Hekremeht

The Hekremeht were a significant tribe long before the establishment of the Empire. They helped the emperors to rise in power, and they were their loyal servants as long as the Empire lasted. When the Empire fell, the Hekremeht fell with it.

Values and morals

The concept of ''virtuous character'' underlies all Hekremeht ethical thinking. It emphasizes the constant striving of the individual and the sense of duty, typically to one's clan or ''discipline''. The Hekremeht tend to be very correct and tactful in their displayed behaviour, as one should uphold their reputation in order to maintain their social status.
The following is a sample of the common moral maxims, to which most of the hekremeht strongly profess to, most of the time. Business is business and sometimes practical concessions need to be made, but individuals, families and clans always strive to maintain "face". The wise thinkers - or turbulent critics - say that image is everything for any member of the Block B tribes.

• Always respect and honor the higher +Rank
• Do revere and respect the +Ancients, and the forefathers and -mothers of your own line
• Do not lie
• Do not steal
• Do not contradict and question the word of your mentor or superior
• Do respect the knowledge and experience of others, even those of lower rank and even if their opinion is contrary to your own
• Do not interrupt a student or interfere with their studies; always listen to your teacher/mentor and take heed of their word
• Do not kill or maim out of spite (personal grudge), for fun, or when one does not deserve it
• When you have sworn loyalty, do not sway from your duty for laziness, pleasure, cowardice, or disrespect
• Always support your clan and your family.
• Do not fail to reward any good or service done upon your clan; likewise, do not fail to revenge insult or injury thereupon
• With Rank comes responsibility; from higher up, you can expect support without your own request, from the lower Ranks, support for any remotely reasonable request you make - the hekremeht know their duty and to need to repeat your demand would be exceptional

Religion

The most popular religious beliefs of the Hekremeht involve heaven and hell, with whatever Great Spirits are trendy mixed in. Virtuous people with sublime character will be able to ascend to the heavens when they decease, while murderers, criminals, and other vicious and hateful people will endure hell. Bitter people who faced much difficulty in life or coveted what belongs to another will be reborn a beast as they can not leave the binds of this world behind.
There are notable spiritual minorities. Precursor worship is popular on some Hekremeht worlds, with cultists preparing for the return of the great [[Ancients]]. Some clans - mostly [[Renegades]] - converted to hard-line materialist worldviews at the end of the [[Succession war]], and emphasize nothing so subjective and vague as religion should come between an individual and her duty.
Kiki myths

Ideologies

While many Hekremeht subscribe to the tribe's traditional, duty bound views, the crisis of the Succession War accelerated the formation of radical lines of thought. The period since the Discovery seems to have polarized things further.

• Kakayites are very hawkish, aggressive even towards other tribes, and emphasize military virtues. Many are cultists.
• Balancists emphasize strict adherence to virtue, duty, service and exemplary permormance in one's profession. Warfare is a tool of virtue, not vice versa. They are traditionalists and usually the least hawkish of all the factions. They emphasize the importance of [[Renown]]
• Renegades are often viewed as the most radical group by others. Some clans adopted these mindsets already at the end of the War, but the school has gained a somewhat increased following over the years. They view the [[Kaskadar]] tribe not only as rivals but also as a role model.

Disciplines

Disciplines hold great sway in Hekremeht society, as great skill and knowledge is thought an embodiment of virtuous character. Members of the Hekremeht are expected to constantly improve themselves, and are observed to be serious and dedicated in developing within their discipline.
Traditionally there are four Great Disciplines, and their most skilled practitioners almost invariably belong to the tribe's elites also today: * Administration of the state (crown or tribe) * Military * Education * Engineering (common ancient tech)
While not a Great Discipline, arts and handcrafts are also much valued and high skill draws attention from society.
High-profile professionals get their training personally from a famous and respected teacher. The relationship to the teacher is close, and the pupil often practices within the teacher's business, at least until the training is complete. Low-tier pupils may work without compensation and instead pay the teacher. Teachers are often outside the pupil's clan, but some of the most traditional clans only get tutored within their own.

The Records

Main article: Records
Many scribes and historians of the old Empire came from the tribe, and after the first wars in the Empire, there began a practice of archiving formal historical record and the associated of the prominent Kiki clans. This established the Year of the Records calendar, still in use by the Hekremeht today. (The Jigofarr basically have the same calendar but call it Emperor's Years.)
Today, there are not so many scribes - a telltale of a waning civilization if you believe what many Hekremeht say - but the tribe still carefully keeps the Records and clans of Renown are highly respected. As it is they have a good memory of history, until the earliest centuries of the Empire.
Clans

Related Organizations

• Azurbakat
• Balancists
• Kakayites
• Renegades