Coenia

Flag of the Coenian Caeronate and symbol of the philosphy of Cae.

**Coenia** (*Koh-ee-nee-ah*) was a nation located in the south of the continent Allocoenia of the world Uruldu with a heavy emphasis on merit and philosophy. The nation was destroyed after the capital, Ernir, was sacked, and its ruins were occupied by Samasaruli. The successor state of Rhell continues the Coenian legacy.

## Structure and government

### The Caeronate

#### Etymology

The word *Caeronate (Ka-ee-roh-net, based on the english word Caliphate)* is an anglicised version of the Coenian word *Caeroneum.* This itself comes from the highest rank of office, the *Caeron*. *Cae*, meaning "people", or more accurately, "humankind", is combined with the adjective *ron*, which is used to specify a profession or obligation (example: *Hétseré* = bakery; *Hétséron* = baker).

#### Function

The Coenian system of rule is mainly defined by the idea of the Caeronate. This unique system was put in place by one of the founding chieftains, the legendary Cromineus "The Great" of Rhell. Based upon the idea of the *Ultimate Merit*, a class of the most accomplished citizens of their time is picked every ten years. Of these roughly 100 citizens, five are chosen at random to rule the Realm. This is done to ensure that no person who harbors the true ambition to rule can ever rule.

Caerons are not held in especially high regard by the people of the realm, they are seen as servants to all Coenian people, and by serving in these positions of government, they automatically give up their chance to achieve the Ultimate Merit. They are, however, still honoured and seen as necessary parts of the systems, and their statues are erected along the main street of the city of Ernir.

The Caerons rule for 10 years or until death, if one of the Caerons die, a new choosing is automatically held for all of the others to ensure proper cooperation and a lack of generational differences. They work as a council and rule the realm autocratically, although they may be deposed if a referendum is held by the general population. This is however very rare.

### Provinces

To make for easier management of large areas of land, a province may be established to better manage one area of the realm. One of the five Caerons will be dispatched to manage this province as their own. Under them, lesser local governors are elected by Coenian people of their respective area.

#### Province of Rhell

Rhell is the home province of the Coenian people, containing the swamp of Rhell itself and its surrounding lands. Due to its special status in this regard, the most senior Caeron is most usually given the honour of managing both it, and the capital city of Ernir. While technically not the ruler of all of Coenia, the Caeron of Rhell is still seen as the "King above Kings", and their word is respected the most amongst the five rulers.

## Philosophy

### The Path to the Ultimate Merit

The quest for the achievement of the Ultimate Merit (*UM* for short), is the traditional philosophical belief of the Coenian people. Supposedly created ages ago when the great chieftains of Coenian tribes united, but likely in existance for much longer than that, this world view has certainly left its mark on Coenian society, art, architecture, and general way of life. The most significant contemporary follower of this philosophical school is Caeron Kerplis of Rhell.

#### The Ultimate Merit

The main pillars of this belief are the search for Ultimate merit and realisation that such search is impossible. In simplest possible words, this school of thinking can be summed up by the sentence:

*"If all members of society are raised equally, everyone has equal opportunities to make a mark on history."*

This is the core of the philosphy: Leaving as much of a mark on history as you can, hopefully for eternity. To achieve *UM* means to leave a mark on history that is so great in scope, that you and your legacy can never be forgotten, even a million generations from your lifetime.

#### The Impossibility of the Search

However, it is the second part of this philosphy that is likely even more important than the first. For while the goal of achieving *UM* may seem like a possibility to some young minds, one must eventually come to the understanding that it is simply not possible. For everyone, not matter how long their legacy might live on, will eventually die out in the minds of people. This is where the second sentence comes into play:

*"While the achievement of such great merit is impossible, an even greater merit can be achieved by accepting that it is and still trying."*

The enlightenment through this way of thinking, in short, comes not from the achievement of the Ultimate Merit, but acceptance that it is indeed impossible, and the refusal to stop trying anyways. A person who has truly realised the full weight of the meaning of the Ultimate Merit tries to live out their life to the fullest and achieve as much as they can in their life, even if true enlightenment may never really be possible.

### Philosophy of Cae

Meaning the Philosophy of the People, the Philosophy of Cae (*sai* or *kai*) is a relatively newer, emerging philosophy currently held by the Caeron Xaeliss of Rhell. Its *Metaphor of s'Erdrell* (lit. *Metaphor of the Big Tree*) is featured on the nation's flag. Like all philosophies of the Coenian peoples, it also incorporates the idea of the *Ultimate Merit.*

#### The World-Soul

Also known as *s'Erdaether,* the World-Soul is a core tenet of the Philosphy of Cae. S'Erdaether is, in essence, the largest soul in the world, containing all of Uruldu, inside of which is all of the immortal souls infinitely nested inside one another. The goal of each Coenian citizen adhering to this philosophy is to have the largest possible soul or, in other words, to affect the largest number of people possible in order to be remembered forever. In this sense, Coenian souls are larger-than-life and keep living on even after death, unlike other souls. This can often lead to pity and racism on part of the Coenians themselves.

It is important to note that a Coenian soul exists not only within themselves, but within the memories others have of them as well. The goal of every adherent of the Philosophy of Cae is to leave the greatest mark on the world in order to be remembered.

#### The Metaphor of s'Erdrell

Coenian citizens are born in the canopy of the Great Tree, Erdrell, and through gaining skills and experience in their selected trade(s), migrate along the twigs and branches of s'Erdrell to reach the point closest to the trunk of the Great Tree as they possibly can. By getting closer to the trunk, the Coenian citizen would have better chances of being remembered and their soul living on after their deaths due to the amount of branches their life would have affected.

Once a Coenian has reached the trunk of s'Erdrell, that soul will live on in everyone's memories forever. This is considered the *Achievement of Ultimate Merit.*

Those that are born among the Roots of s'Erdrell (ie those not of Coenian descent) are largely considered "doomed" due to their inherent inability to achieve the Ultimate Merit (at least, not in the same ways Coenian culture is structured to promote). They are seen as being at a great disadvantage and easily forgotten.

#### Achieving the Ultimate Merit

With Coenians being raised by the community as opposed to one (or more) parents, as well as living in relative ignorance of who their parents are, makes it easier to shed ties with the Material World and elevate oneself into a higher state of being. This elevation can be seen as the natural accumulation of skills and the elimination of conflict within the Self. In other words, this means that every Coenian citizen is given an equal chance at achieving the Ultimate Merit via an equal education and equal opportunities to find their path of Ultimate Merit.

#### The Forgotten Ones

Those that are not remembered after death, such as those who failed to leave a lasting impression upon the world are thought to be given a second chance in the form of reincarnation back into Coenian citizenry.