The governmental arm of the Sahēḏēḏ (Religion) is still new to the world, only two-hundred-and-fifty odd years old. Despite this, the Sahēḏēḏ have already proven themselves through sheer, bullheaded pride to be a force to be reckoned with in the Sidhai.
History
Once, the Sahēḏēḏ were nothing more, nor less, than the Saḏēsuḫbōṯ Haretk̀īhe's largest (legal) religious organization until the fall of the great Empire tore everything assunder.
Rags and Tatters
In the wake of the Zurosh Bakht invasion the only Empire organization left with anything to their name was the Sahēḏēḏ. Their furthest outlying temple, Saletkaw, had managed to hold off enemy forces despite overwhelming odds. Saletkaw's Masōḫ claimed the victory to be an offering of redemption from the gods, and rallied those remaining to accept survivors from across the old Empire.
In the months following the invasion, Saletkaw's numbers swelled nearly to capacity as refugees entered it's walls. Most were common folk, with scattered military personel. It seemed very few members of the old Empire government had either survived, or were willing to show themselves. In absense of other leadership, the priests at Saletkaw stepped in to keep matters from devolving into riots and anarchy.
From the Ashes
Despite the broadening roles of priests withing the Sahēḏēḏ, and the here-to-fore unseen numbers of common folk living within the temple, the Sahēḏēḏ did not formally acknowledge their self-restructuring from religion to governing body until the rise of Bījēt Bīk̀ẖīs̆.
A zaḏṯēṯēh of Mōtōk̀, house of Ōḏē, Bījēt claimed that while walking in the lower caverns he stumbled across an ancient, pre-Empire temple where he found an ancient relic thought lost during the raids. Upon touching the relic, Bījēt hear the voice of Bīktōhēt entreating him to take command of her followers and lead them back toward their salvation in her undying grace. She left him with a gift, and a simple, clear cut instruction on how to do this.
At first, Bījēt's claims were met with charges of heresy. The Temple attempted to execute him by three separate methods: stoning, beheading, and by bidding him walk through a pit of cobras. Bījēt survived all three attempts, first by merely living through the pain, the second by breaking each blade upon his skin until his executioner gave up, and the third by inviting a snake to bite him so that all could see him survive the poisoning.
With each obstacle he survived, Bījēt's authority among the common people grew. When he brought the snake that poisoned him from the pit, presenting himself again before the masōḫ for judgement, the people cheered and demanded that he be named the new Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh. Realizing their folly in opposing him, the masōḫ relented.[/]
A People, United
Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh Bījēt's first proclamation was to formalize their order as a nation into itself. No longer citizens of the Empire, the Sahēḏēḏ would live as a people united by their loyalty and adherence to the will of the gods. They would follow the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh's commands so that, one day, the goddess Bīktōhēt would again bestow upon them the gift of immortality that they might again take their place at the feet of the gods.
But Bījēt's apparent immortality was only temporary. Once his place had been assured, the gift once again abandoned him for, he said, it was not a gift he had properly earned. Rather, the gift had been bestowed upon him only to see out the trials the masōḫ were certain to set. In this was, Bīktōhēt sought to assure her people would be set upon the proper path.
Upon Bījēt's death, over a hundred years later, a new leader was again chosen by the goddess. This person, too, was given a temporary immortality to prove their appointment, and a set of secret instructions that they were to follow. So it has been through to the current day.
Structure
The Sahēḏēḏ are unique for having a government so closely entwined with their religion that all government officials are also ranking members of their priesthood. In fact, everyone in Sahēḏēḏ society is also considered a member of the Sahēḏēḏ (Religion) clerical order, though not all of them are regularly hold service or teach religious doctrine.
Religious doctrine factors heavily into law, and particularly into the way government officials are chosen and appointed.
Uk̀ẖeh K̀ẖaktaẖ Legīk̀
Speaker of the GodsCommonly referred to as the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh , the Uk̀ẖeh K̀ẖaktaẖ Legīk̀ is the effective monarch of the Sahēḏēḏ. As they are seen to hold a divine connection with the gods, once elevated to this position the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh is free to pass and alter law as they like, declare war, broker treaties, etcetera. They are beholden to no one but the gods themselves, who, it is said, will only show their displeasure by killing an Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh who acts out of line. If the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh is living and in good health, then whatever they have or have not done is perfectly fine.
In addition to presiding over the Elemut, passing judgements and laws, and handling matters of national importance the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh also presides over the major religious ceremonies throughout the year.
Only members of the Elemut are allowed into the ritual for selection.
