Mortis

## **Government**

### **Government Type/Function**

The government of the Shu is largely tribal, with all citizens of society, be they on Mortis or elsewhere, working to support the tribe and its people.

Tribes out in the world are led by a single Chieftain, who offers wisdom and guidance to those within their tribe. These Chieftains have the final say on all matters, big or small. These chieftains are chosen by the people of the tribe, often being the most accomplished or the best leader.

The government of Mortis is led by the High Chief. They act as the voice that moves Mortis forward, deciding what the nation must focus on and how to deal with whatever problems plague it. They also hold absolute authority over the land. Their word is law, and all rules made by the High Chief must be followed. a new High Chief is often chosen by the subordinates that worked closely with the previous one, but in the event of that not being possible, the people hold a grand vote on the new High Chief.

#### High-Ranking Positions

##### Feather Chieftain

The Feather Chief acts as the representative of the common citizen, hearing their issues, complaints, wants, needs, and desires. They relay this information to the High Chief and are often tasked with leading efforts to aid the citizens in fixing their problems or accomplishing feats with them such as coordinating efforts to expand agriculture or study breakthroughs in magic. The Feather Chief is selected through a vote by the people and must be accepted by the High Chief.

##### Talon Chieftain

The Talon Chief acts as the highest ranking military commander, and leads all efforts to mobilize soldiers that defend Mortis. Mortis' soldiers are referred to as Peacekeepers, and must enforce the High Chief's laws under the Talon Chief's direction. The Talon Chief represents all the soldiers of Mortis, relaying their concerns and intel to the High Chief.

##### Judge

The most elite of Mortis' peacekeepers are the Judges. These are highly trained and incredibly accomplished individuals who boast a great deal of authority over the soldiers and citizens of Mortis. Judges are autonomous commanders, being able to give the peacekeepers any order as long as it falls in line with the law. Judges also possess the authority to punish criminals in the manner they see fit, even allowed to perform on-the-spot execution.

#### Branches

##### Feather Friends

The Feather Friends are a collective of common citizens who keep the Feather Chief abreast of the social climate and news of Mortis. These people often assist the Feather Chief with their efforts to manage progress and change, such as aiding in construction, exploring and settling more land, or teaching more Shu about important subjects such as health and medicine. Any citizen interested in taking a direct approach to improving Mortis can enlist to become a Feather Friend.

##### Talon Order

All the recruits to Mortis' defense force must enlist in the Talon Order before becoming an official Peacekeeper. Enlisting requires swearing an oath to abide by and enforce the laws of the High Chief and follow the orders of the Talon Chief and Judges. Every Shu who joins has their name recorded and has their progress kept a close eye on for signs of excellence. Those who show exemplary power or talent are selected to attempt the training to become a Judge.

Citizens who do not become Peacekeepers but are willing to supply them with weapons, armor, and supplies can join the Talon Order in exchange for guaranteed housing and protection.

### **Border Policies**

No other race besides the Shu have been on the high plateaus of Mortis. The Shu do not wish to allow others into their home, and do not appreciate others being on what few shores of Mortis that are accessible. A Shu exiting Mortis is not illegal, but it is heavily frowned upon.

### **Currency**

The Shu have no currency. All that is traded is done so through bartering and bargaining. As such, the Shu accept no currency from any other race as being valuable.

## **Geography**

### **Northern Island: Nimbus**

Nimbus contains the homes and bases of operations of the leadership of Mortis. The Chieftains, as well as high ranking officials and high profile citizens, live on this island and conduct most of their business between each other here. The smaller island encircled by Nimbus houses a shrine to Mortis, their patron Goddess.

### **Western Island: Lyre**

This small island is entirely dedicated to what is referred to as the Arcane Institute. This establishment acts as a grand university and library for the teaching and recording of all legal magic known and practiced by the Shu.

#### **Southern Island: Zephyr**

Being the largest island of Mortis, Zephyr houses most of the nation's farmland and residential space. Common citizens work fields, perform trade, and generally live their lives here.

### **Eastern Island: Mistral**

Mistral is largely dedicated to the Talon Order, housing all military installations. Peacekeepers are trained here and the bulk of them live on the island. Farms are spread out to give the soldiers a food source closer to their bases.

## **Culture**

### **Common Trades**

Shu most commonly work to produce food through farming or fishing. Many also become craftsman, trading their creations.

Many Shu pursue magic for its various applications, becoming healers, battlemages, or for manipulating cloud into sky stone.

### **Traditions**

The Shu build all structures through a special process of manipulating clouds into a solid, stone-like material through the use of magic. From homes to market stalls to bridges, "sky stone" makes up all of Shu construction. Shu in different parts of the world grow different colored feathers and use the ones they molt for various purposes. Feathers are most commonly used for decoration, tied to weapons, clothing, shelter, and often tied to poles that mark the borders of Shu villages. In rare instances, special broaches are fashioned and adorned with feathers from the village chief and bestowed upon trusted non-Shu. This broach marks them as a trusted friend to the Shu and allows them to enter and trade in Shu villages.

The Shu dress very simply, most often only covering their private body parts with simple wraps and loincloths made from cotton cloth. Fashion is not a concept most Shu care for.

Shu cooking could easily be described as "uninspired". Most food is prepared very simply for consumption, cooked until ready and then eaten for sustenance.

### **Religious Beliefs**

The Shu worship the Goddess Mortis, who they know as their creator and granter of their power of flight. Despite Mortis' dominion over death, the Shu believe they honor her by living life to accomplish their dreams so they can meet her in death without regrets and go willingly into her arms. The Shu are deeply reverent of death and the dead, showing the utmost respect to the fallen and gone.

