Nations name: (both standard and plural form)
The Confederation of Lapaz, Lapaz
Demonym
Lapacite
Capital City:
Latrank
Leader: (Title and name)
Laguia (Title) Alforno Marango Carlo
City List: (List of at least 10 settlements to be used in updates)
Elreeoh
Labohka
Teerah
Reekah
Doorahd
Amoor
Vakash
Seeuhn
Nohmass
Enquentrah
Person names:
Male:
Alforno
Stefo
Arnau
Ohalo
Jeraro
Female:
Alana
Selesa
Florensa
Hema
Monika
Societal Structure: (classes, how people live, jobs)
The society of Lapaz is, for all intents and purposes, divided into two distinct subclasses, with numerous subgroups in each created by cultural and regional interests and ties. The two main groups are the Gubernoh and the Granha.
The Gubernoh are the aristocracy of Lapaz, and their positions are largely hereditary. Gubernoh rule over regions in Lapaz, usually a city, town, or village and the surrounding area. The Gubernoh come together after the death or removal of a Laguia and elect a new one from among their ranks. Each Gubernoh's vote is given a certain "weight" based upon the size of their domain, the number of people within it, and their wealth. The Gubernoh can also be called together by the Laguia to approve laws or other such special measures. Many Laguias do this on a regular basis to prevent as much backlash from new laws as possible due to the power of the Gubernoh to remove a failing Laguia from power by unanimous vote.
The Granha are a catch-all for the peasantry of Lapaz, from farmers to merchants. In most parts of Lapaz they are relatively powerless due to the hereditary nature of the Gubernoh, but in most cases are treated well, especially because most of the local bureaucracy is drawn from the ranks of the richer and more educated Granha, usually the merchants. In a few unique cases, as in the People's City of Labohka which dominates the mouth of the River Mehur, the Granha vote the Gubernoh into their positions of power.
Religious Beliefs: (Name of your religion, if applicable. What do your people believe in?)
Lapacites largely believe in what is commonly known to traders from Afar as Goddess Worship. The Goddess, known as Mehur and not to be confused with the river named after her, is the only Goddess in the universe, although She has Many Faces and chooses to reveal them in different ways to every person and culture. Despite Her Many Faces, however, Mehur reportedly looks very favorably upon the Lapacite people, and for this reason provided them with their protected and fertile homeland. Ringed by the Sentinel Mountains and with the River Mehur running through its heart, Lapaz is truly a blessed land. For this blessing, the people of Lapaz must worship the Goddess wholeheartedly and devote themselves to serving Her wishes. As a part of showing their devotion, each year every Lapacite gives up a portion of their profit, be it gold or wheat, of the year to the River Mehur, whereupon it is carried to the home of Mehur somewhere in the Great Western Sea.
In this way, Mehur is the center of every Lapacite's life. When they are born they are dipped into the waters of the River Mehur, to notify Mehur of their birth, and when they die their body is set afloat on the Great Western Sea so that they may join Mehur in her Glorious Home where she will greet them and grant them an eternal life of bliss in exchange for their devotion.
Customs: (What are your peoples; traditions?)
Each year the Sacrifice to Mehur must be made, with the giving up of a portion of the year's profit into the River Mehur so that it may be carried to Mehur's Home to show each Lapacite's devotion. This is usually accompanied by a grand feast.
The baptism in the waters of the Mehur.
The burial in the Great Western Sea.
The birthdays of Gubernohs are traditionally celebrated by feasting and partying throughout the domain of the Gubernoh in question.
Values: (What are 3 values or principles that guide your people?)
Productivity- What better way to show your devotion to Mehur than to make full use of the great land She has provided the Lapacites?
Devotion- One can show Mehur their worthiness by their devotion to the completion of Her tasks, or any task in general.
Accumulation of Wealth- Devotion and productivity are shown by the accumulation of wealth as well, and if you get it through trade you could even be seen as spreading the Word of Mehur to the peoples elsewhere... what better way to be shown worthy?
Economy: (What do you produce?)
Fish and food of various types. Outposts near the Source of the River Mehur produce many types of metals from mines, as well as send lumber downstream for the construction of both river barges and seagoing trader vessels. Lapaz is known for its olive oil and pottery, which fetches high prices in the lands of its trading partners.
Brief History: (Where do your people come from?)
Lapaz, sheltered as it is by mountains and fed by the great River Mehur, has been a peaceful land for much of its existence. As cities and civilization grew relatively unimpeded, however, they came into conflict with each other over the valuable land near the River Mehur's banks. After a few devastating wars and rebellions, the Gubernoh of Lapaz that had been developing as the cities rose came together in an effort to preserve the peace and their own holds on power. They formed a Confederation led by an elected ruler, whose function began as the arbiter of disputes between Gubernohs but whose role slowly morphed into the guide of the whole Lapaz civilization. Lapaz has slowly expanded outwards along the coasts and up the River Mehur for hundreds of years, displacing the native peoples with sheer numbers.
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