MaheKiyan

MaheKiyan is a kingdom and tribal confederation in Asselia, lead by a monarch and a council of tribal elders called the Kiyan.

## History

#### Early History

The founding history of MaheKiyan is best told as a story of it's founder, Qannorei. Originally a disparate group of tribes similar in culture, the people that make up the Mahe thought the idea of a unified Mahe state a pipe dream, as it had only happened once before sometime around 570 PQA (Pre Qannorei's Ascension), lasting only five years under MaruHei the Warden. However, the destiny of the Mahe would be forever changed when 23 PQA a strange boat was sited off the coast of one tribes territories, the first of many. It soon became apparent that these odd, bug like ships were an invasion force that aimed to colonize the lands of the Mahe. Dubbed the Qisan, believed to be a corruption of the Qisan's own name for themselves, they would wage a brutal and bloody war for many years

### The Rise of Qannorei and Unification

The Qisan would ravage the country side of the Mahe tribes for many years, until in 4PQA in an act of twisted irony they attacked the wrong village: Qannorei's home town. Previously so far inland as to be unaffected, this foray further in would be the beginning of the end for the Qisan. Driven by grief and a desire for revenge for the murder of her family a young woman named Qannorei, previously a simple engraver, would proceed to gather villagers and retreating armies to wage a guerilla war against the Qisan. By 3 PQA Qannorei had amassed a large band of followers, and had gained a reputation for being a brilliant strategist and warrior. Within the next year after this many tribal forces would submit themselves to her leadership, seeing that they had a far better chance of making a difference under her. At the same time many of the remaining tribes would band together in a military alliance called the Kiyan, sometimes translated as "protectors" or "band" in an effort to repulse the invaders. When the ragtag forces of Qannorei and the Kiyan began to work together the war would finally turn around. By 1 PQA the invaders were repulsed, and the pipe dream of the Mahe would be realized: at the Meeting of the Sea the Kiyan agreed to form into a cohesive government, lead by a council of elders (also called the Kiyan) and a single leader: the Qan, the first of who would be Qannorei.

### Modern History

After the invasion of the Qisan was repulsed and the state of MaheKiyan founded the government would work to rebuild for many years, something that was never truly accomplished in some areas. However, the fledgling state would have little standing in it's way to becoming a prosperous and wealthy nation. One of the few military conflicts this new state has faced, outside the occasional rebellion, would be when a people named the Aldarans would attempt to invade by the sea. Prepared for an eventual Chisan return, the Aldarans were easily repulsed.

## Government

MaheKiyan is primarily formed around a tribal of council elders, the Kiyan, and an overall ruler, the Qan, and most internal politics can usually be described by the competition of power between these two forces.

Membership on the Kiyan is decided internally by the tribe being represented, and is sometimes hereditary, sometimes voted on, or sometime use a completely different method. The Kiyan has had different numbers at various points, and new members can be voted on by the Kiyan, as well as voted out. When it was originally founded it consisted of 11, but in modern day's is usually smaller in number.

The title of Qan is a position founded by Qannorei of Clan Qannorei, founder of her clan, and is usually selected by the previous Qan or a council of Clan Qannorei's tribal elder's based on merit. The capital of Clan Qannorei is also the capital of the entirety of MaheKiyan, and has at most point's in it's history been it's largest city. The Qan is honor bound to ensure all Mahe's prosperity and peace. In times of war the Qan is also typically the Commander of all Mahe's armed forces, though in periods the Qan's power was particularly weak a different person was selected, or each tribe managed it's own forces

## Culture

### Fashion

Mahe dress varies little between gender, and usually consists of woolen pants, leather boots, and a silk Tangzhuang. Those of higher standing may additionally wear silk pants and embroider both their pants and Tangzhuang. Those in the military, or previously, typically have their hair shaved on both sides with short or long hair on top, often braided if long, while those with no connection to fighting often only shave one side of their hair if it all. Male's typically wear their hair long and in a dutch braid, while females often instead use a crown braid, though it is not too uncommon for someone to use the "opposite gender's" hairstyle instead. The Mahe typically wear no jewelry on their face or head, instead tattooing it. Wealth and status can typically be gauged by how large, complex, and colorful one's facial tattoos are. The Qan or former Qan can typically be identified by a specific face tattoo that is forbidden to anyone else: a purple owl swooping down onto an animal located on one's forehead.

### Food

Mahe food has a large focus on grilling, strong sauces, and a healthy mix of grain and meat. Commonly eaten meat's include pork, fish, and chicken, and less commonly lamb, venison, or beef. Grains in Mahe cuisine are usually either rice, wheat, or soy. Both cow and goat milk is somewhat common, as is cheese. Lower class families often have more jerky, rice, and cheese in their diet then upper-class individuals.

