Merka’vish Dominion

### Head of State

Natrosk (*De jure*)Councilor-Electors of House Dyniesak, Avaranak, Kyetal-miyak, Isarak and Mayusak (*De facto*)

### Head of Government

Natrosk (*De jure*)High Chancellor Maketi'lien (*De facto*)

### Government Type

Absolute Divine Monarchy (*De jure*)Oligarchic matriarchal electoral cognatic councillorship with high council (*De facto*)

## Demographics

### Religion

Grand Cult of Natrosk

The **Merka’vish Dominion** is a majority Telakarami nation that is located in Eastern Grimur, along the Eastern Ocean. With it owning most of the lands known as Neo Delvani, the Dominion is sparsely populated, with much of their population centers being mostly centered in the capital, Natrosk-Katel, and a fortified settlement to the west known as Qetan, which serves as an agricultural center.

## Etymology

The "Merka'vish Dominion" was first recorded to be used upon the arrival of Merka'vish to Grimur. The actual name of the previous state that proceeded this Dominion remains unknown.

Within every document signed by the Dominion, the variation of the word "Merka'vish" nor "Dominion" is ever used. Instead, the documents refer to the citizens of the Dominion as **Delvanic**, named after their region, which they call New Delvani.

## History

### Prehistory

Much of the Dominion’s territory used to be more fertile grassland, with the mountains being rather peaceful and quiet. Multiple tribes and people groups had lived in the region for over thousands of years. An ancient civilization known as the Mekulu Culture existed in -32,000, being well known as a pastoral, and peaceful civilization that didn’t really have any real enemies. They would disappear however, before -17,000 due to unknown reasons.

#### Legendary Accounts

The *Book of Natrosk*, accounts the dramatic journey of the Telakarami through an area known as "The Rift", which is infact, a large red portal. The book states that the Dominion originated from a home world known as Delvani, which was at one point, a green, lush environment, with their people living as agrarian farmers. There was both male and female Telakarami, that lived together side by side in a rather peaceful society. At this time, all the Telakarami had their marks on their backs, but there was no caste system, nor were there was any sort of discrimination.

One day, a young girl named Merka'vish, decided to travel to the far corners of the world, which was ruled by a species known as the Velpark'tor, beings that resembled Demons of this world. By this time, Merka'vish would learn the truth about her society, and how they were destined to fall to an invasion by the Velpark'tor, who were far stronger than her weak species, and knew nothing of fighting. In order to stop this, Merka'vish willingly joined the side of the Velpark'tor, and would become one of their Generals, being trained how to fight. Soon, she would begin to make a cult dedicated to the living God, Uskraknik. Merka'vish would soon gather together loyal followers, and begun to invade the Telakarami settlements. However, Merka'vish would notice how Uskraknik lied to her, and would betray his promise of saving her people. Angered, Merka'vish would stab him with his own blade, and with a surge of energies, she would become a living God herself, draining him to become nothing more than a pile of stones. As his essence entered her mind, she would see visions that the men would eventually turn on her people, and decided it would be best to sacrifice every single male of her species, and strengthen the females of her species, to become stronger, taller and bolder, transforming her new dominion into a Matriarchy. In order to save her people from destruction of the now decaying world of Delvani, she would open a rift, and transport her people to Grimur, in which she would establish her dominion from there. Thanks to her enchantments and changes, the Telakarami people would be blessed to breath volcanic ash, and be more resilient to fire and lava, treating it as hot water, rather than it's destructive nature of death.

#### Actual Accounts

It is extremely difficult to tell what "actual accounts" are of the Dominion, however, there are philosophers, scholars and tablets, as well as ruined scrolls that show that there is far more to the story than the records could indicate. Much like the *Book of Natrosk*'s description of their homeworld, the Telakarami indeed originate from a different world, but not dimension, as evidence of this "Old Delvani" world comes from fragments of several things that would make it through the portal over 2,000 years ago. Recovered tablets as well as belongings that would come with Shadow-Marked Telakarami that would leave the Dominion, shows that the *Book of Natrosk* is full of inconsistencies. However, with the Dominion attempting to smash any form of accounts that would be against the Supreme Matriarch, it is rather vague to know the exact truth and reason why they would even come to Grimur in the first place.

