Thalasseus

Thalasseus is an island-nation in the middle of the East Sea. A strong seafaring nation, the Thalassic trade fleet extends far and wide in Arridan, and the Thalassic ways of diplomacy, trade and curiosity has made them a peaceful nation with little fear for war.

History
In times of yore, after the People’s reign had slipped from their colony in the middle of the great, eastern sea, its people fell into violent discord. People-loyalists enforced the dwindling will of their emperor on the mainland. But those were few in number compared to the many factions vying for an independent Thalasseus - under their rule. Soon, the factions gathered and formed mini-states - often consisting of but one city and its countryside - and the Age of Dissonance had begun. The years became centuries, and the inner conflict excluded Thalasseus from most of the influence of the surrounding world, making the opportunity to form this specific culture.

Cults devoted to the already-then ancient lizard-men depicted on stone tablets and in ruins engaged in war with the Minotaur and Cyclops tribes, while more secular groups consolidated their power, deviously trying to avoid conflict while still gaining might. This went on for two millennia, ending in what is today romantically called “the Conquest of the People”. What it really was, was the conquest of an incredible Strategos (as a Thalassic general is called) called Kléosander. A strategic and tactical genius, he made great changes to the way things had become, first conquering nearby city-states to expand inwards to the tribes of Minotaurs and Cyclopes, not exterminating them as previous men had tried, but instead incorporating them in his military forces. This idea of making the conquered his subjects with full rights rather than slaves or such, led to a never before seen stability in the people. Over the years, Kléosander’s realm expanded to eventually cover the entirety of Thalasseus. He then renamed his own nation of Doxea to the same as the island, and the rest of his life was a golden age for Thalasseus, wherein they expanded their culture to the north, ruling them for one and a half century thereafter.

Good times, bad times, they all have their share. The last of Kléosander’s decrees was the idea of a leader appointed solely through ability, based on the present needs. The Age of the People had begun in Thalasseus, defined by five hundred years of relative stability, though over time, the land-based military prowess of the nation had declined greatly.

Today
Thalasseus is these days a thriving community, led by men who are elected by the people of the island through participatory vote. Its tribes of Minotaurs and Cyclopes have diminished greatly in numbers, those races having become one with the human society, living as their pink-skinned fellows. The nation has chosen to focus solely on naval authority, as its interests in land territory are naught but trade and territory. Their attitude towards the other nations of Arridan is, as a starting point, friendly and their general rule of conduct is to trade and spread their scholars so that as much knowledge as possible can be archived.

Rule
Thalasseus is ruled in a rather strange fashion, many would think. Since Kléosander, every leader has been elected by the people on judge of ability. Every month, the fourteen largest settlements and their surroundings (collectively a Phyle) hold an election regarding how popular the current ruler is. The results of these elections determine whether or not a new ruler should be elected, and in the case of a tie, the inner part of Thalasseus, strewn with tribal settlements, holds a fifteenth election. The elections are participatory, and every human, Cyclops and Minotaur over the age of 21 may vote, unless they have been stripped of that right of course. (Lizard-men are also entitled, but only to sate certain religious cults. There are no records of lizard-men on the island).

Once a new ruler is to be elected, half a month’s time is granted anyone to create a ruling program (from a set of criteria), which is then publicly accessible. Once the month is over, an election takes place. This election is divided into a number of elimination-style rounds depending on the number of candidates, and the winner is the new ruler of Thalasseus until he (or she!) is elected not to continue, and a new election takes place. The following month already, the newly elected ruler then stands the first test of the people, and it has occured that Thalasseus has had a ruler for just two months - the current ruler retains the title, though with limited possibilities during the 'program-phase'.

Military
Thalassic terrestrial military doctrine is very old, dating back to Kléosander. Its warriors are formed into blocks of soldiers armed with sarissas, five and a half metres long pikes designed for many rows to deliver attacks. While virtually untouchable in the front, it is very immobile and extremely vulnerable in the flanks and rear compared to most other formation types. Given the Thalassic idea of own superiority and curiosity, they have scriptures of many different military doctrines, but they haven’t used any of them. Thus, the Thalassic land force is a killing machine in closed battles where they need not worry about the flanks - and pretty horrific anywhere else. Adding to this, Thalasseus hasn’t seen land war in a century, so naturally there isn’t much of an army, though they have been functioning as the peacekeeping force for about fifty years.

The navy, however, is another story. Millennia of having the sea as their only neighbour have made Thalasseus a prime state in terms of shipbuilding. Not only are their ships built to be able to ram the enemy for a quick retreat afterwards, but certain old guilds have bred trees for the specific purpose of being hard, lightweight and fast-growing. As a result, the Thalassic navy is an awesomely efficient killing machine, easily the best on the face of Arridan's seas. This has however further impeded the land-based military, as seciruty from external threats pretty much eliminates the need for land efficiency.

Religion and Magic
The Thalassic religion is based on a large pantheon of gods, with three main gods as the primary targets of worship: Thalassos, god of the Sea; Xylos, god of the wilds; and Gnosos, god of the culture. Historians believe the worship of these three came out of practical needs, as the worship is very much focused on also being a gain for the society, rather than just sacrifice (though they do sacrifice things on specific occasions). The religion also states that before mammals, there were reptiles, and because they did something to displease the gods (often the worship of other deities according to the stories), they are now gone. This merging of religions happened when Thalassic ruler Enotia (women have equal rights in Thalasseus) declared it so to quell an increasing unrest among worshippers of the lizard-men whose remains are still found on Thalasseus today.

Thalassites don't use magic. Most are aware of its existence, but there has never been much of an interest about it. However, the Thalassic main gods are rather kind to their people, as an offering (often a boar) and a prayer will often result in the prayer's wish being granted - provided it isn't too mmuch to ask. Almost all of these prayers are weather-related, and this also helps to explain why the weather on Thalasseus is always so good.

Demographic
As one might have guessed from the above, the Thalassic people is a mix between ordinary humans, Minotaurs, and the 3-4 metres tall Cyclopes. The population is about 80 % human, 15 % Minotaur and 5 % Cyclops. Most of the workforce is either fishermen or farmers, while about 40 % is anything else. Trading and academics, and especially any seafaring of sorts, is regarded as the most popular ways of making a life, although woodworking and agriculture are also considered respectable. There are no limits between the races on what one’s work might be; all three are represented in the record of rulers in the Thalassic archives. Of course Minotaurs and Cyclopes are larger and stronger than humans, so naturally there’s a greater share of them in more manual labour, but the potential of knowledge is just as great as with humans.