Tlotavou

* Map
* Flag

Tlotavou is a small nation consisting of steaming rain forests, long coastlines and minor volcanic activity. It's capital city and primary seat of power is Tchacarivou, "Snake's hunting ground" It neighbors Chsix to the south and Vlides Galira to the north.

Its primary ethnic and cultural inhabitants are the Painted People. They are a Swarthy and lean people, commonly having either black or brown hair and being generally shorter than the average human.

Basic Statistics

## History

Still drifting through the sands of their pre-history, only time will tell what becomes of the People. (wait a few months for stuff to actually happen then this'll get filled out)

## Geography

The territory surrounding Tchacarivou is almost entirely wilderness, with the city's off-white walls standing in sharp contrast to the jungle around them.

### Fauna

Rattlesnakes, jaguars, walking raptors and the elusive Flying Boa are some of the more notable beasts to inhabit the dense jungles.

### Flora

By far the most valued plant in the surrounding region is the Cocoa plant, believed to be giving to humanity by the gods and commonly used as a form of currency.

## Politics

Currently in the seat of power is King Matzl Tchaca II, Ruler of Tchacarivou, the lands of Tlotavou and the Painted People.

A veteran of many battles, King Tchaca II, scarred in body and sharp in mind, gazes across the surrounding lands atop his blood-soaked pyramid temple with hungry eyes peering through coarse black hair.

Despite having the good-natured disposition of a severed head landing on a pyramid’s last step and a complexion like beef jerky, the King is beloved by his people for his many military exploits and his astounding dueling career as a prince.

The Cult and the Nobility each have a say in the operations and policies of the kingdom, but only the King, aided by his generals, has say over matters relating to war.

Laws are codified and enforced by a special standing force overseen by a particular town’s mayor or ranking elite. Some laws apply only to certain classes of people. Warriors and nobility are often exempt from certain laws meant for peasants and are granted special access to luxury goods and other fine materials.

Succession is related to bloodline. Nobility has the privilege of voting to remove or replace officials of the state, while the Cult’s priests operate on achievement.

Moving up in society for a commoner is only possible through military service. Victory and promotion allow anyone to become a noble person.

## Religion and culture

### Moral values and principles

The Painted People (*Tlotaverou)* Live up to their name with their most iconic custom: the use of paints on a person’s face. Designs and number of colors vary greatly between individuals, but even the most lowly slaves are expected to keep their face paints clear and defined. These paints are designed and given to all children born in Tlotavou by a doctor-priest 3 days after birth. This paint is a person’s identity and its purpose is to protect an individual's soul from being stolen by demons, devils, and other residents of the Underworld. Without such protection, a person’s very being would be left naked and exposed.

A Painted person is expected to be pious, strong, and honourable. Painted people find the spilling of blood in the name of honour or the gods, be it your own blood or someone else's, to be in the highest esteem. Warriors are elevated to their own class, and Priests enjoy immense respect from all levels of Tloatvouan society.

Men are expected (and required to) be warriors. Women also share this expectation, but are barred from becoming soldiers if they bear children.

Great effort is placed on wardrobes. A Painted person is expected to wear clothes that match or compliment their face paint. However, In the warm climate, it is common for such clothes to be little more than loincloths or loose-fitting tunics.

### Traditions

Sacrifice and Autosacrifice accompany almost all traditions and events. The appropriate amount of sacrifices are prepared for each event, monthly ritual, or festival by priests. Individuals will often bloodlet a few drops (or more) with special knives or implements for luck and to gain favor from the gods. Human Sacrifice, reserved for the most important events, is performed in a manner of ways. However, the most common is to remove the heart of the still-living sacrifice with a large obsidian blade, usually wielded by a high-ranking priest or government official.

Two of the most popular sports in Tlotavou are Snake’s Egg and the Mock Duel.

Snake’s Egg is a team game played with 10 players per team. Traditionally played with a real snake’s egg, the game requires players of each team to toss and catch the Egg using long wooden basket-poles. The object of the game is to place the Egg in the opposing team’s basket while avoiding dropping or losing the Egg to the other team. Official or ritual matches will often sacrifice a player who allows the Egg to break under his or her care.

The Mock Duel takes place between two players. A match begins with both opponents cutting their non-sword palm and draining the blood into a small dish held over a fire. Armed with wooden short swords, sticks, or anything the right length and heft, a player must disarm or knock down his opponent before the blood in the dish boils away.

The most important holiday in a Painted person’s life is the Rising of the 10th Sun. A decennial celebration, the Rising is accompanied by sport, dance, lavish feasting, a day of rest, and then the sacrifice of many, many captives and willing volunteers atop an extinct volcano overlooking the capital in order to keep the world turning. As the Rising grows closer, many believe it to be an unstable period, where the walls between the mortal world and the darkness of the underworld grow thinnest.

### Religion

Tlotavouan life is dominated by mystic practices and beliefs. As such, Religion plays a tremendous part in all levels of society. It is believed that, in order to perpetuate the cycle of creation, both gods and humans alike had the responsibility of sacrificing themselves in order to allow life to continue. Before the time of the People, the Gods created 9 worlds, all of which were destroyed in a cataclysmic war between the Gods and the denizens of the Underworld. Only through the self-sacrifice of the Gods could the Tenth and final World be born. There, formed from the still-flaming earth, mankind could live thanks to their sacrifice. Mankind was responsible for the continued re-ignition of the sun. such action is carried with supreme amounts of ceremony and ritual, practiced by a multitude of priestly classes, and celebrated by all the people.

### Art

A unique mutation amongst the Painted people allows their eyes to see more colors than the average human. This is shown in their arts and paintings, those of which sport a tremendous array of colors, patterns, and flowing, swirling brushstrokes.

Most objects have depictions of gods and spirits incorporated into their designs. It is believed this grants the object or tool superior durability or usefulness.

Of course, the design of a Painted person’s face paint is something studied intensely by artists and priests. Whole catalogs of design motifs and styles exist, but most commonly a person’s paint will be derivative of their father or mother, depending on gender.