Records do also show that the Telakarami were also a pastoral, peaceful society. However, the records of the marks are not present, as it would be written, and transcribed by later philosophers outside of the dominion. In addition, their women were already taller and stronger than the men of their society, and did much of the labor, while men catered to the young, and stayed at home most of the time, though did assisted in governmental, and other forms of duties, showing whatever civilization(s) existed at this time, were already matriarchal, but not in the sense of what it is today. Although the societies were matriarchal, it was egalitarian, and a harmony existed between men and women.

Some sources seem to vilify Merka'vish as a ruthless tyrant, rather than a savior of the Telakarami. It is not really clear how she would become a Goddess Queen of their people, but it is written that she indeed made some kind of pact with a demonesque race, and invaded many villages, forcing them to become her subject, or face persecution and death. It is not said that she had a master, and even some, saying that she already had godly powers, indicating that Merka'vish made no heroic sacrifice, and she is infact, far more devious than first believed. It's largely theorized that she was the one who killed whoever she served, and became commander of said armies. Other sources, however, argue this, and state that she was indeed a hero, and was actually very egalitarian, with much of her bias and love toward the Blood-Marked exclusively, being propaganda promoted by the current Dominion to help control the Shadow-Marked. With the current state of affairs of how the Dominion is, this mark racism came from what happened after her empire.

Evidence of an apocalyptical event that happened on Delvani was indeed truth, but many accounts point to Merka'vish being the one responsible for it, following her conquests. A dimensional rift was open up, transporting all the Telakarami off Delvani, and bringing them to Grimur. This however, caused many of the volcanos in the region to erupt, and cause it to become it's hellish-looking landscape it is today. It is said that by this result, many of the inhabitants were "cursed" by having marks on their backs as a result, with Blood-Marked being the strongest of the caste.

### The Fractured Era

After arriving to the region, and establishment of the First Dominion, Merka'vish would rename herself to Natrosk, and became known as "Supreme Matriarch", in which, she saw a vision. A vision, in which men were the byproduct of their species destruction, and that if they are allowed to continue to live, they will surely drive them to extinction. As such, Natrosk would lead a crusade against the many kingdoms and empires that were surrounding the Dominion, and expanded their territory. Many armies of Telakarami would see victory, killing every man they've seen, and establishing new colonies outside of their volcanic homeland, which would come to become known as the historical "Merka'vish Empire". However, Natrosk would disappear around -1,300 in records by currently, unknown reasons. This disappearance would cause her empire to collapse, and would see the fracturing of the Empire into multiple houses. In total, 300 houses would divide the land, causing much trouble for the former Empire as a whole.

For over 700 years, the former Empire would see itself in endless fighting with themselves, each vying for control over the title of becoming Merka'vish's successor. This bloody period would become known as the "Fractured Era", and saw the deaths of over millions of Telakarami, bringing their numbers from over 3 million, to just about 1 million by the end of the period. This dramatically huge loss of population would cause many new issues to arise, especially when new enemies came in, and took over the territories that Natrosk begun. This would also begin the era, in which a hierarchy of marked would begin, as Blood-Marked begun to blame the Shadow-Marked for the loss of their population and the disappearance of Natrosk. Although Natrosk believed in equality for all four marked, the Blood-Marked were by far the stronger ones. As a result, this caste would become more enforced by the other houses. Though, this would also seemingly reduce the number of wars, as the large amount of houses would start to reduce down over the course of the remaining era.

### The Grand Council Era

By the time of the year -600, the houses would reduce from 300 to about 44, with many of them being seemingly in a stalemate. No longer fighting major wars due to the decreasing population, and the growing infertility among other Telakarami, the Dominion under House Dyniesak, would unite together the other houses to form a Grand Council, with the High Chancellor being the second highest form of government. They would agree that Natrosk shall be forever recognized as Supreme Matriarch, and that no one may claim her title, and thus, a theocratic state was born. With a vacant throne guarded for her eventual return, the High Chancellor would be elected as a life-time position, with five of the most powerful houses as Electors.

