Raiser

Some disregard us as "fringe radicals", but when we were responsible for the freedom of an entire country and its people - a country which, mind you, is highly regarded across the continent - I'm not sure how "fringe" we could possibly be.

— Raiser politician in Kse Feorton

Raisers are a countercultural group found throughout Thurásin, but especially in the countries surrounding Lake Strelish. They believe strongly in democratic principles and in the equality of all, and as a result often come into conflict with those in power.

History

While people with democratic values have existed in some form throughout the years, Raisers only began to appear as an organised group in the last hundred. They arose primarily in response to the "tyrannical" actions of the monarchs of Dätsalöl, who were preventing whole classes of people from improving their lives, especially in the country's eastern half.
This was seen in direct contrast to the government of Varrzaxadh, whose sovereigns had recently voluntarily given over authority to an elected body. With the two acts compared, many around Lake Strelish believed that actions ought to be taken to emulate Varrzaxadh throughout the region.
These people came to identify themselves as "Raisers", professing a belief that the poor and lower classes should be raised up in power and influence to the same level as the rich and royal. They are a fringe group in most monarchical states, but have seen some success.
Notably, a Raiser Audhil called Zherla "accidentally" provoked a rebellion in the city of I-onülish, guiding her congregation and the wider populace to demand better treatment by force. This rebellion later secured the independence of the Republic of Kse Feorton.

Values

Raisers value equality and decency above all else. Most of their community structures emphasise this level playing field, rarely having a single 'leader' who is above all else. This is not to say that they are against leadership, merely that they are against unearned and undesired leadership, highlighting the fact that a leader's power comes from those who follow. They are fans of democracy in most forms, and champion its cause in monarchical states.
They are also particularly tolerant of various forms of religious worship, as even though most in Thurásin worship The Divinities, not everyone worships in the same manner. Raiser religious practice is very diverse, but shares in the communal aspect and the sharing of culture. However, as a result of their championing of equality, they are most often followers of the Divinity of Balance, and many of them are/were associated with the Church of Balance.

Identifiers

Raisers are not highly identifiable if they don't want to be, capable of resembling any other citizen of their country. The most obvious sign of a Raiser is the wearing of a Raiser Pin, a symbol designed to resemble a ramp supported by pillars, representing their desire to lift up the lower classes. These pins are usually made of cheap and easy to find materials, in order to make them available to the very people raisers most support, but they can be made in fancier materials such as bronze.
Another tell that someone may be a Raiser is the length of their hair. Many make an informal pledge to not cut their hair until they achieve their goal of equality, and as such most have very long hair. This has led to some giving them the insulting name of "The Mulleteers", along with being referred to as "unkempt" and "untidy". Raisers who are punished for treason will often have their hair forcibly cut to embarrass them.
While Raisers dress just like any other citizen, they are known to wear capes and cloaks cut with a triangular bottom, evoking their symbol. Similarly, dresses and skirts will bear triangular and diagonal patterns.

Raisers by Isaac Thompson

Raiser Symbol by Isaac Thompson

Also known as

Mulleteers, "Democratic Vermin"

Common Languages

Vaitsärriishal
Sheu Zarnag

Significant Presence in

Kse Feorton
Dätsalöl
Pris Xüfonz
Na-ochiixid

Parent ethnicities

• Tsädhayo

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Myths

• Xaitha and Däko

Languages spoken

• Light Speech

Royal Influence

Raisers only have official power in democracies such as Kse Feorton, but they also have some power in the various royal states around Lake Strelish. This is most true of Pris Xüfonz, where Raisers formed a significant voting bloc during the most recent election of the country's absolute monarch, Grand Princess Loi-lii II. Her narrow victory over her opponent is often credited to them.
This has led many to speculate that Loi-lii is herself a Raiser, albeit one who does not openly identify as such. After all, it's a bit hypocritical to champion equality on one hand and campaign to become a monarch on the other. That said, some Raisers believe that she did so in order to use the monarchy's power to enact change from above, as her reign has been defined by its attention to the poor and to the resolution of the ongoing dispute with Ibza Xüfonz.

Gold Crown by Hans