Cheltian Nation

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The Cheltian Nation
Official language English
Capital (Itinerant chieftain)
Largest cities Far Char Lodgment
Website n/a
Forum [1]
Wiki n/a
Number of citizens 3
Number of active citizens 1
Date founded 11 February 2013
Government Tribal
Current leader Barr Ambidextrous Boar Tulip
Currency Barrtip
National animal Asphodel Goat
National fruit/food Yesh
National drink White Cheltian
Map versions n/a

The Cheltian Nation is a micronation founded in February 2013 by Vilhelm Benkern. Its culture and society are tribal, with strictly-observed concurrent class and caste systems. The spiritual and religious aspects of the Cheltians are closely integrated into the governmental structure, with the chieftain/warrior class ruling on the basis of divine blessing as indicated by continuing successful rule.

History

The micronation was founded with a strong focus on simulated history and culture. The fictional history of the Cheltian Nation is as yet still vague, but a rough timeline can be sketched:

  • Ancient history: The first nation states form in north-west Keltia: the Free Republic; Baracao; Varja, Politika; Korhal; then Karnali (later part of the Grand Commonwealth).
  • Prehistory: Various culture and ethnic groups in north-west Keltia are ruled by many other micronations. They include Col, Durntkinstan, Gralus, Hatay, Iridia, Oscland, Stormark and Vanderveer.
  • Magic invasion: Toketi, later part of the Gralan Empire, swarms over the region and founds the hated Laranel polity, where no provincial governors are appointed and therefore no right of redress exists except to central government.
  • Disintegration: Colish communism fails, local monarchs fall, even Gralan government becomes corrupt and declines. Roving bands of rebels and bandits become commonplace.
  • Coalescence: From within Gralus and across the Green, people are brought together in a common Keltian or Cheltian identity by a shared arduous history, a common culture and tongue, and shared stories and songs.
  • Development: The prototypical social strata form among the Cheltians.
  • Formation: The Barr caste become formal rulers of the Cheltian Nation and the state begins exists as it does today. The roving court begins the Great Trek.
  • Expansion: Shipbuilding begins in earnest when the shipwright caste (Rirn) is recognised and the Far Char Lodgment is founded after successive successful voyages across the Strait of Pearls.

Society & Government

The government structure is flat but relies on the caste system. Cheltian society is divided into three classes, made up of twelve castes currently. Castes are created and absolished, though very rarely, in response to significant societal change. Social mobility is encouraged very selectively, and all Cheltians are born into a caste based on those of their parents. The present caste system is made up of the following:

  • Upper class: Rulers, administrators
    • Chieftain/Warrior ("Barr")
    • Judge/Priest ("Char")
  • Middle class: Skilled workers, officials
    • Merchant ("Murn")
    • Scribe ("Lorm")
    • Soldier ("Birn")
    • Shipwright/sailor ("Rirn")
    • Bard ("Tirn")
    • Farmer ("Firn")
    • Tailor ("Sirn")
    • Weaponsmith ("Shirn")
  • Lower class: Unskilled workers, foreigners
    • Forager ("Lell")
    • Poor ("Nell" - Of no status, includes all non-members of the Tribe except the Barr's Royal Cousins)

The Barr is a caste, but also specifically refers to the individual Barr (the distinction between monarchy/monarchy or royal/royalty) who is Head of State and Head of Government such as it is. The Barr makes decrees, called Fiats, and also issues Orders-in-Council when advised by two or more Char. Orders-in-Council generally consist of executive orders and civil legislation, while Fiats concern certain affairs which are of special religious significance. Since the Barr holds office at the pleasure of the world's natural spirits, that gives him alone the power to amend certain divinely-sanctioned constitutional matters - e.g. caste status - but also means he is fully responsible for those decisions.

Char are the civil administrators of the Nation, and govern the Far Char Lodgment as absolute oligarchs. They perform important religious roles in addition to their governmental offices.

Culture

The Cheltians have a rich culture which takes many forms. The primary form of cultural and artistic expression is verse poetry or songs. Writing and performing these works is the sole preserve of the minstrel caste (Tirn), which makes them - along with the scribes/Lorm - the primary recorders of history among the Cheltians. Contemporary songs celebrate or condemn current events - such as The Rirn's Song [2] - while old songs, telling of their ancient history or long-term ambition, are also popular. Between Two Peaks, of unknown authorship, is a centuries-old song which tells of a prophecy by a river spirit from between north-west Keltia's two highest mountains. [3]

Religion and spirituality are an important part of the lives of most Cheltians. From the Rite of Transition through which adolescent Cheltians pass into adulthood to the Rite of Foreign Embrace whereby non-Cheltians are accepted into the Nation, religious ceremonies are important and regular events. They are dominated by the Char caste. A good example of the centrality of religion to Cheltian life, besides its role in governance, is the cult relating to weaponry. Arms are only permitted to be carried by the Charr and Birn, and they are taught that attacking with a weapon is a spiritually-charged action which has significance beyond its consequences on Micras. It is the soldier's duty to attack those whom they are commanded to attack, and they will be rewarded for this. The Barr's duty to lead the Birn (and the Nation in general) well, the consequences of the battle or war are his responsibility and not those of the soldier. In this way, the religious significance attached to the roles of individuals in Cheltian society pervades almost every aspect of their lives.