Gīk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh Lōs̆
The Speaker's VoiceLess formally referred to as elōs̆, this is the position given to the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh's personal assistant and second-in-command. It is their duty to fill in for the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh when necessary, compile reports and information for them, and go where the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh may not be able or available to go themselves. For example, if a meeting of heads of state with a foreign power is necessary, it is the Elōs̆ who will almost always go.
This role is assigned by the Ḥōḏ Elemut closely after a new Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh has been sworn into service. Each Masōḫ put forwards a candidate from their temple whom they find suitable. Candidates are then reviewed on a large scale of qualities from charisma to understanding of foreign policy, multitasking ability to manners until the Ḥōḏ Elemut has come to a majority consensus.
Once in office, they are dismissable by the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh, but their replacement will once again be left to the Ḥōḏ Elemut
Ḥōḏ Elemut
The AdvisorsThis council, comprised of the high priests (Zaḏṯēṯēh Masōḫ) from each of the eight major temples, serves as an advisory board for the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh. It's members are also charged with enforcing the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh's will among the rest of the Sahēḏēḏ. Each high priest retains a certain amount of rights to lead their temples according to their order's doctrine, but the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh's law is dominant; they can overrule any point of theology or law for all Sahēḏēḏ.
Ḥōḏ K̀ṯesaktaḏōẖēḥ Masōḫ
The Holy ReviewThe following offices operate directly beneath the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh's jurisdiction. Many operate in conjunction with departments from the eight temples. Typically this is only to collect information from the Sahēḏēḏ as a whole, such as organizing census data or taxes. Rarely, this means directly taking over several departments, such as the Minister of Defense drafting the individual security forces during times of war.
Secretary Treasurer
Title in Qēsud: Ekmēwbōjad Masōḫ lit. Holy Coin Keeper
Department: State Treasury
The State Treasury oversees foreign imports and exports, coordinates the transference of foreign coin into credit chits and provisional goods for the Sujīḫ, and handles internal treasury audits.
Secretary of State
Title in Qēsud: Zaḏṯēṯēh H̱ēk̀ Masōḫ lit. Holy Foreign Priest
Department: Foreign Affairs
The Secretary of State handles foreign policy, both on a diplomatic level, such as the coordination of foreign ambassadors both to and from neighboring nations, and on a religious level, such as missionaries sent to visit non-affiliated sects of Sahēḏēḏ (Religion). Less overtly, a sub-department handles foreign intelligence gathering
Secretary of Defense
Title in Qēsud: Ek̀ṯerīḏṯēḥuṯ Masōḫ lit. Holy Protector
Department: Department of Defense
This department controls the standing military housed within the Ninth Sujīḫ, the defense of the Sahēḏēḏ as a whole, and reserves the right to conscript from the Sujīḫ security forces in times of war.
Secretary of Agriculture
Title in Qēsud: Emīhuḫ Masōḫ lit. Holy Farmer
Department: Agricultural Board
The Agricultural Board coordinates with Sujīḫ to share non-Sujīḫ farming territories, and regulate the use of Sujīḫ internal farming territories to best serve the Sahēḏēḏ as a whole.
Secretary of Provisioning
Title in Qēsud: Ek̀ues̆ Masōḫ lit. Holy Provisioner
Department: State Commissary
Smaller than the other departments, the State Commissary exists to requisition supplies from the Sujīḫ, and the State Treasury, for both the Ninth Sujīḫ and the standing military.
Secretary of the Interior
Title in Qēsud: Ek̀uḏṯēḫbōjad Masōḫ lit. Holy Peacekeeper
Department: Internal Affairs
Internal Affairs seek to keep the peace between the Sujīḫ, investigate breaches of law by government officials, and lead domestic intelligence gathering missions.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Title in Qēsud: Gōt Masōḫ lit. Holy Doctor
Department: Board of Health Services
Coordinates individual Departs of Health and Human Resources to best serve the Sahēḏēḏ as a whole.
Secretary of Religious Observance
Title in Qēsud: Ek̀ẖehut Masōḫ lit. Holy Questioner
Department: Board of Inquisition
Disseminates changes in religious canon from the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh, hears scholarly petitions concerning changes to the canon in advance of bringing such matters before the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh, and organizes the ceremonies for state-wide holidays.
Sujīḫ
Each of the eight major deities has their own sect known as a Temple, or "Sujīḫ." In this sense the word specifically means the entire sect, not merely a physical place of worship. Though they are each aspects of the Sahēḏēḏ and follow nearly identical internal structures and core tenants, individual Sujīḫ do vary on minor organizational matters and matters of theology.
