[hider=Aris alk Shasot] [center] [h2][b][color=#656565]Aris alk Shasot[/color][/b][/h2] [sub][img]https://i.ibb.co/hRd0nHT4/74ad50fce2c313dcecf2576602d7c622.jpg[/img][/sub] [color=green]Government Form[/color]: [sub]The Aris Alk Shasot or Lordships of Shasot is an elective monarchy where the many Ari of the realm's many underground cities convene and elect a grand lord to rule over the vast domains of the Shasot. Due to the Lordships being quite desperately separated by caves and under continents. The life of many of them even being widely different resulting in different cultures ruling over different small kingdoms and city states. Stretched over several nations[/sub] [color=green]Demographics[/color]: [sub]92% Dugar: Children of darkness it is said that during the cataclysm many fled to the underground to hide from it. But instead many became buried and they found out even in the underground the storm wrecked itself as canyons would be carved and in that madness it changed then. The Dugar were born elves turned into different beings in the underground by the storm and by their environment. Their skin became obsidian colored, but also rougher and coarsers, taller than most at three meters,their heads can turn 180 degrees and they see quite well in darkness with night being day for them in their vision. 8% Oajai: Like the children of darkness Oajai were also jailed to the underground and the cataclysm changed then too. But unlike the Dugar the Oajai are of unknown origin found primarily in the southern mountains they are a race of giant sapient spiders the size of a horse all the while they maintain minds of man. Once on occasion it is known that an Oajai may be born a Dugar, Oajai hybrid making many believe both are related. Something that both peoples come to believe.[/sub] [color=green]Population[/color]: [sub] 4.9 million divided between Chwuq 2.4 million Na’el 1.5 million Dulojav 800 thousand [/sub] --- [/center] [color=green]Description of Claimed Territory[/color]: [sub]Up to you. Try to match the map or not?[/sub] [color=green]History[/color]: [sub]When the storm hit many fled underground some sought safety of underground shelters built by those with means as subjects or as those men and women with means. While others fled to caves instead the storm was said to tear a hole through the underground and create canyons close then and open great underground caves those caught by it were said to die by in droves but thanks to being unable to flee anywhere they were mutated by its power without much hope many were said to pray to any being that could help then those who fled were eaten by it and spit out in a different underground. Many were said to pray to any being for help and across the caves only one was said to answer it and called the storm to cease. In the aftermath the survivors found themselves in a different environment caused by the storm. The underground was expanded and some areas became large abysses or giant sprawling cave networks. While some were barren, others had life of their own in the form of giant mushrooms, strange animals and bioluminescent plants. For a long time it is said that survivors build their homes in the great underground unknown to the ongoings of the surface with some believing it all to be dead and blasted. All the while they worshiped the deity that answered their prayers Nal’var. Mother of darkness and widely believed to be the goddess that saved them from certain death and thanks to missionaries and grand crusades by ambitious men her word was spread through the underground. At first the first towns were carved into the cave walls and in places where mushroom trees existed the new homes were made of its wood. Over time these towns would evolve into petty kingdoms and city states the exploration and mining expanded some into great cities and soon enough the tunnels and passages led to other caves as new cities and towns were built by those seeking new lives in other regions spreading over the underground into the lands beyond. In some of this kingdoms war became a practice amongst this tunnels for resources and supremacy of kings, lords, the bourgeoisie or the priests that ruled these cities. During these expeditions the Oajai were found just like the Dugar they were separated by caves and changed by the storm and with it made their settlements underground during these expeditions the southern cities of Dulojav were founded the newest and furthest of the expansions. The surface for a long time became a mystery until tunnels and mining operations led back to the surface under mountains, hills and plains the Dugar and Oajai found the surface recovering just as the underground and over time fortresses were built in the surface at the entrance tunnels that led to the great bellow and with it the beginnings of trade between surface and the underground spawned together with conflicts in some cases. But soon times changed when the great council began in the year 305 A.S the priests of Nal’var of the city of Dulshadar and the cities of Orao, Niksa and Uaee gathered to foment the creation of a new body to lead the the peoples of Dugar to prosperity. The lordships of Shasot was soon born named after the great continent underground the crusades, conquests and memberships of the lordships succeeded in uniting the clans near Chwuq the northern mountains and while others remained independent the Aris alk Shasot became the the dominant power in its lands under the wise leadership of Tali’na first queen and while succeeded by five others ever since the Aris continue to prosper under its current election of Ari into positions of rulership peace reigns but still tension boils under the coalition that was born many years ago.