Elero

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High priest Oshneya

Elero is a theocracy located on the northern coast of The Sea of Hope. The land consists mostly of savanna, with a band of tropical forest located around a river central to the nation. It's closest neighbors are Agicalia's Providence Lusjhusēkē, Othenia, Jirhan, and Katsuko.

The primary species composing Elero are the Yokanen The Yokanen (singular yokanar) are a species of marsupials native to the central lakes region. They stand about three to four feet tall, have four limbs, and are covered in brown fur with a light patch on their face. Yokanan heads are wombat-like in shape with long ears that lie parallel to their head that may shift to express emotion. Their hands are tipped with claws meant for digging which also give them a decent climbing ability.

Basic Statistics

## Geography

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### Fauna

Snap Beetles

These fist sized insects live in the savannas and forests on the northern coast of The Sea of Hope. They subsist on grass and leaves and therefore are sometimes considered a pest. The chitin on their elytra is thick enough that it limits their flight to hops of a maximum of 1 meter. In exchange for this, the snap beetle is resistant to most damage from above. On the underside the snap beetle has two layers of chitin. The outer layer is relatively thin while the inner layer is average for a beetle of its size. Between the two layers is a pocket of compressed noxious gas developed while the snap beetle was pupating. When the outer chitin is broken by a predator a loud snapping sound is made. This, along with the noxious smelling gas being released, will drive off the predator.

## Languages

The current official language of Elero is kata.

## Politics

### Government

Elero is a theocracy with a triumvirate of high priests at its head. Priests are choosen from among the populace at an early age and are specially trained in spiritual and civil leadership. High priests are chosen from among the priesthood who are not teaching children at the time, this is done by vote among the priesthood, but if a priest can show signs that they are favored by the gods over the other candidates they will most likely get the position. The position of high priest is held for life.

Under the priests are the temple stewards. Stewards are in charge of advising priests and lower level functions in the government.

Responsible for the upkeep of law are the temple guard.

## Religion and culture

### Moral values and principles

Cooperation and respect for the gods are two things prized in Elero above all others. All people are seen as coming from the same divine source and are therefore worthy of respect. They find the practice of slavery aborent. They are slow to go to war and would always try to seek the aid of an ally if pushed to it. They tend to wear a wrap around their shoulders that hangs down to their knees. Holes are cut out for the belly pouch when a mother is carrying a child in one. The greatest hero of the people of Elero is Orana, a prophetess  who ended a bloody tribal conflict through mediation and gave them their creation myth.

### Traditions

The most prominently celebrated holiday is Schen Omalane, a celebration of the splitting of the god Omalane. The ruling triumvirate makes a large speech, then the people attending smash melons with hammers, symbolizing the splintering of Omalane. It is considered lucky two split the melon in two on the first try, then shatter the two halves afterwards. This is followed by a feast featuring the melons that were just smashed, and snap beatles.

When greeting someone, it is considered polite to rub cheeks with the other person. It is traditional to give someone you are meeting for the first time a gift of fruit.

### Religion

The dominant in Elero is Eleye which dictates that its subjects seek out and gain the favor of all gods. It encourages its adherents to be accepting, kind, and helpful.

The creation myth is that the deity Omalane came before all. They looked down upon themself and knew only Omalane. In that moment they thought to themself of what a companion would be like, thought it to be good, and tore themself in half. These halves were Olane and Omale. The two new beings were delighted to be able to see each other, and so discussed what they could do. They decided to further tear themselves apart, Olane becoming the physical world and its inhabitants and Omale becoming the world of spirits and the gods who dwell there.

That in death they will continue in their service to the gods. They believe that the spirit world is in a nebulous realm beyond this world in which the gods dwell, and may be accessed briefly in dreams. The goddess Olayana will come to them in their final dream and take them down a path on which they will be judged by every god, one after another. They believe that they will serve a god that matches their personality and skillset. A brave warrior might go to a god of battle and valor, and a calm potter might serve a god of rivers and craft. They belive that if one serves diligently enough over a long enough time that they might ascend to godhood themself.

### Art and Architecture

Elere art prominently features mosaics decorating the interiors of buildings. These mosaics usually have religious themes, though in private dwellings they are mostly of the family that live there. One can usually trace the ownership of a house through said mosaics.

About half of a given Elere city is underground and thus above ground they may look small or sparse. The underground sections of a city typically have walls sealed with hardened  clay, with mosaics created while the clay dries.