Each Sujīḫ also encompasses several bītk̀ōḥ, or "shrines," which are dedicated to related lesser deities of the Sujīḫ's major deity.
One of the most significant aspects of the Sujīḫ is that they comprise the dominant body of all Sahēḏēḏ citizenry.
Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ ḥōḏ Uḏēsēsuḫbōṯ
Sometimes referred to as "The Ninth Temple," rather than being dedicated a god, the Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ ḥōḏ Uḏēsēsuḫbōṯ is dedicated to the memory of the God-King Mīseḫ Egur. This temple is the home of the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh and the The Holy Review, as well as those who serve them. It's grounds also house the headquarters for the military.
Priesthood Ranks & Benefits
Alehēḏēḏ
Though not technically part of the government per se, the alehēḏēḏ are the common citizens of the Sahēḏēḏ who make up the backbone of manual labour and "un-skilled" jobs. Each alehēḏēḏ is schooled in primary education from ages 4 - 11. From there, they either pass directly into an assigned work class, into secondary education, or into military education.
Citizenship in the Sahēḏēḏ means having a government assigned job class, the right to vote for the high priest of your Sujīḫ, the right to earn credit chits for luxury items, the right to audit elective secondary educational classes in one's free time, and the right to request reassignment to a new Sujīḫ.
However, alehēḏēḏ are barred from being promoted higher than sub-management positions, cannot earn credit toward a rank by attending classes, and are only allowed weapons training beyond that of their primary education during times of war.
Zaḏṯēṯēh
The first rank of the priesthood, the zaḏṯēṯēh, are those whose performance during primary education qualified them for secondary education, between the ages of 12-18. Upon graduation, some of these individuals may go on to higher education, while others will be assigned to a job class. Most zaḏṯēṯēh are put into supervisory positions, generally beginning as low level management, clerical in both a beurocratic and theorcatic sense, or as low ranking officers in the small, standing military force (following a year of basic training.) The zaḏṯēṯēh are allowed to attain positions as high as department managers.
The zaḏṯēṯēh are guaranteed all the same rights as the alehēḏēḏ with additional provisions like: any classes taken later in life are scored and used to gain a rank promotion, the right to apply for priest-only positions at the Sujīḫ's bītk̀ōḥ.
Zaḏṯēṯēh K̀ẖatk̀ēk̀
Called K̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ for short, this intermediate level of the priesthood holds the majority of governmental and military officers. While a few k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ are sent directly into higher education from their zaḏṯēṯēh training, most are zaḏṯēṯēh who have worked for the promotion during their free time.
K̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ who begin within this rank typically begin jobs in higher positions than zaḏṯēṯēh, and require less experience to be promoted within their particular fields. Unlike zaḏṯēṯēh, the k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ are eligible to become the director or sub-director of the Sujīḫ's governing departments, or the high priest of a bītk̀ōḥ.
The only special rights afforded k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ is a bonus to the luxury credit chits allocated to them, quarters within the temple itself, ability to run for the zaḏṯēṯēh masōḫ office, and exemption from military draft.
Zaḏṯēṯēh Masōḫ
The second-highest rank possible within the Sahēḏēḏ, zaḏṯēṯēh masōḫ are those few k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ promoted by democratic vote to lead their Sujīḫ, or elected by the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh to serve within The Holy Revew.
Within the Sujīḫ, the ruling masōḫ's word is law. Like the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh, once elected they serve until their deaths, whereupon a new masōḫ is chosen from the k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ ranks. In a manner of speaking these are the nobility class of the Sahēḏēḏ, afforded prestigious accommodations, a large amount of luxury, and complete deference to their whims provided they are acting within the bounds of propriety as established by the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh's law. It is from these ranks alone that a new Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh may be chosen.
It is also the masōḫ's duty and privilege to preside over the Sujīḫ's largest, most important holidays and ceremonies.
Directly beneath the masōḫ is a unique position filled by a k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ who acts as the masōḫ's right hand and weilds their power in the masōḫ's stead, should the masōḫ be indisposed but not dead. Though this k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ cannot technically inherit the masōḫ's position, they are often chosen as the next masōḫ.
Top-Level Sujīḫ Departments
Though a few Sujīḫ have specialized, lesser departments that are unique to them, all Sujīḫ have the following departments which work both internally to keep the Sujīḫ stable, and externally with one another to unify the Sahēḏēḏ. The directors of each department form the Supervisory Board which reports directly to their masōḫ, and whose integrity is held in check by The Holy Review.