[/sub] [color=green]Culture and Society[/color]: [sub]The region that encompasses the Shasot is incredibly varied culturally south and north having many distinctions and even the concentrations of Chwuq and Na’el are equally diverse. In the lands of Chwuq in the far cold north where surface fortresses and underground cities lay many of the clans were divided and with it warfare was quite common resulting in the forging of bigger kingdoms when the Aris Alk Shasot was formed the region became a heartland of sorts for many as peace prevailed while many still migrated outwards. Generally more spiritual than other lands that make the Shasot the region also is famous for being militaristic to a larger degree. While religious festivals and arenas are common to find in the region of Chwuq, the cuisine is said to be salty with the usage of salt in their culinary not only that but also heavy usage of meat. The lands of Na’el is said to be a land of emigrants, the underground lands of Na’el are massive allowing for large agricultural regions thanks to that it has resulted in the rise of a feudal aristocracy of sorts. The region was consolidated by noble queens and lords, the agriculture and more untamed wild resulted in a caste system of sorts unlike the Chwuq the people of Na’el while spiritual put more importance in communalism and in a tribe celebrations generally go in hand with the birth of family members or the passing. Together with the rise of a new generation all under the protection of their lords. closer to the lands of Chwuq many customs there also make way to Na’el thanks in part to the trade routes that exist underground. Culinarily speaking the land of Na’el is famous for the making of decadent and delicious foods in part of the use of trade and the usage of vegetables, mushrooms and glowberries of the underground. The voyages to the surface also are found with suspicion thanks in part to conflicts with surface powers. Like Dulojav the land also slowly became a home for Oajai and the land has a growing spider silk usage in their fashion. To the great south lies Dulojav more isolated from its siblings yet still brought to the fold the land became a refuge of the more unorthodox of their kin. More explorers of the surface and the unknown and in some ways heretical in the worship of spirits. In the voyage to the southern caves they found the Oajai the lands were their home and thanks to the arrival of the Dugar the lands began to change. Mining, exploration, expansion and coexistence resulted in the creation of the culture that inhabits the lands. Merchants and traders but also freedom seekers the cities rarely ruled by one single ruler. Same for a lack of religiosity especially as the surface fortresses and settlements increased the region became linked to surface trade. Consequently the people of Dulojav instead of speaking a dialect of the language of Dugar they began to diverge into a different language. In festivities it is said that carnalism and expression are common in celebration of the day of migrations, arrival and the day the storm passed. Materialism runs in the lands instead of religiosity to the tension of the Shasots council. Despite these differences the people of Dulojav still see the north with siblinghood. Being a land of textile, spider silk and colours and spices that flow to entice many. Culinary the lands of Dulojav thanks to access to many ingredients, and the lands own food production it resulted in a very spicy mix that is said to cause many mouths to catch fire. The main religion that dominates the society is the worship of the goddess Nal’var the Mother of darkness and believed to be the being that protected them during the ravaging of the storm. The cult is dominated by matriarchs who oversee and rule over regions helping priests and delegating the paths of the faith in their region. Occasionally they gather to discuss matters of importance in the holy city of Niksa to debate theological matters of importance. AS for the many followers the religion is one of spiritual embrace and worship with sacrifices of wine and grain in altars and chants of prayer to her for protection and guidance. Dedicating their lives to the being that was responsible for saving them. She was the mother of darkness, the one who ruled over the underground as the only and sole queen.[/sub] [center] --- [/center] [color=green]Governance and Politics[/color]: [sub]The government that rules the underground is one of an elective monarchy albeit more of an elective confederacy. Thanks in part to the disconnected and often quite diverse spread of the Shasot the government had to accompany this, initially being more centralised as its power spread and its centralisation diminished to accommodate the many peoples it began to rule. Initially any Ari could vote but due to the sheer amount of Aris in the Shasot the role was passed to elector Aris that should vote in regions best interest. Taxes are generally funneled to the great ruler of the Shasot the great lord. Not only is he or her bestowed the taxes of the realm but also the right to call arms of its members in defense of the realm. Over the years one dynasty was the sole holder of the title but after its dying off another dynasty came to hold the title and now it also died with a third dynasty possibly beginning to rise.[/sub] [color=green]Technology and Magic[/color]: [sub]The Shasot are quite advanced as a society but unique in specialisation having to adapt to the underground and from its environment they learned to carve great cities out of stone, advanced metallurgy from its many metals and locating rare metals across its chasms. Their ability to work and farm in these lands is also quite remarkable knowing where to plant due to the underground conditions. They also are considered good alchemists and metal workers thanks to the conditions and strangeness of their environment. They learned how to use the land's resources to the best of their ability from rocks and what they do to oils and powders.[/sub] [color=green]Military Overview[/color]: [sub](This is the space to talk about any offensive/defensive capabilities you have. Keep it in touch with the post-apocalyptical world they came from. After all, everything was pretty much erased.)[/sub] [center] --- [/center] [/hider]