### Court Culture

Mahe courtly culture is a very ceremonial affair, and there exists specific traditions and ceremonies for many different functions. One of the most important parts of this is a ceremonial weapon: there exist a wide array of ceremonial weapons to be used for different events, sometimes with only slight differences between them.

-For the signing of alliances, a Kris-like dagger is used, engraved with gold. The dagger is provided by the party that is hosting the treaty. The signatories will all cut their hands, dripping blood into a bowl which will then be used as ink for the signatures of the treaty. This is the origin of the Mahe phrase that translates to “They have a bandaged hand” which denotes the person in question is good at making friends

-In the case of a surrender, the party that is surrendering will offer a small curved enameled dagger to the party they are surrendering too. This dagger is often sheathed in the heel of the boot of a military officer, in the off chance they need to surrender.

-Trade Agreements are perhaps the only major MaheKiyan ceremony to feature no weapons of any kind, to bring a weapon to the table of such a ceremony is considered a grave insult

-When ascending to the throne, a new Qan will carry with them a saber engraved with an owl on the blade and an eagle on the hilt

### Dueling

Dueling is an honored tradition in MaheKiyan for the solving of conflicts, and also a test of faith. Dueling is typically done with a one handed saber and a buckler, though in some circumstances a spear or two handed saber may be used instead (the latter especially among western tribes). A duel is typically initiated via a fist being put to the lower chest, directly under the sternum, and declaration of intent being said. Assuming the other party accepts (which they almost always will), a time and date is decided on, as well the terms for either side winning. Duels are typically conducted at a monastery, under the supervision of monks, who act as officators. The duel starts with both parties ten steps from their middle point (a total distance of twenty steps between them, in other words), their saber is pointed outwards and down, the blade facing down. When the officiator raises a hand, the duel begins. Duels are typically to the first to draw blood, though duels to the death may also be done for grave matters. No armor is to be worn during these duels, for it prevents the drawing of blood. High profile duels are sometimes treated like sports events, watched by many. Mahe Saber Fencing is somewhat a different martial art to actual mahe saber fighting, and is built around wounding an opponent instead of killing them. In recent years many different “schools” of fencing have arisen, usually propagated by a single master who apprentices a select few who they see potential in to learn their style. The exact style varies somewhat between these schools, as well as if a buckler is used. For example, a well renowned style in the central areas eschews the buckler, and typically uses the free hand to reinforce the back of the blade during a clash, during the process of learning which at least one finger is typically lost on the non-dominant hand, an easy giveaway that one practices the style.

## Religion - TaluFibe

The traditional Mahe religion TaluFibe is one considered very odd by outsiders. According to traditional belief, the world was created by the spirit Fibe, who realized that spirits were too stagnant and dull in a purely spiritual world. To fix this problem, he created the physical world, and created humans (and other races) as vessels for many of these spirits to inhabit so that they may experience change and reach enlightenment. Thusly, TaluFibe is based primarily upon reaching enlightenment, and following the "Path" of righteous and proper living.

### Key tenets and beliefs

* The world was created with both good and evil, light and dark, happiness and pain, and all other dichotomies so that the spirit may know the difference between good times and bad. As such, TaluFibe postulates that pain is not something to be actively avoided (nor sought)
* It is the duty of those on the Path to teach other's, so that they may share in the splendor of enlightenment
* The body is a tool, purpose designed to teach us these lessons, but also a project for all to work on. It is of the utmost importance to the Mahe to keep the body and mind strong. Exercise and meditation are both commonly practiced from a young age, and establishing a healthy diet is very important. Indulgence of food or drink is seen as a grave error, and moderation in these things is a common virtue.
* Dreams are a gateway to one’s true self, the part of the mind that is not constrained by the material world
* The whims and feelings of the body are there for a reason and should not be ignored, but nor should they be allowed to control you; self-control is a great virtue.
* Differences arise in people's circumstances because all spirits are different, so the exact details of their test and Path vary. Those that walk the Path and have honor are respected no matter their circumstances. Even some people considered abominations in other cultures, such as vampires, are simply believed to be people undergoing a different test.
* Everyone is different, and the circumstances of their birth, or their innate traits, should not be the judge of a person's character, but by how well they overcome them, and how they affect others.
* One may dedicate themselves to a temple and become a monk to study the Path, the world, and history, if one decides that this is the way forward. However, these monk's lack many prohibitions of priests in other cultures, and may marry, commit violence, etc. However, they are not allowed to wear silk and must force themselves to a lower standard of living then is usual, and must dedicate themselves to their duties and living righteously. Many monks are scholars, explorers, historians, writers, or even musicians or artists.