The Supervisory Board
Like the Elemut, the Supervisory Board of each Sujīḫ exists both to advise their masōḫ, and oversee the internal working of the individual Sujīḫ departments. Each director is hand-picked by the masōḫ from the k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀ ranks, and may be reassigned at the masōḫ's whim. Most of the time, these change overs (if any) happen within the first few weeks of a new masōḫ being elected.
Department of CommerceLead Officer: Chief of the Treasury
Secondary Officer: Captain of the Treasury
The Department of Commerce oversees the Sujīḫ's treasury, internal provisioning, and importing and exporting to other Sujīḫ. They handle audits from the State Treasury, and requisition requests from the State Provisioner.
Department of StateLead Officer: Chief of State
Secondary Officer: Captain of State
The Department of State coordinates cross-educational programs with other Sujīḫ, labour exchange, and, less overtly, intelligence gathering. They operate in conjunction with both Internal and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Board of Education.
Department of SecurityLead Officer: Chief of Security
Secondary Officer: Captain of the Guard
A Sujīḫ's security department consists of a standing guard regiment assigned to protect high-clearance areas of the Sujīḫ grounds, and a law keeping department. These departments do not overlap. While the guard may be called to help during an attack of some nature, both internal or external, they are not allowed to arrest or accost citizens in any way, unless specifically directed and overseen by a warrant officer.
Department of AgricultureLead Officer: Chief of Agriculture
Secondary Officer: Captain of the Agriculture
A smaller department than most, the Department of Agriculture is primarily concerned with coordinating farming efforts on the little viable land available, and heading conservation efforts.
Department of Health and Human ServicesLead Officer: Chief Physician
Secondary Officer: Captain Physician
Health and Human Services contains several specialized sub-departments concerned with the well being or coordination of Sujīḫ personnel. They coordinate directly with the Board of Health Services.
Housing oversees the assignment of housing for all citizens, as well as the construction of decommissioning of buildings.
Health Resources is staffed by the Sujīḫ's physicians, who coordinate in regards to issues of public health, and facility needs.
Labour Board reviews reports from the Department of Education and needs of individual labour departments to assign or reassign labour where needed.
Population Board keeps tabs on census data, manages breeding arrangements, and approves marriage proposals.
Lead Officer: Chief of Education
Secondary Officer: Captain of Education
The Department of Education is responsible for setting Sujīḫ policy regarding all three tiers of education: primary, secondary, and higher. They conduct sub-department reviews, confirm new professors, and may post requisitions for new equipment or facilities for any sub-department.
Department of OperationsLead Officer: Chief of Operations
Secondary Officer: Captain of Operations
The Department of Operations contains a multitude of sub-departments for everything from janitorial services, to cafeteria staff, to farming production. Every potential job class, including religious, report to the Chief of Operations concerning their output or requisitional needs. These are consolidated, approved or denied as necessary, and passed along to the appropriate departments.
Department of Religious ObservanceLead Officer: Chief Inquisitor
Secondary Officer:Captain Inquisitor
The Department of Religious Observance is very similar to the Board of Inquisition, on a narrower level. They are charged with keeping the canon for their particular Sujīḫ, dealing with matters of heresy, overseeing the smaller sects that comprise their Sujīḫ's bītk̀ōḥ, and overseeing the planning committees for major ceremonies.
Crime & Punishment
Law enforcement within the Sahēḏēḏ has two departments, dependent upon the nature of the alleged crime.
If the alleged crime is one that could be construed as religious heresy--such as the teaching of non-approved materials as though they were fact--that crime is reported to and investigated by the Department of Religious Observance.
All other matters, such as petty theft or murder, are the under the jurisdiction of the Department of Security's investigative sub-department until, or unless, they are proven to have a religious element. For example, larceny is normally the within the preview of the Department of Security, but if the stolen item is a religious object it must be given over to the Department of Religious Observance.
Religious offenses are treated far more seriously than any non-religious offenses.
Non-Religious Offenses
"Common" crimes are investigated under the assumption that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. If, after a thorough investigation, the Lead Investigator is convinced that the accused is innocent, the criminal goes free. If not, one of two things will happen:
For non-violent crimes, the guilty party is assigned a punishment as already set forth by the Sujīḫ's bylaws. Usually this entails fasting and penance at a relevant bītk̀ōḥ, and extra labor in one of the menial job classes, and a potential docking of credit chits for a set period of time. The more serious an offense, or recurring offenses, are treated with increasing severity.
