquished a beast that plagued them.
Structure
While each city state government has their own power tier, there are often similarities between them.
Below are a variety of versions of the Governments of Helathen.
In times of great need, and only in great need, a council is called to The Hidden Temple at the Heart of the Healthen mountain range. There, the various leaders of Helathen broker alliances to allow them to unite against a common foe. In exceedingly rare occasions, they will unify under one banner and choose a single leader to temporarily lead them until the crisis they face is averted.
Below are a variety of versions of the Governments of Helathen.
| Polemarchos/Stratigos (Supreme Commander/General) | Navarch/Navarch Orator (Admiral/Admiral Speaker) | Hierophant (Holy Ruler) | Archon Orator/Anax/Anassa (Lord Speaker/King/Queen) | Hipponax/Hipponassa (King/Queen of Horses) |
| Taxiarhos (Brigadier) 5 to 9 Individuals as a Council | Archplearchos (Commodore) Council of Two from each Settlement | Archiereas (High Priest) One Per Temple | Rousia (Council of Elders) | Hippoarchon (Horse Lord) Several per Settlement |
| Tagmatarkhis (Battalion Leader) | Plearchos (Captain) | - | Archon (Lord) | |
| Lokhagos (Captain) | Ephstis (Officer) | Leras & Lerieras (Priest & Militant Priest) | - | |
| Hoplite (Soldier) | Naphtis (Seaman) | - | - | Hippokavalar (Horse Rider) |
| Polis (Citizen) | Polis (Citizen) | Polis (Citizen) | Polis (Citizen) | Polis (Citizen) |
| Xenos (Foreigner) | Xenos (Foreigner) | Xenos (Foreigner) | Xenos (Foreigner) | Xenos (Foreigner) |
| Helot (Slave) | Helot (Slave) | Helot (Slave) | Helot (Slave) | Helot (Slave) |
The Triadok
While its exact contents differ from city state to city state (or sometimes not used at all), the Triadok is the Helathen method of selecting a leader. During this Ordeal, prospective leaders must undergo three tests.
The First is a Test of Strength. Through this method they must show their physical and mental fortitude in dealing with a challenge laid before them – whittling down their numbers.
The Second is a Test of Combat, where they must fight one another until their numbers are whittled down further.
The Final is a Test of Leadership, where the remaining figures will battle each other en masse, but this time with a small combat group at their backs. This shows who can not only fight with an army at their side, but who can lead their group the best. A Successful person does not even necessarily have to win this Test, but prove their qualities as a Leader.
The Tests completed, a Leader is chosen and granted their rank.
The First is a Test of Strength. Through this method they must show their physical and mental fortitude in dealing with a challenge laid before them – whittling down their numbers.
The Second is a Test of Combat, where they must fight one another until their numbers are whittled down further.
The Final is a Test of Leadership, where the remaining figures will battle each other en masse, but this time with a small combat group at their backs. This shows who can not only fight with an army at their side, but who can lead their group the best. A Successful person does not even necessarily have to win this Test, but prove their qualities as a Leader.
The Tests completed, a Leader is chosen and granted their rank.
The Leader will then make their journey to the Hidden Place, the meeting place of the leaders in times of desperation, and carve their name into place alongside the leaders of old, affirming rites, rituals and treaties that all leaders must live by in this country.
Worship
Regional Holidays
Ringbreaker's Day - 24th of Maglios
On the 24th of Maglios, 1600 CT, a group of adventurers known as the Ring Breakers stood against the might of the Cult of the Nine Tongued Worm, and their figurehead. Their actions saved the city state of Tithera, and - by extension - the rest of Helathen.
This day is remembered with feasting, celebration, and as a time to be thankful for the good people in ones life. Some regional locations take this time to give praise to a local figure who has done good deeds in their local community, and some city states take this as a time to announce any new Agios or Heroes to be elevated to household worship.
Aika (If)
Founding Date
950
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Demonym
Helath
Government System
Meritocracy
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
The Drassom
- Platinum Chelon (Embossed with Shield of respective city state, and an Arrow)
- Gold Drachma (Embossed with Shield of respective city state, and a Fist)
- Silver Tetra (Embossed with Shield of respective city state, and a Fish)
- Copper Owl (Embossed with Shield of respective city state, and an Owl)
| Copper Owl | Silver Tetra | Gold Drachma | Platinum Chelon | |
| Copper Owl | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 | 1/1000 |
| Silver Tetra | 10 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 |
| Gold Drachma | 100 | 10 | 1 | 1/10 |
| Platinum Chelon | 1000 | 100 | 10 | 1 |
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
- Asranos, Deity of the Sky, Stars and Ruler of the Gods
- Chygoura, Goddess of Good Fortune
- Denryas, Goddess of Dryads and the Trees
- Eskes, Goddess of the Hearth and Family
- Fenganya, Goddess of Magic and the Moon
- Fygan, God of Nature
- Girokti, Goddess of the Earth and Agriculture
- Ichsike, God of Light, Music and Healing
- Kalatos, God of Death
- Krasymemnos, God of Mirth and Wine
- Kyniko, God of Hunting
- Maglefia, Goddess of Love and Beauty
- Minide, God of Travel and Commerce
- Mirgeia, Goddess of Marriage, Intrigue, Women and Childbirth
- Parnoke, God of Victory and Protection
- Sedloga, God of Smithing and Crafting
- Signos, God of Wisdom, Knowledge and Civilisation
- Theilas, Goddess of the Sea and Earthquakes
- Tyrlus, God of War, Tyranny and Strife
- Vateos, God of the Underworld
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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