Mistofor
Mistofor is the smallest of the greater city states and biggest of the minor. Significant for excelling in military prowess (infantry especially) and for never have been occupied. The culture of the city and associated areas is of almost obscene adherence to "the order of things" or simply "Seira". Almost all aspects of the society and culture has some utilitarian function.
Mistofor is mostly known for its military and that their city has never been captured by an invader.
Society
Mistofor is a utilitarian cast society where individuals are tried during adolescence and assigned a cast depending on their strengths. Though there isn't strong "castism", there is still a level of that and a strong sense of worth based on cast. A lot of the time focus is about being the best "in your cast", mainly because leaving your cast is a crime you are banished for and if ever returned, death (after a faux trial). Having said that, every citizen is expected to be a member of the greater army, workers can accomplish some administrative work, clerics can come up with strategies and some philosofers are beefcake. As long as you dont upset the order of things, there is a small amount of social elevations.
Other than that, the society is mostly non-sexist as that would be against the order of things. It makes no sense to be judgemental when you can spend that energy to train to be better at what you do. Cheaters that are caught do tend to not like their comuppances though. However, there is still only a small minority of women among the Warrior cast.
Honour is closely tied in to Seira and unlike similar cultures in our world, celebrated. Mistofor itself and its surroundings are full of monuments to great men and women.
Casts
- Warriors - The backbone of the society
- Philosofers - Intellectual elites and strategists
- Clerics - Usefull skilled individuals who assist the war machinery (including priests, oracles, educators, diplomats and spies)
- Workers - Other citizen; usually without their own land
- Slaves - The only people without ownership of themselves
Politics
The political leader of the Mistofor is the Kaziera.
Election process for Kaziera:
- All citizens have 1 vote, bringing forth a candidate from their cast
- 5 candidates brought forward.
- Taken through "The Arena" which really is tactics, maths, philosophy, religion and the Arena (Arena first)
- Candidates are allowed to use lethal force, but this is very much frowned upon
- Each branch gives points and highest points win
Kaziera elects a Vice Kaziera.
Speaker of Senate is third in line.
- Speaker of senate is elected (by vote) in Senate.
General is fourth in line.
Stays for 10 years. At year 10 (and every 5 years after) the Senate votes on whether to hold re-election or continue as usual.
Never re-elect during an ongoing war.
Election process for Senators:
- Per province
- All Citizen may apply. Taken through the Lesser Arena (run speed, thro spear, theory etc). 99% discarded
- 5 candidates go to The Arena
Justice
Every citizen is his own advocate in times of law issues. Slaves and young are not citizen so the responsibility lies on the owner or parent.
Characters
- Adamastos, First Kaziera of Mistofor, The Beast Slayer* of [important battle].
- Legends tells of the man who slayed countless mounted adversaries by foot with his Glavie Fýsima at a the crucial moment where defeat seemed inevitable, his movement, strength and endurance seemed out of this world. Thus Adamastos was given the epiteth "The Beast Slayer". Fought men from the X mountains, generally referred to as "the beasts".
Armour
For an outsider Mistoforian armour looks to be identical for each soldier. In reality there are differences any Mistoforian would instantly recognise.
Armour is made at the volcano Kolasi in the Mistiforan archepilago. One twelveth of the material is taken from the lava of the volcano itself, the rest being a steel compound. Any more or less than 1/12 results in poor or porous steel. The would-be warrior also opens his veins and pours his own blood into the mixture. The result is an unreal alloy wich is exceptionally light and is carried with ease by its owner.
The process is a secret to only the highest political and military leaders. For most people, the simple act of using the volcano to forge is enough to create this spectacular metal. Even warriors donating blood are unaware of the specifics, other than feeling that the armour truly is theirs. A user who has imbued blood into their armour has increased instincts while wearing it.
Armour has also been handed down from parent to child for generations, seemingly becoming even better with the ages. Some warriors have even testified their armour had spoken to them or given them visions of incoming blows before they happened.
When the last descendant of an armour owner dies, the armour itself looses its shine and becomes dull and heavy. Such an armour is virtually indestructible but heavier than led and the tradition is to move it to the Halls of Rememberance together with the life history of the armour (stories abotu its users).
Countenance
While Mistofor has never been taken, areas of Mistofor control have been occupied at times but usually not for long. Mistofor has responded in kind by simply documenting Countenance (counting back in equal measure) in accordance with the order of things, and then invading the invader's home to pusrue the Countenance. Some Philosopher is brought with accurate lists of losses from the original invasion, including the value of items, violated citizen and lost slaves. The Philosopher would, after the military action is concluded, bring the mayor of the city to him and go through the numbers, asking the leader to provide wealth of equivalent measure, women and men that shall put through public executive rape on the spot and slaves to be taken.
Should the mayor refuse, his own home will first be emptied, himself raped and then himself taken as slave. Then the vice mayor, and going down in whatever order that city uses until all numbers are met or a leader provides appointments on which items/people to be affected. Naturally, there is an important distinction between citizen and slaves.
Generally, Mistoforians accept an attempted invasion and the prowess of their adversary. Any slaves taken are taken and will not be demanded back; other slaves will be taken in turn to even the scores. If a Mistoforian is taken as a slave then then he or she failed to defend themselves and rightfully belong to their new master. If a child is taken, its parents failed to protect it (however another child WILL be taken in turn). There is, however, plenty of precendence of families voluntarily purchasing the slaves back at a reasonable price (or else the takes is upsetting the order of things). During time of being a slave, a Mistofor will be an exceptionally loyal and good worker.
This methodical and emotionless custom is one of many reasons neighbouring kingdoms and city states are hesitant to attack Mistoforian lands.
Fauna
In and around Mistofor there are several species of large spiders and vicious snakes. All part of the everyday ritual in Mistofor includes being very viligant for lethal dangers under every pillow.
One significant animal is the lindworm, of which a lot lives on the nearby islands. Every few years the islands are invaded by thousands of the spawn, which needs to be dealt with. Some of these are taken and trained as beasts of war for the military at great cost of lives and effort. The spawn is the "The start of the Wild hunt", denoted by this event.
Ideas
Warrior ideas
Mainly close-combat (classic)
Specialised troops
vallistres (ballistae - βαλλίστρες vallístres)
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