If a person is found guilty of more than three instances of the same non-violent crime, or five instances of any non-violent crime, their cases are then forwarded to the Chief of Security. The Chief of Security may set punishments as severe as public flogging, and job class demotions before involving the Masōḫ.
When the Masōḫ is forced to get involved personally, the punishment is almost always expulsion from the Sahēḏēḏ. In those cases the accused may ask another Sujīḫ to review their case, but instances of such a ruling being overturned are nonexistent.
For violent crimes, the guilty party the punishments begin with a public flogging; the number of lashings having been already set forth by the Sujīḫ's bylaws according to the type of violation.
A second violations of any kind will be sent to the Chief of Security. If found guilty, the accused is flogged a second time, and branded upon the forehead with a mark indicating the type of crime they have committed. They are forbidden to wear any item of clothing or jewelry which may prevent this mark from being seen.
Third violations of any kind are sent immediately to the Masōḫ. If the Masōḫ finds the accused guilty, they will be put to death. The method of execution is left to either the accused's victim, if alive, or the victim's family.
The accused is allowed to request a review of the investigation by another Sujīḫ before their execution. Again, instances of an overturned ruling are nonexistent.
Religious Offenses
Crimes with any religious component are given to the Inquisitors of the Department of Religious Observance. Sometimes this is done immediately, at other times the cases are handed over once the Department of Security has confirmed the case to have religious flavour.
Considered far more serious than non-religious crimes, these offenses do not differentiate between violent and non-violent offenses. Instead, a first religious offense will earn a guilty party--as determined by the Chief Inquisitor--a public flogging, proceeded by a public confession and, where applicable, a renouncement of what was said--and up to three months of fasting, meditation, and silence at a bītk̀ōḥ.
Second offenses, ruled on by the Masōḫ, are met with the same punishment. However, if the accused is guilty of heresy their tongue will be removed immediately following their public confession.
Third time offenders are sent to the Board of Inquisition. If found guilty, they are executed according to the method chosen by the Īk̀ṯuk̀ẖeh.
Demography and Population
The population of the Sahēḏēḏ are split between nine different Sujīḫ, or Temples. Each Sujīḫ is dedicated to one of the eight major deities of their pantheon, with the exception of the ninth temple which is dedicated to the God-King Mīseḫ Egur.
Every Sujīḫ has their own lands and building complex located in one of the many canyons branching out from the Saletkaw pass and extending along the eastern coast of the Sidhai, though the extent and proportions of these lands changes between Sujīḫ. Each of these complexes includes lands both above and beneath ground, filling the caverns from which the ancient Qīk̀ṯebīfuẖ once arose.
| Sujīḫ Name | Translation | Deity of Worship | Approx. Population |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ Aharen | House of Earth | Bīk̀ẖītēs̆ | 42,000 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ Abīfuẖ | House of Life | Bīktōhēt | 32,500 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ Aẖēt | House of Sun | Rīḏaḥēk̀ | 30,500 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ K̀ẖīk̀ẖebōs̆ | House of Death | Ek̀ẖebōs̆ | 28,000 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ Ak̀ud | House of Secrets | K̀ẖatequr | 22,000 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ K̀ẖīk̀ẖekmēḥ | House of Knowledge | Mōtōk̀ | 25,500 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ Azēḥīḏ | House of Water | Leṯēh | 30,000 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ Apak̀īn | House of Storms | K̀ak̀tōs̆ | 19,500 |
| Qēk̀ẖufuḥōṯ rīṯ ḥōḏ Uḏēsēsuḫbōṯ | House of the God King | Mīseḫ Egur | 17500 |
Following the dissolution of the Saḏēsuḫbōṯ Haretk̀īhe, their descendants in the Sahēḏēḏ (Government) have become deeply, brazenly xenophobic. As such, they are a completely hemogenous state.
While they--technically--allow immigration, they do so under the rule that a prospective immigrants fully renounce the ethnicity to which they were born, and any religious affiliation they may have had. The worship of other religions or non-approved sects is strictly prohibited, as is the celebration of non-approved holidays.
In the last several years, a slow but increasing decline in population has been directly attributed, by incredibly brave and potentially suicidal individuals, to such policies.
Education
There are six forms of education within the Sahēḏēḏ, all of which take a highly important role within society on both a political and personal level.
Every citizen of the Sahēḏēḏ is guaranteed basic education from ages 4 - 11. This means that they learn to read and write in Qēsud, basic maths, the approved histories, basic theology, basic physical training, basic use of their zeṯ, and desert survival skills.
