Great Work of Khayad

**Great Work of Khayad** (khay. *Ufar Khayadit Amaia* - lit. *Great Khayadian Art*) - second unified Khayadian state that formed in 470 3E when Yasmina the Siren was coronated Queen of Mahuat and subsequently reformed the government according to the idea of artisocracy. Built from a rich and prosperous kingdom, the Great Work rose to immense power during the reign of the Asinid dynasty and, although not at its peak now, is still one of the more powerful countries of Eastern Thir, holding a hegemonic position on the subcontinent.

## Overview

Created with the idea of artisocracy in mind, the country is meant to be treated as an ever-changing work of art that is to be shaped by artisans (politicians and the monarch) and the collective ideas of the people. This way of running the government is based primarily on meritocracy (Artisans are chosen because of their skills and talents - or "artistry"), indirect democracy (the people choose their representatives in the Artisanate), but also the divine-right theory of rulership (the title of Great Artisan is hereditary for it is believed that only the dynasty sanctioned by the goddess Estaia can hold the title, passing her sanctioning through blood and familial ties).

The country is divided into three parts: the arid Sofie Desert, the lush flood plains of the Ashtar Valley and the rocky hills of Namashtar. The river valley is the most valuable out of the three for it contains some of the largest settlements - including Khadarasta, Ashamarad, Estairad and Baibarad - and is responsible for the majority of the country's agriculture and production, while also being home to its biggest trade hubs.

Incense, amber, fruits, iron and gold are the backbone of the Khayadian economy. Strengthened by the long river Ashtar that runs through half of the subcontinent and the Incense Roads that connect Khayad with countries on the other side of the desert, the economy proves to be one of the countries strongest aspects. This helps with sustaining other things, like cuisine (because of the robust agriculture), cultural life (because of the amount of money that can go towards art) and a high standard of living.

## Government

The Great Work is an artisocracy, which means that the country is considered to be a work of art, more specifically an ever-changing sculpture that is to be shaped by artist-politicians and the people that their art is meant to give voice to. The country's government is divided into several bodies:

* The **Great Artisan** is the ruler of the country and the "overseer of the Great Work". Basing their right to rule on a divine blessing that the goddess Estaia gave to Artisane Yasmina the Siren and her descendants, the Great Artisans are meant to serve as exemplary national artists, the ultimate artisans. Serving as the country's monarch, the Great Artisan is oftentimes likened to king or queen.
* The **Artisanate** is a body of ten Artisans that serve as advisors to the Great Artisan and rulers of the Artisanries, local administrative units.
	+ An **Artisanry** is an administrative unit that Khayad is divided into. Also called a "Small Work of Khayad", each Artisanry is meant to treat its territory as its own piece of art. As such, each Artisanry differs from another one in terms of ruling ideology and philosophy which results in diffrences in laws and customs that are oftentimes corrected by the Great Artisan. The Artisanries are ruled by Artisans.