Ketikiten

A description of the nation should go here, along with it's location, and location to neighbouring nations.

Perhaps another paragraph here describing the type of people, or if they even are people?

## Politics

Traditionally, Ketikiten is a gerontocracy, where the five eldest members of the tribe (irrespective of gender) form a council (the Pekit Tekite) who resolve disputes on an individual basis by hearing the case of each party and offering a judgement. These judgments are proclaimed publically, and enforced by mob rule. Within the last decade, the position of the Pekit Tekite has come under threat from Cepik, a Kepit who has earned much renown for his 10 consecutive victories in the Putiki Ti, frequently lasting several days longer than any of his competitors. Under his influence, Ketikiten has begun expanding into neighbouring regions, often as a conquering force. There is growing discontent between Cepik and his supporters, and the Pekit Tekite and theirs. Cepik is seen as a bringer of wealth and glory by his supporters, and as a dangerous loose cannon by his detractors.

## Religion and culture

### Moral values and principles

Ketikiten culture values patience, endurance, and long-term planning as fundamentally virtuous. They believe that all problems will go away in time, if one can simply endure it. The night is dark, but the sun will rise. The winter is cold, but summer will arrive. Attempting to enact active change upon the world is foolhardy, and doomed to failure. Voicing complaints is seen as poor form, regardless of how justified said complaints may be. Wearing minimal clothing is seen as a sign of virtue, as it implies an ability to endure the elements, but wearing full clothes is at worst merely decadent. The elderly are much respected, having survived their youth and taken care of their bodies enough to have made it to old age in good health. Their wisdom is seen not as coming primarily from their age and experience (though this is of course a factor), but rather their age is a direct result of their essential virtue.

### Traditions

Once a year, on the winter solstice, the men of Ketikiten are expected to take part in the Putiki Ti. They gather at the peak of Kiteki, and must remain in place for as long as possible. They are not allowed any food or drink. Conversation is tolerated, but frowned upon, and is considered a sign of immaturity. The longer the man lasts, the more status he earns as a result. A man's performance in the Putiki Ti is a significant factor in his attractiveness as a mate. Sunrise traditionally marks the point where a man can give up without being seen as having failed, and many will leave at this point. The man who lasts the longest is crowned the Kepit, and his name becomes widely known. Participation in the Putiki Ti is often seen as the male parallel to childbirth.

### Religion

The people of Ketikiten worship Ketiki, the great tree at the centre of their home. They believe that life is a cycle of reincarnation. A virtuous life leads to the spirit ascending and becoming one with Ketiki, while a sinful life leads to being reborn as an animal. Particularly well-regarded figures are canonised by the Pekit Tekite as having achieved ascension, and are sometimes prayed to specifically. Conversely, particularly loathed figures are thought to be permanently sent to Ikipit, and are sometimes blamed for misfortune. Religion is decentralised, and deeply woven into daily life. Performing magic is both routine, and deeply spiritual. The magic of Ketikiten (known as Cekite to the natives) involves communing with plantlife (particularly trees) in order to nurture and cause it to grow in desirable ways. It involves a tradeoff between speed and results. A user can grow a poor quality plant in a matter of days, or a very high quality plant over the course of decades, or anything in between. Performing fast-and-dirty Cekite (“Cekite iki”) is considered disrespectful to Ketiki, but does not rise to the level of outright heresy.  Particularly well-performed Cekite (“Cekite Putiki”) results in plantlife with supernatural qualities; trees with wood as hard as stone, fruit with healing properties, among others.