The highest percentile students will be selected to continue forward through secondary education. All others are sorted according to the needs of their temple and their personal aptitudes, and are assigned to job classes where they'll start with entry-level, "training" positions.
Secondary education, ages 12-18, teaches more advanced subjects along the same core curriculum: a foreign language, advanced composition, advanced history, advanced zeṯ techniques, training and theology, as well as core management and leadership skills.
Upon graduation, all students have obtained the rank of zaḏṯēṯēh. A very small number of students in the highest percentile will be selected to continue directly into higher education. The rest will be sorted into trade apprenticeships, or military service according to needs of their Temple and the Sahēḏēḏ.
Trade apprenticeships exist for every possible job class in the Temple. While the apprentice performs most of the same duties as a regular worker, they are given special attention by managers to prepare them for promotion into the supervisory ranks within the next year.
Military service goes much the same way: they begin with advanced physical training. The best among them are offered the opportunity to take an entrance exam for the officer's academy which teaches tactics, survival training in multiple territories, combative zeṯ, advanced leadership skills, and military history.
Higher Education, ages 19-23, prepares a student to go directly to the rank of k̀ẖatk̀ēk̀. They are taught definitive histories, one or more secondary languages, theological secrets, political theory, foreign histories, foreign mannerisms and cultural profiles, and mastery use of their zeṯ.
All citizens are allowed to participate in educational courses they did not immediately qualify for when they were younger once they have completed a years' worth of service as a citizen of the Sahēḏēḏ. Supplementary education is viewed as an excellent use of one's free time.
| Tier | Qualifications | Rank Earned |
| Basic Education | None | Alehēḏēḏ |
| Secondary Education | Top 30% Basic Education | Zaḏṯēṯēh |
| Military Basic Training | Strong physical performance, and/or leadership kills. | -- |
| Military Advanced Training | Top 5% in MBT, and passing the academy entrance exam. | Officer |
| Vocational Training | Secondary Education | -- |
| Highest Education | Top 10% Secondary Education | Zaḏṯēṯēh Masōḫ |
Oooooo this is one beefy article ok I'm a try to tackle this. So first off i like the language, though I'm not well versed enough to know the pronunciation, for someone like myself it is helpful to maybe put some pronunciation in parentheses, though this may just be me. I'll also say that some of the info here would go really well as sidebar content simply. Perhaps the section. Discussing crimes and punishments and the education sections. This will tighten to scrolling and make use of the screen in really cool ways that can help do what I will say next. Idk if you planned in adding pictures but i would recommend it. Pictures are awesome and provide breaks for the eyes with this much text. Stemming from the sidebar topic you can also kind of manipulate the reader to look in specific areas at specific intervals of the article as were primed to have our vision caught by images more than words. I hope none of that sounded too critical. I hate formatting advice sometimes cause it's not what i want in mine so let's move to content. I love the detail and depth you went into describing each element. The priesthoods and positions of politics and how they intertwine in this theocracy. I did notice something lacking however. You talk in great detail about their politics and structure and all but you speak very little about their culture. While yes they are very dedicated to their religion, surely someone has produced art, even if that art is religious in nature. Are there any hymns written, any of them worth quoting? Any famous works of art that hang in the places of worship or dare i say painted interiors like the Sistine Chapel? Again i hope im not being rude or over critical. This is a great article and it made me wanna know more. Good job
Not rude at all! I'm glad you liked it, and your formatting notes are excellent. I've mostly just been concentrating on getting things down and sorted out, but formatting and images are definitely on my to-do list. In particular, figuring out what to do with the sidebar has been a bit of a struggle. The other part is that this particular group is difficult to categorize. There's more information on their actual religion on both the Saheded Religion and the Elheded ethnicity pages, but cross referencing is definitely a good idea. I could probably work more on the multitude of job classes available (including the arts) as well as the central mythology. You really gave me a lot of direction to work in, and thank you!
Oh goooood and you're very welcome. You have a lot of good stuff here. I figured it was a world ember thing. I'm the same way i only format and add images when i throw something up for critique by others. Even proofreading is put aside for content this month. Cross-referencing is always good and i find that relevant but not direct information is good for sidebar content. The education stick. and all like i said but the arts and even a summary of beliefs would go well there as well since you're focused on the people as a whole in the main article. I know you're waiting to really worry about all of this but I'll just leave some stuff for future reference :) i may take a look at those articles to get a better feel for it as well. Good job and keep it up