Cor Quae'thum {Nation}
A Place of Learning
When Maeve founded the temple to Gnol-Dotera at the dawn of history, she had a singular ambition: to create a sanctuary for knowledge and disperse its riches to all. Even though thousands of years have passed and the temple has over time grown into a massive university, its foundational aspirations have stayed the same.
The highest governing organization of Cor Quae'thum is a council called the Catedralum. It consists of Maeve, the headmistress of the university, the high priest of Gnol-Dotera, and the most senior professors of the university. As Maeve is often occupied with other matters, the day-to-day ruling of the university is left to her councilors.
The main responsibility of The Catedralum is to assign the resources of the university to promising projects. Each individual also has their own responsibilities: the professors teach the students of the university and pursue their own research, while the high priest manages the affairs of the church.
Knowledge is Power
Ascendency in Cor Quae’thum is a testament to mastery. Although scientific and arcane research are esteemed paths, the pursuit of excellence is boundless - encompassing the martial, the artistic, and even the pastoral. All kinds of expertise are valued. Older inhabitants typically have a higher status, since most people believe that wisdom and experience come with age. However, everyone is free to prove their skill.
Anyone can try to become a professor of Cor Quae'thum. All one has to do is captivate the faculty with a public discourse in their chosen discipline, and should the professors find the lecture good enough, the person gains the position, along with all of its benefits and responsibilities. Maeve, though seldom present during these lectures, retains the final say in these appointments.
The clergy offers an alternative path to societal veneration. As Gnol-Dotera is the goddess of knowledge, the simple act of studying means worshipping her. Thus, the primary mission of the clergy is to maintain the ever-growing library and its countless books and scrolls. Most worshippers of Gnol-Dotera keep their faith private outside of religious holidays, limiting their worship to praying before a scholarly trials or pivotal colloquies.
A Little Bit of Everything
Cor Quae'thum is very open to peoples of other nations. Many people travel there to study under the best in the world. Likewise, Cor Quae'thum invites renown experts of the world to oversee difficult projects or teach there. Many professors are also invited to teach at schools of other nations - for a hefty salary.
Thanks to this constant flow of people, the population of Cor Quae'thum is more varied than that of any other nation. A kaleidoscope of beings and customs live side-by-side on the streets, with shrines to myriad deities punctuating the cityscape.
As all knowledge is valued in Cor Quae'thum, artisans of every field have set up their shops in the city. Unlike in other nations, the artisans of Cor Quae'thum are very independent. They include the very best in the world, who have, in some cases, had centuries to perfect their craft.
These factors also make Cor Quae'thum a neutral ground. Empires convene in the halls of the lustrous university to forge pacts of peace and alliance, and the university staff helps mediate the negotiations to ensure the best result for everyone. Even the Royal Hexagon Alliance was proposed, drafted, and finally signed in these hallowed halls.
The Hearth of Knowledge Type
Geopolitical, city state Population/Inhabitants
(50% luni, 13% chilopodians, 9% beetlefolk, 8% vespoids, 20% other) Demonym
Quaethan Government System
Arcanocracy - ruled by a council of professors Official State Religion
Order Pantheon Dates Active
Year 6 of the Age of Order - present Important Locations
Temple of Gnol-Dotera Notable Members
Maeve, Uzo Aetum Notable Assets
Library, educated population, arcane knowledge
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