The Five Houses of Dyniesak, Avaranak, Kyetal-miyak, Isarak and Mayusak are among these electors. which are the oldest houses of the Dominion. Avakarlien, the ancestor of Maketi'lien, the current High Chancellor, imposed a policy of Isolationism, disconnecting itself from the outside world, but had exceptions for male slaves to help keep their population at a stable rate. There is also efforts that were introduced to find a way to reproduce without the use of men, so that they may return back to the numbers they once had prior to the Fractured Era.

## Government

Officially, the Dominion is a *de jure* Absolute Divine Monarchy, which is ruled by Natrosk, the main patron Goddess of the Dominion. If she is present, the government are to act all loyal to her, with disregards to the Council, and holds absolute authority over the Dominion, ruling by divine right. Currently, the government is *de facto* a ruled by the Dominion Council, which consists of 45 members, 5 of them being of House Dyniesak, Avaranak, Kyetal-miyak, Isarak and Mayusak, and the final member being the High Chancellor, which is equal to the seat of a Queen, but with power delegating more to the council. Together, they rule the entire Dominion in stead of the Supreme Matriarch, who is still recognized as above the Council as a whole, and any measures to remove her in favor of the Council, is illegal.

Members of the council are forbidden from marrying into a larger house to prevent any sort of house holding majority favor. Two contesting parties who managed to gain a large vote, but disagree with eachother wanting to become High Chancellor, are allowed to have a trial by combat. To the death used to be allowed, but was made forbidden by High Chancellor Avakarlien thanks to her "Recovery Decree". The duels would only end should one side looses their right or left horn.

Historically, only Blood-Marked Telakarami had held position in the courts of the Dominion following the disappearance of Natrosk, but there have been two instances of council members not being a Blood-Marked. One was a Smoke-Marked known as Avareminium, who was renown as a Telakarami with great foresight, and prevented multiple wars with other nations directly bordering the Dominion, the other was a Shadow-Marked by the name of Keveranah, who ordered construction of the Grand Library, and preservation of ancient knowledge of the Dominion, though was severely ridiculed as being a Shadow-Marked.

## Religion

Apart of the Grand Council of the dominion's charter, the official state religion is the Imperial Cult of Natrosk.

The charter also explicitly states that: "*If one is of a foreign origin, and female, and loyal to the will of the Supreme Matriarch, she may practice her own faith within the grounds that she continues to accept the Supreme Matriarch as a Goddess Queen, and an incarnation of said God they praise.*". With this meaning, freedom of religion is practiced only if the adherent accepts Natrosk as a Goddess (or living incarnation of said Patron) as well. Persecutions of foreign religions are usually witnessed should one openly deny Natrosk, and denies her as a goddess, with punishments usually being extremely severe, often being torture before death.

94% of the population adheres to the Cult of Natrosk, while others, mostly female foreigners who are in the empire, adhere to different faiths.

## Military

The Dominion Military is one of the few standing armies in the world, with each house having it's own cohort, banner and armor color.

Some houses implore the use of slave soldiers, which compose of men that are captured, prisoners or traded as slaves from slave traders. Male soldiers are usually more poorly equipped, and are designated to be fodder and expendable to the houses, though it is reported that some houses do reward their men should they come back alive.

Foreign females or females who are not of Telakarami origin, but are loyal to the Dominion, as well as worshippers of Natrosk, who enlist in the military are assigned into auxiliary units, which is commanded by a Telakarami General. These units are better equipped than the male units, and their armor upgrades as they rise higher in the ranks. The most elite units wear the same level of quality armor as an elite Telakarami soldier.

Although it's officially not illegal for them not to, Shadow-Marked are barred from joining the military, as apart of the racial policies against them.

## Culture

Dominion culture is a rather huge mixture between old and new. While the agrarian and pacifist lifestyle has long faded away, the Dominion still practices their old traditions that were left over from that said life. Several cultural arts such as the decoration of their homes with symbols on the walls and long houses that can support several people, are still practiced.