### **Magical Practices**

Nearly all magic is approved of, save those that cause direct harm to the land or people of Mortis. Learning and practice of magic is encouraged and taught in its most basic form to growing children. Those seeking higher knowledge of the art can attend the Arcane Institute on the Lyre plateau.

### **Values**

The Shu believe deeply in the sanctity of both life and death, believing the rights and freedoms of the living should be respected and the eternal rest of the dead should never be disturbed. Killing another and "sending them to Mortis" should never be taken lightly.

The Shu have a great respect for accomplishment, and some dedicate their lives to earning a title for themselves.

### **Fighting Styles**

Shu most commonly do battle through the use of magic. Some Shu are trained in the use of melee weapons, but battlemages are the bulk and pride of the nation's military.

### **Commonly Used Weapons**

The most common weapons Shu soldiers use are spears and chakrams.

## **History**

### **Wars**

The Shu have never engaged in a proper war, not with any nation outside of Mortis or between each other internally.

### **Renaissances and Reforms**

The Shu's greatest advancement was the advent of sky stone, their special blend of cloud and magic into a stone-like material that makes up everything from homes and buildings to tools and weapons.

Under Talon Chief Thora's direction, Mortis saw an explosion of military might. Sky stone had been used to create the first Shu weaponry and magic saw its first application as an art that could be perfect toward combat. It is thanks to the Talon Chief that Mortis has a sizable defense force to this day.

Under High Chief Alya, art and learning flourished throughout Mortis. It was during this time that the art of theater had begun to be practiced on Mortis and quickly became very popular. Theaters and stages are spread all throughout Mortis to provide the people with entertainment and stories.

### **First Leader**

The first high chief of the Shu was High Chief Zephyr. A patient man of boundless kindness, he was devoted to the sanctity of life. Mortis originally had barely any military presence as Zephyr did not believe in conflict, choosing to mediate issues through compromise and at most banishing criminals for even the worst of offenses. While he tried to be fair and just, it could be said that he was too soft. The only thing he had ever taken a hard stance on was the use of vile magics that caused harm to others and rose the dead, ordering the exile of such individuals on the spot. Zephyr ruled for 411 years before his murder at the hands of the Shu he had banished for studying wicked magics. These outcasts had banded together in their desire for knowledge and power at any cost, and were forever branded as the "Outmages".

### **Past Leaders**

The second high chief was High Chief Thora. The most accomplished guard under Zephyr, she managed to slay several of the invading outmages that had taken his life, chasing the rest off in the process. Realizing the threat they posed to the people of Mortis and its leadership, she called a state of emergency and began ordering that soldiers be trained for Mortis' defense. Showing strength and leadership in a time of crisis, the people began reporting to her as if she were the High Chief. She was referred to as the "Talon Chief" and managed to stabilize and fortify Mortis against potential threats. She eventually accepted the title of High Chief for her accomplishments. Counting her time of control after Zephyr's immediate death, she ruled for 135 years before her death of old age. Her unofficial title of Talon Chief became the name of the highest military rank in honor of her.

The third high chief was High Chief Alya. With Mortis reeling from the loss of Thora, the country needed a strong leader who could return life to some semblance of normalcy after the drastic increase of military might. Alya was a cleric who traveled Mortis, using her magic to heal the wounded. She espoused the ideals of helping those in need and shared her wisdom far and wide. For her kindness and dedication to the common person, she was elected to rise to the position. Understanding the need for both Zephyr's compassion and Thora's strength, she established the Feather Chief and Talon Chief to help advise her on the concerns of the common people and the soldiers of Mortis. Under her rule, education and art flourished, eventually leading to the establishment of theater and the Arcane Institute. The military also became organized, becoming a sustainable order of peacekeepers led by the Judges and the Talon Chief, protecting Mortis from the threat of the Outmages. Alya ruled for 316 years before disappearing suddenly and mysteriously. After a failed search, she was declared dead, and rumors still circulate that the Outmages had something to do with her disappearance.

The fourth high chief was High Chief Varsha. A top student of the Arcane University, displaying unprecedented academic achievement and an understanding of magic most around her could not even hope to grasp, she made efforts to be chosen as the next high chief. She won the position due to her stunning intellect as it was believed this trait would allow her to continue to lead Mortis to further prosperity. She led Mortis functionally and efficiently while slowly making moves to allow different, riskier magical practices to be studied. 105 years into her rule, it was discovered that she was an Outmage with ties to the bulk of the faction itself, and her efforts to push controversial magics were revealed to be an attempt by the Outmages to protect their ideals through the law and leadership of Mortis. Varsha was stripped of her title and power and sentenced to death on the spot, only barely escaping the Judges that attempted to her kill her. Though her rule was officially ended, she continued to live on in hiding.

### **Current Leader**

The fifth and current high chief of the Shu is High Chief Mistral. After Varsha's conspiracy was revealed and her subsequent escape, a new leader had to be chosen quickly to prevent chaos. Mistral, daughter to a Judge and an accomplished Arcane University professor, was chosen to fill the void in the hopes she would emulate High Chief Alya's beliefs and stabilize Mortis once again. Having only ruled for 91 years to this day, she does her best to be compassionate to her people while being ever vigilant of further plots and threats by the Outmages. While she displays a kind, almost motherly demeanor to those around her, the ever-present threat of the Outmages continues to slowly drive her more paranoid. Time will only tell how she